NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI USA: Honoring Retired NYSP Investigator Thomas K. Herrick

    Source: US State of New York

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    April 29, 2025

    Albany, NY

    Flags Will Be Flown at Half-Staff Across New York State through Wednesday, April 30

    Governor Kathy Hochul today directed that flags on all state government buildings be flown at half-staff in honor of New York State Police retired investigator Thomas K. Herrick.

    “Investigator Herrick served New York State with distinction – making the ultimate sacrifice for his fellow New Yorkers in our greatest time of need,” Governor Hochul said. “We are so grateful to Investigator Herrick for his contributions to keeping New York safe, and I send my deepest condolences to his family in their time of great sorrow.”

    On April 12, 2025, Investigator Herrick passed away from an illness stemming from his assignment in and around the World Trade Center site following the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. He had retired from the New York State Police after 26 years of dedicated service on August 19, 2009.

    Investigator Herrick is survived by his wife and three children.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FY 2026 Budget Investments in Child Care

    Source: US State of New York

    arlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul visited the Capital District YMCA BOCES Preschool to highlight the FY 2026 Budget investments in child care. The Budget delivers a sweeping increase to the Child Tax Credit by giving eligible families a $1,000 credit for kids younger than 4 years old and a $500 credit for kids ages 4-16, effectively doubling the credit for the average family. It also expands access to child care by investing $2.2 billion statewide, including a $350 million investment to save child care subsidies for tens of thousands of New York City families.

    B-ROLL: B-roll of the Governor meeting with students is available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).

    VIDEO: The Governor’s remarks are available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).

    AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.

    PHOTOS: The Governor’s Flickr page will post photos of the event here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

    Hello, everyone. I wanted to make my first post-Budget stop right here at this amazing center run by the YMCA and part of the BOCES program. Right next door, we have young people learning how to be child care providers and learning early childhood education, and in this room are the kids.

    I’m here because this Budget was all about my fight for your family. I said it back in January that this Budget will not be completed until I can provide relief for struggling families to get a few extra hundred dollars in their pockets to pay those next bills.

    But also making sure that we cover the cost of school lunches and breakfasts, and making sure that we can ensure that when they get older, that there will be free college education for those going into high-demand careers.

    So we’ve been working hard. We worked really hard. And I want to thank all my partners in government because all I can say is, we got it done.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Subsea7 and SLB OneSubsea awarded EPCI contract for bp’s Ginger project

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Luxembourg – 29 April 2025 – Subsea 7 S.A. (Oslo Børs: SUBC, ADR: SUBCY) today announced the award of a substantial1 engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) contract by bp to Subsea Integration Alliance (SIA) for the Ginger project offshore Trinidad and Tobago.

    The Ginger project is a notable project award under the new global framework agreement between bp and Subsea Integration Alliance partners SLB OneSubsea and Subsea7.

    Building on a long-standing successful relationship, this agreement establishes a new way of working that enables system-level optimisation through increased transparency and early engagement. Further, the framework defines a novel commercial model that effectively aligns incentives for accelerated and maximised value creation among all stakeholders involved, throughout the life of joint projects.

    For the Ginger EPCI project, Subsea7 will supply a diver-installed tie-in system, a flexible production flowline, and associated infrastructure. SLB OneSubsea will deliver four standardised vertical monobore subsea trees and tubing hangers, optimised for speed of delivery and installation. It will also deliver the first high-integrity pressure protection system (HIPPS) manifold in the region, which will unlock considerable safety, efficiency and environmental gains. bp’s Ginger development is located off the southeast coast of the island of Trinidad, at water depths of up to 90 metres.

    Project management and engineering activities will begin immediately at Subsea7’s office in Houston, Texas, with offshore operations scheduled for 2026.

    Craig Broussard, Senior Vice President for Subsea7 for Gulf of Mexico said, “This is a significant project for the region, and one which will benefit from decades of collaboration between bp, Subsea7, and SLB OneSubsea. Our combined expertise and efforts are focused on achieving bp’s goal of first gas in 2026.”

    Olivier Blaringhem, CEO of Subsea Integration Alliance said, “This is an exciting and important project for our novel global framework with bp, which expands our EPCI collaboration to Trinidad and Tobago. Through the capability and agility of our partners Subsea7 and SLB OneSubsea, we provide key assets and expertise to create value for the long-term and deliver the best possible total cost of ownership on the Ginger project.”

    (1)   Subsea7 defines a substantial contract as being between $150 million and $300 million.

    *******************************************************************************
    Subsea7 is a global leader in the delivery of offshore projects and services for the evolving energy industry, creating sustainable value by being the industry’s partner and employer of choice in delivering the efficient offshore solutions the world needs.
    Subsea Integration Alliance (SIA) is a strategic global alliance combining the strengths of SLB OneSubsea and Subsea7. Working closely with SIA gives customers unique access to integrated subsea solutions—including field development planning, EPCI contracting models, end-to-end project delivery—and total life cycle solutions.
    Subsea7 is listed on the Oslo Børs (SUBC), ISIN LU0075646355, LEI 222100AIF0CBCY80AH62.

    *******************************************************************************

    Contact for investment community enquiries:
    Katherine Tonks
    Investor Relations Director
    Subsea7
    Tel +44 20 8210 5568
    ir@subsea7.com

    Contact for media enquiries:
    Ashley Shearer
    Communications Manager
    Subsea7
    Tel +1-713-300-6792
    ashley.shearer@subsea7.com

    Moira Duff
    Director of External Communications
    SLB
    Tel: +1 (713) 375-3407
    Email: media@slb.com

    Forward-Looking Statements: This document may contain ‘forward-looking statements’ (within the meaning of the safe harbour provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). These statements relate to our current expectations, beliefs, intentions, assumptions or strategies regarding the future and are subject to known and unknown risks that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘future’, ‘goal’, ‘intend’, ‘likely’ ‘may’, ‘plan’, ‘project’, ‘seek’, ‘should’, ‘strategy’ ‘will’, and similar expressions. The principal risks which could affect future operations of the Group are described in the ‘Risk Management’ section of the Group’s Annual Report and Consolidated Financial Statements. Factors that may cause actual and future results and trends to differ materially from our forward-looking statements include (but are not limited to): (i) our ability to deliver fixed price projects in accordance with client expectations and within the parameters of our bids, and to avoid cost overruns; (ii) our ability to collect receivables, negotiate variation orders and collect the related revenue; (iii) our ability to recover costs on significant projects; (iv) capital expenditure by oil and gas companies, which is affected by fluctuations in the price of, and demand for, crude oil and natural gas; (v) unanticipated delays or cancellation of projects included in our backlog; (vi) competition and price fluctuations in the markets and businesses in which we operate; (vii) the loss of, or deterioration in our relationship with, any significant clients; (viii) the outcome of legal proceedings or governmental inquiries; (ix) uncertainties inherent in operating internationally, including economic, political and social instability, boycotts or embargoes, labour unrest, changes in foreign governmental regulations, corruption and currency fluctuations; (x) the effects of a pandemic or epidemic or a natural disaster; (xi) liability to third parties for the failure of our joint venture partners to fulfil their obligations; (xii) changes in, or our failure to comply with, applicable laws and regulations (including regulatory measures addressing climate change); (xiii) operating hazards, including spills, environmental damage, personal or property damage and business interruptions caused by adverse weather; (xiv) equipment or mechanical failures, which could increase costs, impair revenue and result in penalties for failure to meet project completion requirements; (xv) the timely delivery of vessels on order and the timely completion of ship conversion programmes; (xvi) our ability to keep pace with technological changes and the impact of potential information technology, cyber security or data security breaches; (xvii) global availability at scale and commercially viability of suitable alternative vessel fuels; and (xviii) the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this document. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    This information is inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    This stock exchange release was published by Katherine Tonks, Investor Relations, Subsea7, on 29 April 2025 at 19:30 CET.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 100 Days, 4 Words: Promises Made, Promises Kept

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

    WASHINGTON — This morning, at the weekly House Republican Leadership press conference, Speaker Johnson celebrated the achievements of President Trump’s historic first 100 days in office and addressed Congressional Democrats’ recent political theatrics.

    Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here

    On President Trump’s First 100 Days:

    President Trump has accomplished more in the first 100 days than most presidents do in their entire careers, their entire tenures. The Atlantic, right? I don’t know if there’s an Atlantic reporter here this morning, but they’re not a fan of him, right? Yesterday, they described him this way. “He is the most consequential American leader of the 21st century.” And that’s an understatement.

    President Trump has,here’s a list: removed men from women’s sports, ended DEI in the federal government and the US military, expanded oil and gas extraction to lower prices, taken steps to end unfair trade practices, secured trillions of dollars in new investments in American manufacturing, deported criminal illegal aliens, stood up for religious liberty and rooted out anti-Christian bias, and combated virulent antisemitism on college campuses. The list goes on and on and on, and that’s just barely scratching the surface.

    On Promises Made, Promises Kept:

    Nearly every public opinion survey found that voters in the last election were most concerned about two things: inflation and the wide open border and the crisis that it created. On just these two issues and in 100 days, legal crossings are at an all-time low and inflation has fallen rapidly. President Biden often said that he had exhausted his executive authority, he told me that we needed new laws. He told me this many times himself: we have to stop the border crisis, but Congress has to act. I pleaded with President Biden, do your job, use your executive authority. He claimed he didn’t have it. But as President Trump has just demonstrated, all we needed was a new president. We needed real leadership. We didn’t need new laws.

    The Trump administration has stopped illegal border crossings with a 99.9% success rate. The border crisis is solved, more than 100,000 illegal aliens and gang members have been deported, and that makes Americans safer. They feel more secure again. Groups of migrants are actually stopping their journeys and they are turning around. You know why? Because we got a new sheriff in town due to President Trump’s border policies. We now know again that deterrence works. On inflation, President Trump promised to rapidly drive down prices and make American goods affordable again. The Consumer Price Index beat expectations and actually dropped .1% in March. That is the first time that has happened since COVID. Inflation is cooling. Energy prices are down, as we all know, trillions of dollars in US investments have been secured by the Trump administration. And again, we’re just getting started.

    On Congressional Democrats political theatrics:

    While we’re working to build on President Trump’s successes and codify his agenda into law, the Democrats just still don’t get it. I mean, they just keep demonstrating they don’t get it. It is more than 100 days into the 119th Congress, and the contrast could not be clearer. They don’t have any message. They don’t have a clear leader. They don’t have a clear vision. They don’t they don’t know what to do. Their platform has been repudiated, and they’re turning on themselves.

    …In one of the most baffling political displays that we’ve ever seen, Congressional Democrats used their district work period to fly to El Salvador and provide comfort to a wife beating MS-13 gang member who entered the US illegally. I mean, it was a shameful performance, and I hope their constituents do not forget it. We won’t. And we reflect on the first 100 days the Trump administration, it’s very clear which party is fighting for the American people, for a stronger and safer and more prosperous America.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Time for Republicans to Come Clean on Kingsmill

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Statement by TUV Leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister:

    “Today’s report by the Police Ombudsman highlights troubling issues concerning the police investigation at a time when Northern Ireland was enduring horrendous sectarian violence.

    However, this report must not obscure the fundamental facts relating to Kingsmill — namely, that this was an IRA massacre of innocent men returning from their workplace, murdered solely because they were Protestant.

    Despite Sinn Féin’s honeyed words, this report should once again prompt Republicans to confront their role in these heinous acts.

    While the police response has been scrutinised in detail, the so-called First Minister for All continues to lead a movement that, far from offering the Kingsmill families any truth, persists in the preposterous fiction that these murders were not the work of their malevolent IRA.

    The real scandal this report underscores is the utter unfitness of Ms O’Neill to hold any position in the government of Northern Ireland — let alone one that carries responsibility for victims’ interests.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Liverpool launches landmark 2040 plan to create “framework for a better future”

    Source: City of Liverpool

    A detailed, data-led report looking at how to create a better future for Liverpool’s half a million residents over the next 15 years has been published.

    The Liverpool 2040 Plan, which has been published online, sets out a step-by-step framework to foster greater collaborations across dozens of key organisations to make Liverpool the UK’s leading city of opportunity – for all.

    This strategic vision, documented in a 37-page publication, has been launched with a commitment from city leaders “to work closer together than ever before” on a series of common issues and to influence and guide public sector reform on key areas such as education, employment, housing and health.

    Set out as “a framework for a better future”, the wide-ranging plan has been developed by the Liverpool Strategic Partnership, whose membership has been increased to include more than 20 organisations. Collectively the LSP has a combined workforce of more than 60,000 people and an annual spend of £10bn a year.

    The overall aim of the Liverpool 2040 Plan is to offer greater opportunities to the city’s residents, of all ages and backgrounds, in a united effort to make it a better city to live, learn, work and play in.

    The Liverpool 2040 plan also sets out how city partners will collaborate to improve life-long educational standards whilst addressing deep rooted socio-economic and health inequalities, as well as global challenges such as climate change.

    Work is already on some fronts, with Liverpool last week being awarded Marmot City status for its work in tackling health inequalities and has been appointed the world’s first UN Accelerator City for its work on reduce the carbon footprint in the entertainment industry.

    However, Liverpool, whose population is set to grow by 10% over the coming decade, is a city where a third of residents are classed as economically inactive and where one in five have a disability. And at a neighbourhood level, life expectancy can vary by up to 14 years for residents living just four miles apart.

    Such challenges, set against unprecedented pressures on public finances, has led city leaders to come together in a renewed effort to identify and align common priorities. This approach is underpinned by a commitment to analyse and share intelligence to inform and strengthen joint-working to identify and maximise opportunities presented by new government policies.

    The 2040 timeline also aligns with other key data-rich programmes as identified in the State of Health in the City: Liverpool 2040 report and the city region goal to achieve New Zero status also by 2040.

    This shared ambition is set around eight key priorities, each to be measured against five specific outcomes, with a clear intent to provide a long-term vision for the type of city the next generation should be inheriting.

    The eight pillars of the 2040 plan are:

    1. The Next Generation – key aim: For Liverpool to be UNICEF Child Friendly City.
    2. Healthy Lives – key aim: To improve life expectancy and reduce health inequalities in poorest communities.
    3. A Fair Transition to Net Zero – key aim: For Liverpool to be a zero-waste city.
    4. Safe, Cohesive and Clean Communities – key aim: To improve safety at neighbourhood level.
    5. Quality Homes – key aim: To work at eliminating homelessness and rough sleeping.
    6. Inclusive Economic Growth – key aim: To develop city-wide innovation and skills strategy.
    7. An Exciting and Distinctive City – key aim: For Liverpool to build on top 5 UK visitor city destination status.
    8. Vibrant Public Services – key aim: To be a leading innovator based on data-led evidence.

    The LSP, overseen by a board of chief executives, chaired by the chief executive of Liverpool City Council, has also been refreshed in response to the Strategic Futures Panel’s recommendations around strengthening the city’s approach to public service reform.

    The LSP has also been devised to enable Liverpool to speak with one voice to national government and its departments. It also provides a shared platform for the city to take advantage of any new government opportunities.

    The Liverpool 2040 Plan has also identified a priority focus on public service reform, with an emphasis on what makes sense for local areas to meet the needs of local people.  This will build on key initiatives including Liverpool City Council’s new neighbourhood model, the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC), the Complex Lives project, the North Liverpool Public Service Reform Prototype, and the development of an Office of Public Service Innovation.

    The Liverpool 2040 plan, which has been endorsed by Liverpool City Council’s cabinet, replaces the former City Plan that was published in 2020.

    This previous city plan was in need of a refresh to reflect on the lessons and consequences of Covid-19 pandemic, the commissioner-led intervention to improve Council performance, as well as recent socio-political issues like a new UK government, last summer’s civil unrest. It also needed to respond to wider issues like the global energy crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine as well as the rise of AI and understanding and identifying the challenges and opportunities it presents.

    Member of the Liverpool Strategic Partnership are:

    • Liverpool City Council
    • University of Liverpool
    • Liverpool John Moores University
    • Liverpool Hope University
    • Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
    • City of Liverpool College
    • Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
    • Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Service
    • Torus
    • The Riverside Group
    • Onward Homes
    • Merseyside Police
    • Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service
    • HMPS – Liverpool Prison
    • Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
    • NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership
    • Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    • Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Trust
    • Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital
    • Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust
    • Department for Work and Pensions, North West

    Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: “The Liverpool 2040 Plan sets out the beginning of a 15-year journey to shape Liverpool as the UK’s leading city of opportunity – for all.

    “The Liverpool 2040 Plan sets out a clear vision of how to be a better city and sets the foundations to guide the changes needed well into the rest of the 21st century.

    “it’s clear our major organisations need to work much harder and smarter together. For Liverpool to be a better city, we need to do better on a lot of levels – and I’m heartened by the desire and commitment in so many of our partner organisations to do that.

    “This is the city that delivered both the best-ever European Capital of Culture and Eurovision. Through a potent mix of imagination, inspiration and collaboration we saw mass participation on an unprecedented scale, delivering remarkable results with huge economic benefits. Under the biggest spotlight and phenomenal pressure, Liverpool performs. And excels. Like few cities can.

    “But on another level, too many of our residents are not living their best life. Opportunity is not knocking in the way it should in the world of education and employment. The health and wealth for a lot of our residents is below the national average. Much of our housing is poor quality, so many of our children are not benefitting from the best possible start in life. That is unacceptable. That needs to change.

    “This Liverpool 2040 plan provides the best possible platform for us to start that journey, informed by data every step of the way to ensure we all make the right decisions to ensure we create an environment that nurtures and fosters talent and opportunity.

    “We need to fully address the fundamental issues we face – in education, employment, health, housing, transport and employment – and its eight guiding priorities will shape how we respond to the challenges and maximise the opportunities over these next 15 years.

    “I’m deeply encouraged by how many partners right across the public, private and voluntary sector have signed up to a vision of offering greater opportunities than ever before to our residents. We all have a role to play in making Liverpool the best place to grow up, grow a family, and grow a business – where no-one is left behind.

    “Rest assured myself, my cabinet and this Council will work tirelessly with the Metro Mayor and the city region combined authority to make our case to the UK Government where and when it is needed. The Council cannot make these improvements alone. And not all the solutions are financial – reform and policy changes are just as vital to delivering the changes we need.

    “Lasting change takes time, which is why we have set a 15-year timeline for our vision. Despite this, we are determined that our residents will see immediate and incremental improvements in the here and now, and I am deeply optimistic about the progress we can make together on an ongoing basis.”

    Andrew Lewis, Chair of the Liverpool Strategic Partnership and Chief Executive of Liverpool City Council said: “Public services across the country, and particularly here in Liverpool, are facing unprecedented challenges, including rising demand for services, limited public funding and increasing complexity of needs. 

    “These challenges cannot be met by any one organisation acting alone. So it’s vital to have a strong strategic partnership across Liverpool.  Together we represent the full range of public services for our city, committing to work together on a shared strategy for Liverpool 2040, prioritising our investments, sharing data and evidence, and transforming services together.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Smith Statement on Trump’s First 100 Days

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

    Today, Rep. Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement as President Trump reaches the end of his first 100 days in his second presidency.

    “The first 100 days of Trump’s second presidency have been marked with illegal firings of federal employees, chaotic tariff policies, unconstitutional deportations without due process, and mindless cuts to essential federal programs.

    “As Commander-in-Chief, President Trump should be bringing the country together to face our current economic and global challenges. Instead, he has used the last 100 days in office to further divide the American people, commit retribution, cause more economic uncertainty, and threaten global stability. From firing nuclear safety employees to cutting cancer research funding, his choices have left Americans less safe.

    “As this Administration continues down this incompetent and unlawful path, it is incredibly important for citizens to remain engaged and involved in their communities. It will be equally important for Congress to stand against his policies and to build a coalition that fights for the working people. We must advocate for a better path forward and provide a reasonable alternative.”

    ###

    BACKGROUND

    • More than 280,000 United States federal civil services layoffs have been announced by the Trump Administration across 27 agencies.
      • 99 percent of USAID employees have been let go, reducing American investment in famine prevention, disease prevention, and global development and humanitarian initiatives.
      • More than 2,400 workers were fired from the Department of Veterans Affairs, including staff at the Seattle Veterans Affairs office.
      • The Trump Administration fired the employees who help make sure there are affordable, safe child care options across Washington State.
    • The Trump Administration disrupted $430 billion in federal funds from disease research to child care to veterans’ assistance.
      • Additionally, the Administration froze all disbursements of Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding with an executive order. This funding was going to projects to build new roads, fix bridges, replace lead pipes, expand broadband access, strengthen infrastructure against natural disasters.
      • The Trump Administration cut funds to the Head Start program, which provides early child care for more than 15,000 low-income children and their families.
    • President Trump boasted he would end the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine on day one, but both conflicts continue to rage on.
    • The Trump Administration has defied an order from the Supreme Court of the United States ordering that the Administration facilitate the release of a Maryland man from a mega-prison in El Salvador.
    • The Trump Administration faces more than 150 of lawsuits from state and local governments over their illegal firings, removal of promised funds, and illegal deportations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Venezuelan Nationals with TPS Charged in Miami with Defrauding U.S. Government-Funded Covid-19 Relief Program

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MIAMI – Freddy Urribarri, 42, and Mairilin Munoz 39, have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering in connection with their submission of false and fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications. Both defendants are Venezuelan nationals who were granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which allowed them to remain in the United States temporarily after they had entered the country. They were living in Dania Beach, Fl. at the time of their arrests.   

    According to allegations in the Indictment and statements made in open court, the defendants conspired with each other to commit fraud by submitting false PPP loan applications for Covid-19 era relief money meant to help struggling small business owners financially survive the pandemic. The defendants submitted two sole proprietorship loan applications with false and fraudulent supporting tax documents. Urribarri and Munoz also caused the submission of a false and fraudulent PPP loan application for FU&MM General Services, a company they controlled as president and vice president. The application inflated FU&MM’s income and number of employees. The lender accepted the false representations and approved a loan of about $438,000.

    Once they received the loan proceeds, the defendants engaged in a scheme to conceal the nature of the funds. Munoz also engaged in financial transactions over $10,000 using proceeds of the fraud. Urribarri and Munoz also submitted false and fraudulent tax documents in support of a PPP loan forgiveness application.  

    U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami Field Division, announced the charges.  

    HSI Miami investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Bernstein is prosecuting it.

    The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  

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

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 25-cr-20151.

    ###  

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan Encourages New Pipeline Projects with Oil Infrastructure Program Extension

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on April 29, 2025

    The Government of Saskatchewan is extending the Oil Infrastructure Investment Program (OIIP) to expand market access for Saskatchewan oil and support the continued development of carbon dioxide (CO2) pipelines. CO2 pipelines play an important role in reducing emissions and growing enhanced oil recovery capacity.

    Since OIIP was introduced in 2020, 74,000 barrels per day of new oil pipeline capacity has been added through the program. To date, over $100 million in private capital investment has been secured through OIIP, with a further $380 million associated with projects that have been conditionally approved.

    “This program remains essential to our goals of generating investment in new energy projects and increasing our oil export capacity,” Energy and Resources Minister Colleen Young said. “Extending OIIP shows we are committed to maintaining a competitive resource development environment in Saskatchewan. The growth of our oil and gas sector is a significant priority for our government because it leads to good jobs and additional economic opportunities for the people of our province.”  

    The extension of OIIP will allow for the program to continue accepting new applications until March 31, 2029. The program will continue to offer a 20 per cent royalty tax credit, up to a maximum of $40 million, on qualifying oil or CO2 pipeline projects. 

    “The extension of the Oil Infrastructure Investment Program will help the province remain a competitive destination for investment, especially as companies navigate these economically challenging times,” Husky Midstream Chief Executive Officer Shane Cooke said. “As a company, we benefitted from our participation in the program when expanding our Saskatchewan operations and believe its continuation will encourage future investment in transportation infrastructure that supports new production opportunities and industry growth.”

    For more information about OIIP, including links to application documents, visit: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/oil-infrastructure-investment-program.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Innovative ‘collective’ pension funds to deliver higher incomes and lower risks for future pensioners

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Innovative ‘collective’ pension funds to deliver higher incomes and lower risks for future pensioners

    Pensioners of the future will benefit from innovative ‘collective’ pension schemes to boost their income in retirement and productive investment across the economy, under plans announced today [29 April]

    • Wide reaching reforms to make innovative “collective” pension funds more commonplace will reduce risk and volatility for savers.
    • Collective Defined Contribution (CDC) schemes pool investment and longevity risks, unlocking productive investment potential as well as supporting more predictable returns for savers at no extra cost for employers. 
    • With new regulations to allow for multiple employer CDCs planned for the Autumn, more savers are set to benefit from CDCs as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

    More people than ever are saving into a workplace pension – £28 billion more in 2020 than in 2012 – with most of these pension pots being Defined Contribution (DC) schemes, where the employee is automatically enrolled to save a proportion of their salary tax-free and the employer contributes at least 3% of their salary to the pot too. 

    But a lack of innovation and reform of the DC savings landscape risks some future pensioners bearing large risks, in terms of the value of their investments and whether their savings will provide an income throughout their retirement. 

    Collective Defined Contribution (CDCs) are a new type of pension scheme that sees both the employer and employee contribute to a collective fund. Due to the scale of these funds and the pooling of risk for members, they can aim to provide a target pension income for life – similar to Defined Benefit (DB) schemes, sometimes called an average or final salary pension, but without the risk of significant unexpected bills for employers.  

    In the UK, Royal Mail have already launched a CDC scheme for their employees which has over 100,000 members who are offered a combination of a cash lump sum and an income for life in retirement. 

    Speaking at the LCP Conference in London today, the Minister for Pensions confirmed new regulations, set to be laid in the Autumn, will allow for multiple employer CDC schemes to be established, so that a range of unconnected employers can pool their employees’ pension pots into a collective fund, boosting returns for savers. 

    These pooled pension investments will mean higher incomes in retirement, and help individuals manage the uncertainty about how long that retirement will be. These measures will provide more options for savers and employers to choose between and are part of wider reforms to the pensions landscape, as part of our Plan for Change to put more money into people’s pockets.

    Minister for Pensions, Torsten Bell said: 

    Success in the world of pensions isn’t just about getting people saving, it’s ensuring their savings work as hard as possible for them. 

    Making sure more employers and savers have the option of an innovative Collective Defined Contribution Pension scheme is an important part of making that happen.

    Too often at present we are leaving individuals to face significant risks, about how their individual investments perform and how long their retirements last. Pooling some of those risks will drive higher incomes for pensioners and greater investments in productive assets across the economy.

    The Minister also confirmed his desire to deliver decumulation only CDC schemes. These schemes would allow certain savers with DC schemes to access CDCs, offering retirees the chance to buy longer term, pooled retirement products that deliver stability for pensioners. 

    Modelling from the PPI suggests that single employer CDCs could deliver a significantly greater average replacement rate (47%) than currently delivered through annuities (40%) with even higher benefits seen for multi-employer CDCs as longevity risks are pooled. (69%). 

    And due to their size, CDCs can also be a more efficient vehicle for economic growth, with similar collective funds in Canada and Australia having proved an efficient way of supporting economic growth, investing in a wider range of sectors and assets.

    CDC schemes can invest in illiquid and more productive investments over the long term, including in UK businesses and infrastructure projects, supporting the Government’s growth mission while providing employers with greater freedoms as well as reducing the risks of over or under spending in retirement by paying pensioners based on life expectancy.

    These measures aim to drive economic growth and improve retirement outcomes for working people as part of the Plan for Change. 

    Today’s announcement will provide clarity to the industry ahead of the upcoming Pensions Investment Review and Pension Schemes Bill, and in time give working people and employers a new option when considering what pension scheme works best for them

    Additional Information

    • The Pensions Investment Review: interim report sets out proposals which the government has consulted on to deliver scale and consolidation of the Defined Contribution (DC) market and the Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales (LGPS). The report can be viewed here: Pensions Investment Review: interim report – GOV.UK
    • The government plans to introduce legislation in Autumn 2025, and subject to parliamentary approval, intends to bring the legislation and an updated Regulator’s Code into force as soon as practicable. 
    • The government will continue to work with industry stakeholders to develop decumulation CDC.  
    • The UK’s first CDC scheme, the Royal Mail Collective Pension Plan launched in 2024 which was a truly landmark moment for the UK pension landscape.
    • There are now several organisations are actively looking to set up an unconnected multiple employer CDC scheme.

    Updates to this page

    Published 29 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VA marks 100 days of putting Veterans first

    Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs

    Skip to content

    WASHINGTON — Today marks 100 days of the second Trump Administration.  During this time, VA has launched a host of major reforms to refocus the department on its core mission: providing the best possible care and services to Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors.

    Secretary Collins discussed the historic progress VA has made in a new video on X and in this op-ed.

    • Watch the video here.
    • Read the op-ed here.

    As Secretary Collins said, “One hundred days into the second Trump administration, and VA is no longer content with poor results. Under President Trump’s leadership, we have already stripped away many of the costly distractions that were coming between VA beneficiaries and the benefits they have earned. And we’re looking to make even more historic reforms to better serve our Veterans.”

    VA’s accomplishments during the first 100 days include:

    Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov

    Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.

    Contact us online through Ask VA

    Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions.

    Learn about our chatbot and ask a question

    Subscribe today to receive these news releases in your inbox.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: ASM announces start of €150 million share buyback program

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Almere, The Netherlands
    April 29, 2025, 6:00 p.m. CET

    ASM International N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: ASM) today announces that it will start a share buyback program of ASM’s common shares of €150 million. 

    This program follows on ASM’s announcement on February 25, 2025, that the Management Board authorized a share buyback program for up to €150 million. The program commences on April 30, 2025, and is to end as soon as the aggregate purchase price of the common shares acquired by ASM has reached €150 million, but ultimately by January 2026.

    The share buyback program will take place within the limits of relevant laws and regulations, the existing authority granted at ASM’s AGM held on May 13, 2024, and the authority (if granted) by the AGM meeting on May 12, 2025, and will be executed by a third party. ASM intends to use the repurchased shares to cover existing and expected future obligations under ongoing share programs for employees and board members. The total number of shares to be purchased in connection with the share buyback program shall not exceed 4,714,465.

     ASM will update the market on the progress of the share buyback program on a weekly basis, starting on May 5, 2025. This information will also be published on ASM’s website (www.asm.com).

    About ASM International
    ASM International N.V., headquartered in Almere, the Netherlands, and its subsidiaries design and manufacture equipment and process solutions to produce semiconductor devices for wafer processing, and have facilities in the United States, Europe, and Asia. ASM International’s common stock trades on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange (symbol: ASM). For more information, visit ASM’s website at www.asm.com.
    Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements: All matters discussed in this press release, except for any historical data, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to, economic conditions and trends in the semiconductor industry generally and the timing of the industry cycles specifically, currency fluctuations, corporate transactions, financing and liquidity matters, the success of restructurings, the timing of significant orders, market acceptance of new products, competitive factors, litigation involving intellectual property, shareholders or other issues, commercial and economic disruption due to natural disasters, terrorist activity, armed conflict or political instability, changes in import/export regulations, epidemics, pandemics and other risks indicated in the company’s reports and financial statements. The company assumes no obligation nor intends to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future developments or circumstances.

    This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

    Contact

    Investor and media relations

    Victor Bareño
    T: +31 88 100 8500
    E: investor.relations@asm.com

    		  

    Investor relations

    Valentina Fantigrossi
    T: +31 88 100 8502
    E: investor.relations@asm.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Where can Black children go in summer? Black families face disparities and need equitable options

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Juliet Bushi, Lecturer, Faculty of Education, University of Windsor

    For many Black families, summer months can be a relief and a stress. The stress is because of the precariousness of summer programming in Canada.

    Typically for families with school-aged children, summer planning usually starts in February or March, when most registration begins. The logistics around finding quality summer programming can be challenging. If you are a newcomer to Canada with financial limitations, navigating the different buffet of summer camps and affordability can be daunting.

    The stress of finding a safe space for your children while also making sure that you’re not overspending and can also provide food and shelter is a constant struggle for Canadian households, including many Black and racialized parents.

    For many Black and new immigrant families with school-aged children, the summer months pose serious mental, physical and financial challenges due to the lack of support and high costs of summer programs for school-aged children. Navigating these disparities can get complicated.

    Many Black parents are left with taking risks to ensure that they keep their jobs during the summer while juggling to find a culturally relevant program and a safe place for their children to stay during work hours.

    The cost of summer programs varies from province to province. On average, day camps can range from $35 to $500 per week, and overnight camps can range from $300 to $1,000 per week for the same period. For a family with three or more children, the cost of summer programs can total over $12,000 each year and with no tax credit, this can contribute to a negative financial investment.

    The reality is that families need accessible summer programming and education support. Prioritizing funding based on community and student needs and investment in community learning centres and programs is paramount.

    Social and economic disparities

    A lack of quality, accessible and affordable options for Black families is one reason I founded Canahari Multidisciplinary Summer Program in Regina, Sask. Canahari was designed to help address what could otherwise be the growth of social, educational and economic disparities during the summer months.

    A contrast exists between parents capable of enrolling their children in frequent literacy-enhancing activities within high-quality summer programs and those from underprivileged backgrounds.

    The latter have limited access to such high-quality resources. This is evident in their children demonstrating what educators assess as being less prepared for school and less able to engage with it than their more privileged peers.

    Studies have found that a lack of summer learning negatively impacts the educational progress of children from low socioeconomic status. These impacts further widen the achievement gap. For these reasons, implementing a national education policy to mitigate differential summer learning loss is crucial for academic success and personal development.

    Inequality gaps, complicated logistics

    Factors such as transportation, work schedules, summer programming fees, program reputation, culturally responsive summer programming and affordability are major factors contributing to educational inequality gaps. Many studies have shown social and economic status and race or ethnicity contribute to the disparities in academic achievement and summertime learning.

    In the summer, children from low-income households experience declines in reading achievement, while middle- and high-income children improve. These experiences have often been overlooked or ignored, and continue to negatively impact social connectedness, mental well-being and academic success.

    Finding an affordable summer camp is one thing. Doing so while ensuring your children feel included and safe is a top concern for Black parents (and their kids).

    Academic achievement gaps and social issues

    Scholars have examined sources of inequalities in students’ academic skills for decades, with numerous studies focusing on socioeconomic status and race or ethnicity. The complexities of these disparities challenge the meaning and intent of quality education in Canada.

    Historically, education has been a powerful tool for social, political and democratic empowerment and a means for personal growth and societal progress for Black people.

    However, Eurocentric education has been a tool that reproduces inequities and has regulated or disciplined Black students in negative ways that undermine the cultural values of Black students and parents. Not only this, these systems challenge fundamental Africentric knowledge systems and moral frameworks.

    Education scholar George Dei has argued we must disrupt the myth that mainstream education is “colour blind.”

    For Black children, schools are sites for recurring racist and traumatic encounters and summer programs are no exception. New policies are needed that disrupt and are accountable for addressing anti-Black racism and acknowledge the lived experiences and struggles of Black people.

    Nationwide policy on summer programs

    Summer programming needs to be deprivatized in Canada to ensure reimagined, consistent, equitable and accessible educational programs during summer. Summer programs are now sources of revenue, and the commercialization and marketization of summer programs make it challenging for grassroots organizations to compete in the this market.

    Recent educational reforms tend to focus on student experiences in school within the academic school calendar, while neglecting the social implications of affordable, high-quality summer programming.

    Implementing a nationwide initiative (similar to the universal child-care plan) to address these challenges appears unfeasible given current political mandates.



    Read more:
    Forgotten futures? Canada urgently needs a national discussion about young people’s futures

    With many provinces struggling with larger class sizes, underfunding and a lack of support for teachers, perhaps a more critical look at providing year-round educational support for students and teachers is the most logical thing to do.

    Planning and investment needed

    A province-wide summer program network and coalition could build accessible and culturally relevant programs that prioritize early detection of learning challenges and student needs.

    This coalition could also develop a more comprehensive policy and funding mechanism to ensure access, equity, quality and deprivatization of summer programs.

    The $10-a-day plan, introduced by the Liberal government and supported by the NDP through Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care agreements with provinces and territories, was developed to improve Canada’s long-standing inadequate childcare situation. A similar policy on summer programs should be envisioned.

    Advocating for policies that prioritize universal and comprehensive accessible education year round could help ensure women and low-income families are not penalized for having children. This practice also promotes true gender equity in the workforce.

    Collaboration between the federal, provincial, municipal and local governments and researchers on data collection and evidence-based funding is crucial in implementing a comprehensive program that considers the voices of parents, students and communities.

    I intend to continue to raise awareness on this issue, with attention to how the colonial ideology of educational reform that has avoided summer programming continues reproducing educational inequalities.

    So I ask: with all the complex social and educational inequalities maintained by colonial ideologies and privatized summer programs, where can Black children go in summer?

    Juliet Bushi receives funding from the organization.
    Canada Summer Jobs – Grants to hire youths in summer
    Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan

    I founded Canahari Multidisciplinary Summer Programs, which offers culturally relevant programs.

    – ref. Where can Black children go in summer? Black families face disparities and need equitable options – https://theconversation.com/where-can-black-children-go-in-summer-black-families-face-disparities-and-need-equitable-options-253013

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Rehousing applications open May 2

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Development Bureau announced today that the subsidised sale flats of three Dedicated Rehousing Estate (DRE) projects, constructed by the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) will be open for applications from May 2 to 22.

    Out of the three DRE projects, two are located in the New Territories and one is in an urban area.

    The three projects are Sierra Terrace located at Pak Wo Road, Fanling, Eminence Terrace I at Tin Sam Road, Hung Shui Kiu, and Delight Terrace at Muk Chun Street, Kai Tak.

    Applications will be accepted from eligible households affected by government development projects in the New Territories and urban areas, or the Urban Renewal Authority’s (URA) redevelopment projects of the Civil Servants’ Co-operative Building Society (CBS) buildings.

    The HKHS and the Lands Department will gradually issue letters to notify relevant households of the application arrangements and details.

    The sale of DRE subsidised sale flats is one of the compensation and rehousing options available to non-owner households affected by government development projects that need to relocate.

    Eligible owner-occupiers affected by the URA’s CBS redevelopment projects may also choose to purchase subsidised sale flats in an urban DRE as one of the compensation and rehousing options.

    The three subsidised sale flat projects open for applications this round will provide a total of 1,573 units.

    Among them, the intake of Eminence Terrace I has been taking place since October 2024 and the HKHS will put the remaining 179 units up for sale in this round. Sierra Terrace is expected to be ready for intake in the first quarter of next year, and Delight Terrace is expected to be ready for intake in the first quarter of 2027.

    The Government has reviewed the intake programmes of DREs in the pipeline and the timeline of various development projects in the coming few years, especially the Northern Metropolis.

    To allow for better utilisation of DRE resources, if there are unsold units upon completion of flat selection of the urban DRE Delight Terrace by households affected by government development projects in urban areas and the URA’s CBS redevelopment projects, Delight Terrace will be open for purchase to households affected by government development projects in the New Territories.

    As for the subsidised rental units of the three DREs, the intake of Eminence Tower 1 in Hung Shui Kiu has been taking place since March this year, while Sierra Tower at Pak Wo Road, Fanling, is expected to be ready for intake in October this year. The Lands Department and the HKHS will continue to process applications for these rental units in an orderly manner upon receipt.

    The rental units in the DRE in Kai Tak are expected to be completed and ready for intake in the first quarter of 2027, and the Government and the HKHS will notify relevant households of the application arrangements nearer the time.

    Click here for details.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Employee of Telecommunications Company Admits to Wire Fraud Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – A former telecommunications company employee admitted to wire fraud conspiracy for his role in a scheme to fraudulently unlock the Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards of thousands of mobile phones, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    Richard Forrest Sherman, 46, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court, to an information charging him with wire fraud conspiracy.

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

    Sherman worked at a multinational telecommunications company. While there, he managed an account for a customer that received an exemption to unlock the SIM cards of mobile devices. Sherman exploited this exemption by creating a series of customer accounts within the carrier’s system to make the accounts look like an affiliate company of the customer that actually received the exemption. Sherman and others then submitted bulk unlocking requests through these fake affiliate accounts that Sherman set up before leaving the telecommunications company.

    Sherman, through his entities, received payment from others in exchange for causing the fake affiliate accounts to successfully send International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers in bulk to the carrier. The carrier, believing that the fake affiliate company was entitled to the unlocking exception, unlocked these IMEIs in bulk. Unlocking these IMEIs permitted others involved in the scheme to resell the phones for profit – the phones would have otherwise remained locked or required payment of a fee to be unlocked. Sherman set up the fake affiliate accounts in or around 2013; he and his conspirators exploited the fraud scheme until it was discovered in August 2020.

    The wire fraud conspiracy count carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the pecuniary gain to the defendant or loss to the victims, whichever is greatest.

    U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the U.S. Secret Service’s Seattle Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Glen Peterson, with the investigation leading to the charge.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Nadel of the Narcotics/OCDETF Unit in Newark. 

                                                                           ###

    Defense Counsel: Henry Klingeman, Esq. and Robert Westinghouse, Esq. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: 2025 Q1 Revenue Report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • 2025 Q1 revenue of €232.4 million, down -12.3%
      • Continued implementation of selectivity strategy with priority given to margins, primarily in telecoms in France and Spain
      • High comparison basis: +3.8% in Q1 2024 compared to -5.8% for the full year 2024
    • Growth drivers remain well-oriented
      • Energy up +19.1% (+30.1% in France), representing 18% of the Group’s Q1 revenue
      • Strong momentum in Germany, where the Group has a solid presence, with growth of +20.7% in Q1
    • Ongoing measures to improve performance in the Other Countries segment
      • Growth resumes in Italy: +14.6%, with gradually improving economic conditions
      • Restructuring of Connectivity activities in Spain, with strategic refocusing on Energy and Technology
    In millions of euros (unaudited) Q1 2025 Q1 2024 % change
    Revenue 232.4 265.0         -12.3%
    Benelux 88.7 100.7         -12.0%
    France 76.3 97.9         -22.0%
    Germany 21.9 18.2 +20.7%
    Other Countries 45.5 48.3         -5.8%

    Gianbeppi Fortis, Chief Executive Officer of Solutions30, stated: “In a mixed market environment, we remain firmly committed to our strategy, maintaining a clear focus on margins and cash generation over revenue growth. In France in particular, faced with a fiber deployment market that has reached maturity, we are maintaining a highly selective approach and continuing to refocus on energy services, which now account for 30% of our revenue. In the Benelux, where the market is undergoing reorganization, our telecom business has stabilized compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, and we anticipate a return to growth during the second half of the year. In Germany, we continue to deliver profitable growth in a structured manner, and the investment plan recently announced by the local government reinforces our confidence in the market’s long-term potential. Lastly, in Other Countries, we are progressing with the performance improvement measures announced at our Capital Markets Day, particularly in Spain, where we are undertaking a deep transformation of our operations. We remain confident in the relevance of our multi-technical and multi-local model, the strength of our growth drivers, and our ability to achieve our 2026 targets.”

    Consolidated Revenue

    Solutions30’s Q1 2025 consolidated revenue amounted to €232.4 million, down -12.3% year-on-year against a particularly high comparison basis, as Q1 2024 marked the strongest quarterly growth of 2024, at +3.8%. The comparison basis will be significantly more favorable over the balance of the year, as the last three quarters of 2024 recorded declines of -4.3% in Q2, -10.1% in Q3, and -11.4% in Q4.        

    Revenue change in Q1 includes an organic contraction of -12.8%, the impact of recent acquisitions for +0.2%, and a favorable currency effect of +0.3%.

    Revenue from Connectivity activities amounted to €164.2 million, down -20.0%, in a context of increased selectivity in the Group’s most mature markets, notably France and Spain. Revenue from Energy activities amounted to €41.3 million, up +19.1%, driven by very favorable market trends, particularly in photovoltaic systems in France. Revenue from Technology activities amounted to €26.9 million, up +7.3%, with increased volumes of IT support services.

    Benelux

    The Benelux posted Q1 revenue of €88.7 million, representing 38% of total revenue, down -12.0%. This includes an organic contraction of -12.5%, and the impact from the acquisition of Xperal for +0.5%. Connectivity posted revenue of €67.9 million, down -14% compared to Q1 2024, which did not yet reflect the delays caused, from Q2 onwards, by negotiations between Belgian telecom service providers aimed at streamlining their investments. However, revenue stabilized compared with Q4 2024 (€67.3 million). In the home connect segment, the adaptation of operational processes following Proximus acquiring 100% of Fiberklaar is nearing completion, positioning the business to return to normal at some point in the second half of the year.

    Revenue from Energy activities decreased by -16% to €14.1 million. The first phase of smart meter deployment in Flanders is nearing completion, with tenders for the second phase expected to be launched later this year. At the same time, the gradual ramp-up of the contract with Fluvius for the modernization of the low-voltage electricity grid has begun.

    Technology activities posted revenue of €6.7 million in Q1 2025, up significantly by +26%.

    France

    In France, Q1 revenue amounted to €76.3 million, or 33% of the total, down -22% on a purely organic basis. Revenue from Connectivity fell sharply by -43% to €36.8 million, reflecting the impact of selectivity measures implemented from Q2 2024 onwards. In the context of a structural slowdown in the fiber deployment market, the Group has significantly reduced its exposure to certain contracts that no longer met its profitability standards. While this led to a sharp revenue decline from Q2 onwards, it resulted in an improvement in margins over the full year 2024.

    Energy activities continue to make strong progress, with growth of +30% in Q1 and revenue of €22.8 million, now representing 30% of the total. The good momentum in photovoltaics continues, despite the usually unfavorable seasonal effect in winter. Growth is also being supported by services to electricity and gas distribution networks, where Solutions30 is successfully diversifying its activities.

    In Technology, the momentum in IT support services continues, driven by contract extensions. Revenue amounted to €16.7 million, up +7%.

    Germany

    In Germany, Q1 revenue amounted to €21.9 million, or 9% of the total, up +20.7% on a purely organic basis. Connectivity, which accounts for 95% of the total, posted growth of +22%, driven by fiber deployment activities, which continue to ramp up, while coaxial network services remain solid.

    Although still at an early stage, representing around 5% of revenue, Energy activities offer strong growth potential. Germany is Europe’s leading market for photovoltaics, currently accounting for the bulk of Solutions30’s revenue from Energy activities, while the energy storage and rail signaling infrastructure markets offer particularly attractive growth prospects.

    For both Connectivity and Energy, the investment plan recently announced by the local government reinforces the long-term growth potential of the German market, which is set to play an increasingly important role in Solutions30’s business portfolio.

    Other Countries

    In other countries, the Group posted Q1 revenue of €45.5 million, or 20% of the total, down -5.8%. This includes a -7.2% organic contraction, reflecting the selectivity strategy implemented in Spain and the United Kingdom in 2024. The currency effect was positive at +1.4%, driven by the appreciation of the Polish zloty and the British pound against the euro during the period.

    In Poland, growth remained solid at +11.4%, taking Q1 revenue to €16.2 million. The Polish telecoms market continues to benefit from favorable trends, and Solutions30 is delivering profitable growth there.

    Italy returned to growth, posting a +14.6% increase in Q1, with revenue of €14.9 million. The situation with the Group’s main Italian telecoms customer has now been resolved.

    In Spain, revenue amounted to €7.3 million, down -37.2%. The Group has accelerated the restructuring of its Connectivity business, faced with a mature fiber market, while continuing to refocus on its Energy and Technology businesses, that are supported by favorable underlying trends.

    Finally, in the United Kingdom, revenue totaled €7.1 million, down -22.3% against a high comparison basis (+10% in Q1 2024), as selectivity measures aimed at improving margins in the mobile telecommunications business were not implemented until Q2 2024.

    Appendix

    Breakdown of Q1 revenue by segment:

    In millions of euros (unaudited) Q1 2025 Q1 2024 % change

    Benelux

    		 88.7 100.7         -12.0%
    Connectivity                                  67.9 78.7 -13.8%
    Energy                                  14.1 16.7 -15.8%
    Technology                                    6.7      5.3 +25,7%
           
    France 76.3 97.9         -22.0%
    Connectivity                                  36.8 64.7 -43.2%
    Energy                                  22.8 17.5 +30,1%
    Technology                                  16.7 15.6 +7,1%
           
    Germany 21.9 18.2 +20.7%
           
    Other Countries 45.5 48.3         -5.8%
    Poland                                  16.2 14.6 +11,4%
    Italy                                 14.9 13.0 +14,6%
    Spain 7.3 11.6 -37.2%
    United Kingdom 7.1 9.2 -22.3%
    Group revenue 232.4 265.0         -12.3%

    Upcoming Events

    TPICAP Conference Paris                   May 15, 2025
    Annual General Meeting                     June 17, 2025
    2025 Half-Year Earnings Report         September 17, 2025 (after market close)
    2025 Q3 Revenue Report                  November 5, 2025 (after market close)

    About Solutions30 SE

    Solutions30 provides consumers and businesses with access to the key technological advancements that are shaping our everyday lives, especially those driving the digital transformation and energy transition. With its network of more than 16,000 technicians, Solutions30 has completed over 65 million call-outs since its inception and led over 500 renewable energy projects with a combined maximum output surpassing 1800 MWp. Every day, Solutions30 is doing its part to build a more connected and sustainable world. Solutions30 has become an industry leader in Europe with operations in 10 countries: France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Poland. The capital of Solutions30 SE consists of 107,127,984 shares, equal to the number of theoretical votes that can be exercised. Solutions30 SE is listed on the Euronext Paris exchange (ISIN FR0013379484- code S30). Indices: CAC Mid & Small | CAC Small | CAC Technology | Euro Stoxx Total Market Technology | Euronext Tech Croissance.
    Visit our website to learn more: www.solutions30.com.

    Contact

    Individual Shareholders:
    Tel: +33 1 86 86 00 63 – actionnaires@solutions30.com

    Analysts/Investors:
    investor.relations@solutions30.com

    Press – Image 7:
    Charlotte Le Barbier – Tel: +33 6 78 37 27 60 – clebarbier@image7.fr

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ASM reports first quarter 2025 results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Almere, The Netherlands
    April 29, 2025, 6 p.m. CET

    Solid start of the year, Q1 sales supported by continued AI-related strength

    ASM International N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: ASM) today reports its Q1 2025 results (unaudited).

    Financial highlights

    € million Q1 2024 Q4 2024 Q1 2025
    New orders 697.9 731.4 834.2
    yoy change % at constant currencies 10% 8% 14%
           
    Revenue 639.0 809.0 839.2
    yoy change % at constant currencies (8%) 27% 26%
           
    Gross profit 337.8 407.2 447.8
    Gross profit margin % 52.9 % 50.3 % 53.4 %
           
    Operating result 187.1 222.3 266.2
    Operating result margin % 29.3  % 27.5  % 31.7  %
           
    Adjusted operating result 1 191.8 227.0 271.0
    Adjusted operating result margin %1 30.0  % 28.1  % 32.3  %
           
    Net earnings (losses) 173.1 225.8 (28.9)
    Adjusted net earnings  1 178.9 231.5 191.9

    1 Adjusted figures are non-IFRS performance measures.  Refer to Annex 3 for a reconciliation of non-IFRS performance measures.

    • New orders of €834 million in Q1 2025 increased by 14% over the same period last year at constant currency (increased by 20% as reported), supported by strong GAA 2nm orders, and a relatively solid contribution from the Chinese market in the quarter.
    • Revenue of €839 million increased by 26% at constant currencies (increased by 31% as reported) from Q1 of last year, above the midpoint of the guidance (€810-850 million).
    • Gross profit margin increased to 53.4%, up from both Q1 of last year (52.9%) and up from prior quarter (50.3%). The increase compared to prior quarter was driven by a favorable product and customer mix.
    • Adjusted operating result margin of 32.3% is an improvement of 2.3% points compared to the same period last year, and an increase by 4.2% points compared to the previous quarter. This was mainly due to higher gross profit margin and moderated operating expenses (with year-on-year SG&A reducing from 11.4% to 9.1% as a percentage of revenue).
    • Our reported net results included an impairment of €215 million from our stake in ASMPT, triggered by the reduced market valuation in the recent period. There is no cash impact. Following the impairment, and in line with our accounting policy, the changes in the market value of ASMPT will be included in our quarterly net results in case of further decline or until the impairment charge has been reversed.

    Comment

    “ASM continued to deliver strong results in the first quarter of 2025. Sales increased by 26% at constant currencies, to €839 million, which was above the midpoint of our €810-850 million guidance,” said Hichem M’Saad, CEO of ASM. “The year-on-year increase was largely driven by robust sales in the leading-edge logic/foundry segment as leading customers continued moving towards high-volume manufacturing of the 2nm gate-all-around (GAA) node.

    Market conditions continued to be mixed in the first quarter. Demand in the AI-related segments, including leading-edge logic/foundry and DRAM HBM memory, remained strong, while most of the other market segments remained sluggish. Bookings increased to €834 million in Q1 2025, up 14% year-on-year at constant currencies. Strong GAA orders, healthy demand from memory customers, especially for HBM-related DRAM applications, and solid demand from Chinese customers mainly contributed to the solid bookings. The cash position increased to a strong level of slightly more than €1.1 billion on the back of robust free cash flow of €264 million.

    The gross margin increased to a high level of 53.4%, largely driven by product and customer mix. The gross margin also benefited from ongoing cost reduction programs. For the full year 2025, we now expect the gross margin to be in the upper half of the target range of 46%-50%. This excludes any potential direct impact from tariffs, which at this point is difficult to predict. We have prepared various scenarios to mitigate potential financial impact, leveraging our global supply chain capabilities and diversified manufacturing operations in combination with passing on impact into the value chain.”

    Outlook

    Global trade tensions and recent announcements of reciprocal tariffs have increased macroeconomic uncertainty. It is too early to tell what the impact on GDP and the semiconductor market will be. So far, our discussions with key customers have not materially changed. 

    We expect our sales in 2025 to grow by a double-digit percentage range of a 10-20% year on year, at constant currencies, and ahead of the WFE market, which is forecast to grow slightly this year. While we have reasonable visibility that we will achieve the lower end of the range, achieving the higher end will require some upside opportunities to materialize which at this point is still uncertain. In view of the recently increased exchange rate volatility and ASM’s significant US$ revenue exposure (>80% of sales) we decided to change our guidance from absolute Euro amounts to growth rates at constant currencies. 

    For Q2 2025 we expect sales to increase compared to Q1 by a range of +1% to +6% at constant currencies. This implies continued double-digit year-on-year sales growth in Q2 2025 at constant currencies.

    We continue to be confident that our gate-all-around sales will increase strongly in 2025. Supported by robust HBM-related DRAM demand, we expect healthy memory sales in full year 2025, albeit lower than the very strong level in 2024. The power/analog/wafer market is still in a cyclical downturn and the outlook for this segment has further weakened for the rest of the year. 

    Underpinned by strong R&D engagements, we believe ASM remains well positioned in the coming years to benefit from increasing ALD and Epi intensity with the transition to a tighter and more complex device architecture in logic with GAA and in DRAM with 4F2.

    Annual General Meeting

    On March 27, 2025, ASM published the agenda, convocation, and other materials for the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM), to be held on May 12, 2025, in Almere, which as also earlier announced, includes, amongst other things, resolutions on:

    • the annual accounts of 2024;
    • the remuneration report 2024;
    • the proposal to declare a regular dividend of €3.00 (three euros) per common share;
    • the reappointment of Mr. Verhagen (for two years) as member of the Management Board;
    • the reappointment of Ms. Van der Meer Mohr (for four years), Mr. Sanchez (for four years) and Ms. Kahle-Galonske (for one year) as members of the Supervisory Board;
    • the appointment of EY Accountants B.V. as auditor to audit the annual accounts for the financial year 2026 and as assurance provider of sustainability information for the financial years 2025 and 2026.

    Please refer to the AGM documents available on our website for more detailed information.

    Share buyback program

    In our Q4 press release, ASM announced that the Management Board has authorized a new share repurchase program of up to €150 million of the company’s common shares for the 2025/2026 period. As announced in a separate press release today, the share buyback program will start on April 30, 2025.

    About ASM

    ASM International N.V., headquartered in Almere, the Netherlands, and its subsidiaries design and manufacture equipment and process solutions to produce semiconductor devices for wafer processing, and have facilities in the United States, Europe, and Asia. ASM International’s common stock trades on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange (symbol: ASM). For more information, visit ASM’s website at www.asm.com.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: All matters discussed in this press release, except for any historical data, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to, economic conditions and trends in the semiconductor industry generally and the timing of the industry cycles specifically, currency fluctuations, corporate transactions, financing and liquidity matters, the success of restructurings, the timing of significant orders, market acceptance of new products, competitive factors, litigation involving intellectual property, shareholders or other issues, commercial and economic disruption due to natural disasters, terrorist activity, armed conflict or political instability, changes in import/export regulations, pandemics, epidemics and other risks indicated in the company’s reports and financial statements. The company assumes no obligation nor intends to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future developments or circumstances.

    This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

    Quarterly earnings conference call details

    ASM will host the quarterly earnings conference call and webcast on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. CET. Conference-call participants should pre-register using this link to receive the dial-in numbers, passcode and a personal PIN, which are required to access the conference call. 
    A simultaneous audio webcast and replay will be accessible at this link.

    Contacts  
    Investor and media relations Investor relations
    Victor Bareño Valentina Fantigrossi
    T: +31 88 100 8500 T: +31 88 100 8502
    E: investor.relations@asm.com E: investor.relations@asm.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Durbin, Colleagues Blast Trump Administration’s Attacks on Head Start, Demand RFK JR. Immediately Release Funding and Reverse Firings

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    April 29, 2025
    42 lawmakers write to RFK Jr. demanding answers on Trump admin’s actions undermining Head Start as Trump reportedly plans to eliminate the program
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) in sending a letter to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. calling out the Trump administration’s direct attacks on Head Start, reminding him of his legal obligation to administer the program and demanding the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) immediately release Head Start funding and reverse the mass firing of Head Start staff and gutting of the offices that help ensure high-quality services are available for thousands of children and families across the country. 
    “We write to express our strong opposition to the actions you have taken to directly attack and undermine the federal Head Start program. Since day one, this Administration has taken unacceptable actions to withhold and delay funding, fire Head Start staff, and gut high-quality services for children. Already this year, this Administration has withheld almost $1 billion in federal grant funding from Head Start programs, a 37 percent decrease compared to the amount of funding awarded during the same period last year,” write the lawmakers. “It is abundantly clear that these actions are part of a broader effort to ultimately eliminate the program altogether, as the Administration reportedly plans to do in its fiscal year 2026 budget proposal.”
    The lawmakers detail how the program plays an instrumental role in supporting kids and families across the country, writing: “Head Start provides early childhood education and comprehensive health and social services to nearly 800,000 young children every year in communities across this country, and employs about 250,000 dedicated staff. Head Start is a critical source of child care for working families, particularly in rural and Tribal communities, where Head Start programs are often the only option for high-quality child care services. Head Start programs ensure children receive appropriate health and dental care, nutrition support, and referrals to other critical services for parents, such as job training, adult education, nutrition services, and housing support.”
    “You even acknowledged the value of Head Start following a recent visit to a Virginia Head Start center,” the lawmakers write, contrasting that statement of support with the Trump Administration’s actions. “However, as a result of your actions to withhold and delay funding and undermine the administration of this vital program, Head Start centers are in serious jeopardy and have already had their day to day operations impacted. Programs are increasingly worried that they will not be able to make payroll, pay rent, and remain open to serve the hundreds of thousands of children and families who depend on their services in communities across the nation.”
    “Since the very start of this Administration, Head Start programs have been under attack,” the lawmakers write, detailing office closures and funds that were frozen for Head Start grants across the country. “At one point, the National Head Start Association reported 37 programs serving nearly 15,000 children across the country could not access their federal funding. Head Start programs operate with thin margins and on short-term budgets from HHS, and without any communication from the Administration about the status of funding, programs were forced to temporarily close or to lay off staff.”
    The lawmakers underscore how the gutting of Head Start offices and the firing of staff who keep the federal program running puts the entire program in jeopardy: “On April 1st, you abruptly closed five of the ten regional offices that help local grantees administer Head Start programs in 22 states. This left hundreds of programs without dedicated points of contact to address mission critical issues like approving grant renewals and modifications, investigating child health and safety incidents, and providing training and technical assistance to ensure high-quality services for children. While some grantees were assigned a new program specialist, we understand many have not been receiving responses to their inquiries. This is on top of the estimated 97 Office of Head Start central office staff that were terminated due to their probationary status and the recent reduction in force. You promised ‘radical transparency’ as Secretary, yet it is unclear how these actions will improve Head Start programs, and you and your staff refuse to respond to basic inquiries and requests for information.”
    Importantly, the lawmakers note that without funding that has so far not gone out the door, many more programs could be forced to close.
    “Head Start grantees are still waiting on payments and grant renewals from the Office of Head Start, including programs whose grants end on April 30th, 2025. These notices should have gone out by now, yet we are concerned to hear programs report they have received little to no correspondence regarding their grant renewals,” the lawmakers continue to detail how local Head Start programs are receiving no notice for the path forward for grant funding. “Additionally, because we started fiscal year 2025 under a short-term continuing resolution, as is usual, some grantees have only received partial funding for the first few months of the year. But with a full year funding bill in place, these grantees should have received full funding by now, yet some are reporting that they have not received the full amount of their grants and will run out of funds this month or next. On Wednesday, April 16th, the delays in Head Start funding led to the closure of Head Start centers serving more than 400 children in Sunnyside, Washington.”
    “The Administration has a legal and moral obligation to disburse Head Start funds to programs and to uphold the program’s promise to provide high-quality early education services to low income children and families across this country,” the lawmakers write. “There is no justifiable reason for the delay in funding we have seen over the last two months, and you have refused to offer any kind of explanation.”
    The lawmakers conclude by warning that eliminating the program would be devastating, demanding answers on the administration’s actions and demanding the reversal of them: “[W]e urge you to immediately reinstate fired staff across all Offices of Head Start, and cease all actions to delay the awarding and disbursement of funding to Head Start programs across this country.”
    This letter follows up Duckworth and Durbin’s letter to Secretary Kennedy demanding answers about the closure of five regional Head Start offices across the country, including the Region 5 office in Chicago.  Despite a deadline to respond by April 22, HHS has yet to reply to the Senators’ questions.
    In addition to Durbin, Duckworth, Murray, Sanders, and Baldwin, the letter was signed by 37 colleagues, including U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Peter Welch (D-VT), Gary Peters (D-MI), Michael F. Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Fetterman (D-PA), Christopher A. Coons (D-DE), Christopher S. Murphy (D-CT), Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tim Kaine (D-MN), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Edward Markey (D-MA), Angus King (I-ME), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA). 
    Full text of the letter is available HERE and below:
    April 24, 2025
    Dear Secretary Kennedy:
    We write to express our strong opposition to the actions you have taken to directly attack and undermine the federal Head Start program. Since day one, this Administration has taken unacceptable actions to withhold and delay funding, fire Head Start staff, and gut high-quality services for children. Already this year, this Administration has withheld almost $1 billion in federal grant funding from Head Start programs, a 37 percent decrease compared to the amount of funding awarded during the same period last year. It is abundantly clear that these actions are part of a broader effort to ultimately eliminate the program altogether, as the Administration reportedly plans to do in its fiscal year 2026 budget proposal.
    Head Start provides early childhood education and comprehensive health and social services to nearly 800,000 young children every year in communities across this country, and employs about 250,000 dedicated staff. Head Start is a critical source of child care for working families, particularly in rural and Tribal communities, where Head Start programs are often the only option for high-quality child care services. Head Start programs ensure children receive appropriate health and dental care, nutrition support, and referrals to other critical services for parents, such as job training, adult education, nutrition services, and housing support.
    You even acknowledged the value of Head Start following a recent visit to a Virginia Head Start center, where you said, “I had a very inspiring tour. I saw a devoted staff and a lot of happy children. They are getting the kind of education and socialization they need, and they are also getting a couple of meals a day.”
    However, as a result of your actions to withhold and delay funding and undermine the administration of this vital program, Head Start centers are in serious jeopardy and have already had their day to day operations impacted. Programs are increasingly worried that they will not be able to make payroll, pay rent, and remain open to serve the hundreds of thousands of children and families who depend on their services in communities across the nation.
    Since the very start of this Administration, Head Start programs have been under attack. On January 27th, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget issued a memo (M-25-13) that suddenly froze the disbursement of grant funding for federal programs and services government-wide, including Head Start. Despite the Administration’s clarification that Head Start programs would not be the target of the funding freeze, many Head Start programs across the country were unable to draw down their grant funds through the Payment Management System (PMS) for weeks. At one point, the National Head Start Association reported 37 programs serving nearly 15,000 children across the country could not access their federal funding. Head Start programs operate with thin margins and on short-term budgets from HHS, and without any communication from the Administration about the status of funding, programs were forced to temporarily close or to lay off staff. In Wisconsin, the National Centers for Learning Excellence, which serves more than 200 children and their families, shut down for a week and laid off staff due to the funding freeze.
    On April 1st, you abruptly closed five of the ten regional offices that help local grantees administer Head Start programs in 22 states. This left hundreds of programs without dedicated points of contact to address mission critical issues like approving grant renewals and modifications, investigating child health and safety incidents, and providing training and technical assistance to ensure high-quality services for children. While some grantees were assigned a new program specialist, we understand many have not been receiving responses to their inquiries. This is on top of the estimated 97 Office of Head Start central office staff that were terminated due to their probationary status and the recent reduction in force. You promised “radical transparency” as Secretary, yet it is unclear how these actions will improve Head Start programs, and you and your staff refuse to respond to basic inquiries and requests for information.
    On March 14th, 2025, the Office of Head Start (OHS) notified all Head Start programs that “the use of federal funding for any training and technical assistance or other program expenditures that promote or take part in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives” will not be approved and that any questions should be directed to regional offices. Programs have not received any guidance for what would be considered “DEI” but this policy is potentially in direct conflict with statutory and regulatory program requirements, such as providing culturally and linguistically appropriate instructional services for English learners. Many programs cannot direct questions to regional staff, as half of regional offices were abruptly closed, and as unprecedented actions are being taken to delay and withhold funding, Head Start programs have been intentionally left with little to no guidance.
    Head Start programs are now arbitrarily required to provide justifications for each draw down of funds that is necessary to operate their programs, despite already receiving a federal grant award for these purposes. As of April 14th, Head Start programs have reportedly received correspondence from an email address “defendthespend@hhs.gov” requiring programs to submit a “specific description of why the funds are necessary and why they are aligned to the award” before programs can have funding disbursed. It has been reported that political appointees must sign off on every draw down of funds. This creates an illusion of improving oversight but only serves to add unnecessary red tape by requiring the manual sign off on hundreds of thousands of individual actions annually across the Department based on two to three sentence justifications. Already some grantees have reported delays in receiving funds, and have reported that furloughs or closures are imminent if funds are not released. For an administration that purports to value local autonomy and efficiency in federally funded programs, your actions have achieved the exact opposite.
    Finally, Head Start grantees are still waiting on payments and grant renewals from the Office of Head Start, including programs whose grants end on April 30th, 2025. These notices should have gone out by now, yet we are concerned to hear programs report they have received little to no correspondence regarding their grant renewals. Additionally, because we started fiscal year 2025 under a short-term continuing resolution, as is usual, some grantees have only received partial funding for the first few months of the year. But with a full year funding bill in place, these grantees should have received full funding by now, yet some are reporting that they have not received the full amount of their grants and will run out of funds this month or next. On Wednesday, April 16th, the delays in Head Start funding led to the closure of Head Start centers serving more than 400 children in Sunnyside, Washington.
    The Administration has a legal and moral obligation to disburse Head Start funds to programs and to uphold the program’s promise to provide high-quality early education services to low income children and families across this country. The fiscal year 2025 appropriations act provided $12.3 billion for Head Start, the same as the fiscal year 2024 level. The Head Start Act includes an explicit formula for how appropriated funds should be allocated. There is no justifiable reason for the delay in funding we have seen over the last two months, and you have refused to offer any kind of explanation. However, this week leaked fiscal year 2026 budget documents indicated the Office of Management and Budget was directing the Department, consistent with the Administration’s proposal to eliminate Head Start in fiscal year 2026, to “ensure to the extent allowable FY2025 funds are available to close out the program.” If this explains any of the delay in awarding fiscal year 2025 funding, we want to be clear, no funds were provided in fiscal year 2025 to “close out the program,” and it would be wholly unacceptable and likely illegal if the Department tries to carry out this directive.
    Finally, the leaked budget documents provided a justification, albeit brief, for eliminating Head Start in fiscal year 2026 that makes this Administration’s priorities clear and puts the Department’s actions over the last several months in context. The Administration argues that eliminating Head Start, “is consistent with the Administration’s goals of returning education to the States and increasing parental choice.” It is shocking to see an argument that eliminating a program that provides comprehensive early childhood care and education to 800,000 children and their families would increase parental choice. It is particularly concerning to see that argument in the context of the significant delay in awarding fiscal year 2025 appropriated funds and what that indicates about the intent behind the Department’s actions. We believe it is obvious that eliminating Head Start would be detrimental to hundreds of thousands of children and families. Similarly, we believe it is obvious that delaying funding like we have seen over the last two months, forcing Head Start programs to close, and leaving families to scramble to find quality, affordable alternatives puts the education and well-being of some of the most vulnerable young children in America at risk. In our view, that is unacceptable.
    Therefore, we urge you to immediately reinstate fired staff across all Offices of Head Start, and cease all actions to delay the awarding and disbursement of funding to Head Start programs across this country.
    Please provide us with a written response to the questions below no later than 10 days from receipt:
    1. Will you reinstate the staff who administer Head Start programs and reopen the closed regional offices responsible for overseeing Head Start programs in 22 states?
    a) When is HHS going to share information on the reorganization plan for the consolidation of the regional offices?
    b) Please provide the contact information for each program specialist designated to the 22 states who lost their regional office.
    c) Who is responsible for ensuring there are no delays or lapses in funding, nor any disruptions to Head Start program operations now that these states do not have a regional office?
    2. How many employees at the Offices of Head Start have been terminated, including the five regional offices and the central office?
    a) Which officials at HHS were involved in the staffing reduction decisions for OHS and what planning, if any, was undertaken prior to these reductions? Please describe the events that unfolded and name each office that was involved in the decision. Further, please name the official(s) who approved the staffing reductions.
    3. Can you confirm that the Administration will distribute all Head Start funds appropriated by Congress to Head Start programs in FY 25, as required by the Head Start Act?
    4. Please provide a list of all grantees with 5-year Head Start grant renewals that start between now and the end of the fiscal year: May 1st, June 1st, July 1st, August 1st, and September 1st.
    a) Will any funding be delayed for grantees that are due to receive their annual funding on May 1st or beyond?
    5. Why are funding awards delayed for grantees that received partial awards during the first continuing resolution for FY25?
    a) When can HHS guarantee that all funds will be awarded for partially funded Head Start programs?
    6. What is the “Tier 2” department for review that is delaying drawn down for Head Start programs in the Payment Management System?
    a) When should programs expect to receive their funds?
    b) Please provide all communication that went to Head Start grantees on the new review process.
    7. What guidance and clarifications have been provided to Head Start grantees on DEI expenditures?
    a) How is HHS evaluating Head Start programs’ expenditures and grant awards for DEI?
    b) What justifications are being used to prohibit DEI?
    Sincerely,
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican Resident Sentenced for Illegal Reentry Following Seven Previous Removals from U.S.

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Mexico who had been previously removed from the United States seven times between 2013 and 2017 pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of illegal reentry of a removed alien and was sentenced to time served on his conviction, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Dario Fortunato-Torres, 38, on April 28, 2025.

    According to information presented to the Court, on October 8, 2024, Fortunato-Torres was arrested by the Moon Township Police Department and charged with several traffic violations, which, according to the public docket, have since been withdrawn. Following this encounter, immigration officials determined that Fortunato-Torres was illegally present in the United States and arrested him on November 19, 2024. Fortunato-Torres had been removed from the United States on seven prior occasions between 2013 and 2017. Fortunato-Torres has been in custody since his November arrest and will be returned to immigration custody.

    Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

    Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Fortunato-Torres.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican Man Sentenced for Fifth Illegal Entry into U.S.

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Mexico pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of illegal reentry of a removed alien and was sentenced to 60 days of imprisonment on his conviction, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy imposed the sentence on Juan Antonio Lopez-Mauricio, 34, on April 28, 2025.

    According to information presented to the Court, on January 30, 2025, immigration officials encountered Lopez-Mauricio and determined that he was illegally present in the United States. Lopez-Mauricio was previously removed from the United States four times between 2012 and 2015 following convictions in federal courts in the Southern District of Texas and the District of Arizona for illegally entering the United States. Lopez-Mauricio has been in custody since his January arrest and will remain detained pending his deportation from the United States.

    Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

    Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Lopez-Mauricio.

    This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Pennsylvania Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, combat illegal immigration, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: British Steel: ministerial direction

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    British Steel: ministerial direction

    Letters requesting and confirming the ministerial direction relating to British Steel.

    Documents

    Letter from the Secretary of State for Business and Trade to the Permanent Secretary, 12 April 2025

    PDF, 103 KB, 1 page

    Letter from the Permanent Secretary to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, 12 April 2025

    PDF, 199 KB, 3 pages

    Details

    The first letter requests a ministerial direction on British Steel. It is from the Permanent Secretary to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. The reasons for the request are also set out in this letter.

    The second letter confirms the ministerial direction on British Steel. It is from the Secretary of State for Business and Trade to the Permanent Secretary. The reasons for the confirmation are also set out in this letter.

    Updates to this page

    Published 29 April 2025

    Sign up for emails or print this page

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What interviews with ordinary Germans living under the Nazis can teach us about our current politics

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Melissa Butcher, Professor Emeritus, Social and Cultural Geography, Royal Holloway University of London

    “Nazi” and “fascist” are words being used a lot these days; thrown about as descriptions of contemporary populist leaders or to mark out disagreement with someone. Comparisons with 1930s Germany don’t always suit the complexity of the moment we live in, but there are resonances. The choices people are having to make in the face of authoritarianism is among them.

    Darkness Over Germany, originally published in 1943, is a collection of conversations with people having to make difficult choices as the Nazi party gradually takes control of their country. The author, Amy Buller, lived and studied in Germany between 1912 and 1914, maintaining personal and professional networks there throughout her life.

    Concerned by what she saw happening in the 1930s, she established an Anglo-German discussion group. She took academics from the UK to Germany to try to understand the country’s slide into dictatorship.

    Democracy in decline? The risk and rise of authoritarianism

    Democracy is under pressure around the world in 2025. But is this part of a larger historical cycle or does it signal a deeper, more fundamental shift? Join us for a free event in central London on May 8 to discuss these important questions. Come for a panel discussion and stay for food, drinks and conversation.

    Get tickets here

    The conversations, with teachers, priests, military officers, tradesmen, civil servants, students and lawyers, point to some of the underlying economic and emotional drivers of authoritarianism. People speak of grievances related to humiliation and poverty. This is coupled with a desire for a leader who will make the pain of these things disappear.

    Hitler promised to make Germany great again, for which some expressed gratitude, including a skilled tradesman who had spent four years in the trenches of the first world war: “I would ask you not to sneer at an honest attempt to meet a terrible situation and I might add that I am profoundly grateful to the Führer for this idea, which has saved my own sons from the destruction of unemployment.”

    As Buller remarked in a lecture in 1942: “When men are drowning they will not be very particular about the type of rope that picks them up”.

    Amy Buller’s Darkness over Germany.
    Wikipedia

    Faced with fascism, ordinary Germans had to make difficult choices, described as “agony” by a teacher in Darkness Over Germany. At times, there is no good choice available. There were those who decided it was impossible to stay and chose exile. Some became less visible, keeping their heads down and letting it blow over, fatalistically choosing to do nothing because they felt there was nothing to be done.

    There was a choice to stay but openly defy the authorities, possibly resulting in detention or worse. But also a choice to stay, pay lip service to the regime, and try to undermine it where possible, to prevent regime-aligned people taking up another place. There was also the option to join the regime.

    All these decisions reflect how an individual may imagine the future, with despair for some but for others, a mercurial hope – that a new order will take away the humiliations of the past and bring economic prosperity. Or that the current moment is just an aberration and that this too will pass.

    As a young German officer noted: “I would put up with almost anything if in my lifetime this feeling of defeat could be removed from the German army. I know much is bad in what the Nazis do, but it will not last. It is the sort of thing that happens in revolutions.”

    These descriptions of personal responses to the rise of fascism in 1930s Germany echo what I heard in my research talking to voters across the US leading up to Donald Trump’s re-election. There is economic and social rupture as a result of globalisation, financial crises, the legacies of racism, secularism and an exponentially expanding digital life.

    Emotional drivers emerge, expressed as grievance, shame and humiliation. There is a sense of “losing our country” to an enemy, while precarity and crises are accessed daily in doom-laden echo chambers.

    People try to imagine a future out of this state of perma-crises, one in which they will feel better. There are compromises and trade-offs that have to be made, at times with the added stress of having to make choices on behalf of others, such as children. These are painful struggles that require, at times, holding disparate ideas simultaneously.

    In Darkness Over Germany, Buller showed it was possible for some to “hate the Nazis and love England” while still fighting for Germany, if doing so restored pride and economic security. Likewise in the US today, it is possible to find Trump abhorrent but still vote for him, as some of my interviewees did.

    The slide into authoritarianism isn’t “madness” or “evil”. It rests on millions of individual choices made every day by ordinary people: it is the banal, as philosopher Hannah Arendt pointed out in her work on violence and totalitarianism. It is also exhausting and sometimes dangerous for those living under the strain of compromise, as Buller’s empathetic conversations show.

    Darkness Over Germany is a reminder why such conversations are necessary. Not to condone or to cooperate with authoritarianism, as some recent ill-advised attempts for rapprochement between politicians, media personalities and Maga have shown in the US, but to understand the difficult choices that have to be made at times in order to provide people with alternatives.

    This article is part of a series on democracy and the risk of totalitarianism. Join us to find out more about this topic at a free event in London on May 8. Meet the author and Conversation editors, with food and drink included. Get tickets here.

    Melissa Butcher has received funding from UKRI and the ERC. She is a member of the Green Party.

    – ref. What interviews with ordinary Germans living under the Nazis can teach us about our current politics – https://theconversation.com/what-interviews-with-ordinary-germans-living-under-the-nazis-can-teach-us-about-our-current-politics-255401

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Salinas’ Bipartisan Bill to Promote Scientific Research Standards Passes Committee

    Source: US Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06)

    Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas (D-OR) announced that her bipartisan bill with Representative Rich McCormick (R-GA) passed out of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. Introduced earlier this week, the Nucleic Acid Screening for Biosecurity Act would develop technical standards and best practices for nucleic acid screening.

    “From treating and diagnosing diseases to developing new vaccines, nucleic acids are used for a variety of important purposes,” said Rep. Salinas. “My legislation would help standardize screening processes and protocols for universities, companies, and researchers who work with nucleic acids. I’m proud to see this bill pass out of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee with strong bipartisan support, and I’ll continue advocating for commonsense solutions that will ensure America remains a global leader in scientific research and innovation.” 

    Biotechnology companies routinely produce custom-ordered nucleic acids for university, industry, nonprofit, and government researchers. Although industry has worked to develop international standards related to screening molecules of concern, U.S.-led efforts are still required to further increase adoption of sufficiently rigorous protocols.

    The Nucleic Acid Screening for Biosecurity Act authorizes the Director of the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) to carry out programs to support the development of technical standards and best practices related to nucleic acid screening. It would codify nucleic acid screening activities outlined in former President Biden’s Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.

    The bill now awaits a vote by the full House of Representatives. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ciscomani, VA Secretary Collins Reiterate Support for Veterans during Tucson Visit

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Juan Ciscomani (Arizona)

    “Our goal is to make sure veterans in Arizona and across the country get the best possible care we can provide”

    TUCSON, AZ – U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani and Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins reiterated their shared commitment to care for the men and women who’ve served our country in uniform.  

    During a tour of Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson, both the Congressman and the Secretary strongly pushed back on false claims that mission-critical positions within the VA will be cut, causing possible disruptions in the delivery of care and benefits. 

    “Don’t believe the lies,” Ciscomani said. “No one is talking about cutting positions for anyone that provides direct care or benefits to veterans. No one is talking about eliminating services. Our goal is to make sure veterans in Arizona and across the country get the best possible care we can provide.” 

    The Secretary spent the morning with Ciscomani in Tucson, meeting with the Congressman’s Veterans Advisory Council, touring the Tucson VA and discussing services to veterans with hospital leadership.   

    “One of the things that I spend 50 percent of my time on is basically fighting back against inuendo and rumor about what’s going on at the VA by those who think they know what’s going on at the VA,” Secretary Collins said. 

    Ciscomani, a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, represents a district with nearly 80,000 veterans, one of the largest veteran populations of any Congressional district in the country. His Veterans Advisory Council includes community leaders like Sierra Vista Mayor Clea McCaa and Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy. 

    “It is my duty, and honor, to advocate on behalf of veterans to ensure their needs are prioritized by the federal government,” said Ciscomani. “I am incredibly grateful to Secretary Collins for his leadership, our shared commitment to veterans, and for taking the time to talk with those who served, tour VA facilities in Tucson, and counter false narratives about cuts to mission-critical employees, healthcare, and benefits. Secretary Collins is a fantastic partner. I look forward to continuing working together to modernize and improve the VA to deliver on our promise to our veterans.”  

    “Under President Trump’s leadership, VA is challenging the status quo to find new and better ways of serving America’s heroes,” said Secretary Collins. “As part of that effort, we’re visiting VA facilities in Tucson and across the nation to see what’s working and what needs improvement. We will reform the department to make it work better for America’s Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors, and we thank Rep. Ciscomani for his support.” 

    Veteran Advisory Council  

    Ciscomani hosted a meeting of his Veteran Advisory Council with Secretary Collins where they reiterated that there are no plans to reduce access to healthcare or cut benefits at the VA.  

    Tucson VA Medical Center Leadership 

    Ciscomani and Secretary Collins met with leadership at the Tucson VA Medical Center to discuss recruitment and retention initiatives and countered false claims that the VA was planning cuts to mission-critical positions within the agency. 

    Tour of the Tucson VA Medical Center 

    Ciscomani, Secretary Collins tour facilities in the Tucson VA Medical Center. 

    Background:

    • Last week, Ciscomani honored 31 veterans from across Arizona 6th Congressional District in his second annual Veterans Service Leadership Award Ceremony.  

    • Through casework, Ciscomani’s team has returned $3.65 million to veteran-constituents, including $1.25 million since January 2025.  

    • So far in the 119th, Ciscomani has introduced three pieces of veterans-focused legislation, with one of these bills passing the House of Representatives unanimously. 
      • The Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivor Act (H.R. 1228)  would move the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA) back within the Office of the VA Secretary to ensure that families of fallen veterans are able to receive the benefits and support they deserve.  
        • This bill passed the House of Representatives unanimously on April 9, 2025.   
      • The Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act (H.R. 668) would improve healthcare coordination and management for veterans over the age of 65 who qualify for benefits from both the VA and Medicare.  
      • The Veterans Education and Technical Skills (VETS) Opportunity Act (H.R. 1458) would expand veterans’ access to educational opportunities for high-demand skilled trade and vocational programs, whether they are in-person or partially online. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Funding for Playground Equipment Coming in Fall 2025

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on April 29, 2025

    The Government of Saskatchewan will invest $3.75 million annually to deliver a new program to help fund school playground equipment in communities throughout the province.

    As a result, up to $50,000 in matched funding will be available for schools to build a new playground or update existing equipment.

    “Our government recognizes that every child deserves a place to play,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Alana Ross said. “Parent groups are working hard alongside local school councils to build safe, accessible playgrounds for their kids. This funding will help make their job a little easier, while ensuring projects are completed sooner.”

    Administered in partnership with the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA), the School Playground Equipment Grant program is expected to start accepting applications in fall 2025.

    The SPRA is a non-profit dedicated to connecting, educating and inspiring parks and recreation providers to create parks and recreation spaces for the benefit of everyone, with its core operations funded by Sask Lotteries.  

    “We are proud to expand our partnership with the Government of Saskatchewan in the delivery of the School Playground Equipment Grant program,” Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association President Darcy McLeod said. “Playgrounds are crucial to child development and are foundational pieces of community infrastructure that support our health and wellbeing.”

    The criteria and guidelines will be announced closer to the application process, after engagement with stakeholders. It is estimated that approximately 75 projects will receive support each year.

    “It takes time to plan and develop a school playground,” Ross said. “The program will launch in just a few short months and we want communities to know work is underway so they can incorporate this new funding option into their planning process.”  

    Further details, including the specific date that applications open along with the program criteria will be announced once finalized in collaboration with SPRA.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: AgriStability enrolment deadline extended to July 31, 2025 (Saskatchewan)

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    April 25, 2025 – Melville, Saskatchewan – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    Today, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison, along with federal, provincial, and territorial governments, announced the AgriStability enrolment deadline for the existing 2025 program year is extended (without penalty) from April 30, 2025, to July 31, 2025. The extension of the deadline is for the status quo program. The proposed changes announced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada are still being considered and have not been implemented. 

    The nature of the existing AgriStability Program makes it well suited to support producers. As a margin-based program, AgriStability responds when a producer’s whole farm profitability is impacted, including by rising costs and declining market prices. Tariffs have the potential to impact the prices producers receive for sold commodities. Coverage is personalized for each farm operation by using historical information, based on income tax and supplementary information. Farmers experiencing losses are encouraged to apply for interim payments under AgriStability for more rapid support. In the last six program years, Saskatchewan producers received over $565 million in benefit payments. 

    Enrolling is easy. Producers can provide all the necessary information over the phone. The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) is available to assist producers. To request a new participant package, call the SCIC AgriStability Call Centre at 1-866-270-8450 or email agristability@scic.ca. 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Young Push DOJ, FTC to Use Every Available Resource to Protect Americans’ Data Amid 23andMe Bankruptcy Proceedings

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Sen. Todd Young (R-IN), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, wrote to leadership at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) expressing the need for the agencies to exercise all available authorities to protect the sensitive genomic information of Americans, including in the bankruptcy proceedings of 23andMe, a personal genomics and biotechnology company that holds the DNA and sensitive information of millions of individuals.

    The senators highlighted the attempts by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and other foreign adversaries to collect this type of genomic data from Americans and the various ways in which the PRC has used sensitive biometric data for surveillance efforts.

    “As the Chinese government has realized, genomic data is incredibly valuable. Biological data is critical to biomedical discovery, particularly when, as here, it contains substantial amounts of personal genomic data. It can be used to create, design, and optimize everything from biopharmaceuticals and medical devices to optimizing AI models for medical applications,” the senators wrote. “The PRC also has demonstrated a sustained effort to leverage genomic and other biometric data for extensive surveillance; accessing this data – either directly or indirectly – could further enable PRC transnational surveillance, including posing counter-intelligence threats to the United States. In addition, genomic data can be used to create dual-use technologies that, on the one hand, could help create vaccines for diseases, but on the other hand, can be weaponized by our adversaries to for malign intent.”

    While applauding the recent actions by the Justice Department in current proceedings, the senators underscored the need to take more steps to ensure that bad actors are prevented from acquiring, legally or illegally, Americans’ genomic information. 

    The senators continued, “In addition to the Department’s recent filing, and any anticipated CFIUS review, the Department, in conjunction with the Commission and other U.S. agencies as appropriate, must closely monitor the sale or transfer of, or access to, 23andMe’s genomic databank, regardless of whether that activity is in the ordinary course of business, for compliance with all applicable statutes related to national security and consumer protection.”

    This is the latest effort by Sen. Warner to safeguard Americans’ data and sensitive information from adversaries. As Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Sen. Warner has worked to ensure the U.S. is prepared to counter threats posed by foreign adversaries including the PRC across various sectors. Sen. Warner spearheaded the push to force CCP-based Bytedance to divest from TikTok in order to allow the app to continue operations in the United States. Last year, Sen. Warner introduced the Countering CCP Drones and Supporting Drones for Law Enforcement Act, legislation to cut off dangerous CCP drone companies from the U.S. telecommunication infrastructure. Sen. Warner also introduced bipartisan and bicameral legislation to improve information sharing between private companies and the Intelligence Community in order to mitigate the threat that foreign adversaries including the CCP pose to United States companies in foreign jurisdictions on projects relating to energy generation and storage, including in the critical minerals industry, and earlier this year, Sen. Warner introduced legislation aimed at shoring up America’s response to financial threats stemming from the PRC.

    A copy of letter is available here and text is below.

    Dear Attorney General Bondi and Chairman Ferguson:

    We write to urge the Department of Justice (“Department”) and the Federal Trade Commission (“Commission”) to exercise the full scope of their legal and statutory authorities in 23andMe Holding Co. (“23andMe”)’s bankruptcy proceeding. We commend the Department on its April 22, 2025 filing in the 23andMe bankruptcy proceeding, recognizing that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) should review this transaction in light of the substantial national security concerns involved. However, additional action from agencies are necessary in order to prevent adversaries, including the People’s Republic of China (PRC), from acquiring millions of Americans’ genomic data.

    Chinese authorities have already collected genomic data on millions of their own citizens, and continue to actively target foreign companies, including in the U.S., for acquisition or investment, as well for theft, in order to obtain foreign individuals’ genomic data, creating serious implications for national security, public health, economic security, and Americans’ privacy. As the Chinese government has realized, genomic data is incredibly valuable. Biological data is critical to biomedical discovery, particularly when, as here, it contains substantial amounts of personal genomic data. It can be used to create, design, and optimize everything from biopharmaceuticals and medical devices to optimizing AI models for medical applications. The PRC also has demonstrated a sustained effort to leverage genomic and other biometric data for extensive surveillance; accessing this data – either directly or indirectly – could further enable PRC transnational surveillance, including posing counter-intelligence threats to the United States. In addition, genomic data can be used to create dual-use technologies that, on the one hand, could help create vaccines for diseases, but on the other hand, can be weaponized by our adversaries to for malign intent.

    In order to prevent China from weaponizing this data, or outcompeting the U.S. economically, the U.S. must urgently prioritize the protection of biological and genomic data, particularly of Americans, starting with that held by 23andMe.

    As the Department notes in its recent filing, its Data Security Program must be better utilized to ensure the protection, and prevent the acquisition, of Americans’ sensitive genomic data. In addition to the Department’s recent filing, and any anticipated CFIUS review, the Department, in conjunction with the Commission and other U.S. agencies as appropriate, must closely monitor the sale or transfer of, or access to, 23andMe’s genomic databank, regardless of whether that activity is in the ordinary course of business, for compliance with all applicable statutes related to national security and consumer protection. Chairman Ferguson’s letter to the Office of the U.S. Trustee lays out a clear rationale for robust oversight by the Justice Department over the legal obligations and protections that 23andMe owes its customers (“users”). 23andMe’s users also should have the ability to remove their genetic data from acquisition by a foreign government or entities under the control or influence of a foreign government, including data associated with other personally-identifiable information and any other data generated by 23andMe that uses genetic data in the aggregate.

    23andMe’s users provided their sensitive, personal genetic data to a privately-owned U.S. company, potentially without fully understanding the implications of this data falling into the hands of adversaries, including cybercriminals and foreign nation-states. Further, the genetic information held in 23andMe’s databank has implications for relatives of 23andMe users who share common genetic markers, creating additional privacy concerns for such individuals who had no opportunity to consent to how 23andMe’s data could be used in ways that affect them.

    Outside of this proceeding, we urge the Department, the Commission, and other relevant federal entities to closely monitor future transactions, and use all levers as appropriate, where foreign entities, particularly those under the control or influence of foreign nations of concern, are attempting to purchase – through bankruptcy proceedings or otherwise-Americans’ sensitive biologic and genomic data. To this end, we encourage the DOJ to evaluate any appropriate updates to its recently-released Final Rule,6 implementing Executive Order 14117 on “Preventing Access to Americans’ Bulk Sensitive Personal Data and United States Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern”, to address any novel risks posed by potential acquisition (and resale) of 23andMe data by covered vendors.

    In addition, the Department and the Commission must work with lead agencies to support the cybersecurity of genomic data. In March 2022, 23andMe suffered a security breach that compromised the genetic information of millions of users, underscoring concerns around genomic data privacy and misuse.

    In short, it is paramount to our national and economic security that there is a whole-of­ government approach to protecting Americans’ sensitive genomic data, including by preventing malign entities from gaining access to such data through commercial acquisition, cyberattacks, or other illicit means. We remain committed to working with the Department, the Commission, and the Administration broadly on this issue.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Northern District of Ohio U.S. Attorney’s Office Charges Multiple Defendants with Immigration Violations

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

    CLEVELAND – The U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) has announced that federal grand juries in the Northern District of Ohio have returned indictments for the following individuals on charges of immigration-related law violations. These are separate cases and are not related.

    Hector Linares, 47, a citizen of El Salvador, has been indicted on three counts. He has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition, and for being an alien in possession of a firearm, for possessing a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol and ammunition. In 2010, he was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine. Linares was also charged with illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the United States on at least one occasion with the last being Nov. 24, 2023. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the United States Marshals Service.

    Edil A. Martinez-Padilla, 38, a citizen of Honduras, has been charged with illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the United States twice with the last being April 24, 2013. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

    Carlos Daniel Romero-Esborar, 39, a citizen of Honduras, has been charged with illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the United States on at least one occasion with the last being April 27, 2012. The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

    A team of Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the USAO’s criminal division are prosecuting the cases above.

    Additionally, Juan Tiul Xi, 26, a citizen of Guatemala unlawfully residing in Cleveland, has been indicted for allegedly submitting a sponsorship application with false statements to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). Tiul Xi encouraged and induced a 14-year-old female unaccompanied minor from Guatemala to illegally enter the United States. It is alleged that he used his sister’s identity for the girl to provide as an alias which he included on paperwork in an effort to obtain custody of her. This indictment is the result of the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). The ICE HSI and FBI Cleveland Division are jointly investigating with assistance from HSI’s attaché team in Guatemala. Senior Trial Attorney Christian Levesque of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP), Joint Task Force Alpha detailee/Trial Attorney Spencer M. Perry of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and Acting U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik and Criminal Division Chief Michael L. Collyer for the Northern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case, with assistance from HRSP Analyst/Latin America Specialist Joanna Crandall.

    An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

    If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

    These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Putin’s three-day ceasefire isn’t a genuine move towards peace, but Ukraine has to play along

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Natasha Lindstaedt, Professor in the Department of Government, University of Essex

    The Russian leader, Vladmir Putin, has announced a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine to commence on May 8, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in the second world war. The Kremlin says “all hostilities will be suspended” during this period and has made it clear it expects Ukraine to follow suit.

    Ukraine responded by calling for an immediate month-long ceasefire and questioned Russia’s commitment to lasting peace. In a post on social media, Ukraine’s foreign secretary, Andrii Sybiha, wrote: “If Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately … Why wait until May 8th?”

    The ceasefire announcement followed two important developments. On April 18, the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, claimed that President Donald Trump was growing impatient and was likely to abandon peace efforts within days if there was no progress.

    Trump then made a rare rebuke of Putin on social media, writing “Vladmir, STOP” after a Russian air attack on Kyiv on April 24 killed 12 people and injured more than 80 others.



    Read more:
    Why is Donald Trump failing to bring peace to Ukraine like he promised?

    A temporary ceasefire allows Putin to do just enough to keep Trump thinking he is committed to a peace deal, hoping this will lead to eventual sanctions relief. But it also has clear benefits for Russia on the battlefield.

    Many aggressors use ceasefires to regroup, rearm and improve their positioning. Analysts have warned that Russia will use the pause to reorganise in order to pursue larger territorial ambitions, particularly in southern and eastern Ukraine.

    According to Ukraine, the broken “Easter truce” helped Russian forces in the Lyman sector of Donetsk Oblast regroup and launch a large-scale infantry assault shortly after its end. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, says the Easter ceasefire was violated by Russia around 3,000 times.

    While Trump appears frustrated by these recent developments, he has remained committed to maintaining a solid relationship with Putin. And in spite of the fact that only 2% of Americans are sympathetic to Russia, Trump has done little to hide his admiration for the Russian leader.

    Bloomberg news examined more than 300 of Trump’s public comments and over 3,000 social media posts since August 2024 and found that Trump has been echoing Russian talking points. The latest evidence of this occurred just days ago.

    When asked by a journalist on April 25 about what concessions Putin has made in the negotiation process, Trump claimed his Russian counterpart was making a “pretty big concession” by not taking over all of Ukraine.

    And while most western leaders condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Trump referred to it initially as “genius” and “savvy”.

    Trump not only respects Putin but sees their relationship as mutually beneficial. Putin has enticed Trump with potential investment opportunities in Russia, such as a Trump Tower project in Russia, and has supported his administration’s desire to take over Greenland.

    Though Putin occasionally flatters Trump, this is mostly to manipulate him. It was easy to see through Putin’s intentions with his commissioning of a laudatory portrait of Trump in the aftermath of his assassination attempt, standing triumphantly with the Statue of Liberty and American flag in the background. But, apparently, Trump was touched by it.

    This flattery seems to be working. Trump has recently announced that he supported Putin’s claims on Crimea, which Russia seized in 2014, representing a huge departure from decades of US foreign policy.

    By doing so, Trump is reneging on the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, where the US committed to support Ukraine’s sovereignty. This constitutes a breach of international law and will also make peace in Ukraine harder to achieve.

    The recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea is considered a red line for Ukraine and would be politically unpopular. Zelensky has made it clear that Crimea belongs to Ukraine, and that Russian annexation violates Ukraine’s current constitution. The constitution cannot be changed when the country is at war and under martial law.

    Ukraine’s limited options

    In spite of the unfavourable terms of any looming peace agreement, Zelensky has little choice at this point but to support a ceasefire. Nearly 90% of Ukrainians polled have faced stress due to the war and another poll, published in March, showed that 77% of Ukrainians back a ceasefire.



    Read more:
    Are Ukrainians ready for ceasefire and concessions? Here’s what the polls say

    The other issue is that Zelensky can no longer count on the US. And research from 2023 shows that for parties that have lost international support, moving towards a ceasefire is much more likely.

    With the US making clear that long-term support for Ukraine is not guaranteed, and Trump not approving a single military aid package since taking office, Zelensky has few options but to support a ceasefire agreement.

    Ceasefires are fairly common occurrences in conflict – over 230 ceasefires have taken place since 1990. But they are frequently broken. Russia in particular, has not been the most trustworthy partner in peace. According to Zelensky, Putin has broken 25 peace agreements over the past decade.

    This doesn’t leave one with much confidence that the latest ceasefire is a genuine move towards peace for Putin, or that the ceasefire will lead to anything more substantial.

    With Trump impatient to get a deal done rather than address the root cause of the conflict (Russia’s imperial ambitions), Russia will continue to manipulate the peace process and block future security guarantees for Ukraine.

    Putin is an expert at committing to agreements that he will renege on. By doing so, he can exact more concessions in the process, all the while blaming Ukraine for the breakdown in peace.

    Natasha Lindstaedt 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. Putin’s three-day ceasefire isn’t a genuine move towards peace, but Ukraine has to play along – https://theconversation.com/putins-three-day-ceasefire-isnt-a-genuine-move-towards-peace-but-ukraine-has-to-play-along-255463

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What Trump’s first 100 days mean for America’s women

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Amy Tatum, Lecturer in Communication and Media, Bournemouth University

    At a rally in November 2024, Donald Trump told the women of America that whether they “like it or not, I’m going to protect them”. And in his first 100 days as president, Trump has taken his role in a direction that leans into the most traditional form of patriarchy – a protector who knows what is best for women despite their demands to the contrary.

    In his leadership of the Republican party and his administration – and, crucially, in the executive orders he has issued – Trump has often tried to suggest women are at the forefront of his agenda. But rather than protecting women’s interests, these orders are setting back their rights at an alarming rate.

    On his first day back in the White House, the government website offering reproductive health information was taken offline. Since then, the Department of Health and Human Services has removed all mention of abortion protection policies and the Department of Justice has dropped the Biden administration’s lawsuit against Idaho, over its near-total abortion ban.


    How is Donald Trump’s presidency shaping up after 100 days? Here’s what the experts think. If you like what you see, sign up to receive our weekly World Affairs Briefing newsletter.

    The Trump administration has also asked to join the oral arguments currently being heard by the US Supreme Court that seek to prevent Medicaid funding for medical services offered by Planned Parenthood in the state of South Carolina.

    Such changes underline Trump’s stance on reproductive rights and suggest potential support for further legislation or legal battles aimed at limiting women’s access to such services.

    A Gallup poll found that in 2024, 63% of women in the US considered themselves pro-choice. So the Trump administration’s stance not only shows it is not listening to women; it signals that the government wants to restrict women’s agency for making their own reproductive decisions. This reinforces the patriarchal role taken by Trump and his administration.

    Limiting women’s democratic rights

    On March 25, Trump issued an executive order on voting registration. This was followed, a week later, by the House of Representatives vote on what is known as the “Save Act” (the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act). This legislation is aimed at limiting voter fraud – but has largely been seen as a way to restrict people’s ability to register to vote.

    The act, if passed by the Senate, will change the documentation that is required from a driving licence to either a birth certificate or passport. This is likely to have a detrimental effect on many women’s access to registration.

    In the US, 84% of women who marry men change their surname to that of their husband, meaning their name does not match that on their birth certificate. And it is estimated that 146 million US citizens do not hold valid passports – so many women wishing to vote may not have identification that would give them eligibility under this act.

    The draft law does not, at present, set out how married women would be able to circumvent this. The legislation has been criticised by commentators for its lack of protection for women voters, and has been seen as a way to disenfranchise and remove the rights of many women – effectively removing them from public affairs by denying their democratic rights.

    Attacking transgender rights

    Trump’s mission to “protect women” has extended to a concerted attack on gender non-conforming people. In his first day in the Oval Office, Trump signed executive order 14168 entitled: “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.”

    The wording of the title of this executive order focuses on the defence of women through a biological lens. But what it really does is weaken legal protections for trans, intersex and non-binary people by removing recognition of such identities in federal government policy and institutions. It also has the potential to limit these groups’ access to healthcare, leisure spaces, identity documents and education.

    A week later, the president followed this up with an executive order restricting gender care for under-19s, meaning that insurance run by the federal government could not be used to cover treatments or gender transitions.

    The first 100 days of Trump’s second term have suggested an aggressive stance towards eroding the rights of women and gender non-conforming people that has been couched in the idea of “protecting women”. In fact, limiting access to reproductive healthcare, restricting the rights of trans, intersex and non-binary people, and potentially disenfranchising large numbers of women demonstrates a lack of protection and a diminishing of their voices.

    Trump is portraying himself as the ultimate patriarch – one who knows best, and who upholds the power and privilege of men like himself.

    Amy Tatum 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. What Trump’s first 100 days mean for America’s women – https://theconversation.com/what-trumps-first-100-days-mean-for-americas-women-255269

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –