NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Three Videos to Better Understand the German Elections

    Source: Universities – Science Po in English

    Following the collapse of Olaf Scholz’s “traffic light” coalition in November 2024 (the “yellow” liberal Free Democratic Party – FDP and the “green” Grüne Party led by the “red” Social Democratic Party – SPD), citizens of Germany went to the polls on 23 February 2025 to choose a new government.

    One of the ten partner universities from our European alliance CIVICA, the Hertie School (Berlin, Germany), set up a dedicated webpage to provide “data-driven analysis and expert commentary” in order to “navigate the complexities of this pivotal moment”.

    Find below three videos with Hertie School experts.

    Germany has voted – what comes next?

    With Professor of Public Policy Anke Hassel.

    How effective was social media in the German election?

    With Professor of data science and Public Policy Simon Munzert.

    What’s next for German family policy?

    With Professor of Sociology and Family Policy expert Michaela Kreyenfeld.

    Cover image caption: Paragliding, Berlin, Germany, December 2019. (credits: Christian Lue / Unsplash)

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mississauga — CBSA and RCMP joint investigation leads to criminal charges and the seizure of synthetic opioids more potent than fentanyl

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are committed to intercepting and investigating smuggling attempts at our border and disrupting organized crime.

    The CBSA and RCMP announced today that an arrest has been made in Mississauga, Ontario for possession and trafficking of narcotics, including Nitazenes. Nitazenes are a class of synthetic opioid which can be up to 20 times more potent than Fentanyl. They are used to “cut” street drugs in Canada, and their high potency can increase the risk of overdose, particularly when mixed with other substances.

    CBSA border services officers at the international mail and cargo processing facilities in Mississauga, ON, and Vancouver, BC, seized multiple shipments of synthetic opioids arriving from China and destined to an address in Mississauga. Officers also intercepted additional shipments intended for international export. Using various investigative techniques, the CBSA’s Greater Toronto Area Region’s Intelligence section provided the RCMP with the evidence required to obtain a search and arrest warrant.

    On January 3, 2025, the RCMP’s Transnational Serious & Organized Crime seized over 5 kg of narcotics, drug paraphernalia, more than $120,000 CAD in cash and other proceeds of crime—including luxury watches and precious metals—from the accused’s residence in Mississauga.

    As a result, the RCMP arrested Matthew Phan (36 years-old) of Mississauga, and charged him with:

    • Trafficking a Schedule I controlled substance to wit: Etonitazene, its salts, derivatives, isomers and analogues and salts of derivatives, isomers and analogues contrary to Section5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
    • Trafficking a Schedule 4 controlled substance to wit: Fencamfamine, its salts, derivatives, isomers and analogues and salts of derivatives, isomers and analogues contrary to Section5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
    • Possession of a Schedule I controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking to wit: Etonitazene, its salts, derivatives, isomers and analogues and salts of derivatives, isomers and analogues contrary to Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
    • Possession of a Schedule I controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking to wit: MDMA, contrary to Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
    • Possession of a Schedule I controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking to wit: methamphetamine, contrary to Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
    • Possession of a Schedule 4 controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking to wit: Fencamfamine, its salts, derivatives, isomers and analogues and salts of derivatives, isomers and analogues contrary to Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
    • Unlawful attempt to export a Schedule 1 controlled substance to wit: Etonitazene, its salts, derivatives, isomers and analogues and salts of derivatives, isomers and analogues contrary to Section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
    • Unlawful attempt to export a Schedule 4 controlled substance to wit: Fencamfamine, its salts, derivatives, isomers and analogues and salts of derivatives, isomers and analogues contrary to Section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
    • Unlawful possession property obtained by crime, contrary to Section 354(1) of the Criminal Code.

    Phan has not received bail and remains in custody.

    Quotes

    “This opioid seizure is yet another example of the effective partnership between the CBSA and the RCMP in stopping cross-border drug trafficking. Nitazenes pose a significant threat to public health, and these joint investigations and resulting enforcement actions keep our communities safe, both in Canada and abroad.”
    – The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety

    “Nitazenes are a lethal substance that pose a significant risk to the safety of Canadians, and the CBSA is committed to securing Canada’s border from drug threats like this one. In collaboration with the RCMP, our officers and investigators work diligently to keep these synthetic opioids off our streets. The CBSA executed over 3,000 narcotic seizures in the Greater Toronto Area in 2024, keeping over 10,000 kg of drugs out of our communities.” – Lisa Janes, Regional Director General, Greater Toronto Area Region, Canada Border Services Agency

    “This collaboration between RCMP Federal Police and the CBSA has resulted in a rapid response to protect the safety of our communities. We are very concerned that synthetic opioids are making their way onto our streets. This extremely toxic substance severely amplifies the risk of accidental overdose for all drug users. The RCMP is committed to battling transnational organized crime at all levels in Ontario, Canada and abroad.”
    – Inspector Nicole Noonan, Officer in charge of Federal Policing – Integrated Response & Organized Crime, Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Quick facts

    • Canada is investing $1.3 billion to bolster security at the border and strengthen the immigration system, all while keeping Canadians safe. Information available on the Border Plan is available here: The Government of Canada’s Border Plan: significant investments to strengthen border security and our immigration system – Canada.ca
    • As part of Canada’s Border Plan, the CBSA has launched Operation Blizzard, a targeted, cross-country initiative aimed at intercepting illegal contraband arriving and leaving Canada, with a focus on fentanyl and other synthetic narcotics.
    • From December 9, 2024 to January 18, 2025, the Canadian Integrated Response to Organized Crime (CIROC) Committee composed of Federal, Provincial and Municipal law enforcement agencies, conducted a national sprint aimed at disrupting illegal fentanyl production and distribution in Canada.
    • The RCMP and the CBSA work closely in an investigative capacity, along with other domestic and international law enforcement partners, to combat the impact that cross border criminal activity is having on our communities.
    • The CBSA screens goods, including international mail and courier items, coming into Canada and examines more closely those that may pose a threat to the safety of Canadians.
    • The RCMP works with the CBSA to protect Canada from inbound and outbound criminal threats through criminal investigations and prosecutions related to narcotic smuggling.
    • Organized crime affects the daily lives of Canadians in many ways that you may not be aware of. It can affect the taxes you pay (tax revenue losses from contraband tobacco and alcohol); your car insurance premiums (higher auto insurance due to car thefts by organized crime rings); your banking fees (banks recovering fraud costs); even your safety and health (drug-related violence, faulty counterfeit goods and currency). In terms of economic-related crimes (e.g. credit and debit card fraud), it is estimated that organized crime costs Canadians $5 billion every year.
    • For the latest CBSA enforcement statistics, visit Canada Border Services Agency seizures.
    • If you have any information related to smuggling, drug importation, trafficking, or possession, or wish to report other criminality, you can contact:
      • The RCMP Toronto West Detachment at 1-905-876-9500
      • Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020
      • Anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), at any time.
    • To report suspicious cross border activities, you can contact the CBSA by using the confidential Border Watch Line online or toll free at 1888 502 9060

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: It was risky for Ontario Premier Doug Ford to call an early election — but it did pay off

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Sam Routley, PhD Candidate, Political Science, Western University

    Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s election gamble has paid off. As a consequence of last night’s election results, the Progressive Conservatives are now set to form their third consecutive majority government.

    By and large, last night’s election results were dull and uninspiring, looking very similar to the outcome of the province’s election in 2022. The Progressive Conservatives return (going from 79 to 80) with only one additional member of caucus, receiving a noticeable but modest two per cent bump in support.

    And, while the Liberals saw even more of a recovery from 2018, the generally widespread distribution of that vote means that they were only able to gain five seats. Although tarnished, the New Democrats return as the official opposition party.

    Unprepared rivals

    These lacklustre results flow directly from lacklustre campaigns. The fact is that, regardless of Premier Ford’s legitimate calls for a renewed mandate amidst an aggressive American administration, the party had been looking for an excuse to call a premature election for quite some time. In doing so, they were able to — quite intentionally — catch their rivals unprepared, complete with incomplete candidate slates, unknown leaders and undercooked policy platforms.

    It meant that, while Ford was able to run a safe and constrained front-runner’s campaign, his main opponents struggled to find the momentum necessary to move the dial and exploit enough backlash. This is alongside real policy vulnerabilities in health care and education, with enough voters expressing discontent with what they felt to be an unnecessary and self-serving election call.

    Chaotic news cycle

    There are good reasons to believe that voters were mostly apathetic towards the parties and their candidates. Alongside the reasons already stated, the dense, chaotic and ever-shifting news cycle of the last few months may have entailed that this election was able to slip by quietly.

    But this does not seem to be the full story, as this year’s turnout — while still low — is slightly higher than that of 2022. Instead, voters also seemed to have wanted to maintain the status quo.

    On the local level, siting members of the provincial legislature from all three parties generally performed quite well. Of the 111 ridings with party-nominated incumbents, for example, only four lost. So while many voters may have been unhappy with the election call, the unpredictable environment may have also had the reverse effect of leading them to support, if not fully endorse, the leaders they already have.

    Regardless of the more limited dynamics of this election, however, we cannot overlook the fact that this has been a very real accomplishment for Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservatives. In a period of high executive turnover and anti-incumbent backlash, Doug Ford has, as the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, brought about a track record of secure, consecutive majorities — a feat that was last attained by Leslie Frost and John Robarts.

    In many ways, it brings to mind the years of the traditional “big blue machine,” when the party controlled the government of Ontario for 40 consecutive years.

    Durable persona

    Here, Ford’s success is much deeper than a matter of suave electoral maneuvering, and it is more long-standing than the recent confrontation with the Trump administration. Instead, these results attest to the fact that, while the Premier is not without his detractors, he has nevertheless managed to secure a stable, solid and sufficient base of support through the combination of both a carefully balanced policy agenda and a durable leadership persona.

    As with his successful conservative predecessors, Ford practices a form of the pragmatic and moderate governance that characterizes Ontario. A large part of what makes this successful is the fact that while it makes policy decisions flexible, it does not make them arbitrary.

    Ford continues to emphasize a government oriented around continual economic growth and innovation as a means to accomplish raising living standards, fund the province’s social programs and — more recently — rival the United States. Combined with Ford’s aptitude in retail politics this has created a clear and accessible political project supported by big developers, small business owners and private-sector workers’ unions.

    In a political environment shaped by personality, Ford continues to suck up the majority of the political oxygen in Ontario. Even while a good portion of Ontarians may dislike Ford — he is far from the most popular of Canada’s premiers — they have not experienced an overriding need to get rid of the incumbent, nor pursue another course of change.

    While politics is impossible to predict, it suggests that this state of continuity will persist in Ontario, even amid a chaotic global environment.

    Sam Routley 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. It was risky for Ontario Premier Doug Ford to call an early election — but it did pay off – https://theconversation.com/it-was-risky-for-ontario-premier-doug-ford-to-call-an-early-election-but-it-did-pay-off-251142

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: COP16 concludes in Rome with a landmark agreement to mobilise resources for people and nature

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    News story

    COP16 concludes in Rome with a landmark agreement to mobilise resources for people and nature

    • The UK welcomes the positive conclusion to negotiations at the resumed meeting of CBD COP16, which saw the international community make progress towards halting and reversing nature loss by 2030

    A growing seedling

    • The agreement sets out a strategy for global collaboration on raising finance from all sources
    • A finalised Monitoring Framework will allow the international community to increase transparency on the global effort to address the nature crisis

    The extended session of COP16 in Rome ended today (Friday 28 February), after participants landed on a significant new agreement to address the global nature crisis.

    The deal will see global collaboration on raising finance for biodiversity, and details of the monitoring framework of the Global Biodiversity Framework targets finalised to accelerate nature recovery.

    An agreement on resource mobilisation creates a clear strategy for global collaboration on raising finance from all sources to fund the work necessary to achieve the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.  

    The finalisation of a Monitoring Framework and the global approach to reviewing progress in delivering the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, will ensure shared approach to tracking progress with transparency and accountability. 

    Ruth Davis, UK Special Representative for Nature, who was present at the negotiations in Rome said:  

    “This agreement is a significant step forward in the effort to tackle the nature crisis. 

    “As the need for action becomes ever more urgent, a moment of genuine progress like this is heartening to see. Now, we must build on the spirit of co-operation shown in Rome to mobilise the resources needed to restore nature.

    “This is essential to help maintain food security, store carbon and tackle the impacts of floods and droughts.”

    The UK played a key role in working with the parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity to finalise complex discussions on nature finance, and to agree a monitoring framework which will enable all Parties to measure and report in a consistent manner the delivery of their national actions. This will significantly enhance the ability of the international community to monitor the global state of nature, as well as understanding how best to focus future interventions. 

    Negotiations in Rome saw the launch of the Cali Fund for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources. This is an important step to allow companies who utilise genetic databases derived from nature, such as the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and biotech sectors, to direct funds on a voluntary basis towards the Indigenous Peoples and local communities who safeguard biodiversity. 

    The Government also published the UK National Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan (NBSAP) during the resumed COP16, which commits to achieving all 23 targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework at home. It highlights the UK’s international leadership to halt and reverse nature loss as work continues to halt the decline of species by 2030. 

    This extended session follows the original meeting of COP16 in Cali, Colombia in November 2024. The UK will seek to build on the success of COP16 at the UNFCCC COP30 in Brazil later this year and CBD COP17 in Armenia in 2026

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Be a part of Norwich’s biggest summer celebration – Lord Mayor’s Weekend 2025

    Source: City of Norwich

    Pack your picnic blankets, grab your sunglasses, and get ready for a blooming brilliant weekend as the Lord Mayor’s Weekend transforms Norwich city centre from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 July 2025!

    This year’s vibrant theme, “Summer in the City,” takes inspiration from global celebrations while inviting everyone to showcase what summer in Norwich means to them—whether it’s fun days in the park, the buzz of festivals, or the joy of a day by the river.

    A standout event in Norwich’s cultural calendar, the Lord Mayor’s Weekend brings together residents and visitors for a packed programme of live music, dazzling street performances, interactive activities, and mouth-watering food stalls. Whether you’re soaking up the carnival vibes or sampling seaside-inspired treats, there’s something for all ages in this weekend bursting with creativity, entertainment, and community spirit.

    Join the procession!

    One of the weekend’s most spectacular highlights is the Lord Mayor’s Procession—a vibrant parade brimming with colour, energy, and imagination. Entries are now open, inviting local groups, schools, businesses, and organisations to bring the “Summer in the City” theme to life. Whether through flourishing floral displays, playful beach-inspired floats, or dazzling sun-soaked performances, this is your chance to make your mark on a much-loved tradition.

    Calling all creative minds – paid artist opportunities!

    This year’s carnival also brings an exciting paid opportunity for local artists with skills in costume design, prop making, music, dance, performance, and puppetry. Artists will collaborate with community groups, leading workshops and helping to bring their creative visions to life for the grand procession. It’s a fantastic way to share your talents, inspire others, and be part of the celebrations

    Get involved!

    Councillor Claire Kidman, Norwich City’s Cabinet member for A Prosperous Norwich, said: “The Lord Mayor’s Weekend is always a fantastic, free family event, with tens of thousands of residents and visitors enjoying it every year.

    “What makes it so special is the involvement of the community, so we invite everyone to take part and help make this year’s celebration a true reflection of the creativity and togetherness we know Norwich is all about.”

    For details on joining the Lord Mayor’s Procession or learning more about the event, visit www.norwich.gov.uk/lmw

    More details on the weekend’s full schedule of activities and entertainment will be revealed as the event approaches.

    So, dust off your deckchairs, bring your festival spirit, and get ready to celebrate summer—Norwich style!

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Start of 2025 wildfire season: Minister Todd Loewen

    “With wildfire season officially beginning on March 1, I want to talk to all Albertans about the importance of being prepared and proactive. Alberta has faced unprecedented wildfire challenges, and our government is committed to a three-pronged approach to wildfire preparations: prevention, mitigation and readiness to respond.

    “The key to prevention efforts is stopping wildfires before they start. It is essential that every Albertan understands their role in preventing wildfires, which is why we are increasing public awareness campaigns and promoting safe practices for outdoor activities, while also enforcing fire bans as necessary. Every small effort counts in preventing wildfires and protecting our communities and natural resources.

    “For situations where prevention is not enough, we have strengthened our wildfire mitigation efforts. This includes controlled burns, creating firebreaks and managing forest vegetation to minimize fuel for fires. Fireguard projects are currently underway in the Bow Valley near Canmore, as well as Cypress Hills Provincial Park, Hinton, Whitecourt and Slave Lake. In 2024, the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA) funded 38 FireSmart projects across the province worth more than $3.4 million. These measures focus on wildfire prevention and mitigation, educating communities on fire safety and supporting local emergency response plans.

    “Alberta is home to some of the best firefighting personnel in the world, and our teams are well trained, well equipped and ready to respond to any wildfire incidents. We continue investing in the technology and resources needed to support firefighting efforts through Budget 2025, which provides $160 million in base funding for wildfire personnel, equipment, training and contracts for aircraft, dozers and night vision-equipped helicopters. This ensures we can mobilize significant resources quickly and effectively when needed. I have every confidence in our wildfire teams and their ability to meet the challenges ahead.

    “This year, we are entering the wildfire season with 10 active fires, a significant change from the almost 60 wildfires we saw this time last year. This is in large part thanks to the incredible work of Alberta’s wildland firefighters and support teams, the resilience of Alberta’s communities, and to the province’s historic investments, preparations and quick response to last year’s wildfires.

    “As Albertans take the time to enjoy our incredible outdoor opportunities this year, it is important to remember we all have a shared responsibility in preventing wildfires. I encourage everyone to follow fire bans and restrictions, remember you must have a permit for any burning in the Forest Protection Area, and follow the soak it, stir it and soak it again method to ensure your campfires are extinguished completely. By working together, we will be ready to face whatever the 2025 wildfire season brings.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Alaska Private Nonprofits Affected by October Storm and Flooding

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Alaska of the March 31, 2025, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset physical damage caused by the Oct. 20-23, 2024 severe storm and flooding.

    The disaster declaration covers the Bering Strait Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA) and Northwest Arctic Borough.

    Under this declaration, PNPs providing services of a governmental nature are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans. Eligible PNPs may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

    Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements might include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by any disaster. 

    “One distinct advantage of SBA’s disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future storm damage,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “I encourage businesses and homeowners to work with contractors and mitigation professionals to improve their storm readiness while taking advantage of SBA’s mitigation loans.”

    PNPs are also eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the PNP suffered any physical property damage. 

    Interest rates can be as low 3.25%, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received, and the SBA remains committed to processing them as efficiently as possible. 

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The deadline to return applications for physical property damage is March 31. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Oct. 31.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Arkansas Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Spring Storms

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Arkansas of the March 31 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the adverse weather conditions occurring in the following counties last spring.

    Declaration

    Number

    Primary

    Counties

    Neighboring

    Counties

    Incident Type

    Incident Date

    Deadline
    20507 Ashley Bradley, Chicot, Drew and Union in Arkansas; Morehouse and Union in Louisiana. Excessive Rain, Hail and High Winds May 13-14, 2024 3/31/25
    20508 Boone Carroll, Marion, Newton and Searcy in Arkansas; Taney in Missouri. Hail and High Winds May 8-9, 2024 3/31/25
    20509 Carroll Benton, Boone, Madison and Newton in Arkansas; Barry, Stone and Taney in Missouri. Tornado, Flash Flood, Hail, High Winds and Lightning May 24-26, 2024 3/31/25
    20510 Lonoke Arkansas, Faulkner, Jefferson, Prairie, Pulaski and White in Arkansas. Excessive Rain, Hail and High Winds May 20-24, 2024 3/31/25
    20511 Madison Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Newton and Washington in Arkansas. Excessive Rain, Flash Flood, High Winds and Lightning April 26-29, 2024 3/31/25
    20512 Prairie Arkansas, Lonoke, Monroe, White and Woodruff in Arkansas. Hail and High Winds May 24-26, 2024 3/31/25

    Under these declarations, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs that suffered financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    By law, SBA makes EIDLs available when the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture designates an agricultural disaster. The Secretary declared these disasters on July 29, 2024. Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency about the U.S. Department of Agriculture assistance made available by the Secretary’s declaration.

    The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received, and the SBA remains committed to processing them as efficiently as possible.

    To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than March 31, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to California Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Topanga Canyon Landslide

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in California of the April 1, 2025 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the March 9-June 2, 2024 Topanga Canyon Boulevard (State Route 27) landslide.

    The disaster declaration covers the counties of Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Ventura.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and PNPs impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than April 1, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Announces MA AFL-CIO President Chrissy Lynch as State of the Union Guest

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Washington (February 28, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, today announced that his State of the Union guest will be Chrissy Lynch, President of the Massachusetts charter of the American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). 

    The Massachusetts AFL-CIO represents over 800 local unions representing nearly half a million union members across Massachusetts. The mission of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO is to improve the lives of the working class by working for economic, social, and racial justice in the workplace, our communities, our state, and in our nation. Chrissy Lynch, a member of Laborers Local 22 and former longtime member of Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 6, was unanimously elected as the first woman President of the organization in October 2023 after previously serving as the Secretary-Treasurer and Chief of Staff. President Lynch has spent the last two decades leading legislative, political, and organizing initiatives in the Massachusetts labor movement. President Lynch and Senator Markey are fighting together on behalf of working people from the halls of Congress to the picket line.

    “At a time when labor is under attack by anti-worker, pro-billionaire forces, it is critical that workers and good-paying union jobs are at the heart of the future we are building for all Americans. Chrissy Lynch and the Massachusetts AFL-CIO know that Trump, Elon Musk, and DOGE are fighting to enrich their billionaire boys club, while working people are fighting just to get by.” said Senator Markey. “A strong labor movement builds the backbone of our society. The AFL-CIO has long represented workers across the Commonwealth and the country in fighting back when billionaires like Trump and Musk try to push them down. And now once again, together we will not agonize – we will organize to stand up and fight back.”

    “In only six weeks, President Trump and unelected billionaire co-President Musk have made crystal clear that they are there to enrich themselves at the expense of working people. They are dismantling and intimidating the people running the very agencies meant to keep Americans safe and economically secure in order to give tax breaks and government contracts to their billionaire friends – leading to job loss of dedicated public servants that will cause working people and the communities where they live real pain. They’re also weaponizing massive cuts to the CDC, Medicaid, and Social Safety Nets. I am glad to join Senator Markey at the State of the Union to show Trump and Musk that we are not intimidated by the daily lies, dog whistling, and fear mongering. The Massachusetts Federation of Labor will continue to work alongside Senator Markey to fight back against these threats and to fight for an economy that works for everyone – not the billionaires cashing in on the Trump/Musk Administration,” said President Lynch.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: LA Woman Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for $2.3 Million COVID Loan Scheme and Falsely Seeking Nearly $1.3 Million in Pandemic Tax Credits

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – A woman from the Mid-City area of Los Angeles was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining more than $2 million in COVID-19 government loans and to submitting false claims in an unsuccessful effort to secure from the IRS nearly $1.3 million in pandemic-related tax credits, the Justice Department announced today.

    Casie Hynes, 39, was sentenced late Thursday afternoon by United States District Judge Hernán D. Vera, who also ordered her to pay $2,376,168 in restitution.

    In April 2024, Hynes pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of false claims.

    “The defendant exploited a crisis to line her own pockets, diverting vital relief funds from businesses that needed the money,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph McNally. “The sentence imposed today sends a message to others that you will be held accountable if you steal government relief funds.”

    From June 2020 to December 2021, Hynes submitted more than 80 fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from banks and the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) in the names of approximately 20 companies. Congress designed these programs to provide government relief to businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Hynes submitted the bogus applications in the names of both existing and newly created companies, including Nasty Womxn Project and She Suite Collective and others purportedly owned by Hynes or her friends and family members. On those applications, Hynes often used the personal information and signatures of other people without their authorization and even though those people were not involved with the companies. Hynes also provided false information on the applications, including as to the number of purported employees at the companies, the companies’ average monthly payroll, and who purportedly owned and controlled these sham businesses. Hynes also submitted fabricated tax documents and bank statements in support of the fraudulent PPP and EIDL applications.

    In reliance on Hynes’ fraudulent loan applications, banks and the SBA approved PPP and EIDL loans for the various companies she created and then disbursed the COVID-19 relief funds into bank accounts she controlled and used to pay for her own personal expenses.

    Hynes admitted that she intended to cause approximately $3,174,323 in losses and she received approximately $2,255,244 in fraudulent proceeds from this scheme.

    In a related scheme, Hynes used some of the same companies named in her PPP and EIDL fraud to submit bogus tax forms to the IRS, requesting refunds. Following COVID-19’s outbreak, Congress enacted laws authorizing the IRS to reduce the employment tax burdens of small businesses and reimburse those businesses for wages paid to employees who were on sick or family leave and could not work because of the pandemic. During the tax years 2020 and 2021, the IRS offered the Employee Retention Credit and paid sick and family leave credit to businesses that were significantly impacted by COVID-19.

    From May 2021 to April 2022, Hynes caused to be submitted 12 tax forms that sought refunds based on false statements on behalf of Nasty Womxn Project LLC, She Suite Ventures, and Casie Hynes Consulting. Hynes knew these companies had little to no business operations, did not have the number of employees she claimed, and did not pay the quarterly wages she claimed in the tax forms.

    Hynes fraudulently sought approximately $1,255,703 in COVID-19 tax credits and tax refunds through these false claims, none of which the IRS paid.

    IRS Criminal Investigation investigated this matter.

    Assistant United States Attorney Kristen A. Williams of the Major Frauds Section prosecuted this case.

    On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Justice Department in partnership with agencies across the federal government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international actors committing civil and criminal fraud and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

    Tips and complains from all sources about potential fraud affecting COVID-19 government relief programs can be reported by visiting the webpage of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section, which can be found here. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can also report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint From at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Blasts Trump Admin for Lawlessly Cancelling Lifesaving USAID, State Programs Important to America’s National Interests

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Murray: “The Trump administration has chosen to spit in the face of the law and Congress—expressing total disdain for a court order mandating that they release the foreign aid funding they had illegally withheld.”
    Murray: “If Ebola, Marburg, or any other infectious disease makes it to our shores, it will be thanks to Elon and Trump—two billionaires without a clue who are positively smug about their own ignorance.”
    ***VIDEO HERE***
    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, took to the Senate floor to speak out about the Trump administration’s decision on Wednesday to illegally terminate 90% of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and 60% of State Department programs.
    Senator Murray has been sounding the alarms about the Trump administration flagrantly violating the law to block enacted funding across government, dismantle long-established agencies like USAID, and recklessly fire federal workers en masse. Earlier this week, she blasted the Trump for permanently eliminating 1,600 USAID employees positions in violation of the law.
    Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below:
    “M. President, I come to the floor today to make a simple point: the law cannot be in the eye of the beholder.
    “The law is the law—but yet again, we are seeing the Trump administration break the law. 
    “Many of us have been closely following the Trump administration’s illegal freeze of congressionally appropriated funding, including of foreign aid—not just from the State Department, but also from USAID, the African Development Foundation, Inter-American Foundation, and other independent agencies.
    “Each of these agencies’ existence as an independent entity has long been enshrined in statute, and reaffirmed by bipartisan majorities in both chambers year-after-year in annual appropriations.
    “Our appropriations law also explicitly requires the administration to notify and consult with Congress before undertaking any efforts to reorganize, realign, or downsize foreign affairs agencies—as the sweeping reductions in force issued last week and many other brazen actions we’ve seen clearly seek to do.
    “The Administration’s actions—including firing the USAID Inspector General and the State IG—will make waste and fraud more likely and will prevent even foreign assistance programs allegedly supported by the administration from being effectively implemented and will also effectively block hundreds of millions of dollars for other programs enacted into law by bipartisan majorities.
    “Needless to say, the Trump administration has not consulted or notified Congress about these changes—that is in violation of the law.
    “But this week they took a further step. The Trump administration has chosen to spit in the face of the law and Congress—expressing total disdain for a court order mandating that they release the foreign aid funding they had illegally withheld.
    “When finally told they must comply, Secretary Rubio personally approved the termination of 90% of USAID programs, and 60% of State Department programs—virtually overnight.
    “They terminated more than $58 billion in multi-year programs, and have told us they have no intention of utilizing those funds.
    “The termination of those awards is absolutely not what Congress intended. Congress appropriated the funding, on a bipartisan basis, with the express intent to see those dollars spent.
    “This is not trivial stuff. We are talking about resources that often mean the difference between life and death. Resources that are imperative, not just because they are lifesaving but because they are an investment in our own national security—and U.S. businesses.
    “Let’s take Ebola for example: USAID helps other countries around the world respond to and contain Ebola outbreaks. That’s pretty darn important because there is no known cure for Ebola.
    “Thanks to the good work of USAID—along with our international partners, often supported by USAID awards—we have never had an Ebola outbreak here at home.
    “Yesterday, at President Trump’s cabinet meeting, Elon Musk even admitted that, ‘yes we want to fight Ebola’—of course, then he said, they accidentally cut USAID’s Ebola prevention efforts, but that it had been ‘restored’ with no ‘interruption.’
    “Yet we know for a fact that is a lie. U.S.-based companies implementing these programs received termination notices yesterday.
    “Any basic accounting of USAID’s capacity to stop outbreaks abroad shows quite plainly that any disease prevention efforts supported by the U.S. at this point are merely symbolic.
    “You cannot break the foundation of public health systems overseas and expect that it won’t have a damaging impact here at home. This makes America less safe.
    “If Ebola, Marburg, or any other infectious disease makes it to our shores, it will be thanks to Elon and Trump—two billionaires without a clue who are positively smug about their own ignorance. 
    “But it’s not just our infectious disease response that has now been gutted. Everything from resources to help prevent kids from getting malaria to aid for refugees in war torn places like Syria where it is directly in our national security interest to foster stability.
    “And it’s not just resources for far-away places—this will hit home in blue and red states. U.S. universities in my home state, in Indiana, in Florida, in Texas, and other states have had their partnerships terminated.
    “American students from across our country that are now participating in exchange programs overseas are impacted by this.
    “To put it into perspective for my colleagues: 5,800 of 6,300 USAID grants and contracts are being terminated—that’s nine out of ten—and that’s not to mention 4,100 of 6,800 State Department grants and contracts.
    “And the only detail we have is from NGOs, faith-based organizations, and U.S. contractors sending these termination notices to our committee.
    “We do not have one shred of detail from the State Department. Not one shred. The scale is staggering—and it shows you that this administration’s scheme is to bulldoze right through restraining orders and court orders so that by the time the law catches up to them, the damage will have been done.
    “Compliance is easy at that point. What’s left to fix once you’ve burned everything to the ground?
    “This administration knows full well they are breaking the law. They are showing us all in plain view that their goal is to do irreparable damage—as much as possible, as fast as possible.
    “Well, I am sounding the alarm because this illegal power grab is in direct violation of congressional intent and appropriations law.
    “The Supreme Court should act with haste to bring this administration to account and ensure that money Congress appropriated gets to where it was intended.
    “Whether it’s President Trump, or Elon Musk, or the Secretary of State calling the shots, Congress has no visibility into DOGE’s actions, frustrating our ability to write funding bills when government funding runs out in weeks. 
    “By ignoring the law and congressional intent, the administration has created chaos, they have eroded trust in the United States, and made way for Russia and China to take advantage of this leadership vacuum.
    “No one should fall for this thin veneer about ‘efficiency’ while the Administration racks up legal fees, overdue payments to contractors, pays people not to work, and forces a global recall of staff.
    “We have a process to avoid this kind of chaos. The President submits his or her budget request to Congress. Congress holds hearings publicly, and writes and passes bills that become law. 
    “We have explicit notification and consultation requirements for foreign assistance funding for a reason.
    “M. President—do I need to march down to the National Archives? Do I need to make sure we still have a Constitution?
    “Do I need to check whether the laws we passed are still there? Or did they start running them through a shredder? Because as blatant and persistent as it has been, no one—no one—should expect this kind of lawlessness to fade away.
    “I cast my votes and speak on this floor as a voice for the people of the state I represent, Washington state. I was not elected to let the President or some unaccountable billionaire decide how their tax dollars get spent.
    “Every Senator here should speak loudly with one unified voice: Congress holds the power of the purse, and no President can unilaterally abolish an entire agency or ignore our appropriations laws.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK-Italy Young Leaders Programme

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UK-Italy Young Leaders Programme

    This UK-Italy programme brings together a group of professionals whose common link is their leadership and passion for forging closer UK and Italy ties.

    Young Leaders Programme

    This competition is now closed. All successful candidates have been notified.

    Every year, the UK and Italian Government will hold an open competition to invite applications from young Italian and British professionals onto the programme. Young Leaders can come from all sectors, including positions in the civil service, the military, leading companies, politics, charitable organisations, start-ups or the arts. They are dedicated to encouraging closer relations between the UK and Italy by promoting an innovative vision of the future bilateral relationship.

    Successful applicants are asked to sign the Young Leaders Charter (see attachment) and invited to undertake a visit to both the UK and Italy, to encourage closer relations through understanding culture and values, promoting constructive dialogue, exchanging thoughts and ideas and promoting the bilateral relationship.

    Once the Young Leaders have completed their visits, they will be invited to join the “Young Leaders Alumni” network, which includes personalities from distinguished careers ranging from journalists, scientists, the military and academics to business entrepreneurs, writers, art directors and composers.

    The UK-Italy Young Leaders Programme is an initiative supported by both governments, and is delivered by the British Embassy in Rome and the Italian Embassy in London.

    Read the Young Leaders Charter

    Young Leaders Charter

    PDF, 448 KB, 3 pages

    Download the YLP pamphlet with more information on the programme

    UK-ITALY young leaders programme pamphlet

    PDF, 342 KB, 14 pages

    This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

    Request an accessible format.
    If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

    Discover more about the 2024 young leaders (bios)

    Young Leaders 2024 – bios

    PDF, 889 KB, 6 pages

    New list of young leaders for 2025 (bios)

    Young Leaders 2025 – bios

    PDF, 650 KB, 12 pages

    Application process

    How can I apply for the Young Leaders Programme?

    To apply for the Programme, you must be a young professional under 40 years old (on the closing date for applications) who is a UK and/or Italian citizen. You must speak fluent English and demonstrate a commitment to build and shape UK-Italy bilateral relations.

    See attachment above for list of successful candidates for 2025.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Raleigh Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Illegally Export Sensitive Technology to China

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RALEIGH, N.C. – David C. Bohmerwald, the owner of a Raleigh-based electronics resale business called Components Cooper, Inc., pled guilty to attempting to export accelerometer technology with military applications to China without a license, in violation of the Export Control Reform Act (“ECRA”), and faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced.  The case is the result of the district’s Disruptive Technology Strike Force (DTSF) cell.  

    “North Carolina is home to cutting-edge technologies that fuel our economy, improve our lives, and are vital to national security.  But our status as a major tech hub also makes us a target, as America’s foreign adversaries seek to acquire sensitive tech to advance their military might and interests around the world,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel Bubar, “We’ve launched a multi-agency Disruptive Technology Strike Force cell to shut down international schemes that smuggle sensitive technology and IP to America’s adversaries. This case is just one example, exposing a scheme to evade U.S. export laws by shipping nearly $20,000 worth of accelerometers with missile applications from North Carolina to the People’s Republic of China.”

    “Consistent application and administration of our export controls is crucial for national security and economic stability,” said Jeffrey Levine, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Office of Export Enforcement Special Agent in Charge. “The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is another example of how those agencies with enforcement responsibilities work together to help prevent the proliferation of sensitive technologies and materials that could be used for military or terrorist purposes, ensuring that critical goods do not fall into the wrong hands.”

    “The disruption of this scheme to illegally export sensitive technology means that accelerometers and other items will not be used by unauthorized individuals or for adversarial purposes,” said Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant, who supervises Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Charlotte that covers North and South Carolina. “HSI is a proud member of the Disruptive Technology Strike Force and cases like this demonstrate HSI’s commitment to keeping military-grade equipment out of the hands of our adversaries. HSI will aggressively investigate, disrupt, and hold accountable criminals that supply sensitive technology to unauthorized users.”

    According to court documents, and information presented in court, Bohmerwald, age 63, purchased 100 accelerometers from a U.S.-based electronics company, and then attempted to export the devices to a company in China. These accelerometers have a wide array of applications ranging from research and development of products to defense uses. When used for military applications, accelerometers are crucial to structural testing, monitoring, flight control, and navigation systems. The technology can help missiles fly more accurately and measure the precise effect munitions have on structures. A license is required to export the accelerometers to China.

    The U.S. based electronics company notified law enforcement due to Bohmerwald’s suspicious and unusual purchase request. Among other things, when Bohmerwald purchased the accelerometers, he claimed that they were for an end user in Missouri. In fact, when federal agents contacted the Missouri company, they denied having an order pending with Bohmerwald and his business, Components Cooper.

    After Bohmerwald received the accelerometers, he dropped two parcels at a local FedEx shipping store. One of the packages was addressed to a business in China. An agent with the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, detained the package and found it contained 100 accelerometers. The agent confirmed that there were no relevant licenses on file to support the export of the items. In addition, Bohmerwald falsely listed the value of the package at $100, when the true value was nearly $20,000. When interviewed by agents, Bohmerwald admitted to acquiring the technology on behalf of a Chinese-based company, knowing that the technology was export-controlled, and knowing export of the items required a license.

    This case was coordinated through the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation-states. The Strike Force leverages tools and authorities across the U.S. government to enhance the criminal and administrative enforcement of export control laws.

    Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina and Sue Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle accepted the plea. BIS, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Logan Liles and Trial Attorney Brendan Geary of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

    Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-00302-BO.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Revitalizing downtown Edmonton

    Edmonton continues to thrive and is quickly becoming a key destination in Canada and North America to visit, live and work. To help the city to meet the demands of a growing population, the Government of Alberta has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the City of Edmonton and OEGSE.

    The MOU would help the city achieve its vision to develop an event park and public realm space fully connected to Rogers Place in Edmonton’s ICE District, unlock more housing in the downtown core, and would also support site servicing for the Village at ICE District and demolition of the old Coliseum at Exhibition Lands. Discussions between the Government of Alberta, City of Edmonton, and OEGSE are ongoing as further details are worked out. The province’s Budget 2025 allocates funding for this project, should a final agreement be struck among all three partners.

    “Alberta’s government is proud to be partnering with the City of Edmonton and OEG Sports & Entertainment on this exciting plan to support world-class facilities and services and revitalize downtown Edmonton. This agreement would ensure that Edmonton continues to be one of Canada’s and North America’s leading entertainment and event districts.”

    Danielle Smith, Premier

    These priority projects will support much-needed housing development, provide residents and visitors with year-round access to sports, culture and entertainment activities, as well as improve safety and build 2,500 new units of diverse housing types. The total cost for all projects is $408.2 million, which will be shared among all three partners.

    As part of this ongoing work, the City of Edmonton has released a report that outlines options to extend the end date for the Capital City Downtown Community Revitalization Levy (CRL) beyond 2034. This report contains new catalyst projects including public infrastructure site servicing for the Village at ICE District housing development and a proposed event park that would be funded through the CRL. The event park is estimated to add over $70 million to the local gross domestic product (GDP) and up to 1,400 jobs throughout the construction phase.

    “This investment will boost our economy and solidify Edmonton’s status as a global events hub. I’m pleased the Government of Alberta is investing in our city. Municipalities need provincial support to manage record growth, and this funding will support diverse housing projects, including needed affordable housing.”

    Amarjeet Sohi, mayor, City of Edmonton

    “We are proud of our work to date with the development of Rogers Place and the surrounding facilities, which have become catalytic drivers of investment and development in Edmonton’s downtown core, and we look forward to building on that success through this new agreement. This agreement is a significant step in the right direction toward creating great public spaces that will add to the community programming, activity and vibrancy of downtown Edmonton, and will bring public infrastructure investment to encourage development of much-needed housing in our city.”

    Tim Shipton, EVP, External Affairs, OEGSE

    Alberta’s government, the City of Edmonton and OEGSE will make a more formal announcement in the days to come.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Empowering kids to get in the game

    [. They teach teamwork, build confidence and promote healthy lifestyles that last well into adulthood. Unfortunately, financial barriers to sport can force some Albertan children to watch from the sidelines.

    Alberta’s government remains committed to supporting Albertans facing higher costs of living. The province is breaking down the financial barriers that prevent kids from engaging in sport and recreation programs and getting them back in the game. If passed, Budget 2025 would provide $8 million to the Every Kid Can Play program.

    “I’m proud Alberta’s government is supporting families with affordable access to sport and recreation through the Every Kid Can Play program. Sport is for everyone, which is why we’re breaking down financial barriers to ensure no child is forced to watch from the sidelines.”

    Joseph Schow, Minister of Tourism and Sport

    If the budget passes, $3.5 million would go directly to helping cover sport registration costs for families in need. Since 2023, the Every Kid Can Play program has supported more than 21,000 registrations for children and youth to access sport and recreation.

    “Increasing affordable access to sport and recreation for Alberta’s children and youth will help support them in their development by providing mentorship and improving their physical and mental wellness. I am proud to support the Every Kid Can Play initiative to continue building up and supporting stronger communities.”

    Searle Turton, Minister of Children and Family Services

    “Sport provides opportunity for children and youth to build healthy habits, friendships and lifelong memories. By making sport more affordable and accessible, we’re not only helping families keep more money in their pockets – we’re enriching the lives of our young people now and for many years to come.”

    Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Affordability and Utilities

    In the past year alone, more than 12,200 kids who would otherwise have been unable to access sport were able to get into the game thanks to the Every Kid Can Play program helping cover the cost of registration. Through funds directed to KidSport Alberta, the Every Kid Can Play program offers eligible families up to $350 per child to offset the costs of kids’ registration in sports and recreational activities.

    The Every Kid Can Play program also supports provincial and community non-profit organizations, reducing financial pressures and increasing the number of kids the programs are able to admit. Since 2023, the Every Kid Can Play program has supported more than 200 child and youth-focused community-level programs throughout Alberta.

    “At KidSport Alberta, we believe the impact of sport on children’s lives goes far beyond competition and physical fitness – it’s about confidence, community and opportunity. Thanks to the Government of Alberta’s renewed commitment to the Every Kid Can Play Program, we can continue to strive towards our goal of an Alberta in which ALL kids have a chance to play.” 

    Kelly Oehlerking, executive director, KidSport Alberta

    “The Every Kid Can Play program opened doors for us, giving my grandson the opportunity to be involved in the sports he loves. I’m grateful that the Government of Alberta is working to make sport and recreation more accessible and affordable for all families across Alberta.” 

    Sylvia Donley, guardian of a child who has benefited from the Every Kid Can Play Program

    “Thanks to the support of Alberta’s government through the Every Kid Can Play program, we provided 285 children, including newcomers and refugees, with affordable sports opportunities. This funding has helped create an inclusive space where kids can develop skills, build friendships and feel a sense of belonging in their new community.”

    Umair Ahad, director, Pamir Canadian Multiculturalism Council

    The Every Kid Can Play program is designed to address affordability and accessibility challenges to sport, physical activity and recreation programs for Alberta kids and their families.

    Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on supporting the economy.

    Related information

    • KidSport Alberta
    • Every Kid Can Play Program

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: North Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Illegally Export Sensitive Technology to China

    Source: United States Attorneys General 10

    David C. Bohmerwald, 63, the owner of a Raleigh-based electronics resale business called Components Cooper Inc., pleaded guilty to attempting to export accelerometer technology with military applications to China without a license, in violation of the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA), and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison when sentenced.

    According to court documents and information presented in court, Bohmerwald purchased 100 accelerometers from a U.S.-based electronics company and then attempted to export the devices to a company in China. These accelerometers have a wide array of applications ranging from research and development of products to defense uses. When used for military applications, accelerometers are crucial to structural testing, monitoring, flight control, and navigation systems. The technology can help missiles fly better and measure the precise effect munitions have on structures. A license is required to export the accelerometers to China.

    The U.S.-based electronics company notified law enforcement due to Bohmerwald’s suspicious and unusual purchase request. Among other things, when Bohmerwald purchased the accelerometers, he claimed that they were for an end user in Missouri. In fact, when federal agents contacted the Missouri company, they denied having an order pending with Bohmerwald and his business, Components Cooper.

    After Bohmerwald received the accelerometers, he dropped two parcels at a local FedEx shipping store. One of the packages was addressed to a business in China. An agent with the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), detained the package and found it contained 100 accelerometers. The agent confirmed that there were no relevant licenses on file to support the export of the items. In addition, Bohmerwald falsely listed the value of the package at $100, when the true value was nearly $20,000. When interviewed by agents, Bohmerwald admitted to acquiring the technology on behalf of a Chinese-based company, knowing that the technology was export-controlled, and knowing export of the items required a license.

    Sue Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, John Sonderman, performing the non-exclusive duties of the Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement, Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), and U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement.

    The BIS, FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Logan Liles for the Eastern District of North Carolina and Trial Attorney Brendan Geary of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

    This case was coordinated through the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation-states. Under the leadership of the Assistant Attorney General for National Security and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, the Strike Force leverages tools and authorities across the U.S. government to enhance the criminal and administrative enforcement of export control laws.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Gaza: Unified Arab position will ‘help guide the way forward’

    Source: United Nations 4

    Peace and Security

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday stressed that the fragile ceasefire in Gaza must hold, urging all parties to honour their commitments and prevent a breakdown of the agreement.

    Addressing journalists at UN Headquarters in New York, he announced that he will be travelling to the Egyptian capital, Cairo, next week, for the Extraordinary Summit of the League of Arab States.

    The emergency Summit is set to discuss the reconstruction of Gaza, which had been at the centre of an intense Israeli military operation following the brutal 7 October terror attacks by Hamas and other terrorist groups against communities in southern Israel.

    More than 1,200 Israeli civilians were killed and more than 250 taken hostage.

    Peace and stability

    The UN chief said that Tuesday’s Summit provides an opportunity for leaders from across the Arab world “to come together and discuss the elements required to deliver peace and stability” in the enclave.

    “Their unified position will help guide the way forward,” he stressed.

    Until the ceasefire took effect on 19 January, more than 47,000 Palestinians were killed in the fighting and tens of thousands more injured tens of thousands, according to Gazan health authorities. Over 90 per cent of the enclave’s housing units have been damaged or destroyed.

    Ceasefire must be extended

    “The ceasefire and hostage release deal must hold. The coming days are critical. The parties must spare no effort to avoid a breakdown of this deal,” Mr. Guterres told reporters.

    “I urge them to uphold their commitments and implement all of it in full.”

    He reiterated his call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, with humane treatment guaranteed for those in captivity, while also underscoring the need to maintain humanitarian aid to the enclave.

    “Each moment the ceasefire holds means more people reached and more lives saved,” the UN chief added.

    Political framework for Gaza’s future

    While ending the immediate crisis is essential, Mr. Guterres also underscored that a long-term political framework was needed for Gaza’s recovery, reconstruction and lasting stability.

    “This framework must be based on clear principles. This means staying true to the bedrock of international law,” he said.

    He insisted the need to prevent any form of ethnic cleansing, ensuring no long-term Israeli military presence in Gaza, addressing Israel’s legitimate security concerns, and accountability for violations of international law.

    “And it means Gaza remaining an integral part of an independent, democratic and sovereign Palestinian State, with no reductions in its territory or forced transfer of its population,” he added.

    Any transitional arrangements, he stated, should have a clear and limited timeframe leading to a unified Palestinian administration.

    Escalation in West Bank must end

    Mr. Guterres also voiced concern over rising violence in the West Bank, where Israeli military operations and settler attacks have led to deaths, displacement, and destruction.

    “Unilateral actions, including settlement expansion and threats of annexation, must stop,” he said, calling for an end to attacks on civilians and their property.

    Two-State solution the only path

    The only path to lasting peace is a two-State solution, said Mr. Guterres, where Israel and Palestine live side by side, in peace and security and in line with international law and UN resolutions, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.

    “The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, to chart their own future, and to live on their land in freedom and security,” he said.

    At next week’s Summit in Cairo, Mr. Guterres said he would call for sustainable reconstruction and a “unified, clear and principled” political solution.

    “Palestinians deserve lasting stability and a just and principled peace. And the people of Israel deserve to live in peace and security,” he said.

    “At this fragile moment, we must avoid a resumption of hostilities that would deepen the suffering and further destabilize a region that is already perched on a knife’s edge.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks to the press [please scroll down for Arabic]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Ladies and gentlemen of the media,  

    I want to start by expressing my deep concern about information received in the last 48 hours by UN agencies — as well as many humanitarian and development NGOs — regarding severe cuts in funding by the United States. 

    These cuts impact a wide range of critical programmes.

    From lifesaving humanitarian aid, to support for vulnerable communities recovering from war or natural disaster.

    From development, to the fight against terrorism and illicit drug trafficking.  

    The consequences will be especially devastating for vulnerable people around the world. 

    In Afghanistan, more than 9 million people will miss out on health and protection services, with hundreds of mobile health teams and other services suspended. 

    In north-east Syria, where 2.5 million people need assistance, the absence of US funding means programmes are leaving large populations even more vulnerable.

    In Ukraine, cash-based programming — a key feature of the humanitarian response, reaching 1 million people in 2024 — has been suspended in key regions.

    In South Sudan, funding has run out for programmes to support people who have fled the conflict in neighbouring Sudan, leaving border areas dangerously overcrowded.

    Meanwhile, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime will be forced to stop many of its counter-narcotics programmes, including the one fighting the fentanyl crisis, and dramatically reduce activities against human trafficking. 

    And funding for many programmes combatting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and cholera have stopped. 

    We have been extremely grateful for the leading role the United States has provided over the decades. 

    For example, thanks to the generosity of donors — led by the United States — the UN assists and protects more than 100 million people every year through our humanitarian programming.

    From Gaza to Sudan, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine and beyond. 

    American funding directly supports people living through wars, famines and disasters, providing essential health care, shelter, water, food and education — the list goes on. 

    The message is clear. 

    The generosity and compassion of the American people have not only saved lives, built peace and improved the state of the world. 

    They have contributed to the stability and prosperity that Americans depend on.  

    United Nations staff members around the world are deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together — as partners. 

    Now going through with these cuts will make the world less healthy, less safe and less prosperous. 

    The reduction of America’s humanitarian role and influence will run counter to American interests globally. 

    I can only hope that these decisions can be reversed based on more careful reviews, and the same applies to other countries that have recently announced reductions in humanitarian and development aid. 

    In the meantime, every United Nations agency stands ready to provide the necessary information and justification for its projects.

    And we look forward to working with the United States in this regard.  

    All humanitarian coordinators in the field are urgently updating strategies on how to protect as much lifesaving work as possible. 

    The Inter-Agency Standing Committee, which brings together UN humanitarian agencies and our partners, has agreed on an ambitious plan for efficiency and prioritization.

    Our absolute priority remains clear. 

    We will do everything we can to provide life-saving aid to those in urgent need.

    And we will continue our efforts to diversify the pool of generous donors who support our work.  

    We remain committed to making the global humanitarian effort as efficient, accountable and innovative as possible while continuing to save lives. 

    Dear ladies and gentlemen of the media, 

    Next Tuesday, I will be in Cairo to join the Extraordinary Summit of the League of Arab States to discuss the reconstruction of Gaza. 

    Since the horrific attacks of terror by Hamas in Israel on October 7, the ensuing hostilities have unleashed an unprecedented level of death and destruction in Gaza. 

    Gaza has become a nexus of death, displacement, hunger and disease. 

    Hospitals, schools and water facilities have been destroyed and reduced to rubble.  

    And the risk of further destruction looms over the population. 

    Tuesday’s Summit is an opportunity for leaders across the Arab world to come together and discuss the elements required to deliver peace and stability in Gaza. 

    Their unified position will help guide the way forward. 

    I will outline key priorities. 
     
    First — the ceasefire and hostage release deal must hold. 

    The coming days are critical. 

    The parties must spare no effort to avoid a breakdown of this deal. 

    I urge them to uphold their commitments and implement all of them in full. 

    All hostages must be released immediately, unconditionally and in a dignified manner.

    The parties must ensure humane treatment for all those held under their power. 

    All transfers must be carried out in a dignified way and as per the terms of the deal. 

    Humanitarian aid must be maintained, protected and funded, flowing without impediment to reach people in desperate need. 

    Each moment the ceasefire holds means more people reached and more lives saved.  

    Time and again, we’ve shown what we can deliver. 

    Since the ceasefire, humanitarians have been able to scale-up and expand operations in Gaza, including to areas that were unreachable during the fighting. 

    Together with our partners, we’ve reached hundreds of thousands of people…

    Providing food to nearly everyone in Gaza.

    Delivering shelter kits, clothing and other essential items to tens of thousands of displaced people.

    And doubling the amount of clean water available to people in Gaza.  

    Meanwhile, our partners have distributed medical supplies reaching some 1.8 million people, helping health facilities continue their lifesaving work. 

    The message is clear. 

    With the right conditions and access, we can do far more.  

    The ceasefire must hold. We must keep the humanitarian lifeline open. 

    As part of this, I will once again appeal for the urgent and full support of UNRWA’s work.

    UNRWA’s unique role must be maintained. 

    Second — ending the immediate crisis is only a first step.  

    There must be a clear political framework that lays the groundwork for Gaza’s recovery, reconstruction and lasting stability. 

    This framework must be based on clear principles. 

    This means staying true to the bedrock of international law. 

    It means preventing any form of ethnic cleansing. 

    It means there should be no long-term Israeli military presence in Gaza. 

    It means addressing Israel’s legitimate security concerns. 

    It means accountability for violations of international law. 

    And it means Gaza remains an integral part of an independent, democratic and sovereign Palestinian state, with no reductions in its territory or forced transfer of its population. 

    Both Gaza and the occupied West Bank — including East Jerusalem — must be treated as one — politically, economically and administratively.

    And governed by a Palestinian government that is accepted and supported by the Palestinian people.  

    And any transitional arrangements must be designed to achieve a unified Palestinian government within a precise and limited timeframe.

    I will also call for an urgent de-escalation of the alarming situation in the West Bank.   

    Unilateral actions, including settlement expansion and threats of annexation, must stop.

    I call for an end to attacks on civilians and their property. 

    Finally, we must take tangible steps — now — towards the realization of a two-State solution.

    The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, to chart their own future, and to live on their land in freedom and security. 

    The only path to lasting peace is one where two states — Israel and Palestine — live side by side in peace and security, in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.

    Palestinians deserve lasting stability and a just and principled peace. 

    And the people of Israel deserve to live in peace and security. 

    At this fragile moment, we must avoid a resumption of hostilities that would deepen the suffering and further destabilize a region that is already perched on a knife’s edge. 

    We need sustainable reconstruction and a unified, clear and principled political solution. 

    That’s what I will call for in Cairo next week. 

    Thank you.
    ******************

    حضرات السيدات والسادة الإعلاميين،

    أود أن أبدأ بالإعراب عن قلقي العميق إزاء المعلومات التي وردت في الساعات الـ 48 الماضية من قبل وكالات الأمم المتحدة – وكذلك العديد من المنظمات غير الحكومية الإنسانية والمعنية بالتنمية – بشأن التخفيضات الحادة في التمويل من قبل الولايات المتحدة.

    وتؤثر هذه التخفيضات على مجموعة واسعة من البرامج الحاسمة…

    من المساعدات الإنسانية المنقذة للحياة، إلى دعم المجتمعات الهشة التي تتعافى من الحروب أو الكوارث الطبيعية…

    ومن التنمية إلى مكافحة الإرهاب والاتجار غير المشروع بالمخدرات.

    ستكون العواقب مدمرة بشكل خاص على الفئات الضعيفة في جميع أنحاء العالم.

    ففي أفغانستان، سيُحرم أكثر من تسعة ملايين شخص من الخدمات الصحية وخدمات الحماية، مع تعليق الخدمات التي تقدمها مئات الفرق الصحية المتنقلة.

    أما في شمال شرق سوريا، حيث يحتاج 2.5 مليون شخص إلى المساعدة، فإن غياب التمويل الأمريكي يعني أن البرامج ستترك أعدادا كبيرة من السكان أكثر عرضة للخطر.

    في أوكرانيا، تم تعليق البرامج القائمة على النقد في مناطق رئيسية – وهذه البرامج تُعدّ سمة رئيسية للاستجابة الإنسانية وقد وصلت إلى مليون شخص في عام 2024.

    أما في جنوب السودان، فقد نفد التمويل المخصص لبرامج دعم الأشخاص الذين فروا بسبب النزاع في السودان المجاور، مما ترك المناطق الحدودية مكتظة بشكل خطير.

    وفي الوقت نفسه، سوف يضطر مكتب الأمم المتحدة المعني بالمخدرات والجريمة إلى وقف العديد من برامجه لمكافحة المخدرات، بما في ذلك برنامج مكافحة أزمة الفنتانيل، وتقليص أنشطة مكافحة الاتجار بالبشر بشكل كبير.

    وتوقف تمويل العديد من برامج مكافحة فيروس نقص المناعة البشرية/الإيدز والسل والملاريا والكوليرا.

    وأعربنا عن امتناننا للغاية للدور الرائد الذي قدمته الولايات المتحدة على مدى عقود.

    فعلى سبيل المثال، وبفضل سخاء المانحين – وعلى رأسهم الولايات المتحدة – تساعد الأمم المتحدة وتحمي أكثر من 100 مليون شخص كل عام من خلال برامجنا الإنسانية…

    من غزة إلى السودان وأفغانستان وسوريا وأوكرانيا وغيرها.

    يدعم التمويل الأمريكي بشكل مباشر الناس الذين يعيشون في الحروب والمجاعات والكوارث، ويوفر لهم الرعاية الصحية الأساسية والمأوى والمياه والغذاء والتعليم – والقائمة تطول.

    الرسالة واضحة.

    إن سخاء الشعب الأمريكي وتعاطفه لم ينقذ الأرواح ويبني السلام ويحسّن حالة العالم فحسب.

    لقد ساهم في تحقيق الاستقرار والازدهار الذي يعتمد عليه الأمريكيون.

    إن موظفي الأمم المتحدة حول العالم فخورون للغاية بما أنجزناه معا – كشركاء.

    إن المضي قدماً في هذه الاقتطاعات سيجعل العالم أقل صحة وأقل أمناً وأقل ازدهاراً.

    وسيتعارض تقليص دور أمريكا الإنساني ونفوذها مع المصالح الأمريكية على الصعيد العالمي.

    لا يسعني إلا أن آمل في أن يتم التراجع عن هذه القرارات بناء على مراجعات أكثر دقة، وينطبق الأمر نفسه على الدول الأخرى التي أعلنت مؤخرا عن تخفيضات في المساعدات الإنسانية والإنمائية.

    وفي غضون ذلك، تقف كل وكالة من وكالات الأمم المتحدة على أهبة الاستعداد لتقديم المعلومات والمبررات اللازمة لمشاريعها.

    ونحن نتطلع إلى العمل مع الولايات المتحدة في هذا الصدد.

    يقوم جميع منسقي الشؤون الإنسانية في الميدان بتحديث الاستراتيجيات على وجه السرعة حول كيفية توفير حماية بأكبر قدر ممكن من العمل المنقذ للحياة.

    وقد اتفقت اللجنة الدائمة المشتركة بين الوكالات، التي تجمع بين وكالات الأمم المتحدة الإنسانية وشركائنا، على خطة طموحة لتحقيق الكفاءة وتحديد الأولويات.

    وتبقى أولويتنا المطلقة واضحة.

    سنبذل كل ما في وسعنا لتقديم المساعدات المنقذة للحياة لمن هم في حاجة ماسة إليها.

    وسنواصل جهودنا لتنويع مجموعة المانحين الأسخياء الذين يدعمون عملنا.

    وسنظل ملتزمين بجعل الجهود الإنسانية العالمية فعالة وخاضعة للمساءلة ومبتكرة قدر الإمكان مع الاستمرار في إنقاذ الأرواح.

    حضرات السيدات والسادة الإعلاميين،

    سأكون يوم الثلاثاء المقبل في القاهرة للمشاركة في مؤتمر القمة الاستثنائي لجامعة الدول العربية لمناقشة إعادة إعمار غزة.

    ومنذ الهجمات الإرهابية المروعة التي شنتها حماس في إسرائيل في 7 تشرين الأول/أكتوبر، جرّت الأعمال العدائية التي أعقبت ذلك مستويات غير مسبوقة من الموت والدمار في غزة.

    فأصبحت غزة بؤرة للموت والنزوح والجوع والمرض.

    ودُمّرت المستشفيات والمدارس ومرافق المياه وتحولت إلى أنقاض.

    ويحدق بالسكان خطر التعرض للمزيد من الدمار.

    ويمثل مؤتمر القمة الذي سيُعقد الثلاثاء فرصة ليجتمع قادة العالم العربي ويناقشوا العناصر المطلوبة لتحقيق السلام والاستقرار في غزة.

    وسيساعد موقفهم الموحد في توجيه سُبل المضي قدما.

    وسأحدد فيما يلي الأولويات الرئيسية.

    أولا – يجب أن يصمد اتفاق وقف إطلاق النار وإطلاق سراح الرهائن.

    الأيام القادمة حاسمة.

    ولا يجب على الطرفين ادّخار أي جهد لتجنب انهيار هذا الاتفاق.

    وأحثهما على الوفاء بالتزاماتهما وتنفيذها بالكامل.

    ويجب إطلاق سراح جميع الرهائن فورا ودون شروط وبطريقة تصون كرامتهم.

    ويجب على الطرفين ضمان المعاملة الإنسانية لجميع المحتجزين تحت سلطتهم.

    ويجب الاستمرار في تقديم المساعدات الإنسانية وحمايتها وتمويلها والسماح بإيصالها دون عوائق إلى الأشخاص الذين هم في أمس الحاجة إليها.

    وكل لحظة يصمد فيها وقف إطلاق النار تعني الوصول إلى عدد أكبر من الأشخاص وإنقاذ المزيد من الأرواح.

    لقد بيّنا مرارا وتكرارا ما يمكننا تقديمه.

    ومنذ وقف إطلاق النار، تمكّن العاملون في المجال الإنساني من تكثيف عملياتهم في غزة وتوسيع نطاقها، بما في ذلك إلى المناطق التي تعذّر الوصول إليها أثناء القتال.

    وبالتعاون مع شركائنا، وصلنا إلى مئات الآلاف من الأشخاص…

    ووفّرنا الغذاء لجميع السكان في غزة تقريبا…

    وأوصلنا مستلزمات الإيواء والملابس وغيرها من المواد الأساسية لعشرات الآلاف من النازحين…

    وضاعفنا كمية المياه النظيفة المتاحة للناس في غزة.

    وفي الوقت نفسه، قام شركاؤنا بتوزيع الإمدادات الطبية لتصل إلى حوالي 1,8 مليون شخص، مما ساعد المرافق الصحية على مواصلة عملها المنقذ للحياة.

    رسالتنا واضحة.

    إذا ما توفرت لنا الظروف المناسبة وأُتيح لنا الوصول، يمكننا القيام بأكثر من ذلك بكثير.

    ويجب أن يصمد وقف إطلاق النار. ويجب أن نُبقي شريان الحياة الإنساني مفتوحا.

    وفي هذا الإطار، إنني أناشد مرة أخرى من أجل تقديم الدعم العاجل والكامل لعمل الأونروا.

    ويجب الحفاظ على دور الأونروا الفريد من نوعه.

    ثانيا – إنهاء الأزمة الآنية ليس سوى الخطوة الأولى.

    يجب أن يكون هناك إطار سياسي واضح يُرسي الأسس اللازمة للتعافي وإعادة الإعمار وتحقيق الاستقرار الدائم في غزة.

    ويجب أن يستند هذا الإطار إلى مبادئ واضحة.

    وهذا يعني الالتزام بأسس القانون الدولي.

    وهذا يعني منع أي شكل من أشكال التطهير العرقي.

    وهذا يعني أنه ينبغي ألا يكون هناك وجود عسكري إسرائيلي طويل الأمد في غزة.

    وهذا يعني معالجة الشواغل الأمنية المشروعة لإسرائيل.

    وهذا يعني المساءلة عن انتهاكات القانون الدولي.

    وهذا يعني بقاء غزة جزءا لا يتجزأ من دولة فلسطينية مستقلة وديمقراطية وذات سيادة، دون أي انتقاص من أراضيها أو نقل قسري لسكانها.

    ويجب التعامل مع قطاع غزة والضفة الغربية المحتلة – بما في ذلك القدس الشرقية – ككيان واحد – سياسيا واقتصاديا وإداريا…

    تحكمهما حكومة فلسطينية يقبلها الشعب الفلسطيني ويدعمها.

    ويجب أن تصمم أي ترتيبات انتقالية بهدف التوصّل إلى حكومة فلسطينية موحدة في إطار زمني دقيق ومحدود.

    وسأدعو كذلك إلى تهدئة عاجلة للوضع المثير للجزع في الضفة الغربية.

    فالمنازل والبنية التحتية المدنية تُدمّر.

    والمدنيون يُقتلون.

    والمجتمعات المحلية تُهجّر وتُمنع من العودة.

    ويُمنع الوصول إلى الرعاية الصحية.

    ويجب أن تتوقف الأعمال أحادية الجانب، بما في ذلك التوسع الاستيطاني والتهديدات بالضم.

    وأدعو إلى وضع حد للهجمات على المدنيين وممتلكاتهم.

    وأخيرا، يجب أن نتخذ خطوات ملموسة – الآن – نحو تحقيق حل الدولتين.

    يجب أن يتمتع الشعب الفلسطيني بالحق في أن يحكم نفسه بنفسه، وأن يرسم مستقبله بنفسه، وأن يعيش على أرضه في حرية وأمان.

    والطريق الوحيد لتحقيق السلام الدائم هو الطريق الذي تعيش فيه دولتان – إسرائيل وفلسطين – جنبا إلى جنب في سلام وأمن، بما يتماشى مع القانون الدولي وقرارات الأمم المتحدة ذات الصلة، وتكون القدس عاصمة للدولتين.

    يستحق الفلسطينيون الاستقرار الدائم والسلام العادل والقائم على المبادئ.

    ويستحق شعب إسرائيل أن يعيش في سلام وأمن.

    وفي هذه اللحظة الهشة، يجب أن نتجنب استئناف الأعمال العدائية التي من شأنها أن تعمّق المعاناة وتزيد من زعزعة الاستقرار في منطقة هي أصلا على شفا هاوية.

    نحن بحاجة إلى إعادة إعمار مستدامة وحل سياسي موحد وواضح وقائم على المبادئ.

    هذا ما سأدعو إليه في القاهرة الأسبوع المقبل.

    شكرا لكم.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Current Concepts: Key Forensic Cases and Common Pitfalls to Avoid

    Source: US National Institute of Justice (video statements)

    This training is presented by the National Center on Forensics and will give the students a forecast of possible upcoming issues in the forensic sciences. In this session, Kenneth Melson, former Senior Advisor on Forensic Science to the Office of Legal Counsel at the Department of Justice, will focus on recent developments including changes to the rules of evidence, the use of substitute experts, forensic genetic genealogy in the courts and legislatures, and forensic science cases of interest. The attendees will learn how future criminal cases can be prepared by prosecutors to avoid legal and scientific pitfalls in their approaches to litigation by adjusting to the prevailing winds of change in the uses of forensic science.

    (Opinions or points of view expressed represent the speaker and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Any product or manufacturer discussed is presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute product approval or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice.)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeTLuyi2iyY

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Deputy Prime Minister speaks at Convention of the North event

    Source: City of Preston

    Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) Angela Rayner, spoke to a packed conference hall today at the Convention of the North event.

    The event which has been hosted by Lancashire County Council and the University of Central Lancashire over the past two days.

    Leader of Preston City Council, Councillor Matthew Brown said:

    The Convention of the North event has been a great success, and we are proud to be able to put Preston on the map and welcome visitors from the world of politics, academia, and business to the city.

    For the first time it is being held in the North West’s third largest city and has presented an excellent opportunity for Preston to showcase what it has to offer, our exciting regeneration plans and ambitions for the future, accompanied by the progress we are making towards a fairer and more democratic local economy through Community Wealth Building.

    Preston, as the leading commercial hub for Lancashire and the urban heart of a £35bn economy, is bursting with potential.

    Our key sector strengths including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, cyber and digital offer many emerging new opportunities for our young people, in a well-connected, culturally vibrant, and green city, rich in opportunity.

    As Lancashire continues its devolution journey, a thriving Preston city region is a prerequisite for a successful Lancashire economy, and we want to ensure all residents and local businesses benefit from the city’s economic development and regeneration.

    For more information about the event and its topics visit the Convention of the North.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: More than 70 projects will strengthen wildfire prevention, support forestry

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    VICTORIA – Workers and communities throughout B.C. are benefiting from Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) supported projects that reduce wildfire risk and increase fibre supply, keeping local mills and energy plants running in the face of U.S. tariff threats and unjustified softwood lumber duties.

    With $28 million from the Province, FESBC is supporting 43 new and expanded fibre-recovery projects and 31 new and expanded wildfire-mitigation projects.

    “In tough times, I want workers in our forest sector to know I’ve got their back,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “Whether it’s better utilizing existing sources of fibre or helping protect communities from wildfire, the projects are supporting workers and companies as they develop new and innovative forest practices.”

    Projects are taking place in all eight of the Province’s natural resource regions, helping create jobs, reducing wildfire risk and supporting B.C.’s pulp and biomass sector. They will be complete by the end of March 2025, in advance of wildfire season.

    Fibre-recovery projects take wood fibre that would otherwise be burned or abandoned and put it in the hands of mills and forestry companies that can use it, helping keep forestry workers on the job. Through the Province’s continued investment in FESBC, the projects they support have delivered 44,000 logging truckloads worth of fibre out of the bush since April 2024. That fibre would once have been burned in slash piles and is instead creating jobs and revenue for local businesses.

    “These projects are putting local businesses and people to work reducing wildfire risk and recovering fibre for local pulp mills, and pellet and energy plants,” said Jason Fisher, executive director, FESBC. “FESBC received strong proposals from across the province and we are pleased to support this strong group of proponents in their forest-management activities.” 

    Government continues to take action to support the forest sector in the face of U.S. softwood lumber duties and tariff threats, including through the recently formed Softwood Lumber Advisory Council, streamlining the permitting process and continuing to advocate to the federal government.

    Quick Facts:

    • Founded in 2016, FESBC is fully funded by the Province to support forestry projects at the community level.
    • As part of Budget 2024, B.C. announced FESBC would get an additional $60 million over three years to continue community-focused wildfire risk-reduction and fuel-management projects, as well as improving utilization of biomass from harvested timber.
    • Since 2016, $79.6 million has been invested in 201 community wildfire risk-reduction projects through FESBC.

    Learn More:

    For information about fibre-supply and wildfire-mitigation projects, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/FESBCNewExpandedFunding.pdf

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta and Secretary of State Weber: Huntington Beach Voter ID Case is Ripe, Will Be Heard on Merits

    Source: US State of California

    Friday, February 28, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    SACRAMENTO — California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. today issued the following statements in response to the Orange County Superior Court’s order vacating its prior decisions concerning Huntington Beach’s Measure A. Measure A amended the city’s charter to purportedly allow the city to impose additional voting restrictions prohibited by state law for all municipal elections starting in 2026.  

    On November 15, 2024, the Orange County Superior Court concluded that the state’s lawsuit against Huntington Beach over Measure A was “not ripe for adjudication” because the measure “is permissive and discretionary in character, and thus currently presents no conflict with state elections law.” On December 16, 2024, the court dismissed the lawsuit on that basis. The court has now vacated its earlier orders, concluded that “there is a ripe justiciable controversy,” and set a hearing on the state’s petition for writ of mandate on April 3, 2025.

    “Today is a good day. Our lawsuit against Huntington Beach can officially continue,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “All along, Secretary of State Weber and I have asserted that it is not too early to bring our lawsuit. Earlier this month, the California Fourth District Court of Appeal suggested that it agreed with us and asked the Orange County Superior Court to decide whether it would reverse course. The Orange County Superior Court has now done that, and a hearing on the merits will take place in April.”

    “With today’s order, we are one step closer in our effort to protect each eligible Californian’s right to vote,” said Secretary of State Shirley Weber.

    A copy of the court’s order can be found here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Welsh Secretary’s message on St David’s Day

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Welsh Secretary’s message on St David’s Day

    Jo Stevens celebrates UK Government delivery in Wales this St David’s Day and looks to the year ahead.

    Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens.

    For the first time as Welsh Secretary, I’m delighted to be able to wish everyone across Wales a happy St David’s Day. 

    Following the election last July, we promised to deliver change and that is what we have begun to do.

    We pledged safer streets, green energy and, above all, new jobs and economic growth for people across Wales. Underpinning all of this was the promise of a transformed relationship between the UK and Welsh Governments – a partnership that delivers for the people of Wales.

    And we have begun the work to deliver on our guiding missions in every part of the country. This work will continue to accelerate during 2025.

    We want a health system fit for the future for Wales and in the Autumn Budget we provided a record settlement of £21 billion to the Welsh Government. It now has £1.7 billion extra next year on public services in Wales especially on improving the NHS and driving down waiting lists.

    We now have two governments in Wales, working together to ensure that we reform the NHS and other public services to deliver for you. 

    As we make our streets safer, people in Wales can expect to see more police back on the beat. 

    We are investing in 13,000 additional neighbourhood officers, PCSOs, and special constables across Wales and England and these officers will work to restore the visible, accessible policing that our communities deserve.

    The UK Government’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower provides huge opportunities for Wales.

    Earlier this week I was delighted to announce a major investment of £600m in Bute Energy’s onshore wind energy parks which will be built the length and breadth of Wales and generate the clean power we need as well creating 2,000 jobs in the process. 

    This investment is landmark deal for the sector in Wales and cements our position as a centre for major clean energy investment.

    Similarly, the golden opportunity of floating offshore wind will be a critical part of our clean energy mission. Wales can lead the world in the creation of huge turbines in the seas off our coastline that will help drive down energy bills and create the jobs of the future. Bringing more of that investment into Wales a priority for this year.

    Above all, our mission is to kickstart economic growth.

    We have already seen huge investment come to North Wales at Eren Holdings and Kellanova, creating and securing hundreds of jobs. 

    The two Investment Zones in Cardiff and Newport and Wrexham and Flintshire are a crucial part of our work with Welsh Government to provide a rocket-boost to sector strengths like creative industries, life sciences and advanced manufacturing.

    We’ve given the green light for Welsh freeports to unlock billions in private investment and galvanise almost 20,000 jobs in our port communities like Milford Haven, Port Talbot and Holyhead.

    Our plans will also see us drive growth in individual communities. Earlier this month we announced a £15 million funding package dedicated to two major cultural projects in Wales – £10m for Venue Cymru in Conwy and £5 million was allocated to the Newport Transporter Bridge. This funding helps ensure these landmarks remain valuable resources for their areas. These projects are not just about preserving heritage; they are about driving economic growth, creating jobs, and showcasing Wales as a leader in tourism and culture.

    And our investment in the community of Port Talbot stands as a testament to our determination to drive growth, and not to accept decline for out industrial areas.

    Within weeks of coming to office we had secured a better deal with Tata Steel. And then weeks later tens of millions of pounds began to be released into the community – money that had previously not been spent despite the clear need to support the workforce, local businesses and the community. 

    So far more than £50m has been announced. That money is funding initiatives in Port Talbot ranging from the creation of an £8.2m industrial site in the town creating new products for the steel and metal industries, to providing individual training opportunities for Tata steelworkers or their families. 

    In the coming year I will ensure that the rest of the Transition Board money is invested in the community of Port Talbot.

    In just a few short months, the new UK Government has made significant strides in transforming Wales building on our strengths in industry, green energy and, most of all, our people. There is still work to do but I know Wales will continue to be a brilliant place to do business. 

    I’d like to send my best wishes to everyone celebrating our national day in Wales and around the world.

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Exciting programme of events planned to mark Irish Language Week

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Exciting programme of events planned to mark Irish Language Week

    28 February 2025

    An exciting programme of events have been planned to mark Irish Language Week across the City and District.

    Seachtain na Gaeilge runs from 1-17th March and a diverse programme of events have been planned by Derry City and Strabane District Council to provide opportunities for council staff and members of the public to explore, learn and ultimately use Irish.

    Encouraging people to get involved, Erin Hamilton, from Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Languages Team, said: “We are very excited to reveal our plans for this year’s Seachtain na Gaeilge’. We are delighted to have presenter and writer, Ola Majekodunmi and journalist and writer, Michelle Nic Pháidín taking part in events this week. They will engage with people of all ages across the district, immersing themselves in the Irish Language and exploring how Irish impacts on the words and phrases we use every day.

    “Promoting and teaching Irish is something which our Languages Team work hard to do all year, and this week gives us a chance to celebrate members of staff who are attaining their Irish Language qualifications at all levels. It’s the chance to say ‘well done’ to everyone who has put in the effort to learn and help promote Irish in our district. We also have taster sessions available for staff to help them get a real feel for Irish and find out if it’s something they would like to pursue further.”

    The week will be kickstarted with a video released to show A Day in the Life of an Irish Language Officer. The video will follow the Council’s Irish Language Officer as she carries out her role providing Irish Language services to the local community and promoting the language right across the district. Available on Facebook and Twitter from Monday 3rd March at 10am, this video will give you a behind the scenes look at how the Irish Language is promoted on a daily basis by Council. It will also allow you to think about ways you can get involved with some of the initiatives and outreach programmes available in your area.

    On Wednesday 5th March, Council employees will be given the opportunity to attain their Cúpla Focal, Silver Fáinne or Gold Fáinne. This milestone will mark the ongoing commitment by these members of staff to learning and improving their Irish Language proficiency.

    The attention turns to some of the youngest learners of the language on Thursday, 6th March when World Book Day is given a distinctly Irish feel. Ola Majekodunmi, presenter, writer, producer and Irish Language Project Co-Ordinator with Fighting Words, will meet with students from Irish medium schools across the district in the Guildhall. Ola will present a creative writing workshop to students that will discuss various themes including the Irish language, identity and Irish medium education. Every school that takes part in the event will also receive a hamper of books to take back to their schools.

    On Tuesday, 11th March the Alley Theatre in Strabane is the setting for a special evening of readings and discussion with acclaimed journalist and writer, Michelle Nic Pháidín. Michelle will present a selection of readings in Irish from her collection of short stories Súile Éisc agus Scéalta Eile. The audience will have the opportunity to discuss some of the themes explored in the stories with the author. This event is suitable for those who are fluent in the Irish language. Booking is essential. Please book your place by contacting: [email protected] by Thursday 6th March.

    Concluding the celebrations will be a taster course provided for council staff on Wednesday, 12th and Thursday 13th March in both the Derry and Strabane council offices. Those attending will get a short introduction to the Irish language and to learn and practice some Irish words and phrases with the Council’s Languages Team.

    The Irish Language Week 2025 programme is available at: www.derrystrabane.com/gaeilge. Further information about any of the events is available by emailing [email protected].

    _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

    Clár spreagúil imeachtaí beartaithe chun ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar Sheachtain na Gaeilge

    Tá clár spreagúil imeachtaí beartaithe le ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar Sheachtain na Gaeilge fud fad na Cathrach agus an Cheantair.

    Bíonn Seachtain na Gaeilge ar siúl ón 1-17ú Márta agus tá clár ilghnéitheach imeachtaí beartaithe ag Comhairle Chathair Dhoire agus Cheantar an tSratha Báin chun deiseanna a chur ar fáil d’fhoireann na Comhairle agus don phobal araon an Ghaeilge a fhiosrú, a fhoghlaim agus a úsáid.

    Agus í ag spreagadh daoine le bheith páirteach, dúirt Erin Hamilton, ó Fhoireann Teangacha Chomhairle Chathair Dhoire agus Cheantar an tSratha Báin: “Tá lúcháir orainn ár bpleananna do Sheachtain na Gaeilge 2025 a nochtadh. Tá an-áthas orainn go mbeidh an láithreoir agus an scríbhneoir, Ola Majekodunmi agus an t-iriseoir agus scríbhneoir, Michelle Nic Pháidín ag glacadh páirte in imeachtaí na seachtaine seo. Beidh siad ag plé le daoine ar gach aois fud fad an cheantair agus ag tabhairt deiseanna don phobal, idir óg agus aosta, sult a bhaint as imeachtaí lánGhaeilge.

    Oibríonn ár bhFoireann Teangacha go dian i rith na bliana leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn agus a theagasc agus tugann an tseachtain seo deis dúinn ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar na baill foirne sin atá ag baint amach a gcáilíochtaí Gaeilge ag gach leibhéal. Deis atá ann dúinn ‘maith thú’ a rá le gach duine a rinne iarracht an Ghaeilge a fhoghlaim agus a chur chun cinn inár gceantar. Tá Blaschúrsaí ar fáil againn chomh maith don fhoireann le cuidiú leo fíor-bhraistint a fháil ar an Ghaeilge  agus le fáil amach an rud í a bhfuil siad ag iarraidh tabhairt faoi amach anseo.”

    Cuirfear tús leis an tseachtain le físeán a thaispeánfaidh Lá i Saol an Oifigigh Ghaeilge. Leanfaidh an físeán Oifigeach Gaeilge na Comhairle agus í i mbun a róil ag soláthar seirbhísí Gaeilge don phobal áitiúil agus ag cur na teanga chun cinn fud fad an cheantair. Beidh an físeán ar fáil ar Facebook agus Twitter ón Luan 3 Márta ar 10 am. Tabharfaidh an físeán seo léargas ar an dóigh a gcuirtear an Ghaeilge chun cinn ar bhonn laethúil ag an Chomhairle. Tabharfaidh sé deis don lucht féachána freisin smaoineamh ar bhealaí inar féidir  leo a bheith páirteach i roinnt de na tionscadail agus na cláir for-rochtana atá ar fáil sa cheantar.

    Ar an Chéadaoin 5 Márta, tabharfar deis d’fhostaithe na Comhairle gradam Cúpla Focal, Fáinne Airgid nó Fáinne Óir a bhaint amach. Sprioc tábhachtach atá ann d’fhoghlaimeoirí a thaispeánann tiomantas leanúnach na mball foirne seo chun a gcuid scileanna Gaeilge a fhoghlaim agus a fheabhsú.

    Beidh cuid de na foghlaimeoirí teanga is óige i lár an aonaigh ar an Déardaoin 6ú Márta nuair a dhéanfar ceiliúradh ar Lá Domhanda na Leabhar as Gaeilge. Buailfidh Ola Majekodunmi, láithreoir, scríbhneoir, léiritheoir agus Comhordaitheoir Tionscadal Gaeilge de chuid Fighting Words, le daltaí ó Ghaelscoileanna ar fud an cheantair i Halla na Cathrach. Cuirfidh Ola ceardlann sa scríbhneoireacht chruthaitheach i láthair do dhaltaí a phléifidh le téamaí éagsúla lena n-áirítear an Ghaeilge, an fhéiniúlacht agus an Ghaeloideachas. Gheobhaidh gach scoil a ghlacann páirt san imeacht beart leabhar le tabhairt ar ais chun na scoile leo chomh maith.

    Ar an Mháirt 11ú Márta beidh Amharclann na Caolsráide ar an Srath Bán mar láthair d’oíche speisialta de léamha agus de phlé leis an iriseoir agus scríbhneoir clúiteach, Michelle Nic Pháidín. Cuirfidh Michelle rogha léamha as Gaeilge óna cnuasach gearrscéalta Súile Éisc agus Scéalta Eile i láthair. Beidh deis ag an lucht féachana cuid de na téamaí a luaitear sna scéalta a phlé leis an údar. Tá an ócáid ​​seo fóirsteanach dóibh siúd atá líofa sa Ghaeilge. Ní mór duit d’áit a chur in áirithe don imeacht seo.   Cuir d’áit in áirithe trí ríomhphost a chur chuig: [email protected] faoin Déardaoin 6ú Márta.

    Le deireadh a chur leis an cheiliúradh, beidh Blaschúrsaí ar fáil d’fhoireann na Comhairle Dé Céadaoin 12 agus Déardaoin 13 Márta in oifigí Chomhairle Chathair Dhoire agus Cheantar agus an tSratha Báin. Gheobhaidh foireann na Comhairle blaiseadh a fháil ar an Ghaeilge agus foghlaimeoidh siad cúpla focal agus frásaí Gaeilge faoi stiúir Fhoireann Teangacha na Comhairle

    Tá tuilleadh eolais faoi na himeachtaí ar fad ar fáil ó: [email protected] nó trí theagmháil a dhéanamh leis an Oifigeach Gaeilge ar an Líne Ghaeilge T: 028 71 376 579

    Clár iomlán Sheachtain na Gaeilge ar fáil ag: www.derrystrabane.com/gaeilge

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fraudster Receives Prison Sentence in Illegal Paycheck Protection Program Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ATLANTA – Jerry Baptiste, the last of 20 defendants charged in a wide-ranging criminal scheme to steal Paycheck Protection Program funds during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been sentenced for his role in the scheme.

    “This defendant and his co-conspirators used an unprecedented global crisis to defraud the government and the American people,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. “Today’s tough, but fair, sentence sends the message that stealing from the government does not pay.” 

    “This sentencing wraps up an exhaustive investigation into a fraud scheme that stole emergency funds from businesses and individuals that desperately needed them during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta.  “The FBI will make every effort to ensure federal funds are used as intended and punish anyone who would steal from our government.”

    “The sentencings of the 20 defendants serves as a reminder to those who committed PPP fraud that investigations into their criminal acts have not ended,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation special agents will continue their diligent search for those who defrauded the American people during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

    According to Acting U.S. Attorney Moultrie, the third superseding indictment, and other information presented in court: from April 2020 through May 2020, Jerry Baptiste conspired with Darrell Thomas, Denesseria Slaton, Amanda Christian, Charles Petty, Bern Benoit, and others to submit a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan application for Transportation Management Services Inc. (“Transportation Management”), a company that Benoit purported to own. The PPP loan application for Transportation Management falsely represented that it maintained 66 employees and an average monthly payroll of $332,167, and that it would use the PPP funds for payroll, lease payments or mortgage interest, and utilities.

    To support its payroll figures, Transportation Management submitted with its PPP loan application false IRS Form 941s, which are the Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return, for each quarter of 2019. Transportation Management also included with its PPP loan application a fraudulent bank statement. Through the Transportation Management PPP loan application, Baptiste and his co-conspirators fraudulently obtained $830,417. Baptiste also participated in preparing other fraudulent PPP loans.

    Jerry Baptiste, 47, of Miami, Florida was sentenced by U.S. District Judge J. P. Boulee to six and a half years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of$830,417. On October 29, 2024, Baptiste pleaded guilty to money laundering pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement.

    All the defendants in Baptiste’s case have now been convicted and sentenced, with punishments ranging from probation to 15 years’ imprisonment:

    • Darrell Thomas. On June 16, 2021, Thomas pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud and money laundering. On May 9, 2022, Thomas was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $13,206,752.10 in restitution.
    • Andre Lee Gaines. On June 17, 2021, Gaines pleaded guilty to the charge of making a false statement. On October 5, 2021, Gaines was sentenced to five years’ probation and ordered to pay $806,710 in restitution.
    • Kahlil Gibran Green. On September 1, 2020, Green pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud. On January 14, 2021, Green was sentenced to 41 months’ imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $830,000 in restitution.
    • Bern Benoit. On March 11, 2021, Benoit pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud. On September 8, 2021, Benoit was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,105,217 in restitution.
    • Carla Jackson. On February 15, 2024, Jackson was found guilty of money laundering by jury verdict. On May 16, 2024, Jackson was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $335,238.22 in restitution.
    • Ricky Dixon. On August 1, 2022, Dixon pleaded guilty to the charges of aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit money laundering. On January 25, 2023, Dixon was sentenced to 100 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $4,320,928.31 in restitution.
    • Meghan Thomas. On July 27, 2022, Thomas pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. On May 23, 2023, Thomas was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,381,760.35 in restitution.
    • Jesika Blakely. On March 15, 2022, Blakely pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering. On February 8, 2023, Blakely was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $5,348,498.89 in restitution.
    • Amanda Christian. On March 5, 2022, Christian pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. On September 13, 2022, Christian was sentenced to 41 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $835,542 in restitution.
    • Dwan Ashong. On June 29, 2022, Ashong pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering. On October 31, 2022, Ashong was sentenced to 51 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $3,604,807 in restitution.
    • John Gaines. On January 31, 2024, Gaines pleaded guilty to the charge of money laundering. On June 26, 2024, Gaines was sentenced to 63 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $806,710 in restitution.
    • Charles Petty. On November 2, 2021, Petty pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud. On February 25, 2022, Petty was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $830,417 in restitution.
    • Derek Parker. On April 14, 2022, Parker pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. On August 31, 2022, Parker was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $163,620.40 in restitution.
    • David Belgrave II. On May 25, 2022, Belgrave pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud. On August 25, 2022, Belgrave was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release, with 18 months on home detention, and ordered to pay $877,000 in restitution.
    • Charles Hill IV. On September 29, 2021, Hill pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. On January 12, 2022, Hill was sentenced to five years’ probation, with 27 months on home detention, and ordered to pay $1,004,805 in restitution.
    • Ryan Whittley. On May 25, 2022, Whittley pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. On August 29, 2022, Whittley was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $797,275 in restitution.
    • El Hadj Sall. On August 24, 2022, Sall pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. On November 29, 2022, Sall was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $973,585 in restitution.
    • Rick McDuffie. On April 27, 2022, McDuffie pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. On August 23, 2022, McDuffie was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment followed by one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay $5,125 in restitution.
    • Teldrin Foster. On February 15, 2024, Foster was found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, making a false statement to a federally insured bank, and money laundering by jury verdict. On June 25, 2024, Foster was sentenced to 121 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $9,606,627.35 in restitution. 

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samir Kaushal and Nathan Kitchens, and former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tal Chaiken and Norman Barnett, of the Northern District of Georgia, and Trial Attorney Siji Moore of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, prosecuted the case.

    The Department of Justice remains vigilant in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting wrongdoing related to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (“NCDF”) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.         

    For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Announces LA Fire Captain, Union Leader Frank Líma as Guest for 2025 Presidential Address

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla Announces LA Fire Captain, Union Leader Frank Líma as Guest for 2025 Presidential Address

    Padilla and Líma survey the devastation of the Los Angeles fires [January 8, 2025] Additional photos of Senator Padilla and Captain Líma are available here.WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Wildfire Caucus, announced that Frank Líma, a longtime Los Angeles City fire captain and firefighter union leader, will be his guest at President Trump’s 2025 Address to a Joint Session of Congress. Líma serves as the 12th General Secretary-Treasurer of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and is a past president of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, IAFF Local 112. Captain Líma was recently on the frontlines in the fight against the devastating Los Angeles fires in January.
    “Captain Frank Líma has dedicated his life to protecting Los Angeles residents as a firefighter and labor leader. As Secretary-Treasurer of the International Association of Fire Fighters, he fights tirelessly for the fair treatment and pay of the brave firefighters who risk their lives to keep our communities safe,” said Senator Padilla. “We recently witnessed Captain Líma’s leadership and dedication, as he heroically sprang into action during last month’s fires in Los Angeles, putting his life on the line to save lives, homes, and businesses. As President Trump outlines his priorities for our country, we want to make clear that Los Angeles County cannot be forgotten. The community faces a long road to recovery and we need a fully staffed and supported firefighting workforce and federal support without conditions. But thanks to heroes like Captain Líma and so many other firefighters and first responders, our communities will get through this, together.”
    “As we work to rebuild communities across Los Angeles, I am honored to join Senator Padilla as his guest to continue to put the spotlight on supporting our firefighters and our community,” said Captain Frank V. Líma. “Growing up in Los Angeles, I have lived out my lifelong dream of working as a union firefighter for our city. I have been proud to stand up for the rights of my sisters and brothers as an active Los Angeles City fire captain, current IAFF General Secretary Treasurer, and past President of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City. Firefighters were in a fight for their lives last month against the once-in-a-generation fire that tore through our city — and we need all the federal support possible to help us recover. Los Angeles firefighters and Senator Padilla have always had the backs of our communities, and we need our country to do the same.”
    Growing up in Los Angeles, California, Líma has dedicated his life to family, firefighting, and organized labor. He worked three jobs in his life — all union jobs — as a truck driver, a building trades carpenter apprentice, and a firefighter for the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD), which he joined in 1992.
    Líma began his career as a proud Los Angeles City Local 112 union fire fighter at the age of 19, working at one of the busiest stations in the nation. He rose through the ranks of the LAFD as a firefighter, apparatus operator, engine captain, and for the past 20 plus years, a truck company captain. He worked in specialized companies, including hazardous materials and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR). He was deployed to New York City on September 11 to work as a rescue worker at ground zero after the terrorist attacks, along with another deployment to Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. Now, in his third decade of service, Líma continues to be active in the field, picking up shifts at fire stations throughout Los Angeles. Líma’s work on the frontlines during floods and wildland disasters has provided much-needed disaster relief assistance to IAFF families.
    Líma was elected to the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC) Local 112 Executive Board as a director, vice president, lead negotiator, and eventually president in 2012. He also served as a vice president for the California Professional Firefighters (CPF). He has served for over 12 years as an elected Executive Board vice president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, and continues to be active on the California State Board of Fire Services, a Board that he was appointed to by both Governor Brown and Governor Newsom. He still serves as a principal member of the NFPA 1710 Technical Committee for career fire fighters. He was also elected to serve as the secretary of the California Electoral College by his peers.
    As Californians and Angelenos begin their recovery and rebuilding from the devastating fires, Líma will continue advocating for the communities he fought to protect and the firefighters who put everything on the line to save businesses, homes, and lives. As the past Union President for United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, he continues working for safer working conditions and better benefits for firefighters.
    Senator Padilla has fought relentlessly to secure and protect Southern Californians’ access to desperately needed disaster relief aid. In the immediate aftermath of the Los Angeles fires, Padilla and Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) led 47 bipartisan members of the California Congressional delegation in successfully urging President Biden to grant Governor Gavin Newsom’s request for a major disaster declaration to expedite timely relief to Los Angeles County residents impacted by these disasters. Padilla also delivered remarks on the Senate floor urging his Republican colleagues and President Trump to provide essential disaster recovery aid to California without conditioning it on the passage of partisan legislation.
    Earlier this month, Padilla introduced bipartisan legislation to create a national Wildfire Intelligence Center to streamline federal response and create a whole-of-government approach to combat wildfires. He also announced a package of three bipartisan bills to bolster fire resilience and proactive mitigation efforts, including the Wildfire Emergency Act, the Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act, and the Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act. Last month, Padilla introduced another suite of bipartisan bills to strengthen wildfire recovery and resilience, including the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act to protect firefighter pay.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Statement at the Interactive Dialogue on Nicaragua

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Statement at the Interactive Dialogue on Nicaragua

    UK Statement at the 58 Human Rights Council at the Interactive Dialogue on the report of the Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO & UN, Simon Manley.

    Thank you, Mr President.

    Yesterday, Nicaragua declared that it is leaving this Council. We want to make it clear that this will not change the need to hold the authorities accountable for the suppression of human rights in Nicaragua.

    In this spirit, we welcome the report of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua. We are alarmed by its findings, including further reports of extrajudicial killings and arbitrary detention. We are concerned that authorities have used physical and psychological violence (including threats, rape, beatings and prolonged solitary confinement) against those who participated in the 2018 protests, and against individuals who have been accused of publicly criticising the authorities.

    In addition, the approval of the wide-ranging constitutional amendments passed on 30 January undermine the separation of the powers of the state and mark a further tragic development in the dismantling of the rule of law in Nicaragua.

    Moreover, the increase in reports of transnational repression, including intimidation and harassment of Nicaraguans in exile, represents a further attack on human rights.

    The ongoing limitation of Nicaraguans’ civil, political, and other human rights is unacceptable.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Land sale plan announced

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Government today announced its 2025-26 Land Sale List which includes eight residential sites, involving about 4,450 flats to be put up for sale.

    Unveiling the list this afternoon, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn said taking into account the estimated land supply from government land sale, MTR Corporation and Urban Renewal Authority projects as well as private development/redevelopment projects, the private housing land supply in 2025-26 can produce about 13,700 flats.

    Pursuant to the “Long Term Housing Strategy Annual Progress Report 2024” released in October 2024, the target for private housing land supply in 2025-26 is 13,200 flats, similar to the potential supply of this financial year.

    No commercial site has been included on the list, considering the high vacancy rate of offices in recent years and the relatively ample supply in the next few years.

    As for industrial sites, the Government has identified three pilot areas to adopt the large-scale land disposal approach, located in Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen, Fanling North and the San Tin Technopole.

    Each of these pilot areas covers land for residential, industry and public facilities. The expressions of interest exercise will last until end-March, with a target to commence the tendering work progressively from the second half of 2025 to 2026.

    For the first quarter of 2025-26, ie April to June this year, a site in Tuen Mun will be put up for tender, capable of producing about 525 flats.

    Ms Linn said that the site is located in a mature residential neighbourhood near a light rail station and should be attractive to the market.

    She reiterated that the Government will prudently roll out land in a paced and pragmatic manner for development and maintain a continuous and sustained land supply, noting that placing available sites on the list does not mean all sites are to be rolled out.

    The Government will refer to the market situation and other supply sources so as to announce the Land Sale Programme on a quarterly basis. Depending on the market situation, it may also put up additional sites to respond to market changes, Ms Linn added.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Letter from the Prime Minister to the Rt Hon Anneliese Dodds MP: 28 February 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    Letter from the Prime Minister to the Rt Hon Anneliese Dodds MP: 28 February 2025

    Letter from the Prime Minister to the Rt Hon Anneliese Dodds MP.

    Documents

    Letter from the Prime Minister to the Rt Hon Anneliese Dodds MP: 28 February 2025

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    Details

    Letter from the Prime Minister to the Rt Hon Anneliese Dodds MP: 28 February 2025

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 February 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –