NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Premier’s, minister’s statements on Pink Shirt Day

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Premier David Eby has issued the following statement marking Pink Shirt Day:

    “Today is Pink Shirt Day, a day for all of us to celebrate kindness and work together against bullying.

    “In 2007, two Nova Scotia high school students encouraged classmates to wear pink in support of a boy who had been teased for wearing a pink shirt. This act of solidarity inspired Pink Shirt Day, which is observed on the last Wednesday in February every year as Canada’s official anti-bullying day.

    “Bullying is still far too common. According to the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, 71% of Canadian youth, ages 12 to 17, experienced at least one form of bullying in the previous reporting year. One in four reported being cyberbullied.

    “Our government is committed to making sure that every student in every community in B.C. feels safe and supported – at school and at home.

    “The Erase (expect respect and a safe education) program is dedicated to helping students, adults and school staff build safe, caring and inclusive school communities, and offers resource support for diversity and inclusion, mental health and substance use, and school and online safety.

    “Recognizing the significant harms that can result from online harassment and cyberbullying, we launched services to remove images from the internet and pursue predators who share images without consent.

    “We invested nearly $75 million over three years to enhance and expand Foundry services in the province. Foundry provides integrated health and wellness services for young people, ages 12 to 24, and allows young people to access mental-health care, substance-use services, physical and sexual health care, youth and family peer supports, and social services all in one location.

    “In B.C., we celebrate the diversity that makes our province strong and vibrant. There’s no place for bullying in schools, on the streets or at home.”

    Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care, said:

    “On the 18th anniversary of Pink Shirt Day, we join British Columbians taking a stand against bullying. Every MLA who celebrates this day recognizes our immense responsibility to do the work that keeps every child in B.C. safe.

    “Alongside our partners, we continue the critical work to make schools free from bullying and discrimination. Together, we must ensure that we create the environment where all B.C. students feel safe, cared for and included, so they can be their authentic selves at school and thrive out in the world.

    “Both as a minister and a parent, I am proud to celebrate this day. Now more than ever, we need everyone to come together to stand up to bullies.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/SUDAN – War in Sudan continues: use of the air force, including drones, is becoming increasingly important

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Khartoum (Agenzia Fides) – According to the latest information from the authorities, 46 people were killed in the crash of a military transport plane in Omdurman, the “sister city” of the Sudanese capital Khartoum. Among the victims is a senior army officer, General Bahr Ahmed Bahr.The plane crashed yesterday evening, February 25, for reasons that are still unknown. Fighting is raging in and around Khartoum between soldiers of the Sudanese army (Sudan Armed Forces, SAF) and militiamen of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). It cannot therefore be ruled out that the plane was hit by anti-aircraft defenses. Two days ago, the RSF claimed to have shot down another army transport plane near Nyala in South Darfur, but this was not confirmed by the military.In recent weeks, the army and its affiliated Sudan Shield Forces militias have regained control of Khartoum Bahri and important parts of the East Nile region.Meanwhile, the army announced that it gained control of the strategically important Soba Bridge three days ago, which should enable the regular army and the Sudan Shield Forces to advance into the center of Khartoum, which is still in the hands of the RSF.The army is also on the offensive in other parts of the country. With the help of drones acquired from Turkey, the military managed to break the siege of El-Obeid in North Kordofan and deal a heavy blow to the RSF. With the help of precision attacks by Turkish drones, the Sudanese army managed to regain control of important areas occupied by the RSF. However, the latter also uses combat drones. The army said it shot down several enemy drones that were attacking the military airport in Merowe, in northern Sudan, in the early hours of today, February 26. Over the past two months, RSF drones have attacked power plants in the north of the country, including the cities of Ad-Daba and Dongola, which are still not functioning properly due to a lack of spare parts.On a political level, the signing of a founding charter on February 22 in Nairobi by several armed, political and civil organizations calling for the formation of a “parallel government” in the areas controlled by the RSF has provoked reactions from various Sudanese political parties, who fear a further fragmentation of the country. The repeatedly postponed signing of this agreement in Nairobi (see Fides, 19/2/2025) has led to a serious diplomatic crisis between Kenya and the Sudanese government in Port Sudan, linked to the SAF. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 26/2/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/SRI LANKA – Cost of living and fight against crime: the population’s expectations from the new government

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Foto di Eddy Billard su Unsplash

    Colombo (Agenzia Fides) – “The people of Sri Lanka are waiting for a change in the new government, especially on the economic level, with measures that reduce the cost of living and lower taxes on essential goods such as food and medicines,” said Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, priest in Colombo and director of the Catholic weekly newspaper in the Sinhalese-language “Gnartha Pradeepaya” (“The Light of Knowledge”), in an interview with Fides, while a public debate is underway in the nation on the issue of tax reform. “Patience is required because the government has only been in power for a few months. People have confidence in the current President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, elected last September, and believe that he will work to improve the socio-economic conditions of the population,” reports Father Fernando, while a nationwide signature campaign is underway in the country, calling on the government to significantly reduce taxes on basic food, medicine and school supplies.Believers of all religions, including Catholics, have participated in the signature collection. Father Jeewantha Peiris, a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Badulla who works for social justice, is among those in favor of the necessary reduction, noting that “the tax cut was announced by Dissanayake during the election campaign and is therefore one of his commitments.”Fr. Fernando adds other elements in his interview with Fides: “As I recently wrote in my editorial in our Catholic weekly, it is the government’s duty to side with the poorest and meet their needs: this is one of the expectations of today’s people.” In addition,” he continues, “a second problem that must be addressed is that of organized crime, with the proliferation of groups active in drug trafficking, which puts our young people at risk”. On the other hand, he concludes, “the government is struggling with the phenomenon of corruption: this too is a key issue in the management of public affairs. Of course, these are issues that take time and must be considered in the long term. The president, who has only been in office for a few months, still enjoys the trust of the population. Our position is: we must wait to see how he will move, what political choices he will make, how and if they will really benefit people’s lives”. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 26/2/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Sentencing of New York Man for Role in Scheme Defrauding Bernalillo County

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    strong>ALBUQUERQUE – A New York man was sentenced today in federal court for his role in a business email compromise scheme that defrauded Bernalillo County of over $447,000.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    According to court documents, Oscar Kipikirui Ngeno, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Kenya, was involved in a business email compromise scheme targeting the government of Bernalillo County, New Mexico. Between October and December 2019, while residing in New York on an immigrant visa, Ngeno allowed others to have access to his bank account, which was used for fraudulent transfers.

    The scheme involved a spoofed email sent to Bernalillo County, purportedly from a legitimate vendor, containing falsified payment information and a phone number controlled by Ngeno. As a result, the county transferred a total of $447,372.89 to Ngeno‘s account over several months.

    Ngeno became aware of the illegal nature of these transfers and the criminal origin of the funds in his account. On November 6, 2019, he used approximately $13,090.82 of the fraudulently obtained money to pay off a personal vehicle loan with Capital One Auto.

    On November 15, 2024, Ngeno pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering, acknowledging his role in the scheme. Ngeno was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $15,000 to Bernalillo County.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    The Albuquerque Field Office of the FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Buffalo Field Office, the Rochester Resident Agency, Richmond FBI Field Office and Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly A. Brawley is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Defiance ETFs’ QTUM, Quantum Computing ETF, Earns 5-Star Morningstar Rating and Surpasses $1 Billion in AUM

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI , Feb. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Defiance ETFs, a pioneer in thematic investing, is proud to announce that its QTUM – Defiance Quantum Computing ETF has achieved two significant milestones: a prestigious 5-star Overall Morningstar Rating™ and assets under management (AUM) exceeding $1 billion. These accomplishments underscore QTUM’s position as a leader in providing investors with targeted exposure to the rapidly evolving quantum computing sector. The 5-star Morningstar Rating, based on risk-adjusted returns as of January 31, 2025, places QTUM among the top-performing funds in its technology category, evaluated against 262 peers over a three-year period.

    Launched in September 2018, QTUM tracks the BlueStar Quantum Computing and Machine Learning Index, offering access to a diversified portfolio of global companies at the forefront of quantum innovation. With holdings including industry trailblazers like D-Wave Quantum (NYSE: QBTS), IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), and Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ: RGTI), QTUM has capitalized on the surging demand for computational power driving the AI age.

    “We’re thrilled to see QTUM earn a 5-star Morningstar Rating and break the $1 billion AUM barrier,” said Sylvia Jablonski, CEO of Defiance ETFs. “This dual achievement is a testament to the vision we had when we launched QTUM—to give investors a front-row seat to one of the most disruptive technological shifts of our time. Quantum computing isn’t just the future; it’s the now”

    The quantum computing market is projected to grow exponentially, with estimates suggesting a valuation of $90 billion to $170 billion by 20401, driven by its ability to solve complex problems beyond the reach of classical computing. QTUM’s success reflects this momentum, offering a compelling option for investors seeking to tap into this high-growth sector without the risks of single-stock exposure.

    For more information on QTUM, including current holdings and performance data, visit www.defianceetfs.com/qtum.

    About Defiance ETFs
    Founded in 2018, Defiance ETFs is a leading issuer of thematic, leveraged, and income-focused exchange-traded funds.

    1. Source: bcg.com The Long-Term Forecast for Quantum Computing Still Looks Bright, July 18, 2024.

    Past performance does not guarantee future results. Fund holdings and sector allocations are subject to change at any time and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security.

    The Funds’ investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contains this and other important information about the investment company. Please read it carefully before investing. A hard copy of the prospectus can be requested by calling 833.333.9383.

    Morningstar Disclaimer: The Morningstar Rating™ for funds, or “star rating,” is calculated for managed products with at least a three-year history. The top 10% of products in each category receive 5 stars. The Overall Morningstar Rating is derived from a weighted average of performance figures associated with its three-, five-, and 10- year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. ©2025 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. The Funds are not actively managed and would not sell a security due to current or projected under performance unless that security is removed from the Index or is required upon a reconstitution of the Index. A portfolio concentrated in a single industry or country may be subject to a higher degree of risk. The value of stocks of information technology companies are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes in technology product cycles, rapid product obsolescence, government regulation and competition.

    The Fund is considered to be non-diversified, so it may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers. Investments in foreign securities involve certain risks including risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. This risk is magnified in emerging markets. Small and mid-cap companies are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than securities of large-cap companies.

    The possible applications of quantum computing are only in the exploration stages, and the possibility of returns is uncertain and may not be realized in the near future.

    The “BlueStar Quantum Computing and Machine Learning Index™”, “BQTUM™ Index” (collectively “Quantum Computing and Machine Learning Index”), is the exclusive property and a trademark of BlueStar Global Investors LLC d/b/a BlueStar Indexes® and has been licensed for use for certain purposes by Defiance ETFs LLC. Products based on the Quantum Computing and Machine Learning Index are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by BlueStar Global Investors, LLC or BlueStar Indexes®, and BlueStar Global Investors, LLC and BlueStar Indexes® makes no representation regarding the advisability of trading in such product(s). It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

    QTUM is distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC.

    Contact Information

    David Hanono
    info@defianceetfs.com
    833-333-9383

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3d994faf-766a-4a4d-8949-39f33c321b95

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Respect for Sudan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is vital for a sustainable end to this war: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Respect for Sudan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is vital for a sustainable end to this war: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.

    President, nearly two years since the start of this war, and once again I cannot fail to be struck by the reports of death and destruction. 

    More violence. More families ripped apart. More children starving. 

    Last month, my Foreign Secretary visited Adré and heard first-hand about the suffering faced by women. The suffering of sexual violence, of rape, of hunger, who had fled the conflict.

    It does not need to be this way. 

    The parties to the conflict can take actions now to end the suffering. 

    And I’d like to highlight three priorities. 

    First, we urge the parties to end their military ambitions and focus on creating the conditions for peace, including through full co-operation with UN and African Union mediation efforts. 

    We share the Secretary-General’s deep concern at the announcement by the Rapid Support Forces and affiliated civilian actors and armed groups of a political charter that expresses an intention to establish a governing authority in areas of their control.

    Deepened divisions risk even further destabilisation in Sudan and the region. 

    Respect for Sudan’s charter rights, its unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity is vital and will be necessary for a sustainable end to this war.

