NewzIntel.com

Category: Technology

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

    Source: US State of California

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

    Note: View the criminal complaint.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

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

    Source: US State of California

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

    Note: View the criminal complaint.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

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

    Source: United States Attorneys General

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

    Note: View the criminal complaint.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

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

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

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

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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

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

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

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

    Layla addresses this challenge head-on by delivering:

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

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

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

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

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

    About AlayaCare

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

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

    The MIL Network –

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

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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

    PTR: The Core Link of the Ultra X Ecosystem

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

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

    How PTR Shapes the Ultra X Ecosystem

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

    • 1. Funding Link: Driving Technological Innovation

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

    • 2. Incentive Bridge: Connecting Users and Value

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

    • 3. Governance Hub: Empowering Community Participation

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

    • 4. Trust Foundation: Safeguarding User Interests

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

    Advantages and Features of PTR

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

    The Cornerstone of Trust and Transparency

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

    PTR: The Connector of Financial Futures

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

    About Panther Quantitative Think Tank Investment Center

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

    Website: https://pqtic.com/

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

    The MIL Network –

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

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: PCM Encore Surpasses $1.2 Billion in Client Assets, Expands Nationwide in First Six Months Serving External Families

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Built over five years as a single family office, PCM Encore opened to other families six months ago and now manages over $1.2 billion. With 57 families onboard, the firm continues expanding its advisor network and direct investment capabilities across the country.

    Photo Credit PCM Encore

    BELLEVUE, Wash., June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PCM Encore today announced that it has exceeded $1.2 billion in assets under management, just six months after opening its platform to outside families. Originally founded as a single family office, PCM Encore has spent the past five years building a robust, institutional-grade wealth management platform. The firm now serves 57 families across the United States.

    PCM Encore provides a comprehensive suite of investment, tax, estate, and family office services tailored to the needs of sophisticated families. The platform emphasizes long-term partnership, after-tax return optimization, and access to high-quality private and public investment opportunities.

    Key Milestones Achieved in the First Six Months:

    PCM Encore’s early growth reflects rising demand among wealthy families for a more personalized alternative to traditional wirehouse and RIA offerings. With over $1.2 billion in client AUM, the firm is focused on sustainable, relationship-driven expansion.

    • Built out a team of registered advisors based in: Aspen, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, and Seattle
    • Developed a direct investment team based in Menlo Park
    • Opened an additional office in Miami
    • Onboarded 57 families to the PCM Encore platform
    • Expanded team to more than 15 professionals, including experts in investment management, technology, compliance, and client advisory
    • Delivered comprehensive services, including tax and estate planning, family office solutions, and portfolio optimization
    • Facilitated client access to a broad array of leading fund managers and investment strategies, including: Direct Indexing, Private Credit, Private Real Estate, Private Infrastructure, Private Equity, Venture Capital

    Tax Alpha In a Volatile Market

    PCM Encore’s tax-aware investing approach has helped clients outperform even in a stagnant market. During the volatility following April’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcements, the firm’s investment team deployed aggressive tax loss harvesting strategies. While major indices like the S&P 500 were flat year-to-date through May, PCM Encore clients ended the period meaningfully ahead on an after-tax basis.

    “Especially in environments like this, after-tax returns are what separate smart portfolios from the rest,” said Bradford Lin, Principal at PCM Encore and former KKR private equity executive. “By capturing losses tactically and reinvesting, we’ve delivered tax alpha that compounds over time—even when the market goes nowhere.”

    The firm reported over 1% in tax alpha in Q1, with early Q2 data pointing to even stronger results. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Tax alpha results may vary based on individual circumstances and market conditions.

    Institutional Investment Platform with a Proven Track Record

    PCM Encore offers families access to a carefully curated suite of private and public investment opportunities, along with proprietary diligence, ongoing monitoring, and operational support.

    Notable recent outcomes include:

    • A successful exit from Vector, a trucking and logistics software company, at a nine-figure valuation, where PCM Encore was a seed investor and board member
    • In partnership with ACG and Prudential, breaking ground on the first major multifamily development project of 2025 in the Seattle metro area

    These results highlight the firm’s ability to originate and execute investments across various asset classes while aligning with client portfolios.

    Building a Team for Long-Term Success

    PCM Encore was founded by Michael Paulus, a seasoned growth investor and entrepreneur with a track record of building companies at scale. The firm’s team has grown to include professionals with backgrounds in investment management, technology, compliance, and client service. PCM Encore’s leadership includes:

    • Bradford Lin, Direct Investments Principal and former KKR private equity executive
    • John Shepard, Chief Technology Officer and former Microsoft executive
    • Sam Rice, Chief Compliance Officer
    • Andrew Weiss, Chief Marketing Officer

    The firm remains focused on expanding its platform and deepening relationships with families nationwide.

    “We’ve spent years building PCM Encore for our own family,” Paulus added. “Now, we’re honored to be a trusted partner to other families who share our long-term mindset and value the same high standards that we do.”

    Visit PCM Encore website to learn more about PCM Encore’s services and locations.

    About PCM Encore

    PCM Encore is a technology-forward, independent fiduciary financial advisor serving ultra-high-net-worth individuals, trusts, and family offices. The firm combines a personalized, client-first approach with institutional investment access, proprietary strategies, and deep expertise in tax and estate planning. PCM Encore is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, with advisors and investment professionals based in Aspen, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Seattle, and Menlo Park.

    Contact Information:

    Contact Person’s Name: Michael Paulus
    Organization / Company: PCM Encore
    Company website: https://encoreinvestment.com/
    Contact Email Address: hello@encoreinvestment.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8268d15a-8f5f-4987-862a-1a16eb873dde

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Files Amicus Brief Supporting Challenge to the Trump Administration’s Unlawful Freeze of Federal USAID Funding

    Source: US State of California

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today, as part of a coalition of 23 attorneys general, announced filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in support of the Plaintiffs’ opposition to the Trump Administration’s appeal of a preliminary injunction order in Global Health Council, et al. v. Trump, et al., a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s freeze of federal funding of foreign assistance funds from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In their brief, the attorneys general argue that the Trump Administration’s unlawful impoundment of USAID funds undermines Congress’s constitutional authority and is contrary to the public interest, harming amici states and their residents.

    “The Trump Administration does not have the authority to unilaterally withhold lawfully appropriated federal funds,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The unlawful impoundment of these funds results in irreparable harm to states across the nation that rely on federal funding for critical humanitarian and public health programs, research, and initiatives. In California alone, organizations and universities receive over $1.2 billion in USAID funding.”

    In the amicus brief, the coalition of attorneys general urges the court to affirm the district court’s preliminary injunction order, arguing that the Trump Administration is constitutionally obligated to spend funds appropriated by Congress and that the unlawful freeze of USAID funding poses irreparable harm to states. In stopping the flow of billions of dollars of USAID funding for foreign assistance programs, the Trump Administration has inflicted substantial harms on universities, farmers, nonprofits, and small businesses across the nation. To date, hundreds of domestic workers have been terminated, substantial amounts of American crops intended for international distribution have been unallocated, and hundreds of millions of dollars of cutting-edge research projects at some of the nation’s top public universities have been halted as a result of the Trump Administration’s unlawful actions.

    In filing the amicus brief, Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of the District of Columbia, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin

    A copy of the amicus brief can be found here.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Services Council spotlights good regulatory practices, advances discussions on other issues

    Source: WTO

    Headline: Services Council spotlights good regulatory practices, advances discussions on other issues

    On 10 June, members also participated in an event under the “Simply Services” series, which serves as an informal platform for sharing the latest developments in trade in services (see below).
    Thematic session on good regulatory practices
    An informal thematic session on good regulatory practices (GRPs) was held on 12-13 June, as agreed at the March meeting of the Council for Trade in Services. GRPs for services trade refer to approaches to designing and implementing regulations aimed at achieving better regulatory outcomes. Discussions focused on measures such as increased transparency, including through stakeholder engagement, streamlining and digitalizing authorization processes, and promoting impartial and independent regulatory decision-making.
    The session featured extensive experience-sharing. The WTO Secretariat provided a broad overview of GRPs in services trade, including their role in regional trade agreements and their economic benefits. International organizations and regional economic fora — including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Bank, United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat, and the International Trade Centre (ITC) — shared data demonstrating how effective design and implementation of GRPs can boost both trade and economic growth. They also emphasized the importance of addressing implementation gaps between high- and low-income countries through capacity building, institutional strengthening, and more inclusive stakeholder engagement.
    Several members, including Australia, China, the European Union, Hong Kong China, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom, as well as other organizations, presented national experiences in leveraging GRPs to facilitate services trade. They highlighted domestic reforms to simplify procedures, reduce regulatory burdens, and improve regulatory quality, including through digital tools, single online portals, regulatory impact assessments, and enhanced stakeholder engagement. The importance of predictability, proportionality, inter-agency coordination, and outcome-focused regulation was underscored, alongside efforts to foster innovation, facilitate cross-border trade, and strengthen regulatory cooperation.
    Members reflected on the key takeaways from the session, emphasizing the rich discussions and valuable insights shared. Several noted that GRPs not only support international trade but also enhance domestic competitiveness and consumer welfare. The role of GRPs in strengthening crisis preparedness and resilience was also emphasized, with examples showing how transparent, predictable and streamlined regulatory frameworks can support faster and more effective responses in times of emergency.
    There was broad recognition of the role that international commitments, such as WTO members’ recent adoption of disciplines on services domestic regulation and regional trade agreements, play in providing a stable framework for consolidating domestic reforms aimed at improving the domestic business environment. Members expressed interest in continuing experience-sharing and peer learning. They also encouraged other members to adopt WTO disciplines on services domestic regulation to sustain reform efforts and promote services trade. 
    At the close of the session, the Chair of the Council for Trade in Services, H.E. Ambassador Ram Prasad Subedi (Nepal), emphasized that the depth and quality of GRP implementation by ministries and regulatory authorities is essential, with regulatory reforms representing an ongoing process informed by experience, evolving capacities and changing circumstances. He underlined the value of peer learning and regular exchanges on regulatory innovation, as well as the role that technical assistance can play in supporting members’ reform efforts.
    Responding to ministerial mandates
    Members continued efforts to advance the instruction in the 2024 Ministerial Declaration to reinvigorate work on trade in services and facilitate greater participation of developing members in services trade.
    The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group introduced a submission on the role of services trade in responding to crises and resilience-building, as well as on the challenges faced by developing members in realizing the full potential of services trade. Members supported deepening work on the ACP Group’s proposal, with some suggesting a thematic session for further discussions.
    Barbados, South Africa, and the United Kingdom also presented a proposal for a thematic session on the green services economy and sustainable development. Members agreed in principle to organize an informal experience-sharing session in December, contingent on agreeing on an acceptable outline, to further explore the opportunities and challenges of leveraging services trade to deliver on environmental objectives. Suggestions were made on possible topics and speakers.
    As previously agreed at the March meeting, the Council is scheduled to organise an informal thematic session on the recognition of professional qualifications in October, subject to convergence on the session’s outline.
    Participation of least-developed countries in services trade
    Members received an update by the WTO Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group regarding its request to conduct a survey, hosted on the WTO website, to collect information on how their service suppliers engage with consumers and businesses in other economies. The LDC Group reported on ongoing consultations with a member who has maintained reservations about the request since the March meeting.
    The Group reaffirmed the importance of the survey in supporting LDCs’ participation in services trade, in line with the ministerial mandate to operationalize the “LDC Services Waiver,” adopted at the 8th Ministerial Conference in 2011.
    Engagement between the members concerned will continue to reach consensus on the issue.
    Services trade concerns
    The Council addressed issues related to recent unilateral tariff measures. China noted the need to consider overall trade balances, that include services trade, when setting trade policy. It also expressed concerns about the impact of US “reciprocal” tariffs on global supply chains and underscored the importance of multilateral collaboration under the WTO. The latter point in particular was echoed by other members. The United States said that, in contrast to the openness of its service markets, China maintained many restrictions and uncompetitive practices in numerous services sectors.
    Members also reverted to previously raised specific trade concerns. Japan and the United States repeated their concerns over cybersecurity measures implemented by China and Viet Nam, with several members echoing these concerns.
    China reiterated its concerns regarding certain US services measures and India’s measures affecting mobile applications.
    Trade in financial services
    On 11 June, the Committee on Trade in Financial Services appointed Mr. Will Nixon of Australia as its new Chair.
    Members focused on a proposal to organize an informal thematic session on “Facilitating Digital Payment Systems and Remittance Services”, building on the original proposal submitted by China, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines, which was first reviewed at the March meeting. The proposal covers three main topics: developing robust digital payment systems, ensuring interoperability of payment systems, and facilitating cross-border remittances.
    The Committee agreed to consider the latest version of the draft agenda put forward by China and the Philippines. Unless any objections are raised by 20 June 2025, the proposal will be automatically adopted. If approved, the session will take place alongside the next cluster of services meetings scheduled for 29 September to 3 October.
    The Committee also discussed a new submission by Morocco (S/FIN/W/103) on reducing the costs of cross-border remittances. Morocco emphasized the strategic importance of remittances for the economic and social development of developing members and called for multilateral cooperation to improve remittance transfers, reduce costs, and enhance transparency. It also expressed its intent to bring this issue to the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in March 2026. Members agreed to continue discussions at the next Committee meeting.
    Classification of environmental services
    At its 11 June meeting, the Committee on Specific Commitments confirmed Mr. Sirapat Vajraphai of Thailand as its new Chair. The Committee is one of the subsidiary bodies of the Services Council.
    Discussions focused on the classification of environmental services. Building on previous discussions regarding the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS) and its contributions to defining and classifying environmental services, the United Kingdom presented its new analysis (S/CSC/W/80), comparing the APEC Reference List and the ACCTS List. Delegates welcomed the UK’s analysis as a valuable foundation for further work and expressed interest in continued engagement on this issue.
    Members also revisited Canada’s proposal (S/CSC/W/77) for an informal experience-sharing session on services classification related to the environment. They agreed to hold the session in October alongside the next services cluster of meetings.
    Recent developments in services trade policy
    An event held on 12 June, entitled “Services Unbound — Digital Technologies and Policy Reform in East Asia and the Pacific,” addressed the region’s challenges, particularly barriers to competition in key services that hinder innovation. Participants also called for deeper domestic reforms and stronger international cooperation.
    The event was organized by the WTO’s Trade in Services and Investment Division as part of the “Simply Services” speaker series, an informal platform for sharing the latest information on services trade trends. The webcast of the event is available here.

    Share

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Verizon’s Total Wireless Supports Working Students with First-Ever Social Impact Program, “Total Spark”

    Source: Verizon

    Headline: Verizon’s Total Wireless Supports Working Students with First-Ever Social Impact Program, “Total Spark”

    NEW YORK — Total Wireless, a leading provider of premium, affordable and flexible wireless plans covered by the Verizon 5G network, today announces the launch of Total Spark, the latest social impact program from the Verizon Value portfolio.

    Designed to support working students, Total Spark is tailor-made to meet the Total Wireless community where they are – whether they’re working full-time and going to school at night, balancing family obligations with school, part-time students pursuing additional training and more.

    To help Total Spark truly meet the needs of working students everywhere, the brand commissioned a custom survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adult students[1] to uncover insights on the true needs of working students across the country and found:

    • A third (32%) of working students have a job to support their families. Additionally, one-third (32%) of working students rely on government subsidy programs to get by, and a large majority (89%) working students have student loans.
    • Nearly three quarters (73%) of working students wish they had additional support to help them with pursuing a career. Career mentorship was indicated as the most useful support service for all students.
    • Only 1 in 10 working students strongly agree that they have adequate free time. Time is short for many, as unaided, general time management is the number one obstacle among working students.
    • Mobile phones are seen as an essential tool for staying connected by a large majority of working students (90%). This is especially true for students who work full-time, who indicate they rely on mobile phones to stay connected for work and for job searching.

    That’s why Total Wireless partnered with Empower Work, a national nonprofit on a mission to build healthier workplaces, to support programs that addressed each of these pain points. Together, Total Wireless and Empower Work identified five nonprofit organizations in Chicago, Dallas, and Detroit to receive grants between $50,000 – $150,000. The grants will fund existing community-oriented programs supporting working students – from job training and skill development to job placement and career advancement. Additionally, Total Spark will enable each grant recipient to host in-person events for working students at predetermined, independently operated Total Wireless retail locations in each city later this year. With many working students indicating the need for career support, Total Spark events will focus programming in this area and on other pressing needs of working students today.

    “Our Total Wireless customers are the ultimate go-getters – and we know nobody hustles harder than working students,” Nancy Clark, President of the Verizon Value segment said. “Whether our customers are returning to school or celebrating a recent graduation, connections on-line and off are crucial – our Total Spark program is just a reminder that we are ‘in your corner’ no matter the stage of that journey. We’re proud to support our communities when and where they need it most.”  

    In its first year, Total Spark will support the following nonprofits in three cities, with additional expansions planned for the coming years.

    Chicago, IL

    • The Jane Addams Resource Corporation promotes strong communities, businesses, and households to ensure that people who work do not live in poverty. Throughout the year, JARC offers free manufacturing training in Welding and CNC (Computer Numerical Control), along with wraparound support services to help adults build skills and secure steady, living-wage jobs that bring financial stability to themselves and their families.
    • LIFT-Chicago programs invest in families with children ages 0-8 through integrated financial coaching and direct cash support. Additionally, they offer educational and employment coaching for adults, empowering parents to set and achieve goals that put families on the path toward economic mobility through support for going back to school, improving credit, eliminating debt, or securing a living wage.

    Dallas, TX

    • The Wilkinson Center – whose mission is to transform the lives of Dallas families by providing pathways to self-sufficiency with dignity and respect – serves approximately 24,000 individuals annually through a wide range of programming, including financial coaching, emergency support services, as well as adult education and workforce training.

    Detroit, MI

    • NPower Michigan is rooted in community and dedicated to empowering young adults and military-connected individuals from low-income communities to thrive in the digital economy. Through transformative, no-cost IT training, industry-recognized credentialing, job placement assistance, and comprehensive social support services, NPower creates clear career pathways to economic mobility and sustainability.
    • TechTown Detroit’s mission is to drive economic growth by supporting entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses, particularly those in tech and innovation. For working students, TechTown provides access to resources, networking, and career development opportunities to help them balance work, education, and entrepreneurial goals.

    To mark the Total Spark debut, Total is hosting a one-of-a-kind “Career Spark” Fair in Chicago on Friday, June 27 near Wicker Park. Total’s “Career Spark” fair will provide working students in the area with the tools they need to achieve success. Stations are focused on student well-being and career growth and include tips and resources to manage work/life balance, short and long term career opportunities, community resources from our nonprofit partners & Total Spark grant recipients, a headshot station, plenty of Total swag, and more.

    On Thursday, June 26, the brand will also take coffee, career and community to new heights at its takeover of the buzzy Oro Coffee & Chocolate coffee shop pop-up, where working students in Chicago can grab a midweek pick-me-up on us, enjoy a quiet place to study and work and get connected to personal and professional development resources.

    The Total Spark launch is the latest social impact program under the new Value Cares platform, which reinforces the Verizon Value segment’s focus of empowering communities with the reliable connectivity they need to thrive. Total Spark launched following the success of Visible and its award-winning impact program, Connection Protection, where individuals who experience job loss can receive three months of service with costs covered by Visible and get connected to additional career services support, also provided by Empower Work’s text-line.

    “We’re thrilled to build on the success of the Visible Connection Protection program by launching Total Spark,” Jaime-Alexis Fowler, Founder and Executive Director at Empower Work said. “Empower Work exists to help address these very gaps and concerns of today’s diverse workforce – students included. Now through Total Spark, we’re helping to scale support for this population in a moment where it is most needed.”

    For more information on Total Spark and forthcoming programs with its partners, go to https://www.totalwireless.com/total-spark. Interested attendees may reserve a spot for the Total Career Spark Fair in Chicago on Friday, June 27 by signing up here: https://partiful.com/e/pqHAgV3DAi2etV67PFRG.

    [1]Total Wireless commissioned KRC Research to conduct a survey among U.S. adult students (n=1,004), including non-working students (n=200) and working students (n=804).​ The study was fielded between May 9-15, 2025.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Announces Winners of 2025 Student Launch Competition

    Source: NASA

    By Beth Ridgeway 
    NASA’s Student Launch competition celebrated its 25th anniversary on May 4, just north of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, bringing together more than 980 middle school, high school, college, and university students from across the U.S. to showcase and launch their high-powered rocketry designs.
    The event marked the conclusion of the nine-month challenge where teams designed, built, and launched more than 50 rockets carrying scientific payloads—trying to achieve altitudes between 4,000 and 6,000 feet before executing a successful landing and payload mission.

    [embedded content]

    “This is really about mirroring the NASA engineering design process,” Kevin McGhaw, director of NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement Southeast Region, said. “It gives students hands-on experience not only in building and designing hardware, but in the review and testing process.  We are helping to prepare and inspire students to get out of classroom and into the aerospace industry as a capable and energizing part of our future workforce.”
    NASA announced James Madison University as the overall winner of the agency’s 2025 Student Launch challenge, followed by North Carolina State University, and The University of Alabama in Huntsville. A complete list of challenge winners can be found on the agency’s Student Launch webpage.

    Each year, a payload challenge is issued to the university teams, and this year’s task took inspiration from the agency’s Artemis missions, where NASA will send astronauts to explore the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefit, and to build the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars. Teams were challenged to include sensor data from STEMnauts, non-living objects representing astronauts. The STEMnaut “crew” had to relay real-time data to the student team’s mission control, just as the Artemis astronaut crew will do as they explore the lunar surface.  
    Student Launch is one of NASA’s seven Artemis Student Challenges – activities that connect student ingenuity with NASA’s work returning to the Moon under Artemis in preparation for human exploration of Mars.
    The competition is managed by Marshall’s Office of STEM Engagement. Additional funding and support are provided by the Office of STEM Engagement’s Next Generation STEM project, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the agency’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, Northrup Grumman, National Space Club Huntsville, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Association of Rocketry, Relativity Space, and Bastion Technologies Inc.
    To watch the full virtual awards ceremony, please visit NASA Marshall’s YouTube channel.
    For more information about Student Launch, visit:
    https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/nasa-student-launch/

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Possible link between COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and aggressive cancers (‘turbo cancer’) in the context of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan – E-002078/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002078/2025/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Gerald Hauser (PfE)

    Although ‘turbo cancer’ is not a medically or scientifically defined term, it is currently being used by doctors to describe the distinctive signs of certain cancer trajectories. Renowned oncologists at home and abroad have recently alerted us to a significant uptick in extremely aggressive, rapidly progressing cancers, particularly in people who have received COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.[1] Among other things, they point to the presence of SV40 sequences in certain vaccines – a potentially oncogenic virus fragment.[2]

    • 1.What scientific evidence does the Commission currently have of a possible link between COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and the increased incidence of particularly aggressive forms of cancer (‘turbo cancer’)?
    • 2.Has the Commission – as part of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan for instance – commissioned any independent studies on these indications or is it planning any such initiatives?
    • 3.Is the potential presence of SV40 fragments in vaccines currently being investigated or monitored by the Commission, its institutions, bodies, offices or agencies?

    Submitted: 22.5.2025

    • [1] https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/open-source/corona-impfstoffe-pathologin-warnt-diese-mrna-technik-ist-nicht-ausreichend-getestet-li.2259438
    • [2] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/386414408_BioNTech_RNA-Based_COVID-19_Injections_Contain_Large_Amounts_Of_Residual_DNA_Including_An_SV40_PromoterEnhancer_Sequence
    Last updated: 16 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Picton Mahoney Asset Management Announces Monthly Distribution for PICTON Long Short Income Alternative Fund Exchange Traded Fund Units, PICTON Credit Opportunities Alternative Fund Exchange Traded Fund Units, PICTON Core Bond Fund Exchange Traded Fund Units, PICTON Multi-Strategy Alpha Alternative Fund Exchange Traded Fund Units and PICTON Investment Grade Alternative Fund Exchange Traded Fund Units

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (TSX: PFIA, PFSS, PFCB, PFAA, PFIG) Picton Mahoney Asset Management announced today that it has declared the June 2025 monthly cash distribution of $0.0351 per unit for the ETF units (“ETF Units”) of the PICTON Long Short Income Alternative Fund (formerly Picton Mahoney Fortified Income Alternative Fund).

    Picton Mahoney Asset Management announced today that it has declared the June 2025 monthly cash distribution of $0.0498 per unit for the ETF Units of the PICTON Credit Opportunities Alternative Fund (formerly Picton Mahoney Fortified Special Situations Alternative Fund).

    Picton Mahoney Asset Management announced today that it has declared the June 2025 monthly cash distribution of $0.0321 per unit for the ETF Units of the PICTON Core Bond Fund (formerly Picton Mahoney Fortified Core Bond Fund).

    Picton Mahoney Asset Management announced today that it has declared the June 2025 monthly cash distribution of $0.0020 per unit for the ETF Units of the PICTON Multi-Strategy Alpha Alternative Fund (formerly Picton Mahoney Fortified Alpha Alternative Fund).

    Picton Mahoney Asset Management announced today that it has declared the June 2025 monthly cash distribution of $0.0503 per unit for the ETF units of the PICTON Investment Grade Alternative Fund (formerly Picton Mahoney Fortified Investment Grade Alternative Fund).

    Unitholders of record of the ETF Units, at the close of business on June 20, 2025, will receive a per-unit cash distribution payable on June 30, 2025.

    About Picton Mahoney Asset Management

    Picton Mahoney Asset Management specializes in differentiated investment solutions and rules-based volatility management. Picton Mahoney helps its clients fortify their portfolios based on experience honed over the years through different market cycles and investing environments.

    Founded in 2004 and 100% employee-owned, Picton Mahoney is a portfolio management boutique entrusted with over $14.5 billion (as at May 31, 2025) in assets under management. Pioneers of Authentic Hedge® investment principles and practices in Canada, the firm offers a full suite of investment solutions, including mutual and alternative funds, to institutional and retail investors across the country.

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, performance fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated. Alternative funds can only be purchased through a registered dealer and are available only in those jurisdictions where they may be lawfully offered for sale.

    For further information please contact:

    Arthur Galloway
    Picton Mahoney Asset Management
    Tel: (416) 955-4108
    Web site: www.pictoninvestments.com
    Email: invest@pictoninvestments.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BitMart Unleashes Futures King Trading Tournament: $232,000 USDT Up for Grabs in Summer Showdown

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Mahe, Seychelles , June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BitMart, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, has launched the Futures King Trading Tournament, an electrifying summer event where futures traders have the opportunity to share in a staggering $232,000 USDT prize pool. Running from June 12 to July 9, 2025 (UTC), this trading tournament is set to heat up the crypto scene with daily, weekly, and monthly reward opportunities for traders of all levels.

    Get Rewarded Just for Showing Up – Sunshine Award
    Participants who register and trade at least 1,000 USDT in futures are guaranteed a reward opportunity through the Sunshine Award, with blind box bonuses of up to 100 USDT. With a dedicated prize pool of 50,000 USDT, this is BitMart’s way of welcoming all traders to the competition.

    Leaderboards That Pay – Multiple Paths to Earn Bonuses
    The Futures King Trading Tournament features multiple leaderboard categories designed to reward performance, consistency, and strategy. With generous bonus pools available, traders have several ways to earn throughout the event:

    • Daily Trading Rank: Participants who trade 30,000 USDT or more in a single day can enter the daily leaderboard. Top traders may receive up to 225 USDT per day, with a total of 6,300 USDT distributed over the campaign.
    • Weekly Trading Rank: By reaching a weekly trading volume of 100,000 USDT or more, traders become eligible for the weekly leaderboard rewards. Depending on total activity, the weekly bonus pool can reach as high as 42,000 USDT.
    • Monthly Trading Rank: Those who trade at least 200,000 USDT during the campaign can qualify for monthly rewards. The monthly prize pool may reach up to 68,600 USDT, offering top performers significant bonus potential.
    • Monthly ROI Rank: For traders focused on returns, the ROI leaderboard highlights those with 10,000 USDT in volume and a positive ROI. The top reward opportunities extend up to 5,880 USDT.

    Exclusive Bonus for VIP Climbers
    BitMart is also offering a VIP Tier Upgrade Bonus during the event. Traders who level up their VIP status through futures activity can claim additional rewards of 100–200 USDT bonus, credited as a futures trading bonus.

    How to Join

    1. Head over to the official event page.
    2. Click [Join Now] to register.
    3. Start trading futures — USDT-M, Coin-M, or via Copy Trading — to qualify.

    Participation in this campaign is subject to terms and conditions. Restrictions apply in certain countries and regions.

    About BitMart
    BitMart is the premier global digital asset trading platform. With millions of users worldwide and ranked among the top crypto exchanges on CoinGecko, it currently offers 1,700+ trading pairs with competitive trading fees. Constantly evolving and growing, BitMart is interested in crypto’s potential to drive innovation and promote financial inclusion. To learn more about BitMart, visit their Website, follow their X (Twitter), or join their Telegram for updates, news, and promotions. Download BitMart App to trade anytime, anywhere.

    Disclaimer: Use of BitMart services is entirely at your own risk. All crypto investments, including earnings, are highly speculative in nature and involve substantial risk of loss. Past, hypothetical, or simulated performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. The value of digital currencies can go up or down and there can be a substantial risk in buying, selling, holding, or trading digital currencies. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital currencies is suitable for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance. BitMart does not provide any investment, legal, or tax advice.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Civil Society Organizations Brief the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on the Situation of Women in Mexico, Thailand, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Paraguay, Poland and Republic of Moldova

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was this afternoon briefed by representatives of civil society organizations on the situation of women’s rights in Mexico, Thailand and Ireland, the reports of which the Committee will review this week, and in Kazakhstan, Paraguay, Poland and the Republic of Moldova, the reports of which had been scheduled for consideration in the cancelled ninety-third pre-sessional Working Group.

    In relation to Mexico, speakers raised concerns regarding disappearances and abductions of women; gender-based violence and its impact on marginalised women; and legislative issues affecting women, including related to abortion, sex work, surrogacy and homicide.

    Non-governmental organizations speaking on Ireland raised topics including the lack of access of marginalised women, including Roma and Traveller women, to State services; the high prevalence of gender-based violence; discrimination against migrant women; and overcrowding in women’s prisons.

    On Thailand, speakers addressed discrimination against marginalised women, including lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex women; the negative effects of mining projects on indigenous women and girls; gender-based violence; and discrimination against women and girls with disabilities.

    The following non-governmental organizations spoke on Mexico: Alianza por los derechos de las mujeres y niñas en toda su diversidad; GAMAG & Laboratorio Feminista de Derechos Digitales; Alianza de Mujeres Indígenas de Centroamérica y México, y Mujeres afromexicanas; and Mujeres defensoras y periodistas.

    The Human Rights Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission of Ireland spoke on the country, as did the National Women’s Council of Ireland; Immigrant Council of Ireland/NASC/Akidwa; Traveler and Roma Coalition; Beyond Surviving; Irish Penal Reform Trust; University of Galway; and Disabled Women Ireland.

    As for Thailand, the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand spoke, as did the following non-governmental organizations: Protection International; PPM, Khon Rak Ban Kerd Dan Khun Thot Group; Civil Society Assembly for Peace; Indigenous Women’s Network of Thailand; Young Pride Foundation and Asia Pacific Transgender Network; Foundation of Transgender Alliance for Human Rights and World Coalition against the Death Penalty; Shero Thailand; and Association for the Empowerment of Women with Disabilities.

    Speaking on the Republic of Moldova were Amnesty International; Eurasian Harm Reduction Association; and a coalition of women-led organizations including Eurasian Women’s Network on AIDS and NGO Association for Creative Development of Personality.

    Speaking on Kazakhstan was Equality Now; while the Centre for Reproductive Rights spoke on Poland, and Amnesty International spoke on Paraguay.

    There were no speakers present to discuss Angola, Comoros and Guinea-Bissau, the reports of which had also been scheduled for consideration in the cancelled ninety-third pre-sessional Working Group.

    The Committee’s ninety-first session is being held from 16 June to 4 July.  All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet in public at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 17 June to consider the tenth periodic report of Mexico (CEDAW/C/MEX/10).

    Opening Remarks by the Committee Chair

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chairperson, said this meeting was an opportunity for non-governmental organizations and national human rights institutions to provide information on the States parties that were being considered this week, as well as on reports that had been scheduled for consideration in the cancelled ninety-third pre-sessional Working Group, namely those of Angola, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Kazakhstan, Paraguay, Poland and the Republic of Moldova.  She noted that the adoption of a list of issues and questions in relation to the combined third and fourth periodic reports of Syria, also initially scheduled for the pre-sessional Working Group, had been postponed.

    Statements by Non-Governmental Organizations from Mexico, Thailand and Ireland

    Mexico

    Concerning Mexico, speakers, among other things, expressed concern about the growing militarisation of the country, which disproportionately affected indigenous, rural marginalised women, as well as about disappearances of women, which were linked to trafficking in persons and femicide. 

    Speakers also expressed concern about gender-based violence, particularly against Afro-descendant women, human rights defenders, and young people.  More than one million Afro-descendant women were facing violence in Mexico, one speaker said, with some 57 per cent having faced some form of sexual violence.  Persons searching for the disappeared were particularly at risk; at least 16 had been killed, and there was impunity for crimes against human rights defenders. Key support for these people, such as refuge and shelter, had been denied.

    Speakers also raised issues related to Mexican legislation, noting that abortion was still regulated by criminal law; that legislative reforms had been made to criminalise sex work; that surrogacy remained legal in 12 states; and that homicide against trans women was not recognised as trans femicide.

    Speakers called on the Committee to encourage Mexico to recognise women human rights defenders; eliminate the crime of abortion; address trafficking of women; take measures to protect vulnerable women; harmonise legislation on violence against women; introduce regulations on digital violence and measures to combat violence against women in the media; release human rights defenders who had been imprisoned; and strengthen protection systems with a gender-based perspective.

    Ireland

    Those speaking on Ireland said, among other things, that deep and systemic barriers affected the access of marginalised women, including Roma and Traveller women, to childcare, abortion, employment, education, housing and healthcare.  These women needed to be supported by targeted policies.  Minority women were severely underrepresented in politics, continued to be over-represented in the criminal justice system, and faced barriers in accessing child benefits.  The State needed to collect ethnic data to inform support policies for minorities, and there needed to be dedicated funding for policies for women, developed in cooperation with women’s organizations. The bill to amend equality legislation needed to be rejected immediately, as it threatened the rights of marginalised women.

    Ireland lacked targeted measures for women with disabilities, one speaker said.  There was systemic discrimination against women with disabilities in work and healthcare; this needed to be addressed.

    Speakers also expressed concern about the high prevalence of gender-based violence in Ireland. Interventions were needed to strengthen the justice system related to such violence.  Ireland disclosed counselling notes in sexual offence trials; it needed to cease this act of secondary discrimination.  The proposed amendment to the law in this regard would exacerbate harm.

    Speakers said migrant women faced significant discrimination in Ireland, including in employment and education opportunities, medical care and housing.  There was no entitlement to legal aid for migrant women; women asylum seekers could not access the labour market, and migrant women were disproportionately represented in the informal sector.  One speaker noted that 7,000 women in Ireland were affected by female genital mutilation, but there was no State strategy to combat female genital mutilation.  There needed to be a dedicated national action plan to address the phenomenon.

    Overcrowding in Irish prisons was at a crisis point, one speaker said, with the two women’s prisons far over capacity. There was a record number of women with babies in prisons.  The Government had not made efforts to establish an open women’s prison; this needed to be done.  It also needed to guarantee investigations into Magdalene Laundries abuses, undocumented deaths, and forced family separation.  There needed to be a timeframe for the full implementation of the redress scheme.

    Thailand

    Concerning Thailand, speakers said, among other things, that marginalised women, including refugees, trans and gender-diverse women, continued to face discrimination and a lack of access to services.  Some 70 per cent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons had experienced depression.  The Government needed to strengthen the implementation of the gender equality act and address the marginalisation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. 

    Mining projects were destroying the lifestyles and livelihoods of indigenous women and girls in Thailand and poisoning the State’s rivers.  Royal decrees issued in 2024 severely undermined indigenous women’s rights, limiting land access and traditional farming practices.  The Committee needed to call on the Government to review and amend these decrees, and to protect indigenous women’s rights and the environment.

    Some five per cent of death row inmates in Thailand were women, one speaker said.  The Committee needed to urge the State party to implement a moratorium on the death penalty for non-violent offences.

    Speakers said Thailand needed to urgently reform its laws on gender-based violence to clearly define consent and cases where mediation was appropriate; stop criminalising survivors of gender-based violence; make ending all forms of gender-based violence a national priority; and ensure protection for all survivors.

    More than one million women and girls with disabilities in Thailand remained invisible, one speaker said. They still faced sterilisation, violence and abuse, and police rarely recorded the complaints of women with disabilities.  The Government needed to outlaw forced sterilisation, ensure the representation of women with disabilities in politics and decision-making bodies, and adopt measures to guarantee procedural accommodation for women with disabilities in justice processes.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert called for recommendations of quotas for representation of Thai women in Parliament.

    Another Expert said pre-trial detention was being weaponised in Mexico.  The suspension of the writ of habeas corpus seemed to have led to the deliberate imposition of lengthy pre-trial detention.  Did the non-governmental organizations have a position on this?

    One Committee Expert asked about the familial rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons in Ireland.  Was there a norm on shared physical custody?

    A Committee Expert asked about reports of the use of unofficial pre-trial detention in Mexico.

    One Committee Expert asked whether trafficked women were offered exit programmes that promoted social empowerment in Mexico.  How was Ireland implementing the Istanbul Convention, including related to restrictions on abortion?

    Responses by Non-Governmental Organizations

    Mexico

    Responding to questions on Mexico, speakers said that “automatic” pre-trial detention implemented in the State was a violation of liberty that disproportionately affected women.  The number of offences for which automatic pre-trial detention was imposed had been broadened recently.

    The criminalisation of victims of trafficking severely affected women’s rights.  Most victims were young girls.  There was a lack of training for officials charged with identifying and protecting victims.  There was a link to disappearances and abduction of women and girls and trafficking, which had been taken over by organised crime.  There needed to be regulation to address the sexual exploitation of women.

    Ireland

    A speaker said there were huge challenges in accessing child maintenance in Ireland.  There had been no progress in establishing a child maintenance agency. Roma women who did not comply with habitual residency laws had no access to child benefits.

    Only one Traveller woman had been elected to the national parliament.  More needed to be done to increase their representation. 

    There were almost 250 Irish women who travelled to the United Kingdom each year to access abortions.  Irish women still faced significant challenges in accessing abortions.  There needed to be political will to implement the conclusions of the independent review into access to abortion.

    Ireland had a national strategy on preventing gender-based violence and domestic violence, but this strategy did not address female genital mutilation.  A plan needed to be implemented to address this issue.

    Thailand

    Responding to questions on Thailand, a speaker said there was low representation of women from rural and marginalised communities on political bodies.  No females had been elected to parliament.  There was a lack of laws addressing discrimination against women with disabilities.

    Women human rights defenders often faced strategic lawsuits against public participation in Thailand, and the State did not have legislation on hate crimes.  Many human rights defenders faced harassment online and needed protection.

    Statements by Non-Governmental Organizations from Kazakhstan, Republic of Moldova, Poland and Paraguay

     

    Kazakhstan

    On Kazakhstan, speakers expressed concern about laws and practices that failed to sufficiently address gender-based violence and sexual violence.  Rape was only recognised by State legislation when it involved physical force.  There were significant barriers to investigating sexual violence, and as a result, few cases reached the justice system. Women with disabilities often faced sexual violence and discrimination.  Support services for survivors of sexual violence remained inadequate; hotlines for reporting and shelters needed to be strengthened.

    Republic of Moldova

    Speakers said that the Republic of Moldova’s legal system lacked provisions to address all forms of gender-based violence, leading to inconsistent interpretation of the law, which needed to be amended in line with the Istanbul Convention.  There was insufficient protection for victims. Sanctions needed to be issued for perpetrators of domestic violence.

    It was concerning that the provision of abortion services via telemedicine had been banned, one speaker said. This ban was implemented without consultation with civil society or medical professionals.  The Government needed to repeal the ban and ensure access to abortion services for all women.  It also needed to amend legislation to decriminalise sex work and implement measures to protect sex workers from discrimination.

    The Republic of Moldova’s low thresholds for small-scale use of illegal drugs led to the criminalisation of women drug users, perpetuating stigma against such women.  Pregnant women who used drugs were often denied access to healthcare, and social workers often initiated child protection proceedings for the children of women who used drugs.  The Committee needed to ask the Republic of Moldova how it would protect the rights of women drug users.

    Women with HIV faced violence and discrimination every day in the Republic of Moldova, one speaker said. Many such women often did not report abuse for fear of stigmatisation.  The law criminalised HIV infection and prevented women with HIV from breastfeeding.  The Government needed to decriminalise HIV infection and support women with HIV to access shelters, legal support and healthcare, protect their confidentiality, and ensure that their voices were heard.

    Poland

    On Poland, a speaker said that the State’s abortion law prevented women from accessing safe and legal abortions. There was a near-total ban on abortion in place, and women were often compelled to travel abroad for abortive care. Legislative proposals seeking to reintroduce access to legal abortion were pending review, while guidelines on access to legal abortions had been developed but had not been sufficiently distributed.  The Committee needed to ensure that the State party guaranteed the right to abortion and health care for women.

    Paraguay

    On Paraguay, a speaker expressed concern at the high rate of teenage pregnancies and sexual violence against women and girls.  There was an almost total ban on abortion, even in cases where the pregnancy was the result of rape.  There was also a lack of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education in schools. There was a high level of maternal mortality; the State needed to strengthen primary health care.

    Paraguay needed to invest more in public health, the speaker said.  It was one of the most expensive countries in the world to fall sick.  The high cost of healthcare disproportionately affected certain groups, such as those with cancer.  The State party needed to improve the availability of medicines. In April 2025, a bill was brought before the Senate that sought to merge the Ministry of Women into the Ministry of the Family; this bill needed to be rejected.

    Dialogue with the National Human Rights Institutions of Ireland and Thailand

    Statement by the National Human Rights Institution of Ireland

    LIAM HERRICK, Chief Commissioner, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, expressed concern about Ireland’s continuing and outstanding failures to effectively vindicate the rights of women and girls at the national level.  Women and girls in Ireland continued to face discrimination at every stage of life.  The State’s approach to domestic implementation of Convention rights fell far short of what would be expected of a wealthy, democratic nation.

    Ireland faced challenges, including transforming the childcare and care sectors, closing the gender pay and pension gap, supporting more women leaders, and reforming the outdated patriarchal system of the male breadwinner, which held society back.

    Violence against women, including femicide, remained at crisis levels in Ireland.  The State was obliged to do everything in its power to keep women and girls safe in communities and in homes.  The lack of adequate supports and refuge spaces for victims and survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking was a major concern, especially as these were the main cause of homelessness for women and children in Ireland. The State needed to significantly scale up the provision of culturally appropriate, universally designed refuge accommodation units and provide guidance to local authorities on supporting victims and survivors seeking emergency accommodation and social housing.

    Regarding women in politics, progress in Ireland was worryingly slow.  Ireland was currently 99th in the world for women’s representation in national parliaments and 96th in the world for women cabinet ministers.  A third of the 43 parliamentary constituencies had no women as representatives.  Only one woman from an ethnic minority background was elected to Parliament in the recent election.  Robust reforms at local political level, including the introduction of 50 per cent gender quotas, were vital.

    Political leaders had repeatedly apologised for these failures and promised redress for victims and survivors of abuse within Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, schools, residential institutions and to survivors of the practice of symphysiotomy. However, the State continued to fail to adequately implement the 2014 O’Keeffe judgment.  It needed to establish a new comprehensive, fair and non-discriminatory redress scheme for survivors of child sexual abuse in primary and post-primary schools before 1991/1992.

    Inadequate funding threatened the work of civil society in protecting women’s rights in Ireland.  Civil society organizations needed adequate support. The State also needed to place greater focus on the intersectional nature of issues affecting women and minority groups.  Women’s and girls’ rights were crucial for an integrated, harmonious and thriving society, based on equality and the rule of law.  Never had it been so urgent for Ireland, as a wealthy, leading European Nation, to take decisive action to fulfil its obligations under the Convention.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert asked how to ensure that all constituencies in Ireland had women representatives.

    Another Committee Expert asked about the representation of women in the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the achievements of women in the State’s foreign and policy affairs. 

    One Committee Expert asked about specific quotas that were needed to promote the representation of Roma, women with disabilities and other marginalised women in public life in Ireland.

    A Committee Expert asked about the threat to the Good Friday Agreement posed by the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

    Responses by the National Human Rights Institution

    LIAM HERRICK, Chief Commissioner, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, said that all political parties needed to increase their share of women candidates to 50 per cent.  This was particularly important at the local level. 

    A significant number of Irish women held leading positions within the international human rights system. However, there had never been an Irish woman head of Government, and there was a lack of representation of women in senior Government positions.  The national human rights institution had made recommendations for addressing hate speech against minorities, including Roma women.

    Specific provisions were drawn into the United Kingdom’s agreement on withdrawal from the European Union that promoted equivalence with established legal measures such as the Good Friday Agreement.

    Statement by the National Human Rights Institution of Thailand

    PORNPRAPAI GANJANARINTR, Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, said the Commission recognised Thailand’s progress in many areas, including the legal reform to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18, broadening access to safe abortion services, and the Government’s success in amending laws on gender equality and domestic violence victim protection.

    The current Constitution of Thailand guaranteed gender equality, but challenges still remained. One key concern was the persistence of gender bias, both in societal attitudes toward women, and in how women perceived their own roles.  Moreover, Thailand had yet to enact a comprehensive law to eliminate discrimination, a critical gap in the legal framework.

    Domestic violence was also a serious concern.  Despite the domestic violence victim protection act, women remained unprotected. The law mainly focused on mediation, which could pressure women to return to abusers instead of seeking justice. In the southern region, men-led community mediation could also result in biased outcomes.  Cultural norms, financial dependence, lack of education, and fear of legal consequences made it harder for women, especially vulnerable groups such as illegal migrant women, to leave.  Legal reforms were needed to make domestic violence a non-compoundable offence, extend the statute of limitations, and introduce offenders’ rehabilitation. Policies needed to focus on protecting victims’ rights, safety, and dignity, rather than forcing families to stay together.

    The Criminal Code did not cover new forms of harassment, such as stalking and online grooming.  Current labour laws only protected against harassment from supervisors, not co-workers. The Criminal Code needed to be reformed to include modern forms of harassment, expand workplace protection, and ensure victim-centred investigation.

    Women often faced barriers when seeking justice.  It was crucial to recruit more female inquiry officers as, at present, they accounted for only 6.5 per cent of the total number.  There were reports of unacceptable conduct by law enforcement, including offensive language and insensitive investigations. Gender-sensitivity training for law enforcement officers, private and gender-friendly complaint facilities, as well as accessible procedures for persons with disabilities were essential.

    Sex work was still illegal, leaving sex workers without labour protection or social welfare, and making them targets for abuse, even by authorities.  Some offences had been changed to non-criminal fines, but many officers still made unlawful arrests.  Sex work needed to be decriminalised to protect the rights and dignity of sex workers.

    Although Thailand had made progress in maternal health, many women still had problems accessing reproductive rights.  Safe abortion services were limited due to a lack of providers and poor referral systems. Pregnant inmates faced delays in counselling and abortion referrals.  Moreover, many women were unaware of their rights.  To address this, the Government needed to ensure that every province had at least one facility offering abortion services, and remove barriers beyond those set out by the law.  Public education on abortion rights and support mechanisms needed to also be promoted.

    The Commission was deeply concerned about the continued violence in Thailand’s southern border provinces, which greatly affected women.  Many had lost their partners, suffered emotional and financial hardship, and struggled to access justice or compensation.  Women were often left out of peace talks, and those who spoke up could face threats.  The Government needed to fully support affected women by providing financial aid, counselling, and childcare.  Rules and regulations that excluded families of those accused in security cases needed to be revised.  Women needed to have a real voice in peacebuilding, religious councils, and efforts to stop domestic and gender-based violence.

    Child marriage remained a serious issue in the southern border provinces.  Although the 2018 change to the Nikah regulation was a step forward, it had not been well enforced or updated to match the new law setting the minimum marriage age at 18.  The Commission called for the regulation to be revised to align with the Convention, and for strong action to ensure its implementation.

    Women human rights defenders continued to face serious risks, including harassment, lawsuits, and surveillance.  Some had even been targeted by disinformation and spyware like Pegasus.  There needed to be legal reforms to ban strategic lawsuits against public participation and stronger awareness raising among justice officials and businesses about the harmful impact of these lawsuits. 

    Women in rural areas were hit hard by climate change but were often excluded from decision-making processes.  Current disaster and climate policies lacked a gender perspective.  At the same time, cybercrime severely affected women, who made up 64 per cent of victims from 2022 to 2024, while legal protections remained weak.  The Government needed to include gender perspectives in environmental policy and women’s voices in climate decisions, and strengthen laws to better prevent and respond to cyber violence against women.

    Thailand had made good progress in meeting its commitments under the Convention. However, the Commission encouraged continued efforts to bring about real gender equality through stronger legal alignment, structural reforms, and the removal of remaining biased practices.

    Question by a Committee Expert

    A Committee Expert said Thailand’s legislation on statelessness was not in line with international standards. Were there any initiatives to reform this legislation?

    Responses by the National Human Rights Institution

    PORNPRAPAI GANJANARINTR, Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, said the Government had announced that there would be an amendment to the law on statelessness some years ago, but this process was still ongoing. Earlier this year, the Government had worked to identify 100,000 stateless people.  There needed to be further recognition of stateless people in Thailand. The Commission would continue to push for all stateless persons to be supported to obtain all necessary documents.

    ___________

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

    CEDAW25.012E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Multimedia University – MMU Cyberjaya

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Mission

    University Telekom became known as Multimedia University (MMU) when TM, as the parent corporation, was given the enormous task of establishing a new campus in Cyberjaya that would supply the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) with superior quality knowledge workers.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Fourth-term Human Resources Planning Commission convenes second meeting (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Fourth-term Human Resources Planning Commission convenes second meeting (with photo) 
    In addition, the Security Bureau also briefed members on the measures to facilitate the southbound and northbound two-way flow of Mainland and Hong Kong high-end talent, which include exit endorsements for talent and business visits to enable Mainland residents to travel to Hong Kong, as well as multiple-entry visas and the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese Citizens) to benefit non-Chinese Hong Kong residents travelling to the Mainland. Members were pleased to note that these measures would enhance the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA)’s strategic planning on the mobility of talent and expedite the development of a talent hub in the GBA, fully reflecting Hong Kong’s distinctive advantages of being closely connected to the world with the strong support of the motherland under the “one country, two systems” framework. 
     
    Members were also briefed by the Labour and Welfare Bureau on the arrangements for admission of professionals of specified skilled trades to Hong Kong. The new arrangements, formulated under the CETT’s steer, allows young and experienced non-degree professionals to apply for entry into Hong Kong under the General Employment Policy and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals to join eight skilled trades facing acute manpower shortages. Applicants are required to be non-degree professionals meeting the relevant qualifications as specified in the Technical Professional List, and be aged between 18 and 40. The new channel will accept applications starting June 30 for a period of three years, with an overall quota of 10 000, with the quota for each skilled trade limited to 3 000. Members welcomed the new arrangements, and anticipated that this measure would effectively address the shortage of mid-level technical professionals and inject new impetus into the relevant trades.
    Issued at HKT 19:05

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Invest Hong Kong fosters mutual engagement through successful delegations to Gulf Cooperation Council region (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Invest Hong Kong fosters mutual engagement through successful delegations to Gulf Cooperation Council region
         The delegation comprised leaders from prominent financial services and fintech companies, founded locally, in Mainland China or overseas with operations in Hong Kong. They participated in high-level strategic meetings with senior management of local government organisations, chambers of commerce, sovereign wealth funds, private equity partners and tech incubators, facilitated by InvestHK.

         The Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, said, “In today’s evolving global economy, Hong Kong has showcased its irreplaceable strategic value as a ‘super connector’. Our city’s unique advantage lies in its ability to effectively connect the East with the West and the Global South. At InvestHK, we are continuously strengthening our core role in facilitating business connectivity, with a firm commitment to delivering value-added services to Mainland and overseas companies looking to establish themselves in Hong Kong and expand globally. We recognise opportunities in high-potential markets, such as the GCC region, which are actively diversifying their economies through innovations. By partnering with InvestHK, companies can effectively access these competitive markets with the government support.”   

         Bridging markets and transforming outcomes: turning vision into action

         The Global Head of Financial Services, FinTech & Sustainability at InvestHK, Mr King Leung, added, “Our support for the delegation was very results driven, opening essential government-to-government (G2G) and business-to-business doors for them. Leveraging our in-depth understanding of each participating company, we successfully showcased Hong Kong as an efficient platform for connecting high-quality enterprises, earning broad recognition from local governments, businesses, and investors across the GCC region. This growing collaboration and trust are built on aligning the right expertise, the right people, and the right connectors. Together, we are creating meaningful bridges that transform relationships into tangible business outcomes.”

         Over the past two years, companies such as EvidentGroup, LianLian Global, Lingfeng Capital, OneDegree, 4Paradigm, Libertify and more participated in the delegations. Delegates acknowledged that remarkable results would not have been possible without opportunities and connections provided by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government.

         For Evident Group, a highlight was an MOU signing with Zand Bank, the UAE’s AI-powered bank, licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE, which Evident first connected with during last year’s delegation visit. The MOU signifies a commitment to develop a strategic collaboration, aimed at delivering innovative alternative investment solutions for Zand Bank’s private wealth clients. The goal is to leverage Evident’s secure, cutting-edge digital market infrastructure to facilitate access to alternative investments such as private equity secondaries, private credit, and tokenised infrastructure. This collaboration pioneers a new model, demonstrating how the digitalisation of private markets enhances Hong Kong’s role in linking global private wealth with unique investment opportunities.

         LianLian Global regards Hong Kong as a key hub for expanding its global ecosystem, particularly in the GCC region. Through InvestHK delegations, it forged key G2G ties, most notably with the Central Bank of the UAE, unlocking strategic opportunities in the region. At the Dubai FinTech Summit, LianLian reached a cooperation agreement with Lulu Money to extend its payment gateway services into Mainland China. Leveraging Hong Kong as a fund hub, it also addressed cross-border trade challenges between China and the Middle East and North Africa region. In one case, LianLian facilitated a procurement and payment solution for a company purchasing electric vehicles from China, streamlining transactions for both buyer and manufacturer.

         Lingfeng Capital has obtained its approved-in-principle from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority as a licensed fund manager in the UAE and established operations in Abu Dhabi as its regional headquarters after identifying opportunities during the first delegation visit last year. This year, Lingfeng Capital is further engaging with key partners and initiating the setup of a fund in Abu Dhabi to support portfolio companies from Hong Kong, Mainland and other international markets expanding into the GCC region.

         OneDegree has been recognised by GCC government officials for its industry-leading digital asset insurance offerings. Following an investment from Dubai Insurance, OneDegree is set to provide digital asset insurance in the UAE, having received approval from the Central Bank of the UAE through partnership with Dubai Insurance Co. In addition, Walaa is supplying reinsurance capital for OneDegree’s global digital asset book. A pivotal milestone was a private meeting with senior management of the Insurance Authority of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the delegation visit last year.

         Connecting the East with the West and the Global South

         The 2025 delegation led by InvestHK built on the solid foundation laid by the HKSAR Government officials during earlier trip to focus on driving tangible business results, further solidifying Hong Kong’s position as an outward-facing, globally connected economy. The success of these delegations reaffirms Hong Kong’s position as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” to the world, where innovation and strategic dialogue forge robust pathways for two-way economic growth. With tangible results achieved across sectors, InvestHK continues to empower enterprises to “go global” through Hong Kong. Looking ahead, these achievements will lay the foundation for transformative regional collaborations that will benefit Hong Kong and contribute to national policies supporting global trade and investment, further deepening international exchanges and co-operation.
    Issued at HKT 18:45

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Secretary for Health meets Chairman of Changchun Committee of CPPCC

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, met with the Chairman of the Changchun Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr Gao Zhiguo, today (June 16) to have in-depth exchanges on the development of biomedicine and Chinese medicine (CM) in the two places.

    Professor Lo said, “Biomedicine development and medical innovation are not only directly related to people’s life and health, but also important national policies representing immense new quality productive forces. The Resolution of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization adopted by the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee pointed out the need to deepen the reform of medical and healthcare system and emphasised the support to the development mechanisms for innovative drugs and medical devices. In addition, the Development Plan for Shenzhen Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone promulgated by the State Council also put forward the co-ordinated development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Shenzhen under ‘one zone, two parks’ to promote the innovative application of advanced biomedicine technologies with concerted effort.”

    “The HKSAR Government is determined to fully utilise the institutional advantages of ‘one country, two systems’ of the HKSAR and our professional strengths in the healthcare sector to develop Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub, thereby enabling the innovative medical technologies to go global and attract foreign investment, and promoting new quality productive forces in biomedicine.”

    The Chief Executive put forward the initiative of developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub in his 2023 and 2024 Policy Address. The HKSAR Government will expedite the reform of the approval mechanism for drugs and medical devices and enhance the translation of innovative biomedical research results into clinical applications, such as jointly establishing the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Clinical Trial Collaboration Platform in concerted efforts by the GBA International Clinical Trial Institute in the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone and the GBA International Clinical Trials Center in the Shenzhen Park to integrate resources and technologies to provide one-stop clinical trial support for medical research institutions; establishing a Real-World Study and Application Centre to open up the extensive and standardised local medical databases to support clinical diagnosis and treatment, new drug development, and public health research, and integrate real-world data generated through the special measure of using Hong Kong-registered drugs and medical devices used in Hong Kong public hospitals in the GBA to accelerate approval for registration of new drugs in Hong Kong, the Mainland, and overseas; preparing for the establishment of the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation (CMPR) to progress towards the “primary evaluation” approach; and taking forward preparatory work for legislating for the statutory regulation of medical devices to dovetail with the timetable for the establishment of the CMPR.

    Regarding CM, the HKSAR Government is committed to developing Hong Kong into a bridgehead for the internationalisation of CM, and encourages co-operations between schools and research institutions of the two places in various areas such as CM education and research. Hong Kong’s first CM hospital will commence services in phases starting from the end of this year, which will serve as a key platform for promoting clinical scientific research collaboration in proprietary Chinese medicines development, synergising with the GBA Clinical Trial Collaboration Platform to facilitate the commencement of internationally recognised multicentre clinical trials, thereby further accelerating the translation of CM research findings.

    Representatives of the Health Bureau, the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority also attended the meeting.

    Ends/Monday, June 16, 2025
    Issued at HKT 20:50

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Protecting minors from online trends harmful to their health – E-001624/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The protection of minors online is a priority for the Commission. Under the Digital Services Act (DSA),[1] providers of designated Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs)[2] are required to conduct systemic risk assessments, considering inter alia actual or foreseeable risks to the protection of minors as well as a person’s physical and mental well-being, and to put in place effective mitigation measures to address these.

    These assessments should consider whether and how the design of the recommender systems may influence such risks. In addition, the providers of online platforms accessible to minors shall put in place appropriate and proportionate measures to ensure a high level of privacy, safety and security of minors.

    The Commission has taken swift action in relation to DSA enforcement and opened formal proceedings against the provider of TikTok[3] to assess whether it may have breached the DSA in relation to the protection of minors online and to the functioning of the recommender systems.

    The investigations are ongoing. If the Commission establishes a breach of the DSA, a fine of up to 6% of global turnover of the provider may be imposed.

    The Commission is developing guidelines on the protection of minors online under the DSA[4] as well as an Action Plan to counter cyberbullying. The Commission will also launch an EU-wide inquiry into the broader impacts of social media on well-being[5].

    The European Strategy for a better Internet for kids (BIK+)[6] promotes a responsible use of technology by supporting children, their carers and teachers through the awareness and education activities organised by the Safer Internet Centres and the information and training material available in all language on the BIK platform[7].

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32022R2065.
    • [2] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/list-designated-vlops-and-vloses.
    • [3] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_926.
    • [4] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-launches-call-evidence-guidelines-protection-minors-online-under-digital-services-act.
    • [5] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683-f63ffb2cf648_en?filename=Political%20Guidelines%202024-2029_EN.pdf.
    • [6]  COM/2022/212 final.
    • [7] https://www.betterInternetforkids.eu.
    Last updated: 16 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Returns Over $680,000 in Stolen Cryptocurrency Using Civil Asset Forfeiture

    Source: US FBI

    ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The United States has recovered and cleared title to over $680,000 worth of stolen cryptocurrency using civil asset forfeiture and is in the process of returning those funds to the victim, a cryptocurrency and blockchain company.

    According to court documents, on March 28, 2023, an unidentified person sought to exploit a vulnerability in a cryptocurrency product created by SafeMoon, LLC. SafeMoon used a reserve, called a liquidity pool, to allow trading between different types of cryptocurrency by securing a supply of cryptocurrency assets to ensure sufficient liquidity in the market. This allowed SafeMoon to prevent large fluctuations in the price of SafeMoon’s cryptocurrency. The liquidity pool was secured and managed by a digital program called a “smart contract” that automatically executed when specified conditions occurred. The smart contract was mistakenly programmed, however, so that it could be used by anyone to “burn,” or destroy, tokens from the SafeMoon liquidity pool.

    The exploiter’s scheme involved manipulating SafeMoon’s cryptocurrency by initiating a transaction that would burn a large number of SafeMoon tokens simultaneously, resulting in an artificial price spike. Then the exploiter could sell tokens back to the liquidity pool at an artificially inflated price at a loss to SafeMoon.

    At the same time, however, an automated cryptocurrency trading program called a “bot” was engaged in “front-running,” which exploits normal delays in the processing of transactions by scanning and simulating pending transactions to determine how profitable they are, then executes profitable trades ahead of the original trader. In this case, the front-running bot caused the exploiter’s transaction to fail and directed the profits from its own trade to an account the bot operator controlled. The cryptocurrency stolen from SafeMoon was worth over $8.5 million on the day it was stolen.

    Within a few hours of the attack, the front-running bot operator contacted SafeMoon, claiming to have prevented an attack. While purportedly offering to return the stolen cryptocurrency, the bot operator also threatened to withhold the entirety of the cryptocurrency stolen from SafeMoon if SafeMoon did not allow the operator to keep a percentage. SafeMoon relented and let the bot operator keep 20 percent of the stolen cryptocurrency.

    On May 15, 2023, the FBI seized $680,467.92 and 480.996 BNB from accounts at OKX, a cryptocurrency exchange platform, representing approximately half of the 20 percent extorted from SafeMoon. SafeMoon has since filed for bankruptcy, but the funds are being returned to the bankruptcy trustee for SafeMoon.

    Neither the original exploiter nor the bot operator has been identified to date and they may be located abroad. Without the possibility of a criminal prosecution, the United States used a civil asset forfeiture action against this stolen cryptocurrency to recover these funds for theft victims.  The civil asset forfeiture action afforded all potential claimants an opportunity to contest the forfeiture in court and put the government to its burden of proof.   

    Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Emily Odom, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Divisions, made the announcement after the settlement order between the United States and the SafeMoon bankruptcy trustee was issued by U.S. District Judge Patricia T. Giles.

    The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Hudson. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Keim and Former Eastern District of Virginia prosecutor Jay V. Prabhu supported the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cv-1065.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed & Whitehouse Help Launch State-of-the-Art Support Vehicle for Northern RI Firefighters

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    ***WATCH FOOTAGE OF THE NEW AIR SUPPLY UNIT***

    LINCOLN, RI – Fire departments across northern Rhode Island have teamed up to acquire a new regional air/light unit that will help ensure firefighters can safely and effectively respond to a wide range of emergencies throughout their communities.

    After delivering a $586,363 federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) award, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today joined state and local officials, Limerock Fire Chief Tim Walsh, and members of the Greater Woonsocket Fire Chiefs Mutual Aid Association to officially launch the new vehicle.

    “This new state-of-the-art vehicle will make it easier for our firefighters to safely and effectively respond to emergencies throughout our communities,” said Senator Reed.  “I am proud to help deliver critical resources and support for our firefighters.  They go above and beyond each day to serve and protect our neighborhoods, and they should have the best gear and technology available to stay safe in the line of duty.”

    “I’m very glad to join Senator Reed and our firefighters to officially launch this new state-of-the-art support vehicle,” said Senator Whitehouse.  “The residents of northern Rhode Island stand to benefit from our federal investment in this truck, which will better allow firefighters do their jobs safely and effectively.”

    “As a Woonsocket firefighter, I know firsthand how important it is for public safety personnel to have the proper equipment. Our lives, and the lives of the community members we’re responding to, are on the line,” said State Rep. Stephen M. Casey (D-Dist. 50, Woonsocket), chair of the House Committee on Municipal Government and Housing. “I was honored to be a sponsor of the legislative grant that helped support the purchase of this unit, and I thank my colleagues for backing it. I’m also very appreciative of Sen. Jack Reed and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, who understand that to keep the public safe, we need to keep our first responders safe. Today is just one more example of how they consistently deliver for Rhode Island.”

    “This unique piece of equipment is set to immediately start serving 13 communities across northern Rhode Island. With this new, advanced vehicle, we will boost the capabilities of the Greater Woonsocket Fire Chiefs Mutual Aid Association and better serve people across our region,” said Limerock Fire Chief Tim Walsh. “This achievement would not have been possible without the steadfast support of U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and State Representative Stephen Casey.”

    The new state-of-the-art support unit replaces a shared vehicle that has over 300,000 miles and more than four decades of service providing regional assistance during emergencies. The Rhode Island congressional delegation delivered the federal AFG award for Limerock Fire Department and its neighboring partners in September 2022. In addition to the federal AFG award, the new air/light unit was also supported by a $50,000 legislative grant from the Rhode Island House of Representatives.

    An air/light unit is a critical piece of firefighting equipment that provides support and boosts safety by ensuring firefighters have the tools and equipment they need at the ready to respond to dangerous emergencies. The unit is used to refill Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) air cylinders and provide portable enhanced lighting on scene.

    The Rhode Island fire departments and districts who will utilize this new unit are members of the Greater Woonsocket Fire Chiefs Mutual Aid Association, including: Central Falls, Chepachet, Cumberland, East Burrillville, Harmony, Harrisville, Lincoln, Manville, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Smithfield, and Woonsocket. Collectively, these departments are staffed by nearly 500 firefighters and serve more than 460,000 Rhode Islanders.

    Thanks to the Rhode Island congressional delegation, Ocean State fire departments received a record-breaking amount of federal funding last year through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) grant funding, with a total of nearly $30 million for firefighters and first responders across the state.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed & Whitehouse Help Launch State-of-the-Art Support Vehicle for Northern RI Firefighters

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    ***WATCH FOOTAGE OF THE NEW AIR SUPPLY UNIT***

    LINCOLN, RI – Fire departments across northern Rhode Island have teamed up to acquire a new regional air/light unit that will help ensure firefighters can safely and effectively respond to a wide range of emergencies throughout their communities.

    After delivering a $586,363 federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) award, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today joined state and local officials, Limerock Fire Chief Tim Walsh, and members of the Greater Woonsocket Fire Chiefs Mutual Aid Association to officially launch the new vehicle.

    “This new state-of-the-art vehicle will make it easier for our firefighters to safely and effectively respond to emergencies throughout our communities,” said Senator Reed.  “I am proud to help deliver critical resources and support for our firefighters.  They go above and beyond each day to serve and protect our neighborhoods, and they should have the best gear and technology available to stay safe in the line of duty.”

    “I’m very glad to join Senator Reed and our firefighters to officially launch this new state-of-the-art support vehicle,” said Senator Whitehouse.  “The residents of northern Rhode Island stand to benefit from our federal investment in this truck, which will better allow firefighters do their jobs safely and effectively.”

    “As a Woonsocket firefighter, I know firsthand how important it is for public safety personnel to have the proper equipment. Our lives, and the lives of the community members we’re responding to, are on the line,” said State Rep. Stephen M. Casey (D-Dist. 50, Woonsocket), chair of the House Committee on Municipal Government and Housing. “I was honored to be a sponsor of the legislative grant that helped support the purchase of this unit, and I thank my colleagues for backing it. I’m also very appreciative of Sen. Jack Reed and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, who understand that to keep the public safe, we need to keep our first responders safe. Today is just one more example of how they consistently deliver for Rhode Island.”

    “This unique piece of equipment is set to immediately start serving 13 communities across northern Rhode Island. With this new, advanced vehicle, we will boost the capabilities of the Greater Woonsocket Fire Chiefs Mutual Aid Association and better serve people across our region,” said Limerock Fire Chief Tim Walsh. “This achievement would not have been possible without the steadfast support of U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and State Representative Stephen Casey.”

    The new state-of-the-art support unit replaces a shared vehicle that has over 300,000 miles and more than four decades of service providing regional assistance during emergencies. The Rhode Island congressional delegation delivered the federal AFG award for Limerock Fire Department and its neighboring partners in September 2022. In addition to the federal AFG award, the new air/light unit was also supported by a $50,000 legislative grant from the Rhode Island House of Representatives.

    An air/light unit is a critical piece of firefighting equipment that provides support and boosts safety by ensuring firefighters have the tools and equipment they need at the ready to respond to dangerous emergencies. The unit is used to refill Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) air cylinders and provide portable enhanced lighting on scene.

    The Rhode Island fire departments and districts who will utilize this new unit are members of the Greater Woonsocket Fire Chiefs Mutual Aid Association, including: Central Falls, Chepachet, Cumberland, East Burrillville, Harmony, Harrisville, Lincoln, Manville, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Smithfield, and Woonsocket. Collectively, these departments are staffed by nearly 500 firefighters and serve more than 460,000 Rhode Islanders.

    Thanks to the Rhode Island congressional delegation, Ocean State fire departments received a record-breaking amount of federal funding last year through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) grant funding, with a total of nearly $30 million for firefighters and first responders across the state.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • P.K. Mishra reviews Gujarat infra projects, inspects expressway & heritage complex

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Dr. P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, conducted site inspections and chaired high-level review meetings in Dholera and Lothal, Gujarat, on Monday to assess the progress of key infrastructure projects. These initiatives align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for industrial growth and economic development in the region.

    Dr. Mishra visited the under-construction Ahmedabad-Dholera Greenfield Expressway, a project led by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). He emphasized its potential to reduce travel time between Ahmedabad and Dholera to just 45 minutes and stressed the need for timely completion while maintaining global-quality road standards. At the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR), he reviewed the Dholera International Airport, where officials reported that cargo operations are slated to begin by October 2025. Dr. Mishra directed authorities to ensure strict adherence to timelines and seamless integration with the expressway.

    The Principal Secretary also inspected Tata Electronics’ Semiconductor Fabrication (Fab) project, a cornerstone of India’s domestic chip manufacturing efforts. The facility will produce chips for mobile devices, consumer electronics, and automotive applications. Additionally, Dr. Mishra visited social infrastructure developments, including schools, hospitals, and residential complexes managed by Dholera Industrial City Development Limited (DICDL). He underscored the importance of incorporating stakeholder feedback to enhance user experience.

    In a comprehensive review meeting with senior officials from DICDL, Dholera International Airport Company Limited (DIACL), NHAI, Airports Authority of India, and Indian Railways, Dr. Mishra evaluated progress on critical projects, including the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway, Bhimnath-Dholera Freight Rail Link, Ahmedabad-Dholera Semi-High-Speed Rail Line, and Dholera International Airport. He reaffirmed the Government of Gujarat’s commitment to transforming Dholera into a world-class smart industrial city, emphasizing timely execution, skilled workforce availability, and robust planning.

    Dr. Mishra also inspected the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, a flagship project under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. Chairing a review meeting with Shri T. Ramachandran, Secretary of the Ministry, and officials from the Gujarat Maritime Board, Archaeological Survey of India, NHAI, and Indian Railways, he stressed that the NMHC should serve as a scholarly tribute to India’s rich maritime history. He called for in-depth research, academic collaboration, and a well-curated visitor experience to highlight India’s maritime legacy from the Harappan civilization onward. Dr. Mishra reviewed Phase I-A construction, which includes six galleries, and directed its completion by August 2025.

    Additionally, Dr. Mishra assessed environmental sustainability efforts, such as local species plantation and water management systems, to ensure the NMHC’s ecological responsibility. He highlighted the project’s unparalleled scale and significance in preserving and showcasing India’s maritime heritage.

  • P.K. Mishra reviews Gujarat infra projects, inspects expressway & heritage complex

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Dr. P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, conducted site inspections and chaired high-level review meetings in Dholera and Lothal, Gujarat, on Monday to assess the progress of key infrastructure projects. These initiatives align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for industrial growth and economic development in the region.

    Dr. Mishra visited the under-construction Ahmedabad-Dholera Greenfield Expressway, a project led by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). He emphasized its potential to reduce travel time between Ahmedabad and Dholera to just 45 minutes and stressed the need for timely completion while maintaining global-quality road standards. At the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR), he reviewed the Dholera International Airport, where officials reported that cargo operations are slated to begin by October 2025. Dr. Mishra directed authorities to ensure strict adherence to timelines and seamless integration with the expressway.

    The Principal Secretary also inspected Tata Electronics’ Semiconductor Fabrication (Fab) project, a cornerstone of India’s domestic chip manufacturing efforts. The facility will produce chips for mobile devices, consumer electronics, and automotive applications. Additionally, Dr. Mishra visited social infrastructure developments, including schools, hospitals, and residential complexes managed by Dholera Industrial City Development Limited (DICDL). He underscored the importance of incorporating stakeholder feedback to enhance user experience.

    In a comprehensive review meeting with senior officials from DICDL, Dholera International Airport Company Limited (DIACL), NHAI, Airports Authority of India, and Indian Railways, Dr. Mishra evaluated progress on critical projects, including the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway, Bhimnath-Dholera Freight Rail Link, Ahmedabad-Dholera Semi-High-Speed Rail Line, and Dholera International Airport. He reaffirmed the Government of Gujarat’s commitment to transforming Dholera into a world-class smart industrial city, emphasizing timely execution, skilled workforce availability, and robust planning.

    Dr. Mishra also inspected the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, a flagship project under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. Chairing a review meeting with Shri T. Ramachandran, Secretary of the Ministry, and officials from the Gujarat Maritime Board, Archaeological Survey of India, NHAI, and Indian Railways, he stressed that the NMHC should serve as a scholarly tribute to India’s rich maritime history. He called for in-depth research, academic collaboration, and a well-curated visitor experience to highlight India’s maritime legacy from the Harappan civilization onward. Dr. Mishra reviewed Phase I-A construction, which includes six galleries, and directed its completion by August 2025.

    Additionally, Dr. Mishra assessed environmental sustainability efforts, such as local species plantation and water management systems, to ensure the NMHC’s ecological responsibility. He highlighted the project’s unparalleled scale and significance in preserving and showcasing India’s maritime heritage.

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Mukuru Named FXC Intelligence Top 100 Cross-Border Payments Company for Sixth Year

    Mukuru (https://www.Mukuru.com), a leading next-generation financial services platform, has once again been recognised among the world’s most influential cross-border payment companies, earning a spot on the 2025 FXC Intelligence Cross-Border Payments 100 list for the sixth consecutive year. Mukuru joins an elite group of global fintechs shaping the future of financial services, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted and resilient force in the industry.  

    As a global authority in cross-border payments data and analysis, FXC Intelligence has highlighted Mukuru’s impact on digital finance in emerging markets. In an industry undergoing rapid transformation, this recognition reaffirms Mukuru’s vital role in enabling Africans to participate in the global financial economy through provision of secure, accessible, reliable and affordable payments solutions.  

    Andy Jury, Group CEO of Mukuru, says; “Mukuru’s continued inclusion on the FXC Intelligence list is both an honour and a validation of our mission to drive financial inclusion at scale. Being recognised six years in a row highlights the value we bring to the growing cross border payments market as a proudly African business with expertise in bridging the gap in formal and informal economies across the continent and beyond”. 

    Since Mukuru’s inclusion in the FX Intelligence list in 2024, the company is expanding its digital financial solutions to over 17 million customers across Africa, Europe, and Asia. As part of this growth, Mukuru now has 5 wallets/cards in 5 markets including South Africa, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and, most recently, Zambia. These solutions enable users to send and receive funds locally and globally, store, and spend money seamlessly via mobile or card, promoting financial inclusion for both urban and rural communities. 

    In addition to individual solutions, Mukuru has strengthened its business offerings through MPAY (Mukuru Pay) and EPP (Enterprise Payment Platform). These platforms provide flexible payment solutions for e-commerce, payroll management, aid disbursements, and bulk transactions, ensuring efficient financial services for organisations across various sectors. 

    With a regulatory footprint spanning more than 50 financial licenses across multiple countries, Mukuru has also taken a significant step toward expanding its financial services in Zimbabwe, with the recent issuing of its Deposit-Taking Microfinance Institution (DTMFI) license by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ). This milestone enables the company to provide banking-like and regulated financial services to underserved segments, including women, youth, people with disabilities, and rural communities, in one of its most established markets. 

    “This recognition is not just a moment of pride – it’s a signal to keep pushing boundaries, as Mukuru rapidly evolves beyond a remittance-led business to a trusted financial services partner for consumers, businesses and organisations. We remain dedicated to driving financial inclusion and shaping the future of cross-border financial services by delivering simple, innovative and trusted solutions globally”, concludes Jury. 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mukuru.

    For Media Enquiries, please contact:
    Kgomotso.hlakudi@mukuru.com   

    About Mukuru: 
    Mukuru is a leading next generation financial services platform in Southern Africa that offers affordable and reliable financial services to a customer base of over 17 million+ across Africa, Asia and Europe. With over 100 million transactions to date, our core was built providing international money transfers and from this base, we’ve developed a set of services to address the broader financial needs of our customers. We now operate in over 70 countries and across over 570 remittance corridors. 

    We are a business that puts the customer at the centre of everything we do, and for that reason, we serve clients across physical and digital channels, by various payment methods (cash, card, wallet) as well as a range of engagement platforms including WhatsApp, USSD, contact centre, App, website, agents and a branch and booth network. 

    Mukuru has been listed among the top 100 Cross Border Payments businesses globally for the sixth consecutive year in the 2025 FXC Intelligence Top 100 Cross-Border Payment Companies. In 2024, Mukuru won the IAMTN Payments Network Customers Experience Excellence Award for exceptional customer satisfaction and was accredited as a Top Employer in South Africa for 2024 and 2025 by the Top Employers Institute. In 2023, Mukuru ranked sixth on the LinkedIn Top Companies List in South Africa. We aso received the Fintech Innovation of the Year Award at the 2023 Africa Tech Festival Awards for its role in driving economic growth and financial inclusion.  

    Further information can be found at https://www.Mukuru.com. 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: 3,000 children to discover the journey of food

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    Around 3,000 pupils from 72 primary schools across Essex will gather at ARU Writtle on Tuesday, 25 June for the annual Essex Schools Food & Farming Day.

    Organised by the Essex Agricultural Society, the event offers a hands-on, interactive experience designed to teach children how food travels from the farm to their plates.

    Jimmy Doherty, farmer, television presenter and Visiting Professor at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) will be the VIP guest on the day.

    Activities and demonstrations will take place around six themed zones: livestock, machinery, food, crops, countryside and environment and, new for 2025, rural safety and Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

    Children will have the opportunity to meet farm animals, watch tractors and combine harvesters in action, learn about robotic fruit picking, and sample locally grown produce.

    A scarecrow competition will be themed around farming in the future, with schools contributing scarecrows dressed up as a STEM-based career or what children think a farmer will look like in years to come.

    The day aims to inspire curiosity about food production, sustainability, and healthy eating, while also highlighting potential careers in agriculture and environmental science.

    “We are looking forward to welcoming so many schoolchildren to our fantastic campus at ARU Writtle, and we’re proud to be working with the Essex Agricultural Society on what promises to be a fascinating and educational day.”

    Professor Roderick Watkins, Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)

    “The showground will be filled with exhibitors in our six zones, plus over 150 farmer volunteers. We can’t wait to see 3,000 children – and dozens of scarecrows – at the Essex Schools Food & Farming Day.”

    Event Chairman Annabelle Rout, of Essex Agricultural Society

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: XRP News: Nimanode’s $NMA Presale Explodes Past 20% Softcap Target, is this the next 10X DeFi Mover?

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEEDS, United Kingdom, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Imagine the future where your entire workflow on the Blockchain is powered by AI to get maximum benefits of it. This goes from investing, security, compliance, monitoring and every significant interaction being automated via AI agents. That is the future of work and that is where Nimanode comes in as the first platform of its kind to deliver a zero-code solution for launching on-chain AI agents that can perform these complex blockchain tasks.

    Nimanode has drawn massive investor confidence with its $NMA Presale, having so far surpassed expectations by rapidly filling 20% of its softcap target with support of early adopters seeking exposure to the next phase of Web3 technology.

    Join $NMA Presale

    Pioneering the AI x Blockchain Tech on XRP Ledger

    Built natively on XRPL, Nimanode leverages the blockchain’s speed, low fees, and scalability to enable high-frequency, low-latency AI agent execution. The platform’s agents are capable of:

    • Executing smart contracts via XRPL Hooks
    • Scanning wallets and tokens for real-time risk
    • Monitoring compliance in tokenized real-world assets (RWAs)
    • Managing liquidity and maximizing APY across XRPL protocols
    • Operating 24/7 as decentralized customer support interfaces

    NMA Token: Powering DeFi Innovation

    At the core of Nimanode is the Agent Marketplace, where users can license, share, and monetize AI agents with other users and businesses. Combined with its SDK for developers and drag-and-drop builder for creators, Nimanode is positioning itself as a hub for Web3 automation and on-chain labor.

    $NMA, the platform’s utility token, is used for:

    • Deploying and upgrading agents
    • Licensing agents via the marketplace
    • Staking to earn protocol rewards
    • Participating in decentralized governance

    Market Analysts already predict strong upside upon exchange listing of $NMA as demand for agent-based infrastructure gains traction.

    This is a chance to invest in $NMA before its Listing at 25% higher than Presale value, however whales position for more as they eye a 10X surge on Launch.

    $NMA Token Sale is Ongoing

    With a total of 90 million $NMA representing 45% of $NMA allocated for the presale, this marks a unique and promising chance to claim early access into one of XRP Ledger’s most innovative projects, spearheading the AI ecosystem on the blockchain.

    Joining in the NimaNode Presale is quite straightforward

    Purchase XRP: Acquire XRP from reputable exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, or Bybit

    Send to an XRP-Compatible Wallet: Ensure you have a non-custodial wallet capable of receiving XRP native tokens Xaman recommended.

    Participate in the Presale: Visit the NimaNode presale page (https://nimanode.com/presale), send your XRP to the provided presale address, and secure your $NMA tokens.

    As Nimanode Presale gains momentum, now is a perfect opportunity to position at the next wave of Blockchain innovation poised for massive gains through the integration of Web3 and AI.

    Final Word

    The future of blockchain is autonomous AI agents working for you and it begins with Nimanode. As the XRP ecosystem continues to attract global attention, Nimanode is entering the scene with purpose — to become the backbone of autonomous Web3 infrastructure.

    By merging artificial intelligence with no-code tools on one of the fastest blockchains in existence, Nimanode is redefining how value, automation, and intelligence move through decentralized systems.

    Connect with Nimanode

    Website: https://nimanode.com

    Twitter/X: https://x.com/nimanodeai

    Telegram: https://t.me/nimanodeAI

    Documentation: https://docs.nimanode.com

    Contact:
    Nick Lambert
    contact@nimanode.com

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

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8a7bf532-c402-4839-a707-e75cd5949aad

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Capito, Blunt Rochester,  Curtis Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Create Cybersecurity Office Related to Critical Infrastructure

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Hickenlooper – Colorado

    Legislation would strengthen support of NTIA’s ongoing efforts to protect American technology infrastructure

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Shelley Moore Capito, Lisa Blunt Rochester, and John Curtis reintroduced their National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act, a bipartisan bill to modernize and codify the NTIA’s work in cybersecurity.

    The NTIA’s Office for Policy Analysis and Development would be renamed the Office for Policy Development and Cybersecurity to better align with the agency’s 21st century mission of helping secure the information and communication technology (ICT) sector.

    “America’s data security is national security. We need to modernize our agencies and departments to meet today’s cyber threats head-on,” said Hickenlooper, Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security.

    “Cyberattacks and breaches of private data ultimately hurt American consumers, and as technology and the telecommunications industry continues to advance, so do the threats from hackers and bad actors. Provisions must be in place to strengthen NTIA’s Office for Policy Analysis and Development, and protect the private information of the public they serve. I’m proud to reintroduce bipartisan legislation that takes necessary, proactive steps to develop cybersecurity guidance, identify potential vulnerabilities, and promote collaboration between the public and private sectors with the ultimate goal of protecting consumers,” Capito said.

    In recent years, the NTIA has increasingly adapted to better reflect the rising importance of cybersecurity to our critical infrastructure and daily functions. The senators’ bill would codify, strengthen, and provide Congressional guidance to NTIA’s ongoing cybersecurity activities, as well as outline responsibilities of an Associate Administrator.

    The redesignated office would be led by an Associate Administrator and be responsible for:

    • Developing cybersecurity policy as it relates to telecommunications, the internet, consumer software services, and public media
    • Creating guidance and support for implementing cybersecurity and privacy measures for internet and telecommunication companies
    • Promoting collaboration between security research and industry
    • Preventing and mitigating future software vulnerabilities in communications networks
    • Removing barriers for implementing, understanding, and investing in cybersecurity for communications and software providers
    • Providing technical assistance on cybersecurity practices to small and rural communications service providers

    In the House, a companion bill passed out of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Hickenlooper and Capito originally introduced the legislation in the 117th Congress.

    Full text of the bill is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –