NewzIntel.com

Category: United States of America

  • MIL-OSI USA: DHS Releases Names of Worst of the Worst Convicted Criminal Illegal Aliens Detained at Guantanamo Bay

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: DHS Releases Names of Worst of the Worst Convicted Criminal Illegal Aliens Detained at Guantanamo Bay

    lass=”text-align-center”>Pedophiles, murderers, kidnappers, and other violent criminals are being held at the military facility
    WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today released the names of some of the dangerous, criminal illegal aliens detained at the Guantanamo Bay

      
    “We’re arresting criminal illegal aliens and getting them off America’s streets

    Guantanamo Bay is holding the worst of the worst including child predators, rapists and murderers,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin

    “Whether it is CECOT, Alligator Alcatraz, Guantanamo Bay or another detention facility, these dangerous criminals will not be allowed to terrorize U

    S

    citizens

    President Trump and Secretary Noem are using every tool available to get criminal illegal aliens off our streets and out of our country

    Our message is clear: Criminals are not welcome in the United States

    ” 
    Below are examples of nearly 30 high-threat, violent criminal illegal aliens that have committed heinous crimes and are detained at Guantanamo Bay

    These dangerous illegal aliens are convicted criminals with final orders of removal from an immigration judge

    Olma Juarez-Mendez, an illegal alien from Guatemala, has been convicted of domestic abuse

    Hung Vo, an illegal alien from Vietnam, has been convicted of robbery with a weapon

    Quan Phung, an illegal alien from Vietnam, has been convicted of aggravated assault with a weapon

    Andis Noe Cortes Zepeda, an illegal alien from Honduras, has been convicted of sexual assault

    Antonio Erazo-Ramos, an illegal alien from Honduras, has been convicted of assault

    Xiang Liu, an illegal alien from China, has been convicted of robbery

    Jin Feng Lu, an illegal alien from China, has been convicted of homicide

    Hieu Tran, an illegal alien from Vietnam, has been convicted of robbery

    Shubham Singh, an illegal alien from India, has been convicted of child pornography

    Franklin Almendarez-Alvarez, an illegal alien from Honduras, has been convicted of lewd acts with a minor

    Ramiro Villanueva, an illegal alien from Colombia, has been convicted of smuggling cocaine

    Tien Minh Cao, an illegal alien from Vietnam, has been convicted of kidnapping

    Khang Huy Trang, an illegal alien from Vietnam, has been convicted of kidnapping for ransom

    Carlos Olivo Orellana, an illegal alien from El Salvador, has been convicted of lewd acts with a minor

    Wen Lin, an illegal alien from China, has been convicted of robbery

    Guillermo Gonzales-Tiul, an illegal alien from Guatemala, has been convicted of assault

    Yong Liang, an illegal alien from China, has been convicted of kidnapping

    Luis Fernando Ospina Tabarez, an illegal alien from Colombia, has been convicted of smuggling heroin

    Ilie Bogde, an illegal alien from Romania, has been convicted of robbery

    Jose Diego Pereira Valdez, and illegal alien from El Salvador, has been convicted of aggravated assault with a gun

    Larry Medina, an illegal alien from Venezuela, has been convicted of sexual assault

    Brayan Vasquez-Montero, an illegal alien from Colombia, has been convicted of aggravated assault with a weapon

    Nathaniel Akeen, an illegal alien from Liberia, has been convicted of robbery

    Eric Gresford Miller, an illegal alien from Jamaica, has been convicted of aggravated assault with a gun

    Nigel Tomlinson, an illegal alien from the United Kingdom, has been convicted of child sexual abuse

    Victor Bonilla-Alvarez, an illegal alien from El Salvador, has been convicted of trafficking weapons

    On January 29, 2025, President Donald J

    Trump signed an executive order, Expanding Migrant Operations Center at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to Full Capacity, directing Secretary Noem to expand the Migrant Operations Center at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to provide additional detention space for high-priority criminal aliens illegally present in the United States

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: PHOTO RELEASE: Coast Guard terminates voyage of illegal charter on St. Johns River

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 07/08/2025 03:30 PM EDT

    News Release  

    U.S. Coast Guard Southeast District PA Detachment Jacksonville
    Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Jacksonville
    Office: 904-714-7606/7607
    After Hours: 786-393-4138
    PA Detachment Jacksonville online newsroom

     

    07/08/2025 03:06 PM EDT

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville terminated the voyage of an illegal charter vessel, Friday, operating on the St. Johns River.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Grand Jury Indicts Four in Sex Trafficking Ring

    Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

    CHARLESTON, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Columbia returned a 15-count indictment against four from the Charleston area in connection with sex trafficking. The charges stem from an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and Charleston Police Department that uncovered sex trafficking, money laundering, conspiracy offenses, and related charges.

    The individuals charged include:

    • Johnathan Dais, 33, of Charleston, for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking; sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; attempted sex trafficking of a child; use of a facility of interstate commerce to promote an unlawful activity; false statements; conspiracy to commit money laundering; and money laundering.
    • Calvin Wolfe, 54, of Charleston, for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.
    • Rose Stoner a/k/a Rose Wolfe, 50, of Charleston, for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.
    • Alexis McInnis, 20, of Charleston, for use of a facility of interstate commerce to promote an unlawful activity; false statements; and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

    The indictment alleges that between 2016 and 2025, Dais, and at times his co-conspirators, Wolfe and Stoner a/k/a Wolfe, recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, …. And sex trafficked at least five victims by force, fraud, or coercion, including one minor victim. The indictment also alleges Dais and McInnis used facilities of interstate commerce to promote prostitution activity, and that they each made false statements to law enforcement during the investigation. Dais and McInnis are also charged with laundering the funds derived from such unlawful activities.

    Sex trafficking carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

    Johnathan Dais, Calvin Wolfe, and Rose Stoner a/k/a Wolfe are currently detained pending trial, and Alexis McInnis was granted a $5,000 unsecured bond on July 7 by the Honorable Molly Cherry.

    Authorities with Homeland Security Investigations and the Charleston Police Department are seeking information that may help identify additional victims exploited by these individuals. If you, or someone you know, was a victim, please provide a name and contact information to the following email address, with subject line referencing Johnathan Dais: Charleston_ExploitationTips@hsi.dhs.gov.

    The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Charleston Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Orville is prosecuting the case.

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • Zelenskiy says he ordered intensified contacts with US for deliveries of arms

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday he ordered an expansion of contacts with the United States to ensure critical deliveries of military supplies, primarily air defence.

    Zelenskiy issued his call a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington would send more weapons to Ukraine, mainly defensive ones, to help the country defend itself against intensifying Russian advances.

    “Today, I instructed the minister of defence and the commander in chief to intensify all contacts with the American side,” Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.

    “We currently have all the necessary political statements and decisions and we must implement them as quickly as possible to protect our people and positions,” he said.

    Zelenskiy said the current focus for deliveries was on “air defence, as well as other elements of supply from the U.S.”

    “These are critical deliveries that mean saving lives and protecting Ukrainian cities and villages. I expect results from these contacts very soon. And this week, we are preparing formats for meetings of our military and political teams.”

    The U.S. Defense Department said it would send additional defensive weapons to Ukraine at Trump’s direction, to ensure the Ukrainians can defend themselves while efforts continue to secure a lasting peace.

    The U.S. decision to halt some arms shipments to Kyiv prompted Ukraine to warn the move would crimp its ability to fend off Russia’s air strikes and battlefield advances.

    Russia’s military has in recent weeks boosted air attacks on Ukrainian cities by drones and missiles.

    Trump on Tuesday again expressed disappointment at Russian President Vladimir Putin over the failure to introduce a ceasefire as part of moves to secure a peace. He said he was considering additional sanctions on Moscow.

    -Reuters

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: How Philadelphia’s current sanitation strike differs from past labor disputes in the city

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Francis Ryan, Associate Professor of Labor Studies and Employment Relations, Rutgers University

    Curbside trash collection has been on pause in Philadelphia since July 1, 2025. AP Photo/Matt Slocum

    As the Philadelphia municipal worker strike enters its second week, so-called “Parker piles” – large collections of garbage that some residents blame on Mayor Cherelle Parker – continue to build up in neighborhoods across the city.

    The AFSCME District Council 33 union on strike represents about 9,000 blue-collar workers in the city, including sanitation workers, 911 dispatchers, city mechanics and water department staff.

    The Conversation U.S. asked Francis Ryan, a professor of labor studies at Rutgers University and author of “AFSCME’s Philadelphia Story: Municipal Workers and Urban Power in Philadelphia in the Twentieth Century,” about the history of sanitation strikes in Philly and what makes this one unique.

    Has anything surprised you about this strike?

    This strike marks the first time in the history of labor relations between the City of Philadelphia and the AFSCME District Council 33 union where social media is playing a significant role in how the struggle is unfolding.

    The union is getting their side of the story out on Instagram and other social media platforms, and citizens are taking up or expressing sympathy with their cause.

    Some city residents are referring to the garbage build-up sites as ‘Parker piles.’
    AP Photo/Tassanee Vejpongsa

    How successful are trash strikes in Philly or other U.S. cities?

    As I describe in my book, Philadelphia has a long history of sanitation strikes that goes back to March 1937. At that time, a brief work stoppage brought about discussions between the city administration and an early version of the current union.

    When over 200 city workers were laid off in September 1938, city workers called a weeklong sanitation strike. Street battles raged in West Philadelphia when strikers blocked police-escorted trash wagons that were aiming to collect trash with workers hired to replace the strikers.

    Philadelphia residents, many of whom were union members who worked in textile, steel, food and other industries rallied behind the strikers. The strikers’ demands were met, and a new union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or AFSCME, was formally recognized by the city.

    This strike was a major event because it showed how damaging a garbage strike could be. The fact that strikers were willing to fight in the streets to stop trash services showed that such events had the potential for violence, not to mention the health concerns from having tons of trash on the streets.

    There was another two-week trash strike in Philadelphia in 1944, but there wouldn’t be another for more than 20 years.

    However, a growing number of sanitation strikes popped up around the country in the 1960s, the most infamous being the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Strike.

    Black sanitation workers peacefully march wearing placards reading ‘I Am A Man’ during the Memphis sanitation strike in 1968.
    Bettmann via Getty Images

    In Memphis, a majority African American sanitation workforce demanded higher wages, basic safety procedures and recognition of their union. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. rallied to support the Memphis workers and their families as part of his Poor Peoples’ Campaign, which sought to organize working people from across the nation into a new coalition to demand full economic and political rights.

    On April 4, 1968, Dr. King was assassinated. His death put pressure on Memphis officials to settle the strike, and on April 16 the the strikers secured their demands.

    Following the Memphis strike, AFSCME began organizing public workers around the country and through the coming years into the 1970s, there were sanitation strikes and slowdowns across the nation including in New York City, Atlanta, Cleveland and Washington, D.C. Often, these workers, who were predominantly African American, gained the support of significant sections of the communities they served and secured modest wage boosts.

    By the 1980s, such labor actions were becoming fewer. In 1986, Philadelphia witnessed a three-week sanitation strike that ended with the union gaining some of its wage demands, but losing on key areas related to health care benefits.

    Workers begin removing mounds of trash after returning to work after the 18-day strike in Philadelphia in July 1986.
    Bettmann via Getty Images

    How do wages and benefits for DC33 workers compare to other U.S. cities?

    DC 33 president Greg Boulware has said that the union’s members make an average salary of $46,000 per year. According to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, that is $2,000 less than what a single adult with no kids needs to reasonably support themselves living in Philadelphia.

    Sanitation workers who collect curbside trash earn a salary of $42,500 to $46,200, or $18-$20 an hour. NBC Philadelphia reports that those wages are the lowest of any of the major cities they looked at. Hourly wages in the other cities they looked at ranged from $21 an hour in Dallas to $25-$30 an hour in Chicago.

    Unlike other eras, the fact that social media makes public these personal narratives and perspectives – like from former sanitation worker Terrill Haigler, aka “Ya Fav Trashman” – is shaping the way many citizens respond to these disruptions. I see a level of support for the strikers that I believe is unprecedented going back as far as 1938.

    What do you think is behind this support?

    The pandemic made people more aware of the role of essential workers in society. If the men and women who do these jobs can’t afford their basic needs, something isn’t right. This may explain why so many people are seeing things from the perspective of striking workers.

    At the same time, money is being cut from important services at the federal, state and local levels. The proposed gutting of the city’s mass transit system by state lawmakers is a case in point. Social media allows people to make these broader connections and start conversations.

    If the strike continues much longer, I think it will gain more national and international attention, and bring discussions about how workers should be treated to the forefront.

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

    – ref. How Philadelphia’s current sanitation strike differs from past labor disputes in the city – https://theconversation.com/how-philadelphias-current-sanitation-strike-differs-from-past-labor-disputes-in-the-city-260676

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Jacobs, Deluzio Introduces Bill to Limit Presidential Power to Deploy Troops on American Soil under the Insurrection Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53)

    July 08, 2025

    Rep. Chris Deluzio (PA-17) and Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) introduced a new bill to check presidential authority under the centuries-old Insurrection Act. The new Insurrection Act of 2025 would reform legislation from 1807 that provides the President broad and vague authority to deploy troops—with or without the request of a state—to suppress “any insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracy.” Presidents have rarely used the current law, recognizing the long American tradition of keeping the military out of domestic law enforcement.

    Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) said, “The troubling scenes unfolding in Los Angeles give us a glimpse of what could happen nationwide if President Trump tries to invoke the Insurrection Act and turn U.S. troops on civilians. We’ve already seen him twist the law for political gain, so Congress must leave zero ambiguity about when—and for how long—any president can deploy the military for domestic law-enforcement purposes. That’s why I was relieved that last month, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine agreed with me that there’s currently no military invasion on our southern border that would justify invoking this law. Now we must go a step further by passing the Insurrection Act of 2025—modernizing the 1807 statute for the 21st century to narrow this authority and mandate transparency, accountability, and consultation with Congress.” 

    “No President should have such wide-ranging power to deploy American troops against the American people,” said Congressman Deluzio. “This President has threatened to use the United States military to crush dissent among the American people, and Congress should act to reform and update the law that governs deployment of our troops for law enforcement in the United States. We need these urgent reforms to the centuries-old Insurrection Act so that no President has such expansive power to use military force against Americans.”

     

    The new Insurrection Act of 2025 would:  

    • Clarify that the law cannot be used to suspend habeas corpus, impose martial law, or deputize private militias to act as soldiers. 

    • Require a report to Congress providing an explicit justification for the use of the Insurrection Act’s authority, as enumerated in this legislation, and a full description of the scope and duration of its use. 

    • Provide for judicial review to ensure that individuals, or a state or local government, may bring a civil action if the President’s authority under the Insurrection Act is misused or abused. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Jacobs, Deluzio Introduces Bill to Limit Presidential Power to Deploy Troops on American Soil under the Insurrection Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53)

    July 08, 2025

    Rep. Chris Deluzio (PA-17) and Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) introduced a new bill to check presidential authority under the centuries-old Insurrection Act. The new Insurrection Act of 2025 would reform legislation from 1807 that provides the President broad and vague authority to deploy troops—with or without the request of a state—to suppress “any insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracy.” Presidents have rarely used the current law, recognizing the long American tradition of keeping the military out of domestic law enforcement.

    Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) said, “The troubling scenes unfolding in Los Angeles give us a glimpse of what could happen nationwide if President Trump tries to invoke the Insurrection Act and turn U.S. troops on civilians. We’ve already seen him twist the law for political gain, so Congress must leave zero ambiguity about when—and for how long—any president can deploy the military for domestic law-enforcement purposes. That’s why I was relieved that last month, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine agreed with me that there’s currently no military invasion on our southern border that would justify invoking this law. Now we must go a step further by passing the Insurrection Act of 2025—modernizing the 1807 statute for the 21st century to narrow this authority and mandate transparency, accountability, and consultation with Congress.” 

    “No President should have such wide-ranging power to deploy American troops against the American people,” said Congressman Deluzio. “This President has threatened to use the United States military to crush dissent among the American people, and Congress should act to reform and update the law that governs deployment of our troops for law enforcement in the United States. We need these urgent reforms to the centuries-old Insurrection Act so that no President has such expansive power to use military force against Americans.”

     

    The new Insurrection Act of 2025 would:  

    • Clarify that the law cannot be used to suspend habeas corpus, impose martial law, or deputize private militias to act as soldiers. 

    • Require a report to Congress providing an explicit justification for the use of the Insurrection Act’s authority, as enumerated in this legislation, and a full description of the scope and duration of its use. 

    • Provide for judicial review to ensure that individuals, or a state or local government, may bring a civil action if the President’s authority under the Insurrection Act is misused or abused. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Jacobs, Deluzio Introduces Bill to Limit Presidential Power to Deploy Troops on American Soil under the Insurrection Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53)

    July 08, 2025

    Rep. Chris Deluzio (PA-17) and Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) introduced a new bill to check presidential authority under the centuries-old Insurrection Act. The new Insurrection Act of 2025 would reform legislation from 1807 that provides the President broad and vague authority to deploy troops—with or without the request of a state—to suppress “any insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracy.” Presidents have rarely used the current law, recognizing the long American tradition of keeping the military out of domestic law enforcement.

    Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) said, “The troubling scenes unfolding in Los Angeles give us a glimpse of what could happen nationwide if President Trump tries to invoke the Insurrection Act and turn U.S. troops on civilians. We’ve already seen him twist the law for political gain, so Congress must leave zero ambiguity about when—and for how long—any president can deploy the military for domestic law-enforcement purposes. That’s why I was relieved that last month, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine agreed with me that there’s currently no military invasion on our southern border that would justify invoking this law. Now we must go a step further by passing the Insurrection Act of 2025—modernizing the 1807 statute for the 21st century to narrow this authority and mandate transparency, accountability, and consultation with Congress.” 

    “No President should have such wide-ranging power to deploy American troops against the American people,” said Congressman Deluzio. “This President has threatened to use the United States military to crush dissent among the American people, and Congress should act to reform and update the law that governs deployment of our troops for law enforcement in the United States. We need these urgent reforms to the centuries-old Insurrection Act so that no President has such expansive power to use military force against Americans.”

     

    The new Insurrection Act of 2025 would:  

    • Clarify that the law cannot be used to suspend habeas corpus, impose martial law, or deputize private militias to act as soldiers. 

    • Require a report to Congress providing an explicit justification for the use of the Insurrection Act’s authority, as enumerated in this legislation, and a full description of the scope and duration of its use. 

    • Provide for judicial review to ensure that individuals, or a state or local government, may bring a civil action if the President’s authority under the Insurrection Act is misused or abused. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Padilla Unveil New Bill to Require Immigration Officers to Display Clear Identification

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, introduced new legislation to require immigration enforcement officers to display clearly visible identification during public-facing enforcement actions. The Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement (VISIBLE) Act of 2025 would strengthen oversight, transparency, and accountability for the Trump Administration’s indiscriminate and alarming immigration enforcement tactics that have terrorized communities across California and the nation.

    Under the Trump Administration’s mass deportation agenda, civil immigration enforcement operations have increasingly involved Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers engaging with the public while wearing unmarked tactical gear, concealing clothing, and face coverings that obscure both agency affiliation and personal identity. Without visible badges, names, or insignia, members of the public often have no way to confirm whether they are interacting with legitimate government officials.

    This lack of transparency endangers public safety by causing widespread confusion and fear, especially in communities already subject to heightened immigration scrutiny. It also increases operational and safety risks for law enforcement personnel by creating an opportunity for immigration enforcement impersonators and compounding uncertainty in high-stress situations. Clear, consistent, visible identification helps reduce miscommunication during enforcement encounters, strengthens officer credibility, and improves public cooperation, all of which are vital to mission success. The VISIBLE Actwould place a critical check on the government’s power, ensuring basic transparency safeguards that protect public trust and legitimacy in immigration enforcement operations.

    “For weeks, Americans have watched federal agents with no visible identification detain people off the streets and instill fear in communities across the country. Reports of individuals impersonating ICE officers have only increased the risk to public and officer safety. The lack of visible identification and uniform standards for immigration enforcement officers has created confusion, stoked fear, and undermined public trust in law enforcement,” said Senator Booker. “The VISIBLE Act is a necessary response grounded in law enforcement best practices that will prohibit immigration enforcement officers from wearing face coverings and require them to display their name or badge number and the agency they represent. We must act to maintain trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, and this legislation is a necessary step toward a more transparent, accountable, and safe immigration enforcement system.”

    “When federal immigration agents show up and pull someone off the street in plainclothes with their face obscured and no visible identification, it only escalates tensions and spreads fear while shielding federal agents from basic accountability,” said Senator Padilla. “Immigration agents should be required to display their agency and name or badge number — just like police and other local law enforcement agencies. The VISIBLE Act’s commonsense requirements will restore transparency and ensure impersonators can’t exploit the panic and confusion caused by unidentifiable federal immigration enforcement agents.”

    “This bill is an important step toward keeping immigration enforcement officers and all the people in America safe. Masked, plainclothes officers create an unreasonable risk of escalating violence and unnerve everyone who sees them,” said Scott Shuchart, Former ICE and DHS (Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties) Official. “As much as the cop in blues is a staple of American life, the masked bandit is a symbol of fear, and having government agents dressed like paramilitaries is un-American. Based on my experience in government, the VISIBLE Act makes good sense and would be straightforward for DHS officials to implement.”

    Specifically, the VISIBLE Act:

    • Requires immigration enforcement officers — including DHS personnel such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), federal agents detailed to immigration operations, and deputized state or local officers — to display clearly legible identification, including their agency name or initials and either their name or badge number, in a manner that remains visible and unobscured by tactical gear or clothing;
    • Prohibits non-medical face coverings (such as masks or balaclavas) that obscure identity or facial visibility, with exceptions for environmental hazards or covert operations; and
    • Requires DHS to establish disciplinary procedures for violations, report annually to Congress on compliance, and investigate complaints through its Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.

    The bill does not apply to covert or non-public facing operations, nor does it prohibit face coverings when necessary for officer safety. It also does not apply to enforcement actions conducted solely under criminal authority.

    The VISIBLE Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Patty Murray (D-WA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Gary Peters (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

    The bill is endorsed by the ACLU and Public Counsel.

    A one-pager on the bill is available here.

    To read the full text of the bill, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker Announces New Communications Director, Staff Promotions

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced a new hire and staff promotions on his communications team.  

    • David Bergstein has joined Booker’s office as Communications Director. Most recently, Bergstein served four years as Communications Director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC). During the 2020 presidential cycle, Bergstein served as Director of Battleground State Communications for the Democratic National Committee. His additional experience includes working as the National Press Secretary for the DSCC, Southern Regional Press Secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and holding senior communications roles on campaigns for Senate, Governor, U.S. House and Mayor. 
    • Jeff Giertz has been promoted to Staff Director of Senate Democrats’ Strategic Communications Committee, which is chaired by Senator Booker. Giertz most recently served as Senator Booker’s Senior Advisor and Communications Director. Giertz first joined Booker’s office in 2015, and also worked as National Communications Director on Booker’s presidential campaign in 2019. 
    • Maya Krishna-Rogers has been promoted to Senior Advisor. Krishna-Rogers most recently served as Senator Booker’s Deputy Communications Director. She first joined Booker’s office in 2022 as National Press Secretary.

    “David’s knowledge and skills will strengthen our tremendously talented communications team in the fights ahead – and I look forward to working with David, Jeff, and Maya to stand up for New Jerseyans and all Americans in this moment when the need for clear voices, a strong message and new tactics has never been more important,” said Senator Booker.

    “Senator Booker is a leader who stands up no matter how tough or how long the fight, and his voice rallies Americans of every background and political persuasion to do what is right. I look forward to joining his team and I’m excited to get to work,” said Senator Booker Communications Director David Bergstein. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dingell Leads Michigan House Democrats in Requesting Answers About Frozen Education Funding

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

    Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) led her colleagues in the Michigan Democratic delegation in sending a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon requesting answers about federally appropriated funds that have been withheld from school districts across the country, including over $156 million for Michigan. 

    These federal funds, used to support important K-12 programs and extracurricular activities, have historically been delivered to school districts by July 1 to ensure there is adequate time to plan before the beginning of the new school year.

    “Despite having already been appropriated by Congress and enacted into law by President Trump when he signed the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 on March 15, 2025, funds for this year are now being withheld pending a review,” the lawmakers write. “The uncertainty surrounding the unprecedented withholding of these funds will force districts to make budgetary adjustments that will lead to larger class sizes due to reductions in staff, restrict access to before- and after-school programs, and will impact services provided to students with disabilities, to name a few consequences.”

    “In past years, the funds were sent to Michigan by July 1 to ensure the districts had ample time to properly finance and plan for the upcoming school year,” the lawmakers continue. “With the funds being withheld, districts now face tremendous fiscal uncertainty, preventing them from being able to prepare for the programs, training, and services required for school educators and students alike. We, the undersigned members of the Michigan delegation, urge the Department of Education to release the appropriated funds to give school districts the certainty they need for the upcoming school year.”

    “In Michigan, the withheld funds are expected to have a significant fiscal impact on school systems. The state relies on this funding to train teachers and administrators, provide high-quality digital learning opportunities for students living in rural communities, invest in assistive technology to educate students with disabilities, and support school-based mental health services, counseling, and systems and practices to prevent bullying and harassment,” the lawmakers conclude. “These robust programs are authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and are essential for students of all ages to supplement their learning and participate in to grow thoughtful and well-rounded students. Withholding the funds will weaken the state of public education in our state and quality of learners for our future.”

    The lawmakers requested answers to the following questions:

    • Since the appropriated funds were enacted by President Trump and have been received by school districts by July 1st in previous years, when should states and school districts expect to receive these Congressionally appropriated funds?
    • How are federally funded public school districts expected to support their students, teachers, and staff without the expected funding budget at the start of the 2025-2026 school year?
    • What impacts do you expect funding delays to have on school districts, especially those in rural and underserved communities? 
    • What is the reason the Department of Education and/or the Office of Management and Budget chose to delay the funds?
    • Are you abiding by federal regulations which mandate that federal agencies determine if a specific recipient’s grant should be terminated, notify grant recipients of the termination, and provide each recipient with an opportunity to object through an appeals process? 
      • If not, please explain the process that the State of Michigan must go through to ensure proper and expected federal funding for their appropriated sum.

    The letter is signed by Representatives Haley Stevens, Rashida Tlaib, Shri Thanedar, Hillary Scholten, and Kristen McDonald Rivet. 

    View the full text of the letter here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dingell Leads Michigan House Democrats in Requesting Answers About Frozen Education Funding

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

    Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) led her colleagues in the Michigan Democratic delegation in sending a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon requesting answers about federally appropriated funds that have been withheld from school districts across the country, including over $156 million for Michigan. 

    These federal funds, used to support important K-12 programs and extracurricular activities, have historically been delivered to school districts by July 1 to ensure there is adequate time to plan before the beginning of the new school year.

    “Despite having already been appropriated by Congress and enacted into law by President Trump when he signed the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 on March 15, 2025, funds for this year are now being withheld pending a review,” the lawmakers write. “The uncertainty surrounding the unprecedented withholding of these funds will force districts to make budgetary adjustments that will lead to larger class sizes due to reductions in staff, restrict access to before- and after-school programs, and will impact services provided to students with disabilities, to name a few consequences.”

    “In past years, the funds were sent to Michigan by July 1 to ensure the districts had ample time to properly finance and plan for the upcoming school year,” the lawmakers continue. “With the funds being withheld, districts now face tremendous fiscal uncertainty, preventing them from being able to prepare for the programs, training, and services required for school educators and students alike. We, the undersigned members of the Michigan delegation, urge the Department of Education to release the appropriated funds to give school districts the certainty they need for the upcoming school year.”

    “In Michigan, the withheld funds are expected to have a significant fiscal impact on school systems. The state relies on this funding to train teachers and administrators, provide high-quality digital learning opportunities for students living in rural communities, invest in assistive technology to educate students with disabilities, and support school-based mental health services, counseling, and systems and practices to prevent bullying and harassment,” the lawmakers conclude. “These robust programs are authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and are essential for students of all ages to supplement their learning and participate in to grow thoughtful and well-rounded students. Withholding the funds will weaken the state of public education in our state and quality of learners for our future.”

    The lawmakers requested answers to the following questions:

    • Since the appropriated funds were enacted by President Trump and have been received by school districts by July 1st in previous years, when should states and school districts expect to receive these Congressionally appropriated funds?
    • How are federally funded public school districts expected to support their students, teachers, and staff without the expected funding budget at the start of the 2025-2026 school year?
    • What impacts do you expect funding delays to have on school districts, especially those in rural and underserved communities? 
    • What is the reason the Department of Education and/or the Office of Management and Budget chose to delay the funds?
    • Are you abiding by federal regulations which mandate that federal agencies determine if a specific recipient’s grant should be terminated, notify grant recipients of the termination, and provide each recipient with an opportunity to object through an appeals process? 
      • If not, please explain the process that the State of Michigan must go through to ensure proper and expected federal funding for their appropriated sum.

    The letter is signed by Representatives Haley Stevens, Rashida Tlaib, Shri Thanedar, Hillary Scholten, and Kristen McDonald Rivet. 

    View the full text of the letter here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Catches Up With Suspected Maryland Murderer in Auburn, Maine

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Portland, ME – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) in Maine, announce the arrest of Ja’bril Roynell Walters, 31, in Auburn, ME for first-degree murder, second-degree murder, use of a firearm in commission of a violent crime, and 5 counts of first degree assault. All warrants were issued out of the State of Maryland.

    The USMS led, Maine Violent Offender Task Force (MVOTF), received a collateral lead from the USMS Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF) in Maryland. They believed Walters had fled to Maine and maybe be hiding under an alias. Walters had been wanted since July of 2024.

    Task Force members, through thorough investigative efforts, which spanned the towns of Durham, Lewiston, and Auburn, developed significant information which led investigators to a residence in Auburn, ME. Task Force members were able to identify Walters inside a house and safely apprehend him without incident.

    Walters was charged as a Fugitive from Justice, pending his extradition back to Maryland.

    The District of Maine’s, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal, Josh Taylor said, “The Maine Violent Offender Task Force will go to unlimited lengths to bring dangerous fugitives to justice in order to keep communities in Maine safe.” The USMS MVOTF was also assisted by the Lewiston Police Department.

    The USMS, Maine Violent Offender Task Force is comprised of members of the U.S. Marshals Service, Maine Department of Corrections, Biddeford Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Maine National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, and the Coast Guard Investigative Service.

    If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of any state or federal fugitive, please contact the United States Marshals Service, District of Maine at MED.TIPLINE@usdoj.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Catches Up With Suspected Maryland Murderer in Auburn, Maine

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Portland, ME – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) in Maine, announce the arrest of Ja’bril Roynell Walters, 31, in Auburn, ME for first-degree murder, second-degree murder, use of a firearm in commission of a violent crime, and 5 counts of first degree assault. All warrants were issued out of the State of Maryland.

    The USMS led, Maine Violent Offender Task Force (MVOTF), received a collateral lead from the USMS Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF) in Maryland. They believed Walters had fled to Maine and maybe be hiding under an alias. Walters had been wanted since July of 2024.

    Task Force members, through thorough investigative efforts, which spanned the towns of Durham, Lewiston, and Auburn, developed significant information which led investigators to a residence in Auburn, ME. Task Force members were able to identify Walters inside a house and safely apprehend him without incident.

    Walters was charged as a Fugitive from Justice, pending his extradition back to Maryland.

    The District of Maine’s, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal, Josh Taylor said, “The Maine Violent Offender Task Force will go to unlimited lengths to bring dangerous fugitives to justice in order to keep communities in Maine safe.” The USMS MVOTF was also assisted by the Lewiston Police Department.

    The USMS, Maine Violent Offender Task Force is comprised of members of the U.S. Marshals Service, Maine Department of Corrections, Biddeford Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Maine National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, and the Coast Guard Investigative Service.

    If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of any state or federal fugitive, please contact the United States Marshals Service, District of Maine at MED.TIPLINE@usdoj.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Spartan Capital Securities, LLC Serves as Placement Agent in Lixte Biotechnology Holdings, Inc.’s $5.0 Million Private Placement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Spartan Capital Securities, LLC, a premier investment banking firm, is pleased to announce the closing of a $5.0 million private placement for Lixte Biotechnology Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: LIXT), in which it served as the exclusive placement agent.

    Lixte Biotechnology Holdings, Inc., a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on cancer drug development, completed the offering on July 2, 2025. The offering, priced at the market under Nasdaq rules, consisted of the sale of Common Stock (or Pre-Funded Warrants), Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, and Common Warrants to accredited investors.

    The Company received gross proceeds of approximately $5.0 million, with $4.0 million received at closing and the remaining $1.0 million to be received upon effectiveness of a resale registration statement. Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes and working capital.

    “We’re proud to have acted as the placement agent for Lixte Biotechnology Holdings, Inc. in this successful transaction,” said John Lowry, CEO of Spartan Capital Securities. “Lixte’s commitment to advancing innovative oncology therapies marks a significant step forward in cancer research and treatment. We’re honored to support their mission and contribute to progress in such a critical area of healthcare.”

    Lixte was represented by TroyGould PC, while Spartan Capital Securities was represented by Kaufman & Canoles, P.C.

    Additional details regarding the offering can be found in the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.

    The securities sold in this private placement were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States unless pursuant to an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from registration.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful.

    About Spartan Capital Securities, LLC

    Spartan Capital Securities, LLC is a premier full-service investment banking firm offering a comprehensive range of advisory services to institutional clients and high-net-worth individuals. Known for its expertise in capital raising, strategic advisory, and asset management, Spartan Capital delivers tailored solutions to meet clients’ financial goals.

    For more information about Spartan Capital Securities, visit www.spartancapital.com.

    About Lixte Biotechnology Holdings, Inc.

    Lixte Biotechnology Holdings, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing cancer therapies based on novel biological pathways. Its lead compound, LB-100, a first-in-class PP2A inhibitor, has shown promise in enhancing the effectiveness of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Clinical trials are underway for colon, small cell lung, and sarcoma cancers.

    For more information about Lixte, visit www.lixte.com.

    Contact:

    Spartan Capital Securities, LLC
    45 Broadway, 19th Floor
    New York, NY 10006
    investmentbanking@spartancapital.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: U.S. Based Company iDox.ai Expands Access to Scalable AI-Powered Redaction Tools for Privacy Compliance Across U.S. Sectors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Fremont, California, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — iDox.ai, a U.S.-based company specializing in artificial intelligence-driven data protection, is expanding its reach across public and private sectors with redaction tools designed to meet national privacy compliance standards. As data privacy regulations grow increasingly complex, the need for accurate, scalable redaction software has become a priority for organizations managing sensitive information.

    iDox.ai logo

    Founded and headquartered in the United States, iDox.ai develops tools that help agencies and enterprises meet regulatory requirements such as HIPAA, CCPA, FOIA, and CJIS. Its AI-based platform supports over 47 file types, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDFs, and more, allowing organizations to redact structured, unstructured, and semi-structured data without relying on manual workflows.

    “Our platform was built to help U.S. organizations protect private data while reducing the time and error involved in manual redaction,” said a spokesperson from iDox.ai. “It is designed for both speed and precision, with AI that improves as users interact with it.”

    One of the company’s key features is its personalized AI engine. This system adapts to an organization’s specific needs over time, learning from user input to prioritize workflow-specific redaction preferences. This makes it particularly effective for fields such as legal services, healthcare administration, and financial compliance.

    The software goes beyond standard personally identifiable information (PII) detection. It is able to identify and redact unique data formats such as check numbers, bank routing codes, account identifiers, legal citations, and docket numbers, ensuring complete coverage under multiple regulatory frameworks.

    Current users of iDox.ai’s redaction tools include government departments handling Freedom of Information Act requests, healthcare providers redacting medical records in accordance with HIPAA, law firms managing confidential case data, and financial institutions processing sensitive transactions.

    All data is processed and hosted in the United States, with strict alignment to federal and state compliance requirements. The platform also offers role-based access controls and audit trails to support internal accountability and legal defensibility.

    With a growing demand for reliable redaction software, iDox.ai continues to support U.S.-based organizations in navigating the evolving privacy landscape.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: US tariffs will not affect 95% of Kazakhstan’s exports to the US

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    Almaty, July 8 /Xinhua/ — 95 percent of Kazakhstan’s exports to the United States will not be affected by new American duties, the press service of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan reported on Tuesday.

    On Monday, an official announcement was received from US President Donald Trump about the introduction of new customs duties on a number of countries, including Kazakhstan, starting from August 1, 2025.

    For products exported from Kazakhstan to the United States, a single rate of 25 percent has been established for the entire volume of deliveries.

    “At the same time, the majority of Kazakhstan’s exports will continue to be supplied without new duties due to the exemption from the new tariff. This applies to the main raw materials and strategic goods – oil, uranium, silver, ferroalloys, tantalum and titanium. According to estimates, the measures taken will not affect about 95 percent of Kazakhstan’s exports to the United States,” the ministry reported.

    It is noted that as part of the work to maintain a predictable trade regime for Kazakh goods, the government of Kazakhstan has sent the US administration specific proposals and initiatives to improve the conditions of mutual trade. Kazakhstan’s goal is to achieve agreed decisions on issues of market access and trade conditions.

    “The American side is currently considering Kazakhstan’s proposals and will inform about the date of the negotiations. Kazakhstan is preparing for further negotiations with the American side to protect national interests and develop sustainable trade and economic partnership,” the ministry added. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DAUPHIN COUNTY – Governor Shapiro to Sign Legislation Repealing Pennsylvania’s Outdated Ban on Sunday Hunting

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    July 09, 2025 – Harrisburg, PA

    ADVISORY – DAUPHIN COUNTY – Governor Shapiro to Sign Legislation Repealing Pennsylvania’s Outdated Ban on Sunday Hunting

    Governor Josh Shapiro will sign House Bill 1431 into law, officially repealing Pennsylvania’s outdated ban on Sunday hunting. The Governor will be joined by Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, key lawmakers, and hunters to mark this historic, bipartisan achievement.
    This new law expands recreational opportunities for hunters, makes it easier for Pennsylvania families to spend time hunting together on Sundays, and is expected to boost revenue from new hunting license sales – strengthening wildlife conservation efforts across the Commonwealth.

    WHO:
    Governor Josh Shapiro
    Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding
    Steve Smith, Executive Director, PA Game Commission
    Craig Coble, President, Blue Ridge Sportsman Club
    Representative Mandy Steele
    Dan Sneath, Member, Hunter Nation

    WHEN:
    Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 11:30 AM

    WHERE:
    Blue Ridge Sportsman Club
    1176 Fairville Avenue
    Harrisburg, PA 17402

    LIVE STREAM:
    pacast.com/live/gov
    governor.pa.gov/live/

    RSVP:
    Press who are interested in attending must RSVP with the names and phone numbers for each member of their team to ra-gvgovpress@pa.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Ivey Calls Special Election for Alabama House District 13

    Source: US State of Alabama

    MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday signed a proclamation to set special election dates for Alabama House District 13. This seat was previously held by Rep. Matt Woods.

    Governor Ivey set the special primary election for Tuesday, September 30, 2025; the special primary runoff, if necessary, for Tuesday, October 28, 2025; and the special general election for Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

    “We are proud to now have Matt Woods in the Alabama Senate, and I know he will continue to serve his community and the state of Alabama with great commitment,” said Governor Ivey. “The people of House District 13 have an important choice ahead in this special election, and I encourage all voters to participate and help ensure their district continues to have strong, effective representation.”

    The deadline for qualifying with major political parties will be Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. The deadline for all independent candidates and/or minor parties is Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

    House District 13 includes portions of Walker County.

    The proclamation and writ of election are attached.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Preserving Affordable Housing in Utica

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of Impact Utica, a $101 million project in the city of Utica, Oneida County. Developed by People First, Inc., formerly known as the Municipal Housing Authority of the City of Utica, and VecinoGroup New York, Impact Utica preserves 93 public housing units at Chancellor Apartments and transforms a historic former warehouse into the 74-unit Broad Street Apartments that include 24 units with supportive services for at-risk youth. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has financed over 800 affordable homes in Oneida County. Impact Utica continues this effort and complements Governor Hochul’s $25 billion five-year housing plan, which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.

    “The completion of Impact Utica is a testament to our commitment to providing safe, affordable, and sustainable housing for all New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “By preserving critical public housing units at Chancellor Apartments, creating new affordable apartments at Broad Street and supporting at-risk youth, we are revitalizing Utica and ensuring public housing residents of all generations have the opportunity to thrive.”

    Located within a half a mile away from each other, all units at Chancellor Apartments and Broad Street Apartments are affordable to households earning up to 60 percent of the Area Median Income. Chancellor Apartments, a six-story building originally constructed in 1978, underwent interior and exterior rehabilitation, including a new roof, sidewalk repairs and improved kitchen layouts. All units at Chancellor Apartments will continue to serve as public housing.

    The development of Broad Street Apartments entailed the adaptive re-use of a four-story vacant warehouse, originally constructed in 1903 as the Avalon Knitting Mill, that is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Work included exterior façade repairs, historic period appropriate new windows, and an open courtyard. There are 24 units at Broad Street Apartments that include supportive services for at-risk youth, with services including case management and referral to job training and educational services.

    Both components of Impact Utica are highly energy-efficient. Broad Street Apartments is all-electric and was designed to meet 2020 Enterprise Green Communities criteria, with energy efficiency measures including increased insulation and an energy recovery ventilation system. The rehabilitation of Chancellor Apartments has reduced expected energy usage by 20 percent and the development was designed to meet Affordable Multifamily Energy Efficiency Program criteria, with improvements including the installation of electric air source heat pumps and energy-efficient lighting throughout the building.

    State financing for Impact Utica includes support from New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s (HCR) State and Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Programs that will generate over $39 million in equity and $37 million in subsidy from HCR. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has facilitated the use of Federal and State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits which are estimated to generate over $10 million in equity. The city of Utica provided $500,000 in HOME funding.

    State financing for Impact Utica includes support from HCR’s State and Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Programs that will generate over $39 million in equity and $37 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has facilitated the use of Federal and State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits which are estimated to generate over $10 million in equity. The city of Utica provided $500,000 in HOME funding. Operating funding for the 24 supportive apartments is provided by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

    New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “New York State is focused on creating and preserving affordable housing that strengthens communities, and this development will do precisely that here in Utica. By revitalizing Chancellor Apartments and transforming the historic Avalon Knitting Mill into Broad Street Apartments, we’re providing 167 energy-efficient homes, including two-dozen with vital supportive services for at-risk youth. The Impact Utica project, supported by more than $76 million from HCR, reflects Governor Hochul’s vision for a more equitable and sustainable future for all New Yorkers.”

    New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, “We are proud to partner on projects that advance the Governor’s affordable housing initiative. By combining resources like our historic properties with incentives like the rehabilitation tax credit programs, communities can create vibrant, reclaimed spaces that have immediate positive impact on the lives of New Yorkers today. Tying the past to the future is a great strategy as we aim to invest in our neighborhoods, expand housing opportunities, and plan for the future.”

    New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, “This housing development will provide quality affordable homes for many, including safe, supportive housing for 24 young adults residing at Broad Street Apartments who will have access to services to help them build their lives in this community. The work is yet another example of the investments in affordable and supportive housing Governor Hochul is making throughout the State. Our Office is pleased to provide ongoing support through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative. ”

    Senator Chuck Schumer said, “Every family and young person in Utica deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. I’m proud that the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit that I worked hard to protect and expand has delivered millions to help preserve and build over 100 homes in Utica. These new homes will be energy-efficient and offer assistance to help young residents find jobs. High housing costs are a key driver of inflation so we must build more housing for working people to bring down those high prices. I applaud Governor Hochul’s work increasing access to affordable housing in the Mohawk Valley and across New York, and I will continue working to deliver federal resources to deliver more affordable housing across NY.”

    Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “All New Yorkers deserve access to affordable, state-of-the-art housing, but too often the most vulnerable in our communities are priced out of their homes and apartments. The completion of Impact Utica will help ensure that at-risk youth and Utica families have access to the safe, affordable housing options they need, while also revitalizing downtown. I will continue to fight for federal funding to expand access to affordable and modern housing across New York.”

    Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon said, “Impact Utica is an example of what can be accomplished when we invest in people, preserve our history, and build with purpose. This project not only revitalizes historical buildings in our community, but also assists families and our at-risk youth. I appreciate the Governor’s commitment and the partnership of our State agencies to make this vision a reality.”

    Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. said, “Impact Utica is a transformative investment in the future of our community—preserving critical public housing, creating new affordable apartments and providing vital support for at-risk youth. This project not only revitalizes historic structures, but also strengthens the foundation of our neighborhoods with safe, sustainable housing. I thank Governor Hochul, People First, and all the partners involved for helping deliver meaningful progress to the residents of Utica and Oneida County.”

    Utica Mayor Mike Galime said, “To me, the most important part of affordable housing is creating a space in which people can make a home, and do so proudly. The most recent renovations and developments of People First are shining examples of this – and without unwavering state support through the Governor’s initiatives these projects simply would not be possible.”

    People First (Utica Municipal Housing Authority) Executive Director Robert R. Calli said, “Impact Utica is a shining example of how strategic and community partnerships can transform lives. People First would like to thank Governor Kathy Hochul for her steadfast commitment to providing affordable housing for people in our State. We also extend our gratitude to the New York State Homes and Community Renewal, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, New York State Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance, the City of Utica, Wells Fargo, our co-developer Vecino Group, and service partner Mohawk Valley Community Action. The completion of this transformative project is a powerful example of what we can achieve when we work together to address community housing needs. This development provides safe, stable homes and supportive services to help residents improve their quality of life, thrive, and become self-sufficient.”

    Vecino Group New York Chairman Rick Manzardo said, “New York State has been a great partner for the community-focused housing that Vecino creates. Even when built, true success can’t happen without local dedication and teamwork. The City of Utica—and especially People First and their mission-driven approach—have again been great collaborators for us to help deliver for the people of Utica.”

    Governor Hochul’s Housing Agenda

    Governor Hochul is dedicated to addressing New York’s housing crisis and making the State more affordable and more livable for all New Yorkers. As part of the FY25 Enacted Budget, the Governor secured a landmark agreement to increase New York’s housing supply through new tax incentives, capital funding, and new protections for renters and homeowners. Building on this commitment, the FY26 Enacted Budget includes more than $1.5 billion in new State funding for housing, a Housing Access Voucher pilot program, and new policies to improve affordability for tenants and homebuyers. These measures complement the Governor’s five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan, included in the FY23 Enacted Budget, to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. More than 60,000 homes have been created or preserved to date.

    The FY25 and FY26 Enacted Budgets also strengthened the Governor’s Pro-Housing Community Program — which allows certified localities exclusive access to up to $750 million in discretionary State funding. Currently, more than 300 communities have received Pro-Housing certification, including the city of Utica.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: AI is driving down the price of knowledge – universities have to rethink what they offer

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Patrick Dodd, Professional Teaching Fellow, Business School, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

    For a long time, universities worked off a simple idea: knowledge was scarce. You paid for tuition, showed up to lectures, completed assignments and eventually earned a credential.

    That process did two things: it gave you access to knowledge that was hard to find elsewhere, and it signalled to employers you had invested time and effort to master that knowledge.

    The model worked because the supply curve for high-quality information sat far to the left, meaning knowledge was scarce and the price – tuition and wage premiums – stayed high.

    Now the curve has shifted right, as the graph below illustrates. When supply moves right – that is, something becomes more accessible – the new intersection with demand sits lower on the price axis. This is why tuition premiums and graduate wage advantages are now under pressure.

    According to global consultancy McKinsey, generative AI could add between US$2.6 trillion and $4.4 trillion in annual global productivity. Why? Because AI drives the marginal cost of producing and organising information toward zero.

    Large language models no longer just retrieve facts; they explain, translate, summarise and draft almost instantly. When supply explodes like that, basic economics says price falls. The “knowledge premium” universities have long sold is deflating as a result.

    Employers have already made their move

    Markets react faster than curriculums. Since ChatGPT launched, entry-level job listings in the United Kingdom have fallen by about a third. In the United States, several states are removing degree requirements from public-sector roles.

    In Maryland, for instance, the share of state-government job ads requiring a degree slid from roughly 68% to 53% between 2022 and 2024.

    In economic terms, employers are repricing labour because AI is now a substitute for many routine, codifiable tasks that graduates once performed. If a chatbot can complete the work at near-zero marginal cost, the wage premium paid to a junior analyst shrinks.

    But the value of knowledge is not falling at the same speed everywhere. Economists such as David Autor and Daron Acemoglu point out that technology substitutes for some tasks while complementing others:

    • codifiable knowledge – structured, rule-based material such as tax codes or contract templates – faces rapid substitution by AI

    • tacit knowledge – contextual skills such as leading a team through conflict – acts as a complement, so its value can even rise.

    Data backs this up. Labour market analytics company Lightcast notes that one-third of the skills employers want have changed between 2021 and 2024. The American Enterprise Institute warns that mid-level knowledge workers, whose jobs depend on repeatable expertise, are most at risk of wage pressure.

    So yes, baseline knowledge still matters. You need it to prompt AI, judge its output and make good decisions. But the equilibrium wage premium – meaning the extra pay employers offer once supply and demand for that knowledge settle – is sliding down the demand curve fast.

    What’s scarce now?

    Herbert Simon, the Nobel Prize–winning economist and cognitive scientist, put it neatly decades ago: “A wealth of information creates a poverty of attention.” When facts become cheap and plentiful, our limited capacity to filter, judge and apply them turns into the real bottleneck.

    That is why scarce resources shift from information itself to what machines still struggle to copy: focused attention, sound judgement, strong ethics, creativity and collaboration.

    I group these human complements under what I call the C.R.E.A.T.E.R. framework:

    • critical thinking – asking smart questions and spotting weak arguments

    • resilience and adaptability – staying steady when everything changes

    • emotional intelligence – understanding people and leading with empathy

    • accountability and ethics – taking responsibility for difficult calls

    • teamwork and collaboration – working well with people who think differently

    • entrepreneurial creativity – seeing gaps and building new solutions

    • reflection and lifelong learning – staying curious and ready to grow.

    These capabilities are the genuine scarcity in today’s market. They are complements to AI, not substitutes, which is why their wage returns hold or climb.

    What universities can do right now

    1. Audit courses: if ChatGPT can already score highly on an exam, the marginal value of teaching that content is near zero. Pivot the assessment toward judgement and synthesis.

    2. Reinvest in the learning experience: push resources into coached projects, messy real-world simulations, and ethical decision labs where AI is a tool, not the performer.

    3. Credential what matters: create micro-credentials for skills such as collaboration, initiative and ethical reasoning. These signal AI complements, not substitutes, and employers notice.

    4. Work with industry but keep it collaborative: invite employers to co-design assessments, not dictate them. A good partnership works like a design studio rather than a boardroom order sheet. Academics bring teaching expertise and rigour, employers supply real-world use cases, and students help test and refine the ideas.

    Universities can no longer rely on scarcity setting the price for the curated and credentialed form of information that used to be hard to obtain.

    The comparative advantage now lies in cultivating human skills that act as complements to AI. If universities do not adapt, the market – students and employers alike – will move on without them.

    The opportunity is clear. Shift the product from content delivery to judgement formation. Teach students how to think with, not against, intelligent machines. Because the old model, the one that priced knowledge as a scarce good, is already slipping below its economic break-even point.

    Patrick Dodd does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. AI is driving down the price of knowledge – universities have to rethink what they offer – https://theconversation.com/ai-is-driving-down-the-price-of-knowledge-universities-have-to-rethink-what-they-offer-260493

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Speaker Johnson Welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Back to the U.S. Capitol

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

    Speaker Johnson Welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Back to the U.S. Capitol

    Washington, July 8, 2025

    WASHINGTON — This morning, Speaker Johnson hosted His Excellency Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the State of Israel, at the U.S. Capitol for a meeting during his U.S. visit. Speaker Johnson and Prime Minister Netanyahu took photos before heading into their meeting.

    Speaker Johnson released the following statement after their meeting:

    “Today, I had the honor of welcoming my good friend, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, back to the U.S. Capitol. The Prime Minister and I discussed America’s commitment to Israel’s security and our shared goal of achieving a ceasefire agreement in Gaza that is righteous, enduring, and rooted in the principle of peace through strength. America and Israel’s strong stand in the 12-Day War dealt a devastating blow to the greatest enemy of peace in the region, leaving the Iranian regime weaker than at any point in decades. We are hopeful that this marks the dawn of a new chapter of peace in the Middle East.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Beyond Flights: Airports Could Bolster Grid Security and Adaptability

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    As Aviation Continues To See Greater Demand, NASA and NREL Show How Regional Airports Can Become Energy Nodes

    Photo from Getty Images

    Between fleets of rental vehicles and ground support equipment, electricity demand at U.S. airports might quintuple in the next 20 years.

    Smaller regional and general aviation airports, which often have simple rural electric connections, are part of that overwhelming growth. Major airport electric investments are incoming, to say nothing of battery-powered electric aircraft that require substantial charging supplies on the ground.

    With 30-year decision-making in the air, researchers at NREL, a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory, are using the Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) platform and other capabilities to analyze energy options for airports, utilities, and public regulators. In many cases, they find a win-win for on-site energy generation and storage.

    [embedded content]

    Text version

    On-Site Power To Offset Costs

    For any utility, a fivefold expansion in electric infrastructure is serious work. Adding new generation, lines, and substations quickly becomes an expensive project, especially with a regional airport budget. But NREL researchers say there might be a better way.

    “Airports—which are often public entities—are figuring out whether there will be enough demand to pay for the infrastructure,” said Scott Cary, project manager of ports and airports at NREL. “To offset some of that cost and increase resilience, part of that conversation should be, ‘What should we generate locally?’”

    On-site power from distributed energy resources can lower operating costs by letting airports sell electricity back into the grid. But perhaps more important to regional airports, the on-site resources can serve a local source of stability and energy backup: They can form energy nodes.

    “Many of our small, rural airports have available land. Cost-effective distributed energy resources can potentially supply all loads and a majority of the charging loads at the airport. This could generate revenue while also helping the region with power reliability,” Cary said.

    That value proposition could resonate with aviation stakeholders, but some may see it as a leap of faith. For that reason, NREL and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are evaluating the costs, policies, and operations in a research activity named Airports as Energy Nodes (ÆNodes). Starting with two partner airports, the research team will build a repeatable research model for the 5,000 other U.S. regional and general aviation airports to explore their energy horizons.

    [embedded content]

    Text version

    Exact Answers to Airport Energy Buildout

    To get an idea for how regional and general aviation airports will become energy nodes, researchers at NASA and NREL simulated thousands of hypothetical flight itineraries in which electric aircraft offer short-distance service for high-demand routes relative to existing traffic. These results provided a baseline concept of electricity requirements and options, enabling the next stage of research: replicating the power systems of partner airports, including Winchester Regional Airport in Virginia and Tweed New Haven Airport in Connecticut.

    Airports across the United States are planning expansions, including Tweed New Haven Airport (blueprint illustrated above), and ÆNodes will help them assess electrical options to become energy nodes. Image from Tweed New Haven Airport

    “First, we’ve forecasted electric loads and mapped those to typical regional airport buildout. Next, we’ll look at the system in coordination with the utility and ask how we can make it better,” Cary said. “Where do we site energy assets? What adjustments to airport policies or configuration are needed? We can test those questions virtually with power hardware in the loop. We forecast electrical behavior, so utilities can see there’s a way to safely bring those assets online.”

    The two airports, which are seeing continued growth, are expanding services including electrified aircraft, and NREL’s expertise and research capabilities will deliver confidence around those intrepid investments. A significant challenge is showing the utilities that the electric plan will work, and for that, NREL will use the ARIES platform.

    The Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) platform is capable of replicating power systems and will be used for that purpose in the ÆNodes activity for utilities and airports to understand expansion plans. Photo by Josh Bauer, NREL

    With data from both airports and their respective utilities, researchers have modeled the partners’ electric systems and loads in detail. Soon, they will translate that information to real utility hardware with ARIES, which they can use to emulate charging fleets of electric aircraft and ground equipment. This will show how utility components handle large loads and surprise disruptions. It will also show how airport electrical systems can be configured for local use: as a source of energy backup and potential economic revenue.

    “ÆNodes is about easing the transition for the aviation, utility, and greater airport ecosystems. By looking at this now, we are identifying potential solutions proactively to improve resilience from economic, energy, and transportation perspectives,” Cary said.

    Gates Are Closing, Prepare for Takeoff

    Given the harmony between electric aircraft and short-distance flights, and constant developments in aviation technology, the next steps at airports could be consequential. NREL and NASA want to make sure aviation decision makers can see clearly down the runway.

    “Electric aircraft are in certification—now is the time to prepare,” Cary said. “There is a whole adoption cycle for getting a network in place and scaling it to the demand that airports expect to see. NREL can help airports make those decisions effectively.”

    By NREL’s analysis, airports can optimize the value of their energy investments by building local generation—like battery storage—and by supplying electricity back to the local grid to bolster its reliability. To realize this vision of airports as energy nodes, NREL will show that transformative electrical buildouts are safe and valuable and will utilize insights from its partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration around electric aircrafts.

    “ÆNodes is focused on all loads at an airport. We’re taking the results from electrical emulations to the utility and saying, ‘Here’s the load, and based on your system, you can do it in this way,’” Cary said. “Then we can apply the same model from airport to airport.”

    Learn more about NREL’s aviation, energy security and resilience, and broader transportation and mobility research.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rutledge, Tennessee, Man Sentenced to Over 24 Years in Prison for Production of Child Pornography

    Source: US FBI

    GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On July 1, 2025, Patrick E. McAneny Jr, 28, of Rutledge, Tennessee, was sentenced to 292 months imprisonment by the Honorable Clifton L. Corker, United States District Judge, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville.  Upon his release from prison, McAneny will be on supervised release for 20 years.  He will be required to register with state sex offender registries and comply with special sex offender conditions during his supervised release.

    As part of the plea agreement filed with the court, McAneny plead guilty to count one of an indictment charging him with use of a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a).

    According to the written plea agreement filed with the court, McAneny began an online relationship with a 12-year-old girl.  On February 4, 2024, McAneny traveled from his home in Grainger County, Tennessee to pick up the minor from her home in Hamblen County, Tennessee. She did not have permission to leave her home.  Her family reported her missing the same day. From February 4 to February 6, 2024, while at McAneny’s home he took photos, and video recorded the minor and himself engaged in sexual acts.  McAneny sent a video of the minor victim engaged in sexual acts with him to a third party online.  The person contacted law enforcement upon receipt of the video.  Based on the call law enforcement was able to locate the 12-year-old girl at McAneny’s home.

    U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III, of the Eastern District of Tennessee, and Special Agent in Charge Joe Carrico, of the FBI Nashville Field Office, made the announcement.

    The criminal indictment was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Hamblen and Grainger County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan L. Gomez represented the United States at the sentencing.                

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

    For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc/resources.html and click on the tab “resources.”

                                                                                                                   ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rutledge, Tennessee, Man Sentenced to Over 24 Years in Prison for Production of Child Pornography

    Source: US FBI

    GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On July 1, 2025, Patrick E. McAneny Jr, 28, of Rutledge, Tennessee, was sentenced to 292 months imprisonment by the Honorable Clifton L. Corker, United States District Judge, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville.  Upon his release from prison, McAneny will be on supervised release for 20 years.  He will be required to register with state sex offender registries and comply with special sex offender conditions during his supervised release.

    As part of the plea agreement filed with the court, McAneny plead guilty to count one of an indictment charging him with use of a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a).

    According to the written plea agreement filed with the court, McAneny began an online relationship with a 12-year-old girl.  On February 4, 2024, McAneny traveled from his home in Grainger County, Tennessee to pick up the minor from her home in Hamblen County, Tennessee. She did not have permission to leave her home.  Her family reported her missing the same day. From February 4 to February 6, 2024, while at McAneny’s home he took photos, and video recorded the minor and himself engaged in sexual acts.  McAneny sent a video of the minor victim engaged in sexual acts with him to a third party online.  The person contacted law enforcement upon receipt of the video.  Based on the call law enforcement was able to locate the 12-year-old girl at McAneny’s home.

    U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III, of the Eastern District of Tennessee, and Special Agent in Charge Joe Carrico, of the FBI Nashville Field Office, made the announcement.

    The criminal indictment was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Hamblen and Grainger County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan L. Gomez represented the United States at the sentencing.                

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

    For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc/resources.html and click on the tab “resources.”

                                                                                                                   ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Subcommittee on Modernization & Innovation Announces New House of Representatives Online Staff Directory

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

    July 08, 2025

    Washington D.C. – Today, Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Modernization & Innovation Chairwoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05) and Ranking Member Norma Torres (CA-35) announced the official launch of LegiDex, the House of Representative’s new online staff directory. LegiDex is a first-of-its-kind platform, built on data from a range of official House sources, that transforms the way staff can connect across House offices and agencies.

    “LegiDex is a powerful example of what we can achieve when we work together to bring Congress into the 21st century. For too long, staff collaboration was hindered by outdated tools and fragmented information,” said Ranking Member Norma Torres. “With LegiDex, we’re empowering the people who keep Congress running with a modern, reliable platform that strengthens communication and promotes transparency across the House.”
     
    “We’re so excited to see this project finally come to light,” said Chairwoman Bice. “This new platform will help staff on all levels and allow for more collaboration between offices. The Subcommittee will continue our work to push the institution to be the best it can be for our Members, staff and constituents.” 

    Background:
     
    LegiDex was developed by the House Digital Service (HDS) at the direction of and in coordination with the Committee on House Administration’s Subcommittee on Modernization & Innovation. LegiDex evolved out of a recommendation made by the bipartisan Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress to create an online staff directory. HDS expanded on the Select Committee’s recommendation to create a truly unique platform with a number of features that will help staff work more effectively and efficiently. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Local 695 Members Celebrate Solidarity and Inclusion at Olympia Pride Parade

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    IAM Local 695 (District 160) members in Olympia, Wash., proudly joined their community to celebrate diversity and equality during this year’s Olympia Pride Parade. 

    Marching alongside InterCity Transit’s signature bubble bus and minibus, the members made a strong statement of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and their commitment to human rights.

    “We value all people. Working people deserve to feel safe and respected – on the job and in their communities,” said IAM Western Territory General Vice President Robert “Bobby” Martinez. “This isn’t just about walking in a parade. It’s about living the IAM Union values: standing for justice, standing for equity, and lifting everyone’s voice.”

    IAM Local 695 represents workers at InterCity Transit, who were thrilled to participate in an event that highlights the importance of inclusion in both the workplace and the community.

    “The IAM Union will always stand on the side of equality, dignity, and inclusion,” said IAM Human Rights Director Nicole Fears. “When our members show up at events like Pride, they’re sending a message that everyone deserves a seat at the table regardless of who they are or who they love – That visibility matters.”

    Watch a video highlight here.

    The post IAM Local 695 Members Celebrate Solidarity and Inclusion at Olympia Pride Parade appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Announces Arrest of Prolific Chinese State-Sponsored Contract Hacker

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    China’s Ministry of State Security Directed the Theft of COVID-19 Research and the Exploitation of Microsoft Exchange Server Vulnerabilities, Known Publicly as the Indiscriminate ‘HAFNIUM’ Intrusion Campaign

    The Justice Department announced today that Xu Zewei (徐泽伟), 33, of the People’s Republic of China was arrested on July 3 in Italy at the request of the United States. Xu and his co-defendant, PRC national Zhang Yu (张宇), 44, are charged in a nine-count indictment, unsealed today in the Southern District of Texas, for their involvement in computer intrusions between February 2020 and June 2021, including the indiscriminate HAFNIUM computer intrusion campaign that compromised thousands of computers worldwide, including in the United States. Xu was arrested in Milan, Italy, and will face extradition proceedings.

    According to court documents, officers of the PRC’s Ministry of State Security’s (MSS) Shanghai State Security Bureau (SSSB) directed Xu to conduct this hacking. The MSS and SSSB are PRC intelligence services responsible for PRC’s domestic counterintelligence, non-military foreign intelligence, and aspects of the PRC’s political and domestic security. When conducting the computer intrusions, Xu worked for a company named Shanghai Powerock Network Co. Ltd. (Powerock). Powerock was one of many “enabling” companies in the PRC that conducted hacking for the PRC government.

    “This arrest underscores the United States’ patient and tireless commitment to pursuing hackers who seek to steal information belonging to U.S. companies and universities,” said John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division. “The Justice Department will find you and hold you accountable for threatening our cybersecurity and harming our people and institutions.”

    “The indictment alleges that Xu was hacking and stealing crucial COVID-19 research at the behest of the Chinese government while that same government was simultaneously withholding information about the virus and its origins,” said Nicholas Ganjei, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas. “The Southern District of Texas has been waiting years to bring Xu to justice and that day is nearly at hand. As this case shows, even if it takes years, we will track hackers down and make them answer for their crimes. The United States does not forget.”

    “In February 2020, as the world entered a pandemic, Xu Zewei and other cyber actors working on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) targeted American universities to steal groundbreaking COVID-19 research. The following year, these same actors, operating as a group publicly known as HAFNIUM, exploited zero-day vulnerabilities in U.S. systems to steal additional research,” said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of FBI’s Cyber Division. “Through HAFNIUM, the CCP targeted over 60,000 U.S. entities, successfully victimizing more than 12,700 in order to steal sensitive information. This arrest, carried out with our Italian law enforcement partners, demonstrates the FBI’s relentless commitment to holding CCP-sponsored hackers accountable for their crimes.” 

    According to court documents, in early 2020, Xu and his co-conspirators hacked and otherwise targeted U.S.-based universities, immunologists, and virologists conducting research into COVID‑19 vaccines, treatment, and testing. Xu and others reported their activities to officers in the SSSB who were supervising and directing the hacking activities. For example, on or about Feb. 19, 2020, Xu provided an SSSB officer with confirmation that he had compromised the network of a research university located in the Southern District of Texas. On or about Feb. 22, 2020, the SSSB officer directed Xu to target and access specific email accounts (mailboxes) belonging to virologists and immunologists engaged in COVID-19 research for the university. Xu later confirmed for the SSSB officer that he acquired the contents of the researchers’ mailboxes.

    Beginning in late 2020, Xu and his co-conspirators exploited certain vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server, a widely-used Microsoft product for sending, receiving, and storing email messages. Their exploitation of Microsoft Exchange Server was at the forefront of a massive campaign targeting thousands of computers worldwide and known publicly as “HAFNIUM.” In March 2021, Microsoft publicly disclosed the intrusion campaign by state-sponsored hackers operating out of China. Throughout March 2021, Microsoft and other industry partners released detection tools, patches, and other information to assist victim entities in identifying and mitigating this cyber incident. Additionally, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released a Joint Advisory on Compromise of Microsoft Exchange Server on March 10, 2021. However, by the end of March 2021, hundreds of web shells remained on certain U.S.-based computers running Microsoft Exchange Server software. In April 2021, the Justice Department announced a court-authorized operation to remediate hundreds of computers in the United States made vulnerable by HAFNIUM actors. In July 2021, the United States and foreign partners attributed the HAFNIUM campaign to the PRC’s MSS.

    Among the victims of Xu’s exploitation of Microsoft Exchange Server were another university located in the Southern District of Texas and a law firm with offices worldwide, including in Washington, D.C. After exploiting computers running Microsoft Exchange Server, Xu and his co-conspirators installed web shells on them to enable their remote administration. These web shells were specific to HAFNIUM actors at the time. As with the earlier COVID-19 research intrusions, Xu and Zhang worked together on the HAFNIUM intrusions, under the supervision and direction of SSSB officers. For example, on or about Jan. 30, 2021, Xu confirmed to Zhang that he had compromised the other university’s network. Later, on or about Feb. 28, 2021, Xu updated a SSSB officer on his successful intrusions. This SSSB officer then directed Xu to obtain a list of other, successful intrusions from a second SSSB officer. Unauthorized access to the law firm’s network allowed Xu and his co-conspirators to steal information from mailboxes and search them for information regarding specific U.S. policy makers and government agencies. Their search terms included “Chinese sources,” “MSS,” and “HongKong.”

    The announcement of charges against Xu is the latest describing the PRC’s use of an extensive network of private companies and contractors in China to hack and steal information in a manner that obscured the PRC government’s involvement. Operating from their safe haven and motivated by profit, this network of private companies and contractors in China cast a wide net to identify vulnerable computers, exploit those computers, and then identify information that it could sell directly or indirectly to the PRC government. This largely indiscriminate approach results in more victims in the United States and elsewhere, more systems worldwide left vulnerable to future exploitation by third parties, and more stolen information, often of no interest to the PRC government and, therefore, sold to other third parties.

    Xu is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count; conspiracy to cause damage to and obtain information by unauthorized access to protected computers, to commit wire fraud, and to commit identity theft, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison; two counts of obtaining information by unauthorized access to protected computers, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison; two counts of intentional damage to a protected computer, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; and aggravated identity theft, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison. Zhang Yu, remains at large. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

    The FBI’s Houston Field Office is investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance in securing the defendant’s arrest.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark McIntyre and John Marck for the Southern District of Texas and Deputy Chief Matthew Anzaldi of the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs is handling the extradition.

    An indictment 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: Attorney General Bonta Continues Engaging with Business Leaders, Hosts LA Discussion on Tariff Impacts

    Source: US State of California

    AG hosts second roundtable to discuss the impacts of Trump’s disruptive tariffs on front-line industries 

    LOS ANGELES — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today hosted business leaders for a roundtable conversation to discuss the impacts of President Trump’s illegal and chaotic tariffs across industries in California. The roundtable in Los Angeles follows California’s lawsuit against the Trump Administration over its use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) to illegally impose tariffs, and included leaders from the trucking and shipping industries, ports, and small businesses and business chambers. President Trump’s erratic tariffs are wreaking havoc on the U.S. financial system and causing uniquely immense harm to California’s economy, which as the fourth largest economy in the world, remains a major driver of our national economy. The tariffs challenged under California’s current lawsuit are projected to shrink the U.S. economy by $178 billion, cost California consumers $25 billion, and result in the loss of over 64,000 jobs throughout California.  

    “President Trump’s destructive and unpredictable tariff regime has sent shockwaves through financial markets, businesses, and consumers in every corner of the globe — and especially here in California, home to the fourth largest economy in the world,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Today, I heard from leaders on the front lines concerned about the disastrous impact of tariffs on their industries and businesses. These folks are sounding the alarm — and I sincerely thank Los Angeles business and industry leaders for being open about the challenges Angelinos are facing on the ground. As the People’s Attorney, I will continue to fight for California’s vibrant economy, businesses, workers, and families.”  

    “The erratic tariff policies have created unprecedented uncertainty for harbor businesses, making it impossible to plan shipments or investments,” said Henry Rogers, Executive Director, Harbor Association of Industry & Commerce. “As representatives of companies on the front lines of global trade through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, we need the predictability our industry requires to continue supporting California’s economy and the jobs that depend on efficient international commerce.”

    “Tariff increases are straining essential drivers of the LA economy, including the construction, manufacturing, and retail sectors,” said Nella McOsker, President & CEO, Central City Association. “Combined with immigration raids that terrorize small businesses, their employees, and potential patrons—especially in Downtown LA—these federal actions are unnecessarily destabilizing our workforce, hindering economic growth, and jeopardizing the well-being of our communities.”

    BACKGROUND 

    Attorney General Bonta is committed to challenging the illegal tariffs that threaten California jobs, businesses, and consumers. On April 16, Attorney General Bonta and Governor Newsom filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s unlawful use of power to impose tariffs and direct agencies within the administration to implement and enforce those tariffs without the consent of Congress. In May, California filed a motion for a preliminary injunction with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California to stop the Trump Administration’s illegal tariffs while litigation in their case proceeds and filed an amicus brief in the Court of International Trade in Oregon v. Trump, another case also challenging President Trump’s illegal imposition of tariffs. In June, a judge granted California’s request for dismissal to allow the state to appeal its case challenging the Trump Administration’s illegal tariffs after the Administration asked that the case be transferred to the Court of International Trade — a motion that California opposed. The dismissal kept the case in California and allowed California to appeal to the Ninth Circuit. This case remains ongoing.

    More information about the lawsuit can be found here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Announces Arrest of Prolific Chinese State-Sponsored Contract Hacker

    Source: United States Attorneys General 2

    China’s Ministry of State Security Directed the Theft of COVID-19 Research and the Exploitation of Microsoft Exchange Server Vulnerabilities, Known Publicly as the Indiscriminate ‘HAFNIUM’ Intrusion Campaign

    The Justice Department announced today that Xu Zewei (徐泽伟), 33, of the People’s Republic of China was arrested on July 3 in Italy at the request of the United States. Xu and his co-defendant, PRC national Zhang Yu (张宇), 44, are charged in a nine-count indictment, unsealed today in the Southern District of Texas, for their involvement in computer intrusions between February 2020 and June 2021, including the indiscriminate HAFNIUM computer intrusion campaign that compromised thousands of computers worldwide, including in the United States. Xu was arrested in Milan, Italy, and will face extradition proceedings.

    According to court documents, officers of the PRC’s Ministry of State Security’s (MSS) Shanghai State Security Bureau (SSSB) directed Xu to conduct this hacking. The MSS and SSSB are PRC intelligence services responsible for PRC’s domestic counterintelligence, non-military foreign intelligence, and aspects of the PRC’s political and domestic security. When conducting the computer intrusions, Xu worked for a company named Shanghai Powerock Network Co. Ltd. (Powerock). Powerock was one of many “enabling” companies in the PRC that conducted hacking for the PRC government.

    “This arrest underscores the United States’ patient and tireless commitment to pursuing hackers who seek to steal information belonging to U.S. companies and universities,” said John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division. “The Justice Department will find you and hold you accountable for threatening our cybersecurity and harming our people and institutions.”

    “The indictment alleges that Xu was hacking and stealing crucial COVID-19 research at the behest of the Chinese government while that same government was simultaneously withholding information about the virus and its origins,” said Nicholas Ganjei, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas. “The Southern District of Texas has been waiting years to bring Xu to justice and that day is nearly at hand. As this case shows, even if it takes years, we will track hackers down and make them answer for their crimes. The United States does not forget.”

    “In February 2020, as the world entered a pandemic, Xu Zewei and other cyber actors working on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) targeted American universities to steal groundbreaking COVID-19 research. The following year, these same actors, operating as a group publicly known as HAFNIUM, exploited zero-day vulnerabilities in U.S. systems to steal additional research,” said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of FBI’s Cyber Division. “Through HAFNIUM, the CCP targeted over 60,000 U.S. entities, successfully victimizing more than 12,700 in order to steal sensitive information. This arrest, carried out with our Italian law enforcement partners, demonstrates the FBI’s relentless commitment to holding CCP-sponsored hackers accountable for their crimes.” 

    According to court documents, in early 2020, Xu and his co-conspirators hacked and otherwise targeted U.S.-based universities, immunologists, and virologists conducting research into COVID‑19 vaccines, treatment, and testing. Xu and others reported their activities to officers in the SSSB who were supervising and directing the hacking activities. For example, on or about Feb. 19, 2020, Xu provided an SSSB officer with confirmation that he had compromised the network of a research university located in the Southern District of Texas. On or about Feb. 22, 2020, the SSSB officer directed Xu to target and access specific email accounts (mailboxes) belonging to virologists and immunologists engaged in COVID-19 research for the university. Xu later confirmed for the SSSB officer that he acquired the contents of the researchers’ mailboxes.

    Beginning in late 2020, Xu and his co-conspirators exploited certain vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server, a widely-used Microsoft product for sending, receiving, and storing email messages. Their exploitation of Microsoft Exchange Server was at the forefront of a massive campaign targeting thousands of computers worldwide and known publicly as “HAFNIUM.” In March 2021, Microsoft publicly disclosed the intrusion campaign by state-sponsored hackers operating out of China. Throughout March 2021, Microsoft and other industry partners released detection tools, patches, and other information to assist victim entities in identifying and mitigating this cyber incident. Additionally, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released a Joint Advisory on Compromise of Microsoft Exchange Server on March 10, 2021. However, by the end of March 2021, hundreds of web shells remained on certain U.S.-based computers running Microsoft Exchange Server software. In April 2021, the Justice Department announced a court-authorized operation to remediate hundreds of computers in the United States made vulnerable by HAFNIUM actors. In July 2021, the United States and foreign partners attributed the HAFNIUM campaign to the PRC’s MSS.

    Among the victims of Xu’s exploitation of Microsoft Exchange Server were another university located in the Southern District of Texas and a law firm with offices worldwide, including in Washington, D.C. After exploiting computers running Microsoft Exchange Server, Xu and his co-conspirators installed web shells on them to enable their remote administration. These web shells were specific to HAFNIUM actors at the time. As with the earlier COVID-19 research intrusions, Xu and Zhang worked together on the HAFNIUM intrusions, under the supervision and direction of SSSB officers. For example, on or about Jan. 30, 2021, Xu confirmed to Zhang that he had compromised the other university’s network. Later, on or about Feb. 28, 2021, Xu updated a SSSB officer on his successful intrusions. This SSSB officer then directed Xu to obtain a list of other, successful intrusions from a second SSSB officer. Unauthorized access to the law firm’s network allowed Xu and his co-conspirators to steal information from mailboxes and search them for information regarding specific U.S. policy makers and government agencies. Their search terms included “Chinese sources,” “MSS,” and “HongKong.”

    The announcement of charges against Xu is the latest describing the PRC’s use of an extensive network of private companies and contractors in China to hack and steal information in a manner that obscured the PRC government’s involvement. Operating from their safe haven and motivated by profit, this network of private companies and contractors in China cast a wide net to identify vulnerable computers, exploit those computers, and then identify information that it could sell directly or indirectly to the PRC government. This largely indiscriminate approach results in more victims in the United States and elsewhere, more systems worldwide left vulnerable to future exploitation by third parties, and more stolen information, often of no interest to the PRC government and, therefore, sold to other third parties.

    Xu is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count; conspiracy to cause damage to and obtain information by unauthorized access to protected computers, to commit wire fraud, and to commit identity theft, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison; two counts of obtaining information by unauthorized access to protected computers, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison; two counts of intentional damage to a protected computer, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; and aggravated identity theft, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison. Zhang Yu, remains at large. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

    The FBI’s Houston Field Office is investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance in securing the defendant’s arrest.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark McIntyre and John Marck for the Southern District of Texas and Deputy Chief Matthew Anzaldi of the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs is handling the extradition.

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

    MIL Security OSI –