    In April, my Foreign Secretary will invite Foreign Ministers from some 20 states and international organisations to London, for discussions focused on supporting a peaceful way forward for the Sudanese people.

    Second, both parties must facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief to people in need. 

    The decision by the Sudanese Armed Forces to keep the Adré border crossing open is welcome. 

    But with over 30 million people in humanitarian need, it is simply not enough. 

    We urge the SAF to open Adré permanently, and authorise the use of further regional border crossings. 

    We call on both sides to lift unnecessary bureaucratic impediments which are delaying aid deliveries by weeks, and to provide humanitarian actors with security guarantees to operate safely.

    Third, we reiterate the Council’s calls for the Rapid Support Forces to end their siege on El Fasher and cease all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. 

    We call on both parties to protect civilians, in line with their obligations under the Jeddah Declaration.

    Mr President, the parties to the conflict should act now to end this suffering.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘Last Chance’ to Achieve Two-State Solution, UN Mediator Tells Security Council, as Speakers Highlight Need to Sustain Gaza Ceasefire

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    This may be “the last chance” to achieve a two-State solution — the creation of independent Israel and Palestine coexisting peacefully side by side — a United Nations mediator told the Security Council today, as it considered the fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the first phase of which is set to expire on 1 March.

    While welcoming the implementation of this initial phase, including the release of 34 hostages, Sigrid Kaag, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process ad interim, added:  “None of us will forget the harrowing pictures of the coffins of the Bibas children taken hostage with their mother and killed while in captivity.” Condemning Hamas’ public parading of hostages, she also noted the release of 1,135 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, and reports of the ill treatment and humiliation they experienced.

    In Gaza, far more remains to be done to address over 15 months of deprivation of basic human necessities and “above all, a loss of human dignity”, she said, while noting some improvements in humanitarian aid access.  “Palestinians must be able to resume their lives, to rebuild and to construct their future in Gaza,” she stressed, adding that there can be no question of forced displacement.  Gaza must remain an integral part of a future Palestinian State, and the Strip must be unified with the West Bank including East Jerusalem, “politically, economically and administratively”, she said, calling on the Council to ensure continued support for the full realization of the ceasefire deal, urgent de-escalation in West Bank and support for Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction — which would cost $53 billion.

    Also briefing the Council today was Daniel Levy, President of the US/Middle East Project, who stressed that Israelis and Palestinians both deserve security, while acknowledging the “power asymmetry” between a colonizing State and a colonized people.  Recalling the Israeli ambassador’s “gimmick” of shredding the UN Charter at the General Assembly podium, he said:  “When a State like Israel conducts itself in ways that render the Charter meaningless and which assault [international] conventions, including on genocide […] then that is a challenge that cannot be allowed to pass.”

    Calling for a full ceasefire, the release of all Israeli hostages and a surge in humanitarian assistance, he cautioned:  “There is good reason to fear that this could collapse.”  In that vein, he warned against the attempt to permanently depopulate the north of Gaza, adding:  “Hamas non-governance in Gaza is achievable, the movement itself has said so.”  But, there will be resistance if the structural violence of occupation and apartheid continue.  He also cautioned against zero-sum thinking, also stressing that the unlawful forced displacement of Palestinians must not be endorsed or encouraged by any State, let alone, one of the permanent five.

    Testimony from Ex-Hostage

    “I was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on 7 October 2023 from the Nova music festival with my partner,” recalled Noa Argamani, who also addressed the Council today.  She added that she was taken by force into Gaza and “held in total fear, living in a nightmare”.  Noting that she was rescued by Israeli soldiers after eight months in captivity, she said:  “Being here today is a miracle, but I’m here today to tell you we have no time.” There are still 63 hostages in captivity — 24 believed to still be alive — “the [ceasefire] deal must go on, in full”, she urged.

    Recalling that her captors murdered her friend, she underscored:  “Every second in captivity is dangerous.”  The Council must “not let the darkness take over”, she warned, stating that she came to the Council so that the international community understands that “the hostages are in hell” and deserve to return home immediately.

    Determined to Eradicate Hamas

    “This is the story of every hostage and every family shattered by Hamas’ terror,” said Israel’s delegate, urging the Council to adopt a resolution condemning the group — a move he argued the 15-member organ could have taken 16 months ago.  Stressing that the tragedy will not end “until each one of them is back home”, he continued: “The question now is whether this Council will help write that ending, or continue to look away.”

    “No matter what happens, our commitment to freeing all the hostages and completely eradicating Hamas is unshakeable,” he underscored. Turning to the humanitarian situation, he pointed to thousands of trucks entering Gaza every week to deliver aid and stressed:  “The only starved people in Gaza are the hostages.”  He added that “it is time to think beyond the frameworks of the past and build a new reality — one where terrorists do not hold entire communities hostage and where life is sacred once more”.

    Recordings of Gunfire at Family 

    Riyad H. Mansour, Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine, said while “nothing justifies” what happened to the Bibas family, Palestinian children are “not any less deserving of your outrage for their killing”.  He went on to play recordings of the calls made to emergency services by 15-year-old Layan Hamadeh and her 6-year-old cousin Hind Rajab — both found dead later — after their family members were shot dead while evacuating Gaza City by car. He also remembered the Palestinian parents who had to collect “what remained of their children’s bodies in plastic bags”.

    “Did you see the images of our released prisoners, often starved, with marks and scars on their bodies?”, he asked, noting that Israel subjects them to beatings and humiliating treatments.  “How many hostages were released by military actions and how many hundreds of Palestinians have perished in these military attacks that were supposed to rescue the hostages but led to the death of many of them?”, he asked, adding:  “Ceasefire works.”  The next few days is a test of Israel’s true priorities, he said.

    Support for Ceasefire’s Second Phase

    Council members stressed the need to uphold the ceasefire and reach an agreement on the second phase, which aims to establish a permanent truce.  Under this phase, Israel would fully withdraw from Gaza, while Hamas would release all remaining hostages in exchange for additional detainees.

    The representative of Sierra Leone, voiced a “renewed sense of relief and optimism” despite “the uncertainty that still looms”.  The representative of the Republic of Korea noted that the agreement shows “what firm political will can bring to the region” as Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners reunite with their families.  The ceasefire is also saving lives, Denmark’s delegate said, adding that it is vital that it moves to its second phase.  Georgios Gerapetritis, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece, added that the ceasefire will “allow planning for a more prosperous and secure ‘day after’ for the whole region”.

    The representative of France said that his country has deployed specialized personnel within the framework of the European Union Border Assistance Mission at the Rafah Crossing Point to support the ceasefire.  He also noted that his country and Saudi Arabia will co-chair an international conference for the implementation of a two-State solution in June.

    The Russian Federation’s delegate expressed concern about the “opaque monitoring mechanism”, highlighting accusations from both sides about the other side’s bad faith in the implementation of individual steps.  Somalia’s delegate said that the continued attacks, illegal arrests, settlement-expansion and excessive use of force “undermine the spirit of the ceasefire deal” and that “mediation efforts will not succeed if the aggression continues unchecked”.  If the ceasefire fails, Panama’s delegate warned, “then the human toll will be incalculable and prospects for regional peace and stability will fade further”.

    The representative of the United Kingdom welcomed improved aid supplies since the ceasefire agreement as having “demonstrated the central role of the UN and humanitarian actors, including UNRWA [United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East]”.  She also expressed concern over tightening humanitarian space, as well as the expansion of Israel’s operations killing and displacing civilians in the West Bank.

    Gaza’s Future without Hamas

    The representative of the United States expressed support for Israel’s “sovereign decision” to close UNRWA offices in Jerusalem, adding:  “UNRWA is not and never has been the only option for providing humanitarian assistance in Gaza”.  Her country stands with all hostages, she said, adding that the desecration of the remains of Shiri Bibas shows “the depth of Hamas’s cruelty”.  President Donald J. Trump has made clear that the future of Gaza must look different, she said, adding that Hamas must be fully removed from power and held accountable for its 7 October 2023 terrorist massacre.

    Save West Bank from Becoming Next Gaza

    Other speakers, however, highlighted the impact of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, and the escalation of settlements and violence in the West Bank.  “Israel is not trying to return to calm,” said Kuwait’s delegate, speaking for the Arab Group.  Asking the Council if it is waiting for a repeat of the Gaza tragedy, he called on the international community to help end the occupying Power’s aggression in the West Bank and its attacks on Christian and Muslim holy sites in the Aqsa Mosque compound.

    Algeria’s delegate drew attention to the Israeli Finance Minister’s declaration that the “goal for 2025 is to demolish more than what Palestinian are building in the West Bank”.  Stressing the need to support UNRWA and empower the Palestinian Authority, he added that weakening the Authority is a deliberate strategy by the Israeli occupying Power which dreams “of a land free of Palestinians”, from the river to the sea.  Five newborn babies froze to death yesterday in a hospital in Gaza City, he noted, adding “we have no more time to waste”.  The ceasefire agreement should serve as a foundation for a durable peace plan.

    Slovenia’s delegate stressed:  “Gaza belongs to Gazans and it is an integral part of the Palestinian State.”  Pointing to the “many more steps” needed for lasting peace to persist in the Middle East, he observed:  “While peace seems to be a big word, it essentially boils down to everyday decisions to work for it.”

    “The cumulative effect of Israel’s violent occupation of Palestinian territories has entrapped the Palestinian people in a cycle of violence and poverty,” Guyana’s delegate noted.  Pakistan’s representative pointed to the forcible displacement, military raids, settler violence and illegal land annexations Israel is conducting, describing these as “ethnic cleansing in real time”.

    The representative of China, Council President for February, speaking in his national capacity, urged the international community to support the parties in moving ahead with negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire and called on Israel to cease its military and settler activity in the West Bank, underscoring:  “The West Bank must not become the next Gaza.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: New Health System Council; NSH Administrator Appointed

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    The Province will establish a new Health System Performance and Accountability Council to improve health outcomes and experiences for Nova Scotians.

    The council will monitor the quality and performance of the health system and make evidence-based recommendations to the Minister of Health and Wellness in areas where there could be improvement.

    “We’ve made many improvements across our healthcare system, both behind the scenes and on the front lines to provide Nova Scotians with better and faster healthcare,” said Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson. “We can always do more, and we will do more. This council will help us identify further areas of improvement to ensure patients continue to receive the care they expect and deserve.”

    Areas of focus for the council include acute care, primary care, addictions and mental health, public health and health promotion, emergency health services, and seniors and long-term care.

    The council will have between three and nine members appointed by the Minister of Health and Wellness. Members can serve up to a three-year term and can only be re-appointed once.

    The council will meet quarterly and report its recommendations to the Minister on or before August 1 each year.

    The government has also appointed Chris Power as the new administrator of Nova Scotia Health. She will take over from Janet Davidson, who held the position since 2021 and has resigned.

    “I want to thank Janet for her service and commitment to providing the leadership and guidance needed to support our journey to transform healthcare for Nova Scotians,” said Minister Thompson. “The work she has started will continue as we welcome Chris, who has extensive experience working in and providing leadership within our healthcare system.”

    Ms. Davidson’s resignation and Ms. Power’s appointment are both effective November 6.

    Action for Health is the government’s plan to improve healthcare in Nova Scotia. The Health System Performance and Accountability Council supports Solution 4 in the plan, to build accountability at every level.

    Quick Facts:

    • Nova Scotia will join provinces such as Alberta and Ontario that have quality councils in place to provide strategic, system-level advice on performance and improvement opportunities
    • Ms. Power began her career in healthcare as a front-line nurse and later became president and CEO of the former Capital District Health Authority.
    • she has served as CEO of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute, which later merged with the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement to become Healthcare Excellence Canada

    Additional Resources:

    Action for Health: https://novascotia.ca/actionforhealth/

    Mandate letter for the Minister of Health and Wellness: https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-DHW.pdf

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Govt efficiency essential: SCS

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung today said she believes civil servants will appreciate that the Budget’s fiscal consolidation programme is essential to Hong Kong’s development, and she hopes they will keep up their good work.

    Writing to all civil servants on the policy initiatives relating to the civil service in the Budget, Mrs Yeung emphasised that under all circumstances, government departments should strive to enhance efficiency and contain their establishment by reviewing work priorities, reallocating internal resources, streamlining procedures and leveraging technology.

    She expressed hope that civil service colleagues would keep up their good work, dare to break new ground with an innovative mindset, further embrace technology and make better use of human resources to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

    Mrs Yeung also met representatives from the civil service central consultative councils and civil service staff unions.

    In the meeting, she said civil servants, with a pivotal role in policy implementation, should understand, appreciate and actively support the Government’s governing tenets and measures, dedicating themselves to building a vibrant economy, seeking development opportunities and improving people’s livelihoods as well as promoting the high-quality development of Hong Kong.

    Mrs Yeung noticed that many civil servants appreciate the decision to freeze pay and reduce establishment and they support the Government’s direction of reforming its mode of work and applying technology.

    She expressed confidence the civil service would strive for excellence and overcome the challenges ahead, so as to bring the efficiency and effectiveness of the Government to new heights.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CFTC Commissioner Christy Goldsmith Romero to Step Down from the Commission and Retire from Federal Service

    Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

    With the fulfillment of her term, and the nomination of Brian Quintenz to succeed her, Commissioner Christy Goldsmith Romero will step down from the Commission upon Mr. Quintenz’s confirmation, and retire from federal service.  Commissioner Goldsmith Romero said, “It’s been a tremendous privilege to serve in the federal government for 23 years.  Following my wonderful tenure at the SEC and as the Special Inspector General for TARP at the Department of the Treasury, it has been a joy to be a CFTC Commissioner and serve alongside my fellow Commissioners and the CFTC staff.  History has shown how sound regulation plays a critical role in U.S. financial markets being the envy of the world, and I am honored to have played a part in promoting U.S. markets and protecting investors and customers.” “I congratulate my friend and fellow Commissioner, Christy Goldsmith Romero, on her retirement from decades of dedicated federal service” said Acting Chairman Caroline Pham. “Throughout her distinguished career, she has worked tirelessly to protect the American public and address risks in banking and financial services. I have appreciated her notable accomplishments towards our shared goal of supporting the CFTC’s robust enforcement program—to hold those who break the law accountable and deter bad actors from causing harm to our markets. In particular, Christy has been a thought leader in combatting fraud and addressing cybersecurity in new technologies such as AI and blockchain as sponsor of the CFTC’s Technology Advisory Committee. I will miss her partnership and collegiality on the Commission.”Commissioner Goldsmith Romero is a well-regarded, trusted, and internationally recognized leader in financial regulation and oversight.  She has served as a Presidential appointee since 2012, was twice unanimously confirmed by the Senate, has testified before Congress 14 times, and was recently nominated to be the FDIC Chairman and Board Member.  Her work has received substantial media coverage, and she is a sought-after speaker.  Commissioner Goldsmith Romero led the CFTC during a time of expansion of derivatives markets and amid geopolitical uncertainty.  Her overriding priority has been to ensure that markets work well—that they remain vibrant, resilient and have integrity.  She has visited farmers, agricultural and energy providers, and critical mineral providers, and met with exchanges, trading platforms, clearing houses, banks and brokers.During her term, Commissioner Goldsmith Romero prioritized risk management, focusing on the Commission’s mission to promote market resilience.  Her work led to increased surveillance to ensure prices for food and fuel were not artificially increased by fraud or manipulation.  She led the drafting of the CFTC’s first proposed rule on cyber resilience for banks and brokers, which garnered a unanimous Commission vote.  She spoke about resilience to climate risk, given the impact of severe climate events on agricultural and energy markets. Commissioner Goldsmith Romero built on her career-long enforcement record of combating fraud and other illegality and of advancing investor and customer protection.  She changed the CFTC’s routine practice of settling all cases without requiring defendants to admit their misconduct and called for stricter penalties for recidivism and violations of anti-money laundering laws.  She proposed the creation of a National Financial Fraud Registry, and advocated that Congress define “retail customer” for derivatives markets.Commissioner Goldsmith Romero has been a leader at the CFTC on future of finance issues.  She promoted responsible innovation and competition in the CFTC’s regulation of trading of digital assets and engaged with technology innovators.  She sponsored the CFTC’s Technology Advisory Committee, to which she added technology experts in cryptocurrency, stablecoins, blockchain, digital identity, AI, fintech, and cybersecurity.  The committee examined emerging technology and cyber resilience and released first-of-its-kind reports on “Decentralized Finance” and “Responsible AI in Financial Markets.”Commissioner Goldsmith Romero was the first AANHPI lawyer to serve as a CFTC Commissioner and the first LGBTQIA+ Commissioner.  She thanks President Biden for her nomination, the U.S. Senate for its unanimous confirmation, and her current and former staff and CFTC for their outstanding public service.About Commissioner Goldsmith RomeroCommissioner Goldsmith Romero was sworn in as a CFTC Commissioner on March 30, 2022, after being nominated by President Biden and unanimously confirmed by the Senate.  In June 2024, President Biden nominated her to be the FDIC Chairman and Board Member (nomination returned by the Senate in January 2025).Prior to becoming a CFTC Commissioner, she served for 12 years at the Department of Treasury, including for a decade as the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP), after being nominated by President Obama and unanimously confirmed by the Senate.  She continued to serve in that position throughout President Trump’s administration and the beginning of President Biden’s administration.  There, she led a nationwide law enforcement and audit watchdog office conducting oversight over TARP, the government’s response to the financial crisis that covered banks, derivatives, housing, the automotive industry and insurance.  She testified before Congress and served as a non-partisan Congressional resource on the U.S. financial system, the global financial crisis and TARP.  SIGTARP returned more than $11 billion to taxpayers and other victims, a 27 times return on investment.  SIGTARP developed a unique ability to find hidden fraud in banks.  SIGTARP investigations led to criminal charges against 465 defendants (including 75 bankers sentenced to prison and 121 homeowner scammers sentenced to prison), as well as civil charges by the DOJ, the SEC & others against 25 entities including large financial institutions.Commissioner Goldsmith Romero served for six years at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including as counsel to two SEC Chairs, Christopher Cox (R) and Mary Schapiro (I), after serving on the staff of the Enforcement Division.  She also was an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center teaching a class on the SEC and securities regulation, and at the University of Virginia Law School teaching classes on cryptocurrency regulation and federal oversight.  Prior to joining the SEC, she worked at national law firms including Jenner & Block, Snell and Wilmer, and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, and served a federal clerkship. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Workers at Delta Air Lines Ground Handling Subsidiary Vote to Join IAM Union

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    Approximately 60 Unifi Aviation ground handling workers based in San Jose, Calif., last week voted nearly 70 percent to join the IAM Union. Unifi Aviation is 49% owned by Delta Air Lines Inc. and waged a scorched-Earth union-busting campaign, led by the anti-worker law firm Jones Day. The workers cited low and stagnant wage rates, poor benefits and working conditions as reasons to form a union and gain a seat at the table.

    Although the IAM Union filed the petition to hold a representation election in July 2024, it took six months for an election to be held due to Delta management’s stall tactics.

    “I am very proud to welcome these determined and courageous workers into aviation’s largest union, the IAM,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “And a special thanks to District 141 Director of Membership Services Frank Giannola, Local 1781 veteran organizer Danny Paulazzo, and the IAM Legal Department for leading the campaign to a successful conclusion.”

    The IAM Union is currently working to organize approximately 20,000 Delta Air Lines ramp, cargo and tower workers nationwide.

    “District 141 salutes these Unifi workers who never backed down and took on Delta’s high-priced union-busters and sent them packing,” said IAM District 141 President Mike Klemm. “We will now continue this campaign and negotiate the dignified first contract that these workers deserve.”

    Unifi Aviation employs approximately 60 workers at San Jose Mineta International Airport who perform ground handling services for Delta Air Lines.

    “Proud is an understatement,” said IAM District 141 Director of Membership Services Frank Giannola. “Not only do these workers endure the disrespect of low wages and poor treatment on a daily basis, but they had to withstand the lies and threats for six months because of Delta’s stalling and union-busting tactics.”

    Unifi Aviation operates in approximately 180 airports across the United States performing ground handling and other services for airlines.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Aguilar: The Republican Budget is going to take health care away from millions of working Americans to pay for billionaire tax cuts

    Source: US House of Representatives – Democratic Caucus

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI – February 25, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar and Vice Chair Ted Lieu were joined by House Budget Committee Ranking Member Brendan Boyle and Rep. Veronica Escobar for a press conference on the Republican budget scheme that betrays working families by cutting Medicaid to pay for tax breaks to billionaires.

    CHAIRMAN AGUILAR: Good morning. Pleased to be joined, as always, with Vice Chair Ted Lieu and also Ranking Member Brendan Boyle of the Budget Committee and Congresswoman Veronica Escobar of the Budget Committee, as well.

    Folks, Donald Trump’s first month has been a disaster. The only president less popular than Donald Trump in the first month of his second term is Donald Trump in the first month of his first term. People are angry that Trump and Republicans broke their promise to lower costs on day one, and the Trump-endorsed Republican Budget does nothing to bring down the costs of gas, groceries, housing, rent or utilities. It is yet another reminder of Republicans’ only priority, which is lowering taxes for billionaires. 

    The Republican Budget is going to take health care away from millions of working Americans—and even children—to pay for a tax cut that Elon Musk and Republican billionaire donors asked for. Now, some of our friends on the other side of the aisle will say this is just a procedural step. Please don’t hold this vote against me. Here’s the truth: this vote doesn’t just open the door for Medicaid cuts, it guarantees them. Republicans are hiding because they’re terrified of voting against Trump’s endorsed budget, but their constituents are banging down their doors and demanding answers on why they care more about reducing costs for billionaires instead of working families. 

    Our challenge to House Republicans is, after you pass this budget today, which cuts Medicaid by $880 billion, go home and have a town hall with your constituents, see how they feel about what you just did. If you’re going to rip away health care from people, then you ought to be able to defend your vote directly to them, but that would require the House Republican Conference growing a spine, so we’ll see. Next Vice Chair Ted Lieu.

    VICE CHAIR LIEU: Thank you, Chairman Aguilar. It’s an honor to be here with Brendan Boyle and Veronica Escobar on the Budget Committee

    At the beginning of Donald Trump’s term, shortly after the inauguration, Donald Trump was at plus six approval. Reuters has been tracking Donald Trump’s approval and disapproval for the first 30 days, and they recently released a poll showing that Donald Trump is now at minus seven. So less than one month, that’s a swing of 13 points. And why are Trump’s numbers free-falling? One reason is because Trumponomics sucks. His indiscriminate tariffs are increasing prices and increasing inflation. Firing people who work on the bird flu, or cutting funding for folks who work on bird flu is going to increase egg prices. And by the way, a lot of places you can’t even get eggs. 

    And nowhere is the harm of Trumponomics more exemplified than the Republican Budget. This GOP Budget is going to cut $880 billion of Medicaid to then fund huge tax cuts for the super-wealthy and for billionaires. And what does $880 billion in Medicaid look like? It means the shutting down of community health clinics, the shutting down of hospitals, the shutting down of nursing homes, and approximately two-thirds of nursing home patients are paid for by Medicaid. This is going to have a huge impact on the middle class, on the poor, all so that billionaires can get even richer. We’re asking everyone to stand up and oppose this Republican Budget betrayal.

    I’m so honored now to introduce the Ranking Member of our Budget Committee, the great Brendan Boyle from Philadelphia, home of the Super Bowl-winning Eagles.

    RANKING MEMBER BOYLE: I did not pay Ted to introduce me in that way, but I appreciate it. Brendan Boyle, Congressman, proudly of Philadelphia, and also the Ranking Member of the Budget Committee. 

    Let’s be clear: the Republican budget represents the Republican betrayal of the middle class. It cuts at least one and a half trillion dollars, including at least $880 billion from Medicaid, in order to partially pay for trillions of dollars in tax cuts, most of which go to the richest 1% of Americans. It also increases the deficit and the national debt to the tune of $4 trillion. Even a number of House Republicans have come out upon reading the bill and recognized this fact. And by the way, this is from the same crowd that for the last four years, did nothing but shed crocodile tears over the national debt. So, you can see why this is such a Republican betrayal of the middle class. It betrays the very folks who voted for Donald Trump in order to bring down costs at the supermarket. We haven’t seen one second spent on that subject. What we have seen is that, yet again, the top priority for my Republican colleagues is to cut and slash government programs, most especially Medicaid, in order to finance tax cuts for the richest 1%. And let’s be clear about it, because there are some on the other side who are attempting to confuse people. This absolutely guarantees Medicaid cuts that would amount to the largest cuts to Medicaid in American history, all to deliver tax cuts for the richest 1%. 

    With that, I’m happy to yield to a great Budget Committee Member, my friend, Veronica Escobar.

    REP. ESCOBAR: Thank you, Chairman. Thank you, Vice Chair. Thank you, Ranking Member. Buenos días. It’s my privilege to be here standing with great champions for hard working American families. 

    I think it’s really important for us to remember what happened last year. Last year, the American people went to the polls and overwhelmingly told candidates and told incumbents, ‘we want you to focus on the cost of living. We want you to lower our everyday costs. We want you to tackle inflation.’ Where are we today? We are seeing inflation increase. We are seeing costs go up, and the American people need our help.

    This budget not only doesn’t help hard working Americans, this budget will devastate hard working Americans in a way that is absolutely a betrayal of the middle class. This budget will make Americans sicker, poorer, and this budget will make their lives more challenging. You cannot make the kind of deep cuts that this budget resolution unlocks without harming the people who are depending on us to make their lives better. And as my colleagues mentioned in Medicaid alone, in the cuts that will have to happen as a result of this resolution, we are going to see Americans have their premiums, their Affordable Care Act premiums, double. Does that make their lives better? Does that make things more affordable? We are going to see families who have a loved one who is disabled lose their benefits. Does this make their lives better? Does this make the cost of living more affordable for them? We are going to see families who have a loved one in a nursing home have to figure out the future for their elderly parent or grandparent, because Medicaid cuts will impact them. Will that make their lives better or more affordable? When community hospitals close, when community clinics close, will that make people’s lives better or more affordable? Absolutely not. 

    And there will also be an impact on local economies. We have data that shows for every dollar spent on SNAP, that means $1.50, that means it impacts the local economy by $1.50. By removing the support that the American people look to us to guarantee, we are not just going to hurt everyday Americans. We’re going to hurt economies around the country at a time when Americans want us to do the opposite. 

    Let every Republican considering voting in favor of this terrible budget explain to their constituents how this improves their lives or makes their lives better. I’ll tell you who it does, whose life it does improve – those billionaires who will be able to buy another yacht because of these tax cuts; another jet because of these tax cuts; another luxury home because of these tax cuts. But go talk to Thomas Massie also, about what this will do to the debt, and he’ll tell you what it’ll do to the debt. Thank you. 

    Video of the full press conference and Q&A can be viewed here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Union’s new chair has a long list of tough tasks – what it will take to get them done

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Ulf Engel, Professor, Institute of African Studies, University of Leipzig

    Following seven rounds of balloting, 60-year-old diplomat Mahmoud Ali Youssouf was elected the sixth chair of the African Union Commission in February 2025. Politics professor Ulf Engel, who is the editor of the Yearbook on the African Union, explains the role and its challenges.

    What’s the new AU Commission chair’s background?

    Youssouf is a seasoned diplomat from Djibouti. He is the longest serving minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation of his country (2005-2025), and has also served as chair of the Council of Ministers of the Arab League (2007, 2017) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (2012).

    What’s the job?

    It involves navigating the different levels of commitments of AU member states, promoting the pan-African agenda on the global stage and developing the professionalisation of the commission.

    The chair is the chief executive officer and legal representative of the African Union as well as the accounting officer of the AU Commission.

    They are directly responsible to the AU executive council. The chair is elected by the assembly for a four-year term, renewable once.

    Their functions include:

    • chairing all meetings and deliberations of the AU Commission

    • keeping records of the deliberations of the AU Assembly, the executive council and the permanent representatives council

    • preparing the AU budget

    • acting as a depository of all AU treaties and other legal instruments

    • consulting and coordinating with the governments of member states and the regional economic communities on the activities of the AU.

    In the transition phase from the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to the AU (1999–2002), the office of the chair was still conceived as the “head of a secretariat”. But with the expansion of the African Union Commission’s staff from roughly 600 in the early 1990s to now well over 1,700 and the growing number of substantive tasks, this concept has evolved.

    The AU Commission has developed into the engine room of the pan-African project.

    Building on the three terms of the Tanzanian OAU secretary-general Salim Ahmed Salim (1989–2001), the commission has developed strong agency.

    On many political issues it has become the source for drafting legal and political documents.

    Through the chair, the commission coordinates relations with the regional economic communities. An example is in the field of early warning and conflict prevention.

    An example of the political guidance and leadership the chair can exercise is the 1999 report on “The Fundamental Changes Taking Place in the World and their Implications for Africa: Proposals for an African Response”.

    This had strong implications for the development of the continental body’s economic and security policies.

    It also had an impact on the 2011 report on “Current Challenges to Peace and Security on the Continent”. The report discussed the consequences of the public uprisings in northern Africa (the so-called Arab Spring).

    The 2022 report on “Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa” was drafted in response to the recent wave of coups d’état, especially in west Africa.

    A prominent example of proactive chairpersonship is the development of the AU’s Agenda 2063 under the leadership of Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (South Africa, 2012–2017). This was an ambitious programme to steer the AU for the next 50 years after its 50th anniversary in 2013.

    What are the biggest challenges?

    The AU Commission chair’s main challenges include renewing member states’ commitment to the institution’s shared values amid a democratic recession.

    The new chair will have to deal with the decline in the quality of democracy across the continent.

    He will also have to deal with many member states that constantly violate AU decisions and communiqués on unconstitutional changes of government, as highlighted by the outgoing chair, Moussa Faki Mahamat (Chad), in a speech celebrating the 20th anniversary of the AU Peace and Security Council on 25 May 2024.

    The chair needs to finalise AU policy on the division of labour with the regional economic communities. In many policy fields this division is still unsystematic.

    Youssouf will have to increase the number of common African positions on key global challenges, increase ownership of positions by member states and lead the debate on defining clear obligations for member states.

    The most prominent common African position is the 2005 Ezulweni Consensus on the reform of the UN security council. It called for two permanent seats and five non-permanent seats for Africa.

    But more could be done to increase the African voice in the various international negotiation forums.

    The chair also needs to adopt a more systematic approach to the AU’s strategic partnerships with multilateral and bilateral players. For example, the AU became a member of the G20 in September 2024. Monitoring of strategic partnerships must be developed, and there should be clear guidelines which define African interests beyond funding issues.

    But the biggest task is to complete the financial and institutional reform of the AU that began in 2016/2017. This should include reducing its heavy financial dependence on international partners. Currently an estimated 58% of the budget comes from these partners, slightly down from last year’s 61%.

    The new chair needs to make the AU Commission more efficient and relevant for the African people. The lack of domestication of AU decisions by member states remains a huge challenge for Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.

    Are any breakthroughs possible?

    G20 meetings in South Africa offer an opportunity to show how AU membership of this body can help address Africa’s concerns and rally AU member states behind a common agenda. There were meetings of G20 ministers of foreign affairs and finance in February, and heads of state and government will meet in November 2025.

    In his electoral campaign, Youssouf pledged to “defend Africa’s fair representation in international institutions and to strengthen its role in global forums”.

    He said Africa “must assert itself as an influential player in global policy discussion, advancing its economic and developmental interests”.

    With the new government in the US this certainly will become an uphill struggle. This is especially so giveng the pace with which the US president Donald Trump’s administration is dismantling established multilateral alliances, withdrawing from parts of the United Nations, and appears to be siding with Russia.

    – African Union’s new chair has a long list of tough tasks – what it will take to get them done
    – https://theconversation.com/african-unions-new-chair-has-a-long-list-of-tough-tasks-what-it-will-take-to-get-them-done-250421

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Crescent Township Resident Charged with Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant remains detained after searches also revealed more than 20 firearms and evidence of antisemitic and violent extremist ideologies

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Glenwillard, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    The one-count Indictment named Aidan Harding, 20, as the sole defendant.

    According to the Indictment and other information presented to the Court, on or about December 11, 2024, Harding possessed material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, including videos containing the sexual abuse of prepubescent minors.

    On January 27, 2025, Harding was charged by criminal complaint and, at a February 12, 2025, detention hearing, ordered to be held without bond pending trial after the United States introduced evidence that Harding committed the charged offense and possessed additional materials depicting violent sexual assaults. In addition, in support of its contention that Harding presented an unacceptable danger to the community, the United States presented testimony and documentary evidence that Harding adhered to a racially-motivated violent extremist ideology, possessed more than 20 firearms, had targeted Pittsburgh’s Jewish community with antisemitic fliers, and made statements online about his interest in “political and revenge driven” mass casualty events, including references to the shooter who murdered 11 congregants at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. The evidence also established that Harding, who had been previously adjudicated delinquent for terroristic threats after discussing online his desire to commit a “high kill count” attack, possessed videos of mass shootings from the United States and other countries, and had filmed himself re-enacting the Columbine mass shooting at a memorial honoring the victims of that attack.

    The law provides for a maximum sentence of up to 20 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

    Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey R. Bengel is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

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

    An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty To Filing A False Tax Return; Avoided Paying More Than $1 Million In Taxes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – A New Jersey man admitted to filing a false tax return and causing more than $200,000 in tax losses for tax year 2018, Acting United States Attorney Vikas Khanna announced.

    Francis Esposito, 66, of Red Bank, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before United States District Court Judge Georgette Castner in Trenton federal court today to an Information charging him with one count of filing a false tax return.

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    Esposito was the sole or majority owner of numerous entities. For tax years 2015 through 2018, Esposito derived certain income through these entities that he failed to report on his Form 1040.

    For tax year 2018, Esposito had approximately $719,272 of unreported income, which resulted in a tax loss of approximately $216,635. For tax year 2017, Esposito had approximately $940,978 of unreported income, which resulted in a tax loss of approximately $383,806. For tax year 2016, Esposito had approximately $746,886 of unreported income, which resulted in a tax loss of approximately $304,640. For tax year 2015, Esposito had approximately $589,929 of unreported income, which resulted in a tax loss of approximately $244,291. In total, Esposito’s unreported income resulted in a tax loss of approximately $1,149,372.

    The filing a false tax return charge has a maximum term of three years, and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gain or loss resulting from the offense.

    Acting United States Attorney Khanna credited special agents of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan in Newark.  

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vinay Limbachia and Andrew Kogan of the Cybercrime Unit in Newark.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects Over $20 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2024

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RALEIGH, N.C. – Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar announced today that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina collected over $20 million in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2024. Of this amount, over $14 million was collected in criminal actions and over $6 million was collected in civil actions.

    Additionally, the Eastern District of North Carolina worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $27,680.71 in cases pursued jointly by these offices.

    The Eastern District of North Carolina’s successful collection efforts included the identification and recovery of over $800,000.00 transferred and concealed by criminal defendant Shephard Spruill, who participated in fraudulent billings to Medicaid by abusing his access to patient information.  In another example of successful enforcement, the Eastern District of North Carolina recovered over $500,000 from civil defendant Michael Robinson for amounts fraudulently obtained from farm assistance programs run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  The recovery of funds fraudulently obtained from such government programs is vital for ensuring the preservation of important public resources.

    The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

    The Eastern District of North Carolina also aggressively pursued criminal and civil asset forfeiture remedies to disgorge criminals of their ill-gotten gains and recover funds that can subsequently be remitted to the victims of financial crime.  Working with partner agencies and divisions, this office collected over two million in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2024. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

    In addition to those deposits, during Fiscal Year 2024, the Eastern District of North Carolina, in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, seized and processed for forfeiture nearly $5 million in Tether (USDT) cryptocurrency that is alleged to be proceeds of cryptocurrency confidence investment schemes, a type of fraud scheme in which fraudsters develop romantic or other personal online relationships with a victim and then convince them to invest substantial sums of money through fake apps that are designed to look like legitimate cryptocurrency exchange apps, but instead  deceive the victim into believing that they are earning high rates of return on their investments while really funneling the cryptocurrency directly to the fraudsters’ personal wallets.  Even larger cryptocurrency seizures and forfeitures are anticipated and in progress in the coming year as law enforcement works aggressively to combat this devastating form of criminal activity.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rockford-Area Contractor Sent To Prison For Investment Scam

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

              LANSING – Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Andrew Birge announced today that Matthew Mencarelli, 39, of Belmont, Michigan was sentenced to 97 months in prison for a wire fraud scheme in which he offered phony investments in nonexistent “fiber optic cable” and other infrastructure projects. He used the money to finance his lifestyle and make Ponzi-type payments to earlier investors. U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou, who imposed the sentence, found Mencarelli responsible for causing $1,615,180 in loss to 15 victims of the scheme.    

              “Those who steal from others to line their own pockets will be held accountable,” Birge said. “We are committed to combatting financial fraud and white-collar crime and would like to thank the victims who came forward to report it.”

              “Today’s sentencing of Matthew Mencarelli sends a stern message that fraudulent investment schemes will not be tolerated in Michigan,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “The FBI remains committed to investigating and deterring financial fraud that harms our community. We appreciate the Grand Rapids Police Department for their invaluable partnership and the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Michigan in bringing Mr. Mencarelli to justice.”

              Court records indicate that Mencarelli, who owned a contracting business called Matthew’s Woodworking LLC, began soliciting fictitious investments in 2018 when his business was suffering from financial difficulties and unsatisfied customers.  He approached friends and acquaintances from his family’s yacht club and county club and told them he had lucrative contracts with local governments in Traverse City to install fiber optic cable or other infrastructure projects.  He told them he needed money to maintain a “surety bond” in connection with the contracts and guaranteed high rates of return if the investors loaned him money. In truth, there were no such contracts and Mencarelli used the money instead to finance his lifestyle, pouring at least $400,000 into a custom-built home.  He also used payments from newer investors to pay off older investors. When it came time to pay investors back, he lied, bullied, and threatened them and manufactured false documents to maintain the charade.   

              The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Stiffler.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Bank of Åland Plc: Notice to convene the Annual General Meeting

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Bank of Åland Plc
    Notice to convene general meeting
    February 26, 2025, 17.15 EET.

    Notice to convene the Annual General Meeting

    Notice is hereby given to the shareholders of the Bank of Åland Plc (Ålandsbanken Abp) of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held at 3.00 p.m. Finnish time (15.00 EET) on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at the Alandica Kultur & Kongress auditorium, Strandgatan 33, Mariehamn, Åland, Finland.

    The reception of persons who have registered to participate in the Meeting and the distribution of voting tickets will commence at 2.00 p.m. on the above date.

    A. Matters on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting

    The following matters will be dealt with at the Meeting:

    1. Opening of the Meeting

    2. Calling the Meeting to order
    3. Election of persons to check the minutes and to supervise the counting of votes

    4. Verification of the legality of the Meeting

    5. Verification of attendance at the Meeting and adoption of the voting list

    6. Presentation of the financial statements, the Report of the Directors and the Auditors’ Report for 2024

    Managing Director’s review.

    7. Adoption of the financial statements

    8. Decision on allocation of the profit shown in the balance sheet and dividend distribution

    The Board of Directors proposes that a dividend of EUR 2.40 per share plus an extra dividend of EUR 0.35 per share shall be paid for the financial year January 1 – December 31, 2024, that the record date for dividend payment shall be Thursday, March 27, 2025 and that the payment date shall be Thursday, April 3, 2025.

    9. Decision on granting discharge from liability to the members of the Board of Directors and the Managing Director for the financial year January 1 – December 31, 2024

    10. Presentation and adoption of the compensation report

    11. Decision on the number of members on the Board of Directors

    It is proposed that the number of Board members shall be set at seven.

    12. Decision on fees for the members of the Board

    The Board of Directors proposes an unchanged annual fee for its Chairman (EUR 37,000), the Deputy Chairman (EUR 31,500) and each other Board member (EUR 29,000). The Board also proposes an unchanged fee per meeting attended for the Chairman (EUR 1,000) and for each other Board member (EUR 750).

    It shall be noted that the fee per meeting for Board members’ attendance at meetings of the committees appointed by the Board is EUR 750 per Board member and EUR 1,000 for the committee Chairman. In addition, it shall be noted that compensation for travel and accommodation expenses as well as daily subsistence allowances are paid in compliance with the instructions of tax authorities and the Bank’s travel guidelines.

    13. Election of Board members

    The Nomination Committee proposes the re-election of Board members Anders Å Karlsson, Nils Lampi, Mirel Leino-Haltia, Malin Lombardi, Christoffer Taxell, Ulrika Valassi and Anders Wiklöf for a term of office that will run until the closing of the next AGM.

    14. Decision on the auditors’ fees

    In accordance with the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors proposes that the auditors’ fees be paid as invoiced.

    15. Decision on the number of auditors

    The Board of Directors proposes that the number of auditors shall be unchanged, that is, one auditor.

    16. Election of auditors

    In accordance with the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors proposes the re-election of the authorised accounting firm of KPMG Oy Ab, with Henry Maarala (KHT) as auditor in charge, for a term of office that will run until the closing of the next AGM.

    17. Decision on the sustainability auditors’ fees

    In accordance with the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors proposes that the sustainability auditors’ fees be paid as invoiced.

    18. Election of sustainability auditors

    In accordance with the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors proposes the election of the authorised accounting firm of KPMG Oy Ab, with Henry Maarala (KHT) as auditor in charge, for a term of office that will run until the closing of the next AGM. KPMG Oy Ab has informed the Bank that certified sustainability auditor Henry Maarala will be the sustainability auditor in charge.

    19. Closing of the Meeting

    B. General Meeting documents

    The above-mentioned proposals by the Board of Directors, this notice convening the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and other documents that shall be available as provided by the Finnish Companies Act are found on the website of the Bank of Åland Plc, www.alandsbanken.fi in Swedish.

    The Board’s proposals and the accounting documents will also be available at the Company’s Head Office and at the AGM. Copies of these documents and of this notice convening the AGM will be sent to shareholders upon request.

    C. Instruction for participants in the Annual General Meeting

    1. Shareholders listed in the Company’s shareholder register

    Shareholders who were listed on March 13, 2025 (the record date for the AGM) in the Company’s shareholder register, which is maintained by Euroclear Finland Ab, are entitled to participate in the Meeting. A shareholder whose shares are registered in his or her Finnish personal book-entry securities account is listed in the Company’s shareholder register.

    Shareholders wishing to participate in the AGM must register no later than 12 noon on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

    They may register for the AGM:

    a) via the internet at the address www.alandsbanken.fi/bolagsstamma

    b) by telephone at +358 18 29 011;

    c) by letter addressed to Bank of Åland Plc, PB 3, AX-22101 Mariehamn, Åland, Finland.

    When registering, please state the shareholder’s name, personal identity code or business ID number and the name of any assistant or authorised representative and the representative’s personal identity code. These personal data will be used only for purposes attributable to the AGM and for processing of registrations related to this.

    If needed, the shareholder and his/her authorised representative must be able to prove their identity and/or authorisation at the Meeting venue.

    2. Holders of nominee-registered shares

    A holder of nominee-registered shares is entitled to participate in the AGM on the basis of the shares he or she would be entitled to be listed on March 13, 2025 (the record date for the AGM) in the Shareholder Register maintained by Euroclear Finland Ab. Participation also requires that on the basis of these shares, no later than 10.00 a.m. on March 20, 2025 the shareholder has been listed in the temporary shareholder register maintained by Euroclear Finland Ab. In the case of nominee-registered shares, this shall be counted as registration for the AGM. Changes in the shareholding after the record date for the AGM shall not affect the right to participate in the AGM or the shareholder’s number of votes.

    Registration shall be carried out by the asset manager’s account administrator no later than the above-mentioned deadline. A holder of nominee-registered shares is urged to request instructions well in advance from his or her asset manager regarding entry into the temporary shareholder register, issuance of powers of attorney and registration for the AGM. The asset manager’s account managing institution shall register the holder of nominee-registered shares who wishes to participate in the AGM in the Company’s temporary shareholder register no later than the above-mentioned deadline.

    3. Authorised representatives and powers of attorney

    Shareholders may participate in the AGM and exercise their rights at the Meeting through authorised representatives. A shareholder’s authorised representative must show a dated power of attorney or otherwise prove in a reliable manner that he or she is authorised to represent the shareholder.

    If a shareholder is represented at the Meeting by more than one authorised representatives, who represent a shareholder with shares in different book-entry securities accounts, at the time of registration the shareholder must state on the basis of which shares each authorised representative is representing the shareholder.

    Any original powers of attorney should be sent to the Bank of Åland Plc, PB 3, AX-22101 Mariehamn, Åland, Finland and be in the possession of the Company before the expiration of the registration period. Please label the envelope “Annual General Meeting” or “AGM”. Alternatively, a copy of the power of attorney may be sent by e-mail to bolagsstamma@alandsbanken.fi, in which case the original power of attorney shall be shown at the AGM.

    4. Other instructions and information

    Shareholders who attend the Meeting are entitled to ask questions concerning matters being dealt with at the Meeting, pursuant to Chapter 5, Section 25 of the Finnish Companies Act.

    On the date of this Notice convening the Annual General Meeting, the number of shares in the Bank of Åland Plc totals 6,476,138 Series A shares, which represent 129,522,760 votes, and 8,890,781 Series B shares, which represent 8,890,781 votes, or 15,366,919 shares and 138,413,541 votes in all. Each Series A share has 20 votes at the Meeting and each Series B share has one vote, but subject to the limitation on voting rights stipulated in the Articles of Association, Section 7.

    Mariehamn, February 25, 2025

    Board of Directors

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Virtru Listed in AWS “ICMP” for the US Federal Government

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Virtru, a leader in data-centric security, today announced that the Virtru Data Security Platform is now listed in the AWS Marketplace for the U.S. Intelligence Community (ICMP). ICMP is a curated digital catalog from Amazon Web Services (AWS) that makes it easy to discover, purchase, and deploy software packages and applications from vendors that specialize in supporting government customers.

    At the core of the Virtru Data Security Platform is Trusted Data Format (TDF), an open standard that allows granular access control and persistent data protection. TDF serves as the foundation for both the Intelligence Community Trusted Data Format (IC-TDF) and the NATO-adopted Zero Trust Data Format (ZTDF), ensuring that government agencies can protect and share sensitive information securely across an ecosystem of coalition partners while maintaining complete control over their data.

    “TDF is rapidly becoming the global standard for secure data sharing in Zero Trust environments,” said John Ackerly, CEO and Co-Founder of Virtru. “By making the Virtru Data Security Platform available in ICMP, we are allowing U.S. government customers to leverage a proven, open-standard approach to data security while ensuring data sovereignty and interoperability.”

    The Virtru Data Security Platform allows federal agencies, intelligence organizations, and defense partners to enforce zero trust principles by embedding encryption, granular access controls, and policy enforcement directly into their data—wherever it travels. Unlike perimeter-based security models, Virtru ensures that data remains protected at the object level, allowing for simple and secure collaboration across agencies, allies, and mission-critical environments.

    Key Benefits of the Virtru Data Security Platform in ICMP:

    • Powered by Open Standards: Built on TDF, IC-TDF, and ZTDF, ensuring interoperability.
    • Persistent Data Protection: Encrypts and enforces policies at the data object level, preventing unauthorized access.
    • Flexible Deployment: Can be deployed on-premises, in a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), or hybrid environments to meet mission requirements.
    • Enhanced Mission Partner Collaboration: Enables secure, controlled data sharing across intelligence and defense community

    Availability

    The Virtru Data Security Platform is now available in AWS ICMP, making it easier than ever for U.S. government customers to acquire and deploy zero trust, data-centric security that aligns with established data handling policies.

    About Virtru

    Virtru empowers organizations to unlock the power of data while maintaining control wherever it’s stored and shared. Trusted by over 6,000 global customers, Virtru provides simple, powerful solutions for Zero Trust data-centric security, underpinned by the Trusted Data Format (TDF). Learn more at Virtru.com.

    Press Contact
    Nick Michael
    nick.michael@virtru.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Evolving Threat of Poor Governance | World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    In 2024, poor governance – marked by weak accountability, lack of transparency and ineffective rule of law – fuelled conflicts, eroded global cooperation and stalled progress on critical social, economic and environmental issues.

    What strategies can leaders adopt to champion transparency and rebuild good governance and trust?

    Speakers: Johan H. Andresen, Yusuf Tuggar, Ngaire Woods

    The 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum will provide a crucial space to focus on the fundamental principles driving trust, including transparency, consistency and accountability.

    This Annual Meeting will welcome over 100 governments, all major international organizations, 1000 Forum’s Partners, as well as civil society leaders, experts, youth representatives, social entrepreneurs, and news outlets.

    The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

    World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
    Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/
    YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/wef
    Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/worldeconomicforum/
    X ► https://twitter.com/wef
    LinkedIn ► https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-economic-forum
    TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@worldeconomicforum
    Flipboard ► https://flipboard.com/@WEF

    #Davos2025 #WorldEconomicForum #wef25

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-CRUv8-3S4

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: First Minister to convene gathering on democracy and respect

    Source: Scottish Government

    A new initiative to unite Scotland together against extremism.

    First Minister John Swinney will convene a pivotal gathering of Scottish society to work together and unite Scotland against the “increasingly extreme far right”. 

    Representatives from key organisations across Scotland including churches, trades unions and charities will be invited to attend a gathering in April, alongside the leaders of Scotland’s parliamentary parties.

    Speaking at a press conference at Bute House, following the passage of the 2025-26 Budget, the First Minister said the new gathering will be an opportunity renew public trust in politics and unite Scotland in a common cause – “for democracy and respect.” 

    The First Minister said:

    “At the start of the year, I warned that failure to pass the budget would send a signal that Parliament and politics could not deliver. That failure would only serve the interests of an increasingly extreme far right and leave devolution dangerously exposed.

    “But the budget has passed, and a different story can be told. Yesterday’s vote demonstrated that partnership and collaboration are possible. And that is something precious, something vitally important itself.

    “But we must do more. It is time to come together to draw a line in the sand. To set out who we are and what we believe in. 

    “The threat from the far right is real. But that leaves me all the more convinced that working together is not only the right choice, but the only choice. 

    “That is why I want to share a new initiative to bring Scotland together in common cause. I want us to work together to agree a common approach to asserting the values of our country, to bringing people together and creating a cohesive society where everyone feels at home.

    “It was a mobilisation of mainstream Scotland that delivered our parliament a quarter of a century ago. And I have no doubt, it is only by mobilising mainstream Scotland that we can protect those things we care most about, those things that are most important to us today.”

    Background

    The First Minister will write to all party leaders and the leaders of civic organisations with the details of the upcoming gathering in due course. 

    A new initiative to bring Scotland together: First Minister’s speech – 26 February 2025 – gov.scot

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Recruitment for Policy Officer

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Recruitment for Policy Officer

    Policy Officers work on the development and implementation of policy and legislation on veterinary medicines.

    We have a vacancy for a Policy Officer.

    Job Title

    Policy Officer

    Grade

    SEO

    Salary & Pension

    £44,500 per annum with Pension Scheme

    Annual Leave entitlement

    Commencing at 25 days

    Role

    As a Policy Officer, you will be responsible for contributing to the development and implementation of policy and legislation on veterinary medicines including medicated feeds, specified feed additives, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and residues. This includes work on fees and charges.

    How to apply

    You must make your application via Policy Officer – Civil Service Jobs – GOV.UK where you will find a full job description.

    Closing Date

    24 March 2025

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: World Trade Organisation 2nd Trade Policy Review of Ukraine – Joint Statement

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    News story

    World Trade Organisation 2nd Trade Policy Review of Ukraine – Joint Statement

    At the second Trade Policy Review of Ukraine, the UK and Members from across the WTO reiterated their unwavering solidarity and support for Ukraine in a joint statement at the World Trade Organization.

    We, the delegations of the undersigned WTO Members, on the occasion of the Second Trade Policy Review of Ukraine in the WTO, held on 26 and 28 February 2025, reiterate our full support for and solidarity with the people of Ukraine. We express our deep sadness at the devastating human losses and profound suffering caused by Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, which continues for the fourth year in gross violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.

    We reaffirm our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity and call for the Russian Federation to immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

    Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues to have devastating global and regional impacts, including on Ukraine’s economy and ability to trade. The destruction of significant parts of Ukraine’s transport routes, port infrastructure, and grain storage facilities as well as the mining of millions of hectares of agricultural land is impeding Ukraine’s ability to produce, export, and import. We are gravely concerned about the consequences of this destruction for Ukraine and for global trade, in particular with regard to the supply to international markets of a number of key commodities produced by Ukraine, including agricultural and food products, fertilisers, and critical minerals. We are also deeply concerned by reports of attacks on civilian vessels transporting agricultural goods from Ukrainian Black Sea ports and millions of tonnes of grain being plundered by Russia from illegally occupied regions of Ukraine using falsified phytosanitary certificates and hiding vessels’ data. These actions violate the principles and values of the WTO.

    Ukraine is one of the world’s top exporters of key agricultural commodities such as wheat, maize, barley, soybeans and sunflower oil. We recognise Ukraine’s determination, despite Russia’s war of aggression, to ensure global food security and supply to some of the most vulnerable parts of the world, particularly developing countries and LDCs. In this regard, the “Grain from Ukraine” initiative, which has already helped to feed 20 million people in 13 countries, continues to be an important tool to help to respond to world hunger. We praise Ukraine’s achievement of maintaining under difficult conditions food exports by its Black Sea corridor to global markets and commend the ongoing functioning of the EU Solidarity Lanes and their contribution to global food security and Ukraine’s economy. This benefits all countries, notably the most in need. In this context, it is necessary to ensure free, full, and safe navigation in the Black and Azov Seas and that sea routes and ports are not threatened or blocked by threat of or use of force.

    We underscore the need to reach, as soon as possible, a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine, in full respect of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, based on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. We welcome Ukraine’s efforts aimed at achieving peace, including through the principles laid out in the Peace Formula and Joint Communiqué on a Peace Framework adopted at the Summit on Peace in Ukraine on Bürgenstock. We reiterate that the Russian Federation must bear the legal consequences of all of its internationally wrongful acts, including making reparation for injury and loss, including for any humanitarian, economic, and environmental damage caused by such acts.

    We will continue work to support Ukraine and to facilitate its exports and supply chains for the benefit of global food security. We encourage all WTO Members to do likewise in a manner commensurate with their capacity, including by facilitating the use of infrastructure, as well as facilitating and simplifying customs procedures. Within the capacity of each WTO Member, we will continue to provide assistance to Ukraine to alleviate the suffering of the Ukrainian people. We will also continue to look for practical ways to help and assist Ukraine in its reconstruction efforts, economic recovery, activities, and projects to overcome the negative consequences of Russia’s war of aggression.

    Albania, Australia, Canada, Chile, European Union, Georgia, Iceland, Japan, Republic of Korea, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, New Zealand, Republic of Moldova, Norway, Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Ukraine

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Bristol debt recovery business which didn’t hand over money is shut down

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Bristol debt recovery business which didn’t hand over money is shut down

    Insolvency Service investigation found that Encore Capital Group Inc Ltd failed to fully hand over the money it collected

    • Encore Capital Group Inc Ltd cold-called businesses and potential customers and then collected debts which they did not fully hand over.
    • In some instances, they falsely claimed to be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
    • The company was shut down following a winding up hearing at the High Court in London on 25 February 2025.

    A Bristol-based debt recovery company which collected debts for businesses and individuals but failed to forward on all the money has been shut down.

    Encore Capital Group Inc Ltd, which traded as Encore Debt Recovery, cold-called businesses and individuals offering to recover commercial and consumer debts in return for an up-front fee or a percentage payment.

    In some instances, they falsely claimed to be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – which they were not – and said they had been appointed by a court to make debt collections.

    Encore was subject to a winding up hearing held at the High Court in London on 25 February 2025.

    Edna Okhiria, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

    Our investigation found many aspects of Encore’s operations that were not legitimate, namely money not being fully forwarded after a debt collection and false claims to being FCA regulated.

    Encore continued to bank the money they collected, while ignoring emails and phone calls from those they had been contracted by to recover the debts.

    The Insolvency Service is grateful to those who came forward with their complaints, whose information and evidence helped us to shut down this scam business, protecting the public and economy from further financial harm.

    The apparent services offered by Encore included debt collection and County Court Judgement (CCJ) enforcements.

    The Insolvency Service identified at least 27 complainants during the investigation who said the company had collected debts on their behalf, or from them, but had failed to forward some or all the money received.  

    Encore also failed to cooperate with the investigation despite having a legal requirement to do so and did not produce any trading or accounting records, despite repeated requests.

    Encore did not have a presence at its registered office or obtain proper authorisation to use that address, despite it being a legal requirement to have an address at which official correspondence can be received.

    As well as the Insolvency Service, complaints about Encore were made to Action Fraud and Citizen’s Advice.

    All enquiries concerning the affairs of the Encore Capital Group Inc Ltd should be made to the Official Receiver of the Public Interest Unit:

    16th Floor, 1 Westfield Avenue, Stratford, London, E20 1HZ.

    Email: piu.or@insolvency.gov.uk

    Further information:

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council takes fresh vision for growth and prosperity to the heart of Government

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    At the start of our centenary year, Stoke-on-Trent is today taking a fresh vision for the city’s growth and prosperity to the heart of Government.

    The prospectus document – called Future 100 – is based around five missions and sets out a bold set of actions that, together, aim to transform the city’s economy and unlock prosperity and opportunity for decades to come.  

    A delegation – made up of the city’s MPs, the council leader, and representatives from the business and voluntary sectors – will deliver the document to 10 Downing Street today.  

    The prospectus, which has the subtitle “Shaping Our City: Growth for All”, has been drawn up by a city coalition including prominent politicians, business leaders, academics, and figures from the health and voluntary sectors. It is supported by Stoke-on-Trent’s three MPs as well as the city council.  

    It celebrates Stoke-on-Trent’s history as a hive of innovation and industry, its enviable position at the heart of the UK’s transport network, and its strengths in key growth sectors – including createch and advanced manufacturing.  

    But it also acknowledges the barriers to growth caused by historic Government underinvestment, national industrial decline in the 1980s and 1990s, and more than a decade of austerity cuts.  

    This creates a Stoke-on-Trent “paradox”: the fact the city’s economic growth has outstripped the national average over recent years, but deeply-rooted economic and social problems mean too many communities lack opportunity and are not able to reap the expected benefits of this headline growth.  

    The City Prospectus offers radical solutions – aligning itself with national Government priorities and offering the city as a test bed and pioneer for new ways of delivering local services.  

    Its five missions come with a series of bold actions that will be taken locally, as well as specific targets by which progress will be measured.  

    The prospectus is pitched as a partnership offer with Government – making clear that targeted interventions and investment will be needed to fully realise Stoke-on-Trent’s potential.  

    A foreword to the document – co-signed by Councillor Ashworth and the city’s MPs – says: “Stoke-on-Trent already has a dynamic, diverse and highly-integrated economy; a rich cultural heritage; and an indomitable sense of community spirit.   

    “The city is a strategic hub, connecting labour, goods and services across the region and the UK. With Government support and investment, we can overcome current challenges to create a city that is prosperous, inclusive and sustainable, delivering economic and social benefits locally and nationally for decades to come.   

    “We invite the Government to partner with us to unlock this city region’s full potential, transform our citizens’ lives and unleash a new era of creativity and innovation.”  

    The five missions listed in the City Prospectus are:  

    •  Securing economic growth  
    •  Delivering clean energy, sustainable transport and an improved local environment  
    • Regenerating the city  
    • Removing barriers to opportunity  
    • Improving the health and wellbeing of the population  

    The economic targets include achieving a local economy worth £9 billion a year by 2030, with 5,000 more people in employment and a 10 per cent increase in the value of locally-contracted supplies.   

    Environmental targets include tripling the amount of locally-generated renewable energy and increasing bus passenger journeys by a third in the next five years.  

    The city aims to have completed or be building 5,000 new homes, redeveloped 150 hectares of brownfield land and seen five heritage buildings removed from the “at risk” register.  

    The attainment gap will have been closed with the national average, with a 2.5 percentage point increase in the number of working-age residents with Level 3 or higher qualifications.   

    The city is also targeting a five percentage point drop in the proportion of children living in poverty, and a two-year boost to healthy life expectancy.  

    The Prospectus invites the Government to support the city’s work through specific, targeted interventions linked to the local missions and targets. That includes investment in critical growth enablers like transport infrastructure, heritage restoration and the city’s highly-successful Family Matters programme, which has driven down the number of children in care.  

    It suggests the Government could make Stoke-on-Trent a national incubator for public service reform based on higher educational attainment, and a national test best for a new model of educational inclusion aimed at enabling more children to learn in mainstream schools.  

    And it calls for innovations to unlock development, such as a revolving land fund to reclaim brownfield sites and help to kickstart council-house building.  

    Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Stoke-on-Trent is already a nationally important engine of innovation and growth.  

    “But well-known obstacles have held back this growth. Austerity and chronic underinvestment in vital infrastructure have constrained our economy and mean opportunity has been unevenly spread.  

    “For too many of the people who live here, the headline growth in the city’s economy has felt like little more than a number of a spreadsheet.  

    “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create something better.  

    “The City Prospectus is a radical yet achievable plan to tackle our economic, social and environmental challenges at the same time; to transform the way we deliver services; and to make Stoke-on-Trent not just an engine of growth, but one which provides high quality homes, jobs, skills and opportunities for people across North Staffordshire and beyond.”  

    Gareth Snell, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, said: ‘To deliver for our city and our country, we need a clear plan from Government and we need to be able to turn that into local actions.   

    “Labour’s missions focus on economic growth, city regeneration, removing barriers to opportunity and improving health and well-being. These are exactly the same priorities I want to see delivered in Stoke-on-Trent, so forging a new partnership with Government is the best way to ensure we all succeed.  

    “The Future 100 prospectus sets a series of ambitious targets and outlines what Stoke-on-Trent can contribute. But it also sets out the additional help and resources that the city will need to achieve those goals.”   

    Allison Gardner, MP for Stoke-on-Trent South, said: “Our city, shaped by its rich industrial history, has always been a place of hard work and innovation.   

    “The same spirit that built our city can lead it into a new chapter, driving the country forward once again.  

    “Stoke-on-Trent stands strong and proud, despite having been let down previously by the central Government. With the support of this Labour Government, our potential is limitless.” 

    David Williams, MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, said: “The Future 100 prospectus represents a bold and ambitious vision for Stoke-on-Trent’s next century, rooted in our city’s rich history of creativity, resilience, and innovation.  

    “For too long our city has not received the investment we deserve. We were hit hard by austerity and post-industrial decline stifled economic growth.  

    “The Future 100 prospectus represents a turning point, ensuring real investment in our transport infrastructure, beloved community assets, business growth and in improving opportunity for all.  

    “This is a moment for real transformation for our city, one where we seize the opportunity to build a thriving, sustainable, and inclusive future for all. With targeted investment and strategic action, we can unlock Stoke-on-Trent’s full potential, creating lasting economic and social benefits that will shape generations to come. 

    “I am grateful for the council’s leadership on creating this bold vision for our city, and I look forward to working with the Government, the council and other partners to turn the vision into a reality.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Foreign Secretary article on defence spending: February 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Authored article

    Foreign Secretary article on defence spending: February 2025

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy writes in the Guardian about the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the cold war.

    There are moments in history when everything turns, but the extent of change is not perceived until later when the fog has cleared. These are hinge points that require clear leadership and bold action. In the late 1940s, my [political content redacted] predecessor and hero Ernie Bevin, alongside Clement Attlee, saw through the fog when they led Britain into Nato and the UN, and secured the development of Britain’s nuclear deterrent.

    In the 1960s, Harold Wilson saw through the paranoia of the cold war, refusing Lyndon Johnson’s request to send British troops to Vietnam. In the 1990s, Tony Blair understood that unless we stopped the president of Serbia, Slobodan Milošević, there would be no peace in the Balkans.

    Three years into Vladimir Putin’s brutal war, this is again a hinge point for Britain. Keir Starmer’s commitment to dramatically raise defence spending in both this and the next parliament shows his leadership through the fog. Putin’s Russia is a threat not only to Ukraine and its neighbours, but to all of Europe, including the UK.

    Over successive administrations, our closest ally, the US, has turned increasingly towards the Indo-Pacific, and it is understandably calling for Nato’s European members to shoulder more of the burden for our continent’s security. Around the world, the threats are multiplying: from traditional warfare to hybrid threats and cyber-attacks.

    The first duty and foundation of this government’s Plan for Change is our national security. Seven months ago, the public gave us this responsibility, and we hold it with a profound sense of duty. [political content redacted] We will deliver the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the cold war (political content redacted).

    So we will hit our 2.5% promise in 2027 and, subject to economic conditions, go further, with defence spending rising to 3% during the next parliament. This is a pledge to safeguard our future – and act as a pillar of security on our continent –in a world plagued by more active conflicts than at any time since the second world war.

    To make this commitment, and stick within our fiscal rules, we have had to make the extremely difficult decision to lower our spending on international development. As the Prime Minister said, we do not pretend any of this is easy.

    This is a hard choice that no government (political content redacted)makes lightly. I am proud of our record on international development. It helps address global challenges from health to migration, contributes to prosperity, and supports the world’s most vulnerable people.

    It grows both our soft power and our geopolitical clout, while improving lives. For all of those reasons, this government remains committed to reverting spending on overseas aid to 0.7% of gross national income when the fiscal conditions allow.

    But we are a government of pragmatists not ideologues – and we have had to balance the compassion of our internationalism with the necessity of our national security.

    As we reduce the overseas aid budget, we will protect the most vital programmes in the world’s worst conflict zones of Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan. But there can be no hiding from the fact that many programmes doing vital work will have to be put on hold. The work of making further tough choices about programmes will proceed at pace over the weeks and months ahead, but our core priorities will remain the same.

    My vision for a reformed Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office fit for this more contested and dangerous world, in which diplomacy is more important than ever, remains paramount. We are working closely with the Treasury to ensure our diplomatic, intelligence and development footprint will align with our priorities. In a tough fiscal environment, all our spending must be laser-focused on delivering the maximum possible impacts for our national security and growth, equipping the FCDO to deliver the government’s plan for change internationally.

    At the height of the cold war, defence spending fluctuated between about 4% and 7% of GDP. At this moment of fiscal and geopolitical flux, not meeting the moment on defence would mean leaving Britain ill-prepared for a more dangerous world, potentially requiring even tougher choices down the line.

    I have written previously about this government’s foreign policy being founded on progressive realism. Being clear about our values, but treating the world as it is, not as we would wish it to be. These are the principles that guide our choices through these dangerous times. We will always do what is necessary to keep the public safe.

    This article was first published in The Guardian on 25 February 2025.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Grigorenko: The IT industry has become one of the fastest growing in the Russian economy

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Deputy Prime Minister – Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko presented the national project “Data Economy and Digital Transformation of the State” at the National Center “Russia”.

    “Over the past five years, the IT industry has become one of the fastest growing in the Russian economy. Its contribution to the country’s GDP has almost doubled, and the number of specialists has increased by one and a half times – today almost a million people work in this area. These figures show that the industry is actively developing. And the national project “Data Economy” is the next step in the digital development of Russia. We make technologies accessible to everyone: from residents of megacities to residents of the most remote corners of the country. The key focus is the development of solutions that work on the basis of accumulated data, and the creation of technological tools that allow increasing the efficiency of any task. First of all, this is artificial intelligence, robots, the Internet of Things and others. At the same time, we pay special attention to security: we form a legal environment that not only protects against cyber threats, but also creates conditions for the development of innovations,” said Dmitry Grigorenko.

    The Deputy Prime Minister outlined the key goals and results of the national project “Data Economy” by 2030.

    Within the framework of the federal project “Internet Access Infrastructure”, a domestic low-orbit satellite group of 292 satellites will be launched, which will provide 100% Internet coverage of the entire territory of Russia and the world. This will allow even the most remote regions of the country to be connected to the network.

    The federal project “Digital platforms in social sectors” is aimed at introducing a platform model of interaction between citizens, businesses and the state. By 2030, industry platforms such as “My School”, “Universities”, “Science”, “Safe Environment” and “Smart City” will be created. All schools and colleges will be equipped with IT infrastructure and Wi-Fi, and 634 thousand teachers will receive domestic tablets.

    The federal project “Digital Public Administration” provides for the complete digitalization of public administration and the transition to 100% paperless document flow. This will simplify processes and increase the efficiency of government agencies.

    As part of the federal project “Domestic Solutions,” by 2030, 100% of cellular network equipment and software will be produced in Russia, which will strengthen the country’s technological independence.

    The Federal Project “Artificial Intelligence” provides for the introduction of AI technologies in the economy, social sphere and public administration. One of the key tasks will be the provision of personalized government services based on the principle of “life situations”. This means that citizens and businesses will no longer have to fill out applications or visit departments – at least 100 services will be provided proactively, based on the analysis of data and user preferences. For example, if a person changes their place of residence, the system itself will offer to issue the necessary documents or update information. This approach will make interaction with the government more convenient and effective.

    The Federal Project “Information Security” provides for the creation of a security infrastructure for the Russian Internet. By 2030, an assessment of the security of 100% of key state information systems will be conducted.

    The federal project “Advanced Developments” is aimed at developing quantum and telecommunication technologies. In particular, it is planned to increase the power of a quantum computer from 50 to 300 qubits.

    Within the framework of the federal project “State Statistics”, a digital analytical platform (GIS “TsAP”) will be created for collecting, processing and analyzing large volumes of data in real time. This will allow 100% automation of the provision of official statistics.

    The federal project “Personnel for Digital Transformation” will ensure the training of qualified IT specialists. By 2030, with the participation of businesses, at least 250 thousand students will be trained, and the total number of employees in the IT industry will grow to 1.4 million people.

    These initiatives are aimed at ensuring the technological sovereignty of the country, digitalization of economic and social sectors, improving the quality of life of citizens and the efficiency of governance based on big data.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lankford Calls on Trump Admin to Provide Update on +810,000 Aliens Roaming Freely Because of Biden’s Border Crisis

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford
    WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK), Chairman on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Border Management, Federal Workforce and Regulatory Affairs, called on the Trump Administration to expose the Biden Administration’s border crisis by providing an update on the over 810,000 aliens who were released under President Biden’s Notice to Report policy and are now roaming the country freely.
    Lankford sounded the alarm on the Biden Administration’s policies when they were first rolled out and later highlighted contradicting requirements. He also released report after report outlining how the Biden Administration’s policies were failing the American people.
    Lankford wrote in the letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Czar Tom Homan, “While these programs are no longer in operation, over 800,000 aliens were caught and released under these programs during the Biden Administration…Given ICE’s unwillingness to provide basic answers about this program and the continued delays in addressing this population, I ask that you prioritize this population as you work toward fully enforcing immigration law in the interior of the United States. I am concerned that the Biden Administration’s operation of these programs has resulted in hundreds of thousands of aliens absconding after receiving minimal vetting.”
    View full letter HERE or below. 
    Dear Secretary Noem and Mr. Homan,
    I write today to request that you take action to address the population of aliens who were released with a “Notice to Report,” “Parole+Alternatives to Detention,” and “Parole with Conditions” under the Biden Administration. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) found significant coordination issues in the administration of these Department of Homeland Security (DHS) programs, and a Federal judge set aside these programs as unlawful. While these programs are no longer in operation, over 800,000 aliens were caught and released under these programs during the Biden Administration. As of January 29, 2025, roughly 445,000 of the more than 800,000 aliens released under these programs have not yet received a Notice to Appear (NTA) in immigration court, the first step in the deportation process. Many of the aliens released under these pathways have received minimal vetting and have not complied with the terms of their release. Accordingly, I ask that you prioritize the vetting of and removal of inadmissible aliens who were released under this program.
    In March 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) instituted a new policy called “Notices to Report” to address overcrowding in its facilities at the border. Under this policy, CBP would release illegal aliens who crossed the border and ask them to call a 1-800 number to report themselves to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for processing. Oversight I led found that CBP did not communicate this new policy to ICE whatsoever, and ICE had to pull resources away from its important interior enforcement mission to figure out this new policy and process the illegal aliens who were subject to this policy for release.
    As I and my staff looked at this program, we discovered that CBP collected limited biometrics and performed minimal security checks before releasing an illegal alien under this program. It took months for CBP and ICE to develop a process to track and monitor illegal aliens who were released. GAO reported that ICE had significant difficulties in validating the addresses that aliens processed through this pathway provided to the government, noting that “many of the addresses […] were often incomplete or invalid.” GAO noted that many of the aliens who sought to comply with the terms of their release were turned away from ICE due to capacity constraints at field offices and were instead instructed to return for processing at a later date. 
    To address the concerns around ICE’s inability to process these aliens at its field offices, ICE rolled out a website that aliens could use to check-in with ICE and comply with the terms of their release. ICE also began mailing NTAs to the aliens who had not complied with the terms of their release. In subsequent oversight, I found that ICE did not have geo-fencing enabled on the check-in website – this means that an alien who traveled to Nebraska could tell ICE that they went to Miami, and ICE would have no way of knowing where the alien was actually located. ICE also informed my staff that the mailed-out NTAs were not sent via certified mail, which means that there was no signature requirement to confirm receipt. ICE also informed my staff that they were not tracking returned mail from aliens who provided ICE with illegitimate addresses. We do not know how effective ICE’s mail-out NTAs have been, and any mistake made by ICE in mailing out these documents could result in an immigration judge allowing an otherwise inadmissible alien to remain in the United States.
    By the time the courts stepped in, CBP had caught and released 810,281 aliens who unlawfully crossed the border under this pathway. ICE reported to my staff on January 29, 2025 that, of the roughly 810,000 aliens released under this pathway:
    •  531,425 aliens complied with instructions and checked in with ICE within 60 days of release;
    • 180,920 aliens violated the terms of their release and reported to ICE after 60 days of release;
    • 97,935 aliens violated the terms of their release and did not report to ICE whatsoever.
    While 531,425 aliens who were processed under this program reported to ICE within 60 days, only 354,896 aliens have been served a Notice to Appear in immigration court and began the removal process. ICE has not reported whether the remaining nearly 200,000 aliens have continued to check-in with ICE and abide by the terms of their release, or whether they have since absconded. ICE informed my staff that they will remove an alien’s ankle bracelet and reduce the intensity of the alien’s supervision after the initial 60-day check-in; however, ICE has yet to notify Congress on whether the population that has checked in but has not yet been served a Notice to Appear in immigration court has complied with the terms of their release. 
    ICE reported that some aliens released under these programs who have “checked in” and made an appointment will have to wait nearly 10 years to receive their initial charging documents and commence the removal process. For example, aliens whose final destination was New York City will need to wait until November 2034 to have their initial removal proceedings commenced and could, then, wait another 8 years as their case moves their way through the backlog facing the immigration courts.
    I included this program in my annual Federal Fumbles report due to the Biden Administration’s abject mismanagement of this program. I have also regularly sought answers to how ICE will clean up the mess of this program and ensure that any alien who does not have a lawful basis to remain in the United States is removed. Given ICE’s unwillingness to provide basic answers about this program and the continued delays in addressing this population, I ask that you prioritize this population as you work toward fully enforcing immigration law in the interior of the United States. I am concerned that the Biden Administration’s operation of these programs has resulted in hundreds of thousands of aliens absconding after receiving minimal vetting. 
    In addition to including this population in your enforcement efforts, I ask the following questions:
    1. Of the 810,281 aliens released under these pathways, how many have been served a Notice to Appear in-person?
    2. Of the 810,281 aliens released under these pathways, how many have been served a Notice to Appear by mail?
    3. Of the 810,281 aliens released under these pathways, how many have committed a criminal offense since release? For each alien who has committed a criminal offense, please provide the NCIC code affiliated with each charge. 
    4. The parole for many of the aliens released under these pathways has likely expired. Of the aliens who were released through these pathways, how many: 
    a. Were paroled a second or subsequent time? 
    b. Did not receive parole a second or subsequent time?
    5. What is your plan for addressing this population in the Administration’s enforcement efforts?
    Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to receiving your response by not later than March 11, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: No world order: Europe needs more radical thinking for the Trump era

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Richard Youngs, Professor of International and European Politics, University of Warwick

    There is general agreement that the US’s geopolitical shock therapy is a sign of a new world order. While European powers nominally recognise this, their policies are not, in practice, tailored towards such a change.

    The EU and other European governments are, understandably, focused on very immediate matters – talks on Ukraine, defence budgets, rebutting big US tech firms. But they also need to be guided by a clearer vision of the broader international order that flows from this inflection point.

    Even though the world has already changed profoundly over the last decade, most observers judge the current juncture to be a decisive watershed. Yet the tumult unleashed in 2025 feels not so much like a well-defined new world order as the chaotic imprecision of “no world order”. Nothing concrete has emerged as a replacement for the long-crumbling liberal order.

    Multi-polarity is not fully evident because there is little balance between powers. But the current influence of large powers rubs uneasily with the notion of a “G-zero world” in which no countries have any real control.

    The long-predicted plurilateralism, in which smaller groups of states reach political agreements, has not become reality. Yet neither is a well-ordered concert of great powers especially evident.

    A concert-based order would hardly accord the primacy now reassigned to Russia, a country that enjoys only a few of the long-term structural attributes of great-power status.

    But it’s also worth noting that “no world order” is not quite the same thing as “new world disorder”. Although many leaders make a show of flouting international rules and norms on high-profile issues like international courts, the reality is that they still matter in conditioning international behaviour.

    It can reasonably be suggested that the new order will be eclectic or composite – essentially, a combination of all of the above. Yet, the current jumble and clash of dynamics does not constitute a patterned “order”. The relationships between the different forces at work are nowhere near being worked out.

    What is European ‘independence’?

    In this void, European governments and the EU are leaning heavily on two long-familiar tenets, even as these raise operational question marks.

    One is the notion of autonomy. European leaders have now doubled down on their calls for more strategic autonomy and a narrative of Europe of being “independent” from the US and “writing its own history”.

    But autonomy is a somewhat hazy geopolitical motif. European powers of course need the autonomy to chart their own strategic priorities, but current crises palpably reinforce the need to manage complex interdependencies. Autonomy in the sense of deploying economic, political or military capabilities unconstrained by other powers is a diminished prospect.

    The other European reflex is to stress a determination to “reinforce multilateralism”, something few other world powers are apparently willing to do now.

    But multilateralism in its current form is surely beyond resuscitation. The imperative is rather to rethink multilateral norms and salvage the most essential core of liberal cooperation amid today’s lurch towards uncontrolled turbulence and power-expediency.

    I have previously proposed what I term “geoliberalism” as a path forward. This is a model that balances geopolitical reality alongside liberal and democratic values. In the second Trump era, the liberal elements of this concept are even more squeezed than they were before he was re-elected.



    Read more:
    Europe is still in short-term crisis mode over Ukraine and lacks a vision for its post-war identity

    Despite the multilateralism rhetoric, European powers actually seem to be leaning towards a more absolute version of realpolitik, with diplomacy based on practical rather than moral considerations. The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, talks of “hyper-transactionalism”, which is less a vision of order than its negation.

    European international liberalism needs to be reframed, not jettisoned. It will be more rearguard and selective, but needs also to be more concerted to hold at bay today’s turbo-charged illiberal assault.

    It can lock onto powerful global societal trends to which realpolitik is dangerously and self-defeatingly blind. European Union powers need to be more measured but also more pointed in salvaging islands of liberal order – for example on climate change cooperation.

    There is little sign of such reflection. Familiar cliches are dominating the European response to the US illiberal pivot.

    The strategic debate has narrowed, especially around the question of defence spending. Repeating ad nauseum that “Europe must step up” and “get its act together” says little about what kind of strategy is needed to navigate the current order implosion, the end towards which defence capabilities are ultimately directed.

    European governments should indeed boost their defence spend, but that spend needs to be rooted in and directed towards an appropriate strategy for global re-ordering.

    The current flux means this is a moment when the parameters of the next international order will be defined. European powers need to prioritise practical action to influence that order more than endless, self-referential speeches about their own power status.

    Even if a degree of self-survival short-termism is understandable, the EU and European governments must lift their eyes to craft more far-sighted responses to the world’s collapsing certainties.

    Richard Youngs 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. No world order: Europe needs more radical thinking for the Trump era – https://theconversation.com/no-world-order-europe-needs-more-radical-thinking-for-the-trump-era-250864

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Show Don’t Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld is moving, witty and achingly real

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sarah Trott, Senior Lecturer in American Studies and History, York St John University

    I was immediately struck by the title of Curtis Sittenfeld’s new collection of 12 short stories, Show Don’t Tell. That’s because it’s also the name of a narrative technique that allows readers to experience a story through the characters’ actions, words, thoughts and feelings, rather than the author’s explanations. It means that readers can create their own visualisations and conclusions without the author telling them what to think.

    And this is exactly what Sittenfeld does. Show Don’t Tell offers slices of life in the American midwest from a middle-aged and mostly female perspective. The stories can be enjoyed casually. Or, they can be read as a more profound exploration of individual and social conflict at a time when the US is on the verge of momentous political change.

    The self-contained stories evoke many moods and feelings. Each one is relatable in its own way, and all 12 are addictively consumable in one sitting. Within just a few paragraphs Sittenfeld’s vibrant characters feel familiar. They reflect on their lives and the changes in their desires and hopes. And they regularly wonder about their inherent “goodness” and that of those around them and the world they live in.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    Show Don’t Tell is an exploration of relationships, human emotion, honesty, compassion and contemplation. The stories offer a realistic exploration of life’s ups and downs – comical or otherwise.

    What links these the stories are the personal reflections they offer on important political subjects, from the COVID pandemic and tech billionaires, to sex and sexuality, wealth, health, marriage and racism. They represent a contemporary and timely connection to events in the US.

    Absurdist America

    The book’s title story, Show Don’t Tell, originally published in The New Yorker in 2017, lays the groundwork for the book’s focus on memory. It acknowledges the importance of youth – “when you were, like a pupa, in the process of becoming yourself” – and the cynicism that comes with age and maturity.

    The book references the American author Don DeLillo.
    Library of Congress

    The story mentions Don DeLillo’s postmodern novel White Noise (1985), referring to the author as the “ombudsman of American letters right now”. Like DeLillo, Sittenfeld’s work combines tone, style and multiple voices to create a humorous yet mildly absurdist representation of America. Her characters blunder tactlessly into faux pas after faux pas, which made me wince with sympathetic embarrassment or awkward discomfort. There is a cringeworthy quality to some situations and circumstances that feel amusingly relatable, sincere and human.

    There’s also a universality that pervades the collection. For example, Creative Differences is ultimately about toothpaste and brushing your teeth. This is the power of Sittenfeld’s work – her ability to slip complex subject matters, such as love, death, and loss, relationships between the sexes, and prejudice, into slice-of-life narratives.

    Hidden depths

    Despite the absurd or humorous surface nature of the stories, there is a profundity to the collection that lies just below the surface.

    The daily low-level dread and sense of disaster that inhabits the protagonist in Follow-Up strikes a chord, again, with DeLillo’s characters’ obsession with death and catastrophe in White Noise. But Sittenfeld gently reminds us that, considering the chaotic past decade, where death, catastrophe and complex political issues have dominated American lives, fear and anxiety are an entirely reasonable emotional response.

    She shows that it’s normal to look for human connection and comfort wherever we can find it. America has been turned upside down by a global pandemic, social conflict over sexuality, simmering racial tension and the accumulation of enormous wealth. And Sittenfeld shows us the aftermaths; the differences between then (the 1980s and 90s) and now (the 2020s). She shows us the changes between the innocence of youth and the realities of the post-9/11 and post-COVID world.

    This is the strength of the collection – reminding the reader of the universality of actions and emotions. And the authenticity that permeates the stories reminds us that we’re not alone.

    This is a clever, witty and moving collection with sometimes achingly real portrayals. The themes that unite the stories showcase women and men at moments of introspection, revealing the diversity and genuineness that permeates the multiple authentic worlds that Sittenfeld creates.

    Sarah Trott 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. Show Don’t Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld is moving, witty and achingly real – https://theconversation.com/show-dont-tell-by-curtis-sittenfeld-is-moving-witty-and-achingly-real-247853

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –