Category: Politics

MIL-OSI Australia: New neighbourhood park now open in north Watson
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The park’s impressive eagle centrepiece was designed by Ngunnawal artist Lynnice Church.
In brief:
- A new park on Aspinall Street, Watson is now open.
- It provides families a vibrant new space to play and learn more about Ngunnawal culture.
- It is part of the Section 76 Watson site, which will include new housing.
The new Maliyan Park in north Watson is now open.

It is located on Aspinall Street, near the Negus Crescent intersection.

This new neighbourhood park celebrates Ngunnawal culture through:
- vibrant artwork
- new trees and plantings
- diverse play equipment.
It was designed with the aim of sharing Ngunnawal culture while enjoying time outdoors.

The park’s centrepiece is a Maliyan (wedge-tailed eagle) structure. This was designed by Ngunnawal artist Lynnice Church.

The impressive structure signifies the Maliyan’s importance to the traditional custodians. It is believed she was chosen to create resources for Ngunnawal people.

Other artworks include native animals and insects designed by Ngunnawal artists Jazz and Krystal Matthews from Wilay Designs.

The park also features a selection of endemic plants with a special and practical connection to Ngunnawal community and culture.

Visitors will find play equipment for a range of ages and play styles. There is nature play, swings, slides, climbers and spinners.

Older children and adults can make use of exercise equipment and a kick-around space.

Maliyan Park is a unique space for local families to play, relax and learn more about Ngunnawal culture.

It is part of the Section 76 Watson site that will provide for:
- approximately 200 new homes
- a demonstration housing project of approximately 20 to 30 homes while keeping high-quality trees to continue to provide habitat for wildlife and reduce urban heat.
Section 76 was developed in consultation with the community. This includes input from the Dhawura Ngunnawal Caring for Country Committee.

^{There is play equipment for a range of ages and play styles.}

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MIL OSI News –
April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Contractors shortlisted for Northside Hospital Project
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Artist’s impression of the new northside hospital.
The new northside hospital is another step closer.

The ACT Government has asked two shortlisted tenderers to respond to a request for tender.

These are:
CPB Contractors Pty Ltd
Multiplex Construction Pty Ltd.
These companies were chosen due to their extensive experience in delivering major health projects.

They are also both committed to creating new training and job opportunities throughout the project.

The Northside Hospital Project will be the ACT’s largest single health infrastructure project.

It will be delivered via an Early Contractor Involvement contract.

The request for tenders process will run until late 2024. The contract is expected to be awarded in early 2025.

The Government will work closely with the community, stakeholders, consumers and the workforce to complete the hospital’s design.

This will help ensure it meets the needs of Canberrans now and into the future.

While planning for the new hospital is in progress, services will continue at North Canberra Hospital.

More information on the Northside Hospital Project is at builtforcbr.act.gov.au

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MIL OSI News –
April 12, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for April 12, 2025

ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 12, 2025.

Pacific climate activists join 180+ groups calling on COP30 hosts Brazil to end fossil fuel dependence
RNZ Pacific Pacific climate activists this week handed a letter from civil society to this year’s United Nations climate conference hosts, Brazil, emphasising their demands for the end of fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy. More than 180 indigenous, youth, and environmental organisations from across the world have signed the letter, coordinated by the

Election Diary: Labor breaks practice of preferencing Greens to protect Jewish MP Josh Burns
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra It takes a bit for Labor not to preference the Greens but on Friday it was announced that in the Melbourne seat of Macnamara, where Jewish MP Josh Burns is embattled, the ALP will run an open ticket. Macnamara, which

‘Delusional’ Treaty Principles Bill scrapped but fight for Te Tiriti just beginning, say lawyers and advocates
By Layla Bailey-McDowell, RNZ Māori news journalist Legal experts and Māori advocates say the fight to protect Te Tiriti is only just beginning — as the controversial Treaty Principles Bill is officially killed in Parliament. The bill — which seeks to redefine the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi — sparked a nationwide hīkoi and

Coalition plan to dump fuel efficiency penalties would make Australia a global outlier
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna Mortimore, Lecturer, Griffith Business School, Griffith University The Coalition has announced it would, if elected to government, weaken a scheme aimed at cutting car emissions. The scheme, known as the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), was introduced by the Albanese government and was due to take

Peter Dutton’s climate policy backslide threatens Australia’s clout in the Pacific – right when we need it most
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wesley Morgan, Research Associate, Institute for Climate Risk and Response, UNSW Sydney Australia’s relationship with its regional neighbours could be in doubt under a Coalition government after two Pacific leaders challenged Opposition Leader Peter Dutton over his weak climate stance. This week, Palau’s president Surangel Whipps Jr

Could changing your diet improve endometriosis pain? A recent study suggests it’s possible
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, University of South Australia ovchinnikova_ksenya/Shutterstock Endometriosis affects around 10% of women of reproductive age. It’s a chronic inflammatory condition that occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside the

Kids cheering ‘chicken jockey!’ at A Minecraft Movie isn’t antisocial – it creates a chance for us to connect
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sophia Staite, Lecturer in Humanities, University of Tasmania Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Social media is ablaze with reports of kids going wild at screenings of A Minecraft Movie. Some cinemas are cracking down. There are reports of cinemas calling in police to deal with rowdy theatregoers

Traded like assets, expected to be loyal: the unique double standard of being an Australian footy player
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hunter Fujak, Senior Lecturer in Sport Management, Deakin University Few issues in Australian sport generate as much media noise or emotional fan reactions as player movement, especially in our major winter codes the National Rugby League (NRL) and Australian Football League (AFL). Contract negotiations, trade whispers and

We study ‘planktivores’ – and found an amazing diversity of shapes among plankton-feeding fishes
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Isabelle Ng, PhD candidate, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University A couple of whip coral goby (_Bryaninops yongei_). randi_ang/Shutterstock Swim along the edge of a coral reef and you’ll often see schools of sleek, torpedo-shaped fishes gliding through the currents, feeding on tiny plankton from

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Universities in Asia now a hot choice

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

A growing number of Chinese students are choosing Asian universities over traditional destinations in Europe and North America as their destinations for overseas study, signaling a shift in international education trends, according to experts and a blue paper released on Friday.
A range of factors contributed to the shift, including geographic proximity, affordability and safety, experts said.
“An increased number of Chinese students choosing Malaysia as the preferred higher education option has been observed,” said Noor Azuan, President of Universiti Malaya.
“This reflects the continued upward trend of Chinese students attracted to Malaysia’s educational offerings, especially at the postgraduate level.”
Asian universities are also benefiting from China’s regional development strategies such as the Belt and Road Initiative, while the improving global reputation of Asian institutions has made them more appealing to students seeking both education quality and job opportunity, Azuan said.
Safety concerns in the United States and Europe, especially regarding gun violence and geopolitical tensions, have further contributed to the shift, he added.
The 2024 Blue Paper for Chinese Overseas Students Returning to China for Employment, published by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange under the Ministry of Education, highlights a steady rise in the proportion of Chinese students returning from Asian universities.
From 2020 to 2023, the share of returnees with overseas degrees from Asia increased from 21.61 percent to 31.35 percent. In contrast, those returning from North America declined from 25.62 percent to 18.73 percent over the same period, the paper said.
The trend is even more pronounced among high-level talent with postgraduate degrees. In 2023, a record 21,574 Chinese students with doctoral degrees returned to China, a 51 percent increase from 2020. Among them, 53.07 percent had obtained their PhDs from Asian universities, up 7 percentage points from 2022. Meanwhile, the share of PhDs from North America dropped to 16.3 percent, down nearly 11 percentage points from 2020.
In terms of master’s degrees, 31.7 percent of returnees in 2023 had studied in Asia, while only 13.73 percent had studied in North America, marking a decrease of 6 percentage points compared to 2021.
On Friday afternoon, Wang Sheng was seeking postgraduate study opportunities for his son at the 2025 China International Education Exhibition Tour in Beijing.
Currently a student at the University of Queensland in Australia, his son aims to pursue further education at the National University of Singapore’s business school, Wang said.
“We value the school’s academic quality and job prospects after graduation … We never considered Europe or the US. They don’t feel safe, and we’re worried about racial discrimination,” the father said.
According to the blue paper, South Korea has emerged as a key destination for Chinese students, ranking second in terms of doctoral returnees since 2021, with over 11 percent of returning PhDs having studied there.
“Chinese students are increasingly interested in studying in South Korea,” said Zhang Ying, director of China admissions at Daegu Catholic University.
“South Korea offers a safe, culturally similar and cost-effective alternative for students with average academic performance,” she said, adding that the university enrolled over 1,000 Chinese students last year.

MIL OSI China News –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Following Supreme Court Ruling, Mfume, Colleagues Demand Trump White House Immediately Return Maryland Man Deported in ‘Error’

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), April McClain Delaney (MD-06) and Johnny Olszewski (MD-02) released the following statement after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Trump Administration must facilitate the return of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland immigrant the administration deported in ‘error’ to a Salvadoran mega-prison where he remains:

“The Trump Administration admitted that the deportation of Mr. Abrego Garcia, which had no legal basis, was done in ‘administrative error,’ and a federal district judge ordered them to return him to the United States by midnight this Monday. Rather than bring back the man they admitted they wrongfully deported without Due Process, the Trump Administration amazingly placed on leave the Justice Department attorney who argued the case simply for telling the truth about the Administration’s ‘administrative error.’

“In a big victory for the rule of law and Due Process, the Supreme Court has just ruled that the Administration must facilitate Mr. Abrego Garcia’s return to the United States. The Supreme Court is effectively on the side of the vast majority of Americans and the civilized world who reject this lapse into lawlessness and insist that Mr. Abrego Garcia be returned to his family in the U.S. immediately.

“The Administration must now act swiftly to ensure that Mr. Abrego Garcia, who was grabbed off the streets of Maryland, shackled, and flown to a Salvadoran mega-prison, is brought back home safely to his loved ones and without any further delay.

“During the first Trump Administration in 2019, Kilmar won withholding of removal, a legal status that specifically prohibits his removal to El Salvador. He was granted this status after the administration accused him, without any evidence, of gang membership and tried to deport him. A judge found instead that he had credibly proven his fear of persecution by a gang in El Salvador and that he posed no threat to public safety.

“The Trump Administration admits it made an ‘error’ deporting Mr. Abrego Garcia. Contrary to what administration officials say, President Trump has both the duty and the power to bring this man back to Maryland to his American wife and child.

“We say to the president that, if you have the means to sweep someone off the street in America and deport him to a torturer’s prison in El Salvador, where we are paying their government as our junior partner for this dubious service, then you certainly have or you can find the means to bring him back. This should be easy since the El Salvadoran government is acting as our agent in the affair as part of this shocking agreement with the Trump Administration.”

“If Trump is allowed to get away with this thorough destruction of Due Process in Mr. Abrego Garcia’s case, he will believe that his administration can sweep anyone—citizen or noncitizen—off the street and ship them to a prison in an authoritarian state and escape judicial review. A whole lot rests on the return of Mr. Abrego Garcia to his family.”

###

MIL OSI USA News –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China’s 6th batch of emergency humanitarian aid arrives in Myanmar

Source: China State Council Information Office

The sixth batch of emergency humanitarian aid dispatched by the Chinese government arrives at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar on April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)

The sixth batch of emergency humanitarian aid dispatched by the Chinese government arrived at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar on Friday.

The aid supplies include 26 tents, 2,000 sets of single-person outdoor cooking equipment, 10,000 solar lamps, 38,880 bars of soap, 38,880 bottles of shower gel, 38,880 bottles of shampoo, 38,880 tubes of toothpaste, 38,880 sets of toothbrushes, and 38,880 bags of laundry detergent, with a total weight of over 91 tons.

MIL OSI China News –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Chinese, Spanish leaders pledge to enhance ties, safeguard free trade

Source: China State Council Information Office

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met in Beijing on Friday, pledging to build stronger ties and calling for safeguarding the international trade order.

MUTUAL SUPPORT, TRUST, RESPECT

China stands ready to work with Spain to build a more strategically resilient and dynamic comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi told Sanchez.

Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Spain, Xi said China will work with Spain to enhance the well-being of the two peoples, inject impetus into China-EU relations, and make greater contributions to promoting world peace, stability and development.

He called on the two sides to continue to consolidate the political foundation of mutual support, trust and respect each other, and support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, especially in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Xi said China’s consumption upgrade for 1.4 billion people and industrial transformation potential will provide strong momentum for the world economy, adding that China is willing to make good use of the mutually beneficial and complementary cooperation advantages with Spain, give full play to the roles of economic, trade, and sci-tech cooperation mechanisms, and tap the potential of cooperation in new energy, high-tech manufacturing, smart cities and other fields, so as to achieve more mutually beneficial cooperation outcomes.

The two countries should continue their traditional friendship, and expand student exchanges to engage more young people in carrying forward the friendship, he added.

Noting that both China and Spain are positive forces supporting multilateralism, openness and cooperation, Xi said the two countries should promote the building of a fair and equitable global governance system, safeguard world peace and security, and promote common development and prosperity.

Sanchez said that over the past 20 years since establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership, Spain and China have maintained mutual respect and friendly cooperation, and bilateral relations have developed steadily.

Spain attaches great importance to its relations with China, unswervingly adheres to the one-China policy, and is willing to maintain high-level exchanges with China and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and exchanges in various fields to push bilateral relations to a new level, Sanchez said.

Xi said China always views the EU as a vital pole in a multipolar world and explicitly supports the EU’s unity, development and growth, calling on both sides to adhere to partnership, openness and cooperation.

China is ready to work with the EU to jointly celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and advance the China-EU relationship toward strategic stability and mutual success to better benefit the two peoples and the international community, Xi said.

Noting that China is an important partner of the EU, Sanchez said Spain always supports the stable development of EU-China relations.

NO WINNER IN TARIFF WAR

“There is no winner in a tariff war, and going against the world will only result in self-isolation,” Xi said.

Xi said China’s development over the past seven decades is a result of self-reliance and hard work, not favors from others. China does not flinch from any unjust suppression.

He added that no matter how the external world changes, China will remain confident and focused on running its own affairs well.

Noting that China and the EU are both major economies in the world and firm supporters of economic globalization and free trade, Xi said the two sides have formed a close relationship of economic symbiosis, with their combined economic output exceeding one-third of the world’s total.

He called on China and the EU to fulfill their international responsibilities, work together to safeguard economic globalization and the international trade environment, and jointly reject unilateral and bullying actions.

By doing so, they will not only safeguard their own legitimate rights and interests, but also help maintain fairness and justice within the international community and uphold international rules and order, Xi said.

Noting the EU is committed to open and free trade, upholds multilateralism and opposes unilateral tariff hikes, Sanchez said there is no winner in a trade war.

Facing the complex and challenging international situation, Spain and the EU are willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to maintain the international trade order, cope with challenges including climate change and poverty, and safeguard the common interests of the international community, he said.

The two sides also exchanged views over the Ukraine crisis.

MIL OSI China News –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Preservation meets progress: China’s geoparks gain world recognition

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

BEIJING, April 11 — Two geological wonders from China have been designated UNESCO Global Geoparks, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration announced on Friday. With these additions, China now boasts 49 UNESCO-recognized geoparks, more than any other country in the world.

The geoparks, one named Kanbula in northwest China’s Qinghai Province, a high-altitude marvel and the other a prehistoric “dinosaur kingdom” named Yunyang in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, exemplify China’s commitment to harmonizing geological conservation with cultural and ecological sustainability.

Nestled on the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Kanbula National Geopark spans roughly 3,149 square kilometers with striking fiery-red Danxia landforms, towering jagged peaks, hidden caves and emerald lakes. Beyond its visual splendor, the park’s true value lies beneath the surface, serving as a premier location for geoscientific research and public science education.

Culturally, Kanbula is the heartland of Tibetan Regong arts and Huangnan Tibetan opera, both UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritages.

In recent years, Qinghai forestry and grassland authorities have boosted geoscience education through new museums and public programs to protect geological heritage.

“At Kanbula geopark, we learned geology beyond textbooks through hands-on specimen collection and observation,” said a student on a research trip.

Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, home to Kanbula, will leverage the UNESCO Global Geopark status to boost eco-tourism, creating a new Qinghai cultural landmark while balancing ecological, social and economic benefits, according to the local government.

In stark contrast to Kanbula’s highland grandeur, Yunyang Geopark in Chongqing’s Three Gorges region unveils a prehistoric saga. The 2014 discovery of dinosaur fossils by a local youth initiated years of excavation that uncovered the world’s largest Jurassic fossil wall, measuring 150 meters in length and 6 to 10 meters in height.

Covering approximately 1,124 square kilometers, Yunyang Geopark is renowned for its rich dinosaur fossils and dramatic karst landforms. The fossils found here are of global scientific importance, as they contribute valuable insights into the evolutionary history of dinosaurs during the Middle Jurassic period, particularly in its early phase.

With the ongoing development of dinosaur-themed popular science bases and animation parks, Yunyang is bringing dinosaur culture to life through innovative integration of scientific preservation and cultural tourism, using VR and AR to immerse visitors in its 165-million-year-old heritage.

Local officials said that Yunyang will enhance its nature reserves system focusing on national parks, nature reserves and supplementary nature parks. This initiative aims to enhance geological conservation and ecological restoration, and further raise public awareness of protecting natural resources and the environment.

For decades, China has been actively working to protect its geological heritage and natural landscapes and develop protection and utilization models that integrate local characteristics. These efforts have garnered international recognition for the country.

Currently, there are 229 UNESCO Global Geoparks worldwide. The designations align with China’s vision of achieving a “modernization of harmony between humanity and nature,” and both geoparks embody UNESCO’s mandate to foster protection, education and sustainable development.

MIL OSI China News –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Australia’s first publicly run residential eating disorder centre complete
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Receiving specialist care in a place that feels like home helps people with eating disorders apply their skills once they are ready to leave.
In brief:
- Canberra’s brand-new Eating Disorders Residential Treatment Centre in Coombs is complete.
- Appointments will begin the week commencing 26 August 2024.
- The centre is Australia’s first publicly run 24/7 residential eating disorder centre.
The new Eating Disorders Residential Treatment Centre in Coombs is now complete.

It is Australia’s first publicly run 24/7 residential eating disorder centre. This is a brand-new service for the ACT region.

Appointments will begin the week commencing 26 August.

Residential treatments will begin in the coming weeks.

The importance of residential care

Receiving specialist care in a place that feels like home helps people apply their skills once they are ready to leave the service.

“We believe residential treatment, with 24/7 specialist eating disorder care in a home-like environment, is an essential option for successful recovery for many within the stepped system of care for eating disorders, and we’re excited to see more treatment options expanding across Australia for the more than 1.1 million Australians directly impacted each year,” Butterfly Foundation CEO Dr Jim Hungerford said.

Eating disorders can have significant impacts on the physical, psychological, and social-emotional wellbeing of all affected.

As such, the centre provides therapeutic services that include:
- specialist treatment
- intensive nutritional treatment
- psychological treatment.
Consulting with stakeholders

The centre’s completion is an important milestone for those with, or caring for someone with, an eating disorder.

The ACT Government worked with various stakeholders to finalise its design.

These include clinicians, non-government organisations, people with lived experience of eating disorders, families, carers and the wider Canberra community.

“Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) looks forward to families and carers being active participants in the vital role of the Residential Treatment Facility and to continue providing our counselling, education and support services to the broader Canberra community,” ACT Director at EDFA David Quilty said.

National charity The Butterfly Foundation also shared insights. It runs the Wandi Nerida residential recovery centre for eating disorders in QLD.

The Australian Government has supported the establishment of the Coombs centre.

It will complement other eating disorder services in the region, including the Eating Disorders Clinical Hub and the early intervention service.

Getting help for eating disorders

If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing an eating disorder or body image concerns, contact the Butterfly Foundation National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 or find support services at Butterfly.

You can also refer yourself, or someone else to the Eating Disorders Clinical Hub for support and assessment.

The centre is located at Madgwick Street Coombs in the Molonglo Valley.

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MIL OSI News –
April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Jury Convicts Pasco Drug Trafficker

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that a federal jury has found Pierre Marquis Fowler (36, Tarpon Springs), a/k/a “Durk,” guilty of conspiring to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and 500 grams or more of cocaine; possessing with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and 500 grams or more of cocaine; possessing a machinegun in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes; and two counts of illegal monetary transactions. Fowler faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. His sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Pierre Marquis Fowler and his brother, Marcus Jamar Fowler, a/k/a “Drastic,” conspired with each other and others to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. The Fowlers used a stash location in Tarpon Springs as a place to distribute narcotics. Between 2020 and 2022 one witness estimated that Pierre Fowler had provided them with at least 75 kilograms of fentanyl, hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine, and multiple kilograms of cocaine.

Firearms recovered from safe at stash location

Evidence from search warrants included eight firearms, including two machineguns, 989.1 grams of fentanyl, 715 grams of methamphetamine, and 781 grams of cocaine at the stash location. In addition, seven parcels had been shipped from California to the Middle District of Florida, in the span of one week, which contained 3,981 grams of fentanyl and 4,458 grams of methamphetamine.

Contents of two boxes bound for a residence in Pasco County

Evidence also showed that Pierre Fowler had used proceeds of drug trafficking to make purchases of more than $10,000, including a piece of real property in Holiday. Certain assets being forfeited by the government include property located in Holiday and $10,409 in cash seized from Pierre Fowler during a search warrant on February 8, 2023.

Marcus Jamar Fowler previously pleaded guilty for his role in this case. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 16, 2025.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Secret Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Tarpon Springs Police Department, and the Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha E. Beckman. The forfeiture is being handled by AUSA James Muench.

This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

MIL Security OSI –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Grassley to Hold Town Meeting in Lee County

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) will hold a town meeting on Tuesday, April 15, in Lee County as part of his annual 99 county meetings.

“You can’t have representative government without dialogue between elected officials and the people we represent,” Grassley said.“I appreciate the opportunity to hold town meetings, answer questions and take comments. My annual 99 county meetings are one way I regularly keep in touch with Iowans to better represent them at the policymaking tables in Washington.”

This is Grassley’s 45^th year of holding question and answer sessions in each of Iowa’s 99 counties. Grassley has held at least one meeting in every county, every year since he was first elected to serve in the U.S. Senate. He answers questions on any subject. Iowans set the agenda.

Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters. The town meeting is open to the public and media. Seating is first come, first served until the room is at capacity. Members of the media who wish to attend the meeting or media availability must RSVP. Please RSVP directly to Georgie_Hilby@grassley.senate.gov. Details for the upcoming meeting follow.

Tuesday, April 15

Lee County Town Meeting

11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Council Chambers

811 Avenue E

Fort Madison

*Grassley will be available for 15 minutes after the meeting to answer questions from local reporters.

-30-

MIL OSI USA News –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Q&A: First 100 Days

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

Q: What was on the front burner during the first 100 days of the 119^th Congress?

A: Congress hit the ground running on January 3 when it opened for business. After committee assignments were adopted, I resumed the helm of the Senate Judiciary Committee and leadership position as Senate President pro tempore. The to-do list on the Senate agenda was shaped by the mandate of the November presidential election. Americans voted for border security, safer streets, lower cost of living and a stronger economy. Processing the nominees to serve on the president’s cabinet was among the top priorities of the first 100 days in Congress. The Senate has the constitutional authority of “advise and consent” in our system of checks and balances. Nominees for the federal judiciary and senior-level positions throughout the executive branch undergo a rigorous background check and vetting process to examine their credentials and qualifications to uphold the public trust. I chaired confirmation hearings for Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, as well as other top leaders for the Department of Justice. During the previous administration, I exposed the weaponization of our government that created a two-tiered system of justice. I’m committed to help restore public trust in our institutions of government and that includes robust oversight to hold government and wrongdoers accountable.

The pace by which the Senate processed cabinet nominations underscores the commitment to get the election mandate in motion. In 18 days, the Senate confirmed 13 cabinet officials, reflecting support to get the president’s team in place to implement his agenda. At the top of the list was border security. Since day one of the 47^th president’s second term in office, the Trump administration has kept its promise to enforce our nation’s immigration laws and restore U.S. sovereignty at our borders. Compared to the Biden administration, nationwide border encounters dropped drastically. As the president said at his joint address to Congress in March, “all we really needed was a new president.” What’s more, the first piece of legislation Congress sent to the president’s desk was the Laken Riley Act, a bipartisan bill that included Sarah’s Law, named after an Iowan killed by an illegal immigrant driving drunk. I’m also pleased the Senate approved my bipartisan bill called the HALT Fentanyl Act that would permanently schedule deadly fentanyl-related substances created by the cartels to skirt U.S. law. This bill would give law enforcement the tools it needs to keep deadly fentanyl off our streets. Republicans have swiftly delivered on our promise to restore law and order and make America’s streets safer.

Q: What else does Congress have to show for its work in the first 100 days?

A: For starters, I’m glad the Senate has resumed a five-day work schedule, after a long hiatus in recent years, and continued in legislative session for 10 consecutive weeks starting in January. That’s what Iowans expect elected representatives to be doing. That’s how the schedule operated when I first came to the Senate. Many times, I urged then-Senate Majority Leader Schumer to keep the Senate in session five days a week, instead of the sleepy schedule he led during the Biden administration. That light work schedule was a disservice to the American people and contributed to year-end, massive spending packages. Congress must return to regular order and legislate 12 annual appropriations bills in their respective committees. This allows members of Congress to more closely scrutinize every line of spending and offer amendments. Americans deserve better than crisis-to-crisis legislating. As a taxpayer watchdog, I’ve continued to lead efforts to root out Pentagon mismanagement and wasteful spending across the federal government, such as tackling improper Supplemental Security Income payments, continuing my oversight of the EPA, and demanding answers about alleged fraudulent Medicare billing practices. I also published a committee report of my investigative findings shining light on the full scope of the Obama-Biden State Department’s pervasive obstruction of FBI law enforcement efforts before, during and after the Iran Nuclear Deal negotiations.

In addition, the Senate Judiciary Committee has convened 15 hearings in the first 100 days. Among the policies we’ve examined include the Freedom of Information Act; children’s safety in the digital era; legislative solutions to fix universal injunctions; and, the rise in antisemitism in America. I also steered six bipartisan bills through the committee to rein in anticompetitive practices in the pharmaceutical industry to help lower drug prices. When the Senate’s not in session, I return home to Iowa every chance I get to keep in touch with my constituents. In March, I kicked off my 45^th annual 99 county meetings, holding a dozen question-and-answer sessions with Iowans. Looking ahead, Congress has a full plate of unfinished business to digest in the coming months, including passing a five-year farm bill, extending rural hospital support programs and telehealth, preventing the largest tax hike in U.S. history and funding the government through a timely and transparent process.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Chinese FM meets director general of IAEA

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

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING, April 11 — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Beijing on Friday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that in the face of rising unilateralism, power politics and bullying, the international community must present a unified voice.

Otherwise, Wang warned, the world will fall back into the law of the jungle, and most small and medium-sized countries will bear the brunt.

He said that the original intention of the United Nations (UN) was to maintain a just international order and safeguard the sovereign equality of all countries, so it should take the lead to make its position clear and play its due role.

As an important member of the UN system, the IAEA shoulders the important mission of safeguarding the basic norms governing international relations, promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy and preventing nuclear proliferation, Wang said.

He said China hopes that the IAEA will continue to uphold objectivity, neutrality and professionalism in properly handling issues such as the Iranian nuclear issue, U.S.-Britain-Australia nuclear submarine cooperation, and the ocean discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water.

Grossi said that China is a force for stability in a volatile world since it firmly supports the status and role of the UN and its agencies.

The IAEA attaches importance to cooperation with China and appreciates China’s achievements in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, Grossi said, expressing willingness to deepen cooperation with China in an all-round way and properly handle the Iranian nuclear issue and other relevant hotspot issues.

MIL OSI China News –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Kim Urge Trump Administration to Investigate Fatal Shooting of New Jersey Teen in the West Bank

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Andy Kim (D-NJ) sent a letter to President Trump urging his administration to seek answers and conduct a U.S.-led investigation into the fatal shooting of Amer Rabee, a 14-year-old New Jerseyan. Two other American citizens were also injured in the incident, including 14-year-old Ayoub Ijbara and 15-year-old Abdulrahman Shihada. Ayoub Ijbara was born in New Jersey and is reported to be in critical condition.

“As New Jersey’s Senators, we are calling for a thorough and transparent accounting of the facts and circumstances around Amer Rabee’s death and the actions of Israeli security forces. We appreciate the difficult and dynamic nature of the situation, but also underscore our expectation that such an inquiry is possible and should be pursued when an American has died. As a result, we urge your administration to conduct a timely, independent and transparent investigation into Amer Rabee’s death as well as Ayoub Ijbara and Abdulrahman Shihada’s injuries,” the Senators wrote.

The lawmakers expressed that many of their constituents in New Jersey have connections to Turmus Ayya, a town in the West Bank with a large Palestinian American community, and have been personally impacted by this devastating event and the rise in violence in the West Bank that has occurred in recent years.

“We urge your administration to raise this case at the highest levels during meetings with counterparts in the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority and press for full cooperation with a U.S.-led investigation. Furthermore, we urge the State Department to quickly dispatch embassy officials to visit the Rabee and Ijbara families and ensure that they have all support they need during this difficult time, including urgent medical support for Ayoub,” the Senators continued.

“As we continue the work of keeping Americans safe, here at home and around the world, the U.S. must do all it can to seek answers and accountability when Americans are injured or killed,” the Senators concluded.

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

MIL OSI USA News –

April 12, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Pacific climate activists join 180+ groups calling on COP30 hosts Brazil to end fossil fuel dependence

RNZ Pacific

Pacific climate activists this week handed a letter from civil society to this year’s United Nations climate conference hosts, Brazil, emphasising their demands for the end of fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy.

More than 180 indigenous, youth, and environmental organisations from across the world have signed the letter, coordinated by the campaign organisation, 350.org.

A declaration of alliance between Indigenous peoples from the Amazon, the Pacific, and Australia ahead of COP30 has also been announced.

The “strongly worded letter” was handed to COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago and Brazil’s Environment and Climate Change Minister Marina Silva who attended the Acampamento Terra Livre (ATL), or Free Land Camp, in Brasília.

“We, climate and social justice organisations from around the world, urgently demand that COP30 renews the global commitment and supports implementation for the just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy,” the letter states.

“This must ensure that solutions progressively meet the needs of Indigenous, Black, marginalised and vulnerable populations and accelerate the expansion of renewables in a way that ensures the world’s wealthiest and most polluting nations pay their fair share, does not harm nature, increase deforestation by burning biomass, while upholding economic, social, and gender justice.”

‘No room for new coal mines’
It adds: “The science is unequivocal: there is no room for new coal mines or oil and gas fields if the world is to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius — especially in critical ecosystems like the Amazon, where COP30 will be hosted.

“Tripling renewables by 2030 is essential, but without a managed and rapid phaseout of fossil fuels, it won’t be enough.”

350.org’s Fiji community organiser, George Nacewa, said it was now up to the Brazil COP Presidency if they would act “or lock us into climate catastrophe”.

“This is a critical time for our people — the age of deliberation is long past,” Nacewa said on behalf of the group that call themselves “Pacific Climate Warriors”.

“We need this COP to be the one that spearheads the Just Energy Transition from words to action.”

COP30 will take place in Belém, Brazil, from November 10-21.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Main venue of upcoming 5th China Int’l Consumer Products Expo

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

Main venue of upcoming 5th China Int’l Consumer Products Expo

Updated: April 12, 2025 07:29 Xinhua

This photo taken on April 10, 2025 shows the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center, the main venue of the upcoming fifth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital of south China’s Hainan Province. The fifth CICPE, featuring eight exhibition halls, is scheduled for April 13 to 18 here. The expo, a key platform for global trade and consumption trends, has drawn the participation of over 4,100 brands from 71 countries and regions. Co-hosted by China’s Ministry of Commerce and the Hainan provincial government, this year’s expo will highlight emerging consumption trends, including artificial intelligence (AI) and low-altitude aviation, debuting innovations from global companies. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo taken on April 4, 2025 shows the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center, the main venue of the upcoming fifth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo taken on April 10, 2025 shows the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center, the main venue of the upcoming fifth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

This photo taken on April 10, 2025 shows an unmanned aerial vehicle at the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center, the main venue of the upcoming fifth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital of south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

This photo taken on April 10, 2025 shows a massage robot at the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center, the main venue of the upcoming fifth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital of south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

This photo taken on April 10, 2025 shows the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center, the main venue of the upcoming fifth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital of south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

This photo taken on April 10, 2025 shows the mascot of the upcoming fifth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) at the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center in Haikou, capital of south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

This photo taken on April 10, 2025 shows the exhibition area of China’s capital Beijing at the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center, the main venue of the upcoming fifth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital of south China’s Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

MIL OSI China News –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Water pumped from River Mersey could heat thousands of Liverpool homes

Source: City of Liverpool

Water pumped from the River Mersey could one day be heating thousands of homes and business in Liverpool, thanks to new energy plans drawn up by the City Council.

Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet will decide at a meeting on Tuesday 15 April whether to approve plans for the Advanced Zoning programme (AZP) which could see less reliance on gas to heat property helping to drive down costs and carbon emissions.

If the AZP is fully built it has the potential to help Liverpool in its net zero ambitions by generating savings of up to 72,000 tonnes of CO2 every year. This is the equivalent to the annual emissions of around 21,000 homes.

Heat networks, also known as district heating, provide heat from a central source to multiple buildings through a network of underground pipes. The heat sources identified in Liverpool include not only the river but also the wastewater treatment plant at Sandon Dock next to Everton Football Club’s new stadium.

This technology has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and lower heating costs for residents and businesses.

The City Council report identifies key areas in Liverpool where heat network deployment could be most effective, taking into account factors such as building density, heat demand, and potential heat sources.

The largest zone that could be built is in Liverpool City Centre. It encompasses a large area of heat demand, from the retail hub in the centre to the Knowledge Quarter and towards Anfield. This heating zone alone would include about 340 buildings in the city.

The Speke and Garston areas could also benefit from the creation of their own heat network, using heat generated from Garston docks and industrial centre in Halewood, such as Jaguar Land Rover.

These plans pave the way for further investment and development of sustainable heating infrastructure in the city.

The publication of this report is a crucial step in the Liverpool City Council’s broader strategy to decarbonize heat, which currently accounts for a substantial portion of the city’s carbon emissions.

Liverpool City Council will now be encouraging developers and investors to build heat network projects in Liverpool.

The Council is aiming to accelerate the delivery and construction of heat network zones, develop best practice guidance and provide project development support services.

Earlier this year Liverpool City Council announced a plan to connect its head office at the Cunard Building at the Pier Head to the Mersey Heat District Heat Network, a system by Peel NRE who are part of the Peel Group.

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority are also looking at harnessing the power of the River Mersey to generate electricity. With its huge tidal range, a tidal power scheme on the Mersey could produce enough clean, green electricity to power every home in the city region for more than a hundred years, while also creating thousands of jobs.

Cllr Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: “The River Mersey made Liverpool, it has been the source of our success for centuries. It has helped shape who we are as a city, defining our identity and culture which in turn has had a unique global impact.

“The history of the city and the river have always been intertwined, and so for it to be a resource that can shape our future is only fitting.

“Now, in the 21st century the river could become a crucial element in how we source energy for our homes and businesses. From fuelling our economy, the river could be the answer for the energy challenge we need to reach net zero.

“These plans confirm Liverpool’s potential to lead the way in adopting new heat network technology and reaching our net zero targets.

“The AZP could also see a huge improvement in air quality in the city, improving the lives of thousands of residents who currently suffer respiratory ailments.

“Not only could there be a massive reduction in carbon emissions, but it would make a huge contribution in reducing people’s energy costs. Increasing residents’ disposable income will help the Liverpool economy to thrive. And this would be a supply of heat that would not be affected by global politics.

“Using our resources and technology more efficiently than the way homes and businesses are currently heated will benefit us economically and environmentally. This is a win-win.

“By embracing these greener heating solutions, we can make significant strides towards our climate goals while also providing more affordable and reliable heat to our communities.”

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Summits to promote HK to the world

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

A series of major cultural and tourism summits is focusing significant international attention on Hong Kong and the World Tourism Cities Federation Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit 2025 marks the first time the event will be held in the city.

This important annual event is anticipated to attract more than 400 representatives from 40-plus countries and regions worldwide. Commissioner for Tourism Angelina Cheung said this equates to a record attendance for the event.

Apart from announcing that among those attending will be mayors, vice mayors, and officials from various tourism ministries, Mrs Cheung emphasised that the summit will serve as an excellent platform for exchanging ideas and discussing sustainable tourism development.

The event will feature several forums, including a mayors’ forum focusing on innovation and sustainability in tourism development. Additionally, a themed forum on aviation and tourism will be held, along with trade forums that will facilitate business discussions among tourism organisations and travel agencies from Hong Kong, Beijing, and other international cities.

Mrs Cheung highlighted that the summit presents a significant opportunity for these organisations to explore different tourism resources and products, as well as negotiate business agreements, reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” in the global tourism landscape.

In addition to the tourism summit, cultural conferences are also making a splash on Hong Kong’s events calendar. The Museum Summit 2025 took place at the Convention & Exhibition Centre at the end of March. It garnered record-high participation from over 7,000 registrants who hailed from 39 countries. One-third of attendees were non-local.

The forum was organised by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department, in partnership with The Guimet – National Museum of Asian Arts in France. Themed “Going Beyond”, it brought together over 30 experts and leaders in the sector, from 17 countries, to share experiences, research findings, and ideas. Delegates included more than 40 museum practitioners from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Museum Alliance and Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states.

Furthermore, the 13th Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum is scheduled to take place from April 22 to 23. The event will promote cultural co-operation across the Asian region, allowing attendees to share strategies for promoting culture and the arts. It will also reinforce Hong Kong’s role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Mills Delivers Opening Remarks at Hearing on Biden Administration’s Far-Left Foreign Policy

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Cory Mills Florida (7th District)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Oversight and Intelligence Subcommittee Chairman Cory Mills (FL-07) delivered opening remarks at a full subcommittee hearing titled, “Deficient, Enfeebled, and Ineffective: The Consequences of the Biden Administration’s Far-Left Priorities on U.S. Foreign Policy.”

Watch Here

Remarks

Good afternoon and welcome to the first hearing of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Intelligence in the 119th Congress.

As we start the new Congress, I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to deliver real results for the American people by advancing President Trump’s America first policy’s and agenda.

Over the next few months, through our State Department reauthorization deliberations, this subcommittee will work to identify areas of the Secretary’s Office, or the “S Bureau,” that must be reformed and reprogrammed to reorient the United States as a leader on the world stage while ensuring that taxpayer dollars are effectively used to bolster U.S. national security efforts.

For far too long, the State Department prioritized radical liberal political ideologies and woke policies over advancing diplomatic objectives that serve American interests and protect the American people from our adversaries.

While the Biden Administration was trying to figure out what pronouns to use, our adversaries grew stronger and more emboldened.

China aggressively enforced unlawful territorial claims in the South China Sea and has undermined the United States and our allies at every turn. Russia invaded Ukraine. North Korea ramped up its military provocations. Iran advanced its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile program, empowering its proxies to now cause chaos throughout the Middle East. Israel was attacked and global shipping routes in the Red Sea were blocked.

Over the last four years, among others, the American people watched these foreign policy failures unfold and voted for real change and action on November 5th. The American people gave President Trump and the Republican-led Congress a mandate to reverse the damage and restore common sense to the federal government.

Today, this subcommittee will take its first step to deliver on this mandate by examining the State Department’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion detrimentally influenced operations across the Department by: making DEI a “core precept” for promotion consideration within the ranks of the Foreign Service; granting passport applications the ability to select “X” as a gender; and using taxpayer dollars to fund numerous woke projects, including “commemorating black consciousness month with an event in which employees learned about the inclusion Afro-Brazilian culture through music and LGBTQI+ culture through Vogue dance” in Brazil.

These policies corrupted the core mission of the State Department and we must restore unity and fundamental American principles to the Department, eliminate wasteful spending, and ensure that President Trump’s Executive Orders are fully implemented, not subverted by rebranding DEI-driven programs. It is our duty to ensure that America becomes safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

I want to thank our witnesses for appearing before the subcommittee today.

I look forward to a productive discussion on how we can enhance America’s security through common sense policies and responsible leadership.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Sullivan Recognizes Fairbanks Philanthropist Jay Ramras as “Alaskan of the Week”

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan

04.11.25

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) recognized Fairbanks native Jay Ramras on the Senate floor yesterday. For decades, Jay has invested in his community through the preservation of historical landmarks and support for his fellow Alaskans, volunteering his time and resources to charitable causes, and fostering a thriving Jewish community in the Last Frontier. Jay was recognized as part of Sen. Sullivan’s series, “Alaskan of the Week.”

Click here or the image above to watch Sen. Sullivan’s speech.

Tribute to Jay Ramras

Mr. President, it is Thursday here in the U.S. Senate, and it is time for a great tradition—I think one of the greatest traditions in the history of the U.S. Senate. It is called ‘‘The Alaskan of the Week’’ speech, which I try to give most Thursdays. It has been a while. For the pages, this is the highlight of the week. Even our friends in the media like this speech because it usually signals the end of the work week, but not right now. You saw the minority leader’s objection without any explanation on why on confirming the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, so we might be here for a lot longer.

So I wanted to highlight what is going on in Alaska, as I usually do during my ‘‘Alaskan of the Week’’ speech and just give a snapshot of what is happening back home.

It is still pretty cold, still have a fair amount of snow. Anchorage just got a bunch of snow that lasted a couple of days. The 53rd Iditarod just concluded in Nome with a stunning first-time win by Alaskan Jessie Holmes and his 10- dog sled team.

The Iron Dog Race, that is a snow machine race, longest, toughest snow machine race in the world, was won by—that is done in kind of tandem— Robby Schachle and Bradley George, their second victory of the Iron Dog snow machine race.

Things are starting to thaw, as I mentioned. It is beginning of the summer tourism season, right around the corner. The first cruise ship will dock in Southeast Alaska in less than 2 weeks, and thousands of tourists from all over the world will come to our great State.

Anyone watching in the Gallery, we would love to have you. Come to Alaska.

For many of these tourists, this is going to be the trip of a lifetime. For Alaskans, this is where we live every day. And our Alaskan of the Week does something that is very unusual: He is beloved by Alaskans and tourists—not an easy task—and this person is my friend Jay Ramras.

Like many Alaskans, Jay is a jack-of-all-trades. He owns restaurants and beautiful hotels. He has had a successful political career. He is a prolific philanthropist. He loves history. And more importantly, he loves Alaska and especially his great hometown of Fairbanks—by the way, my wife’s hometown.

Now, I love to talk about our Alaskan of the Week. There are so many. We have talked about hundreds over the course of many years here on the Senate floor.

Senate floor. Jay was born in Fairbanks in 1964. His father Dan moved to Fairbanks from Brooklyn, NY, in 1948. And as Jay says: There has been a Ramras in Interior Alaska going on 80 years.

And Jay’s entrepreneurial resume, which is legendary in Alaska, began in 1986 at the tender age of 22 years old when he started a chicken wing restaurant, expanding his business footprint to other eateries across Fairbanks and, eventually, purchasing the iconic Fairbanks landmark called Pike’s Landing.

For anyone going to Fairbanks, you have got to stay at Pike’s Landing.

It was this purchase that led Jay to uncovering some really incredible chapters of Alaskan history—as I said, Jay is a real history buff—and he credits this to his bachelor of arts degree in American history, but it all started with Pike’s.

So let’s talk about Pike’s. Pike’s Landing was established after World War II when Lloyd Pike claimed land along the Chena River—the Chena River runs right through Fairbanks— under the Homestead Act.

In 1959—by the way, the same year Alaska became the 49th State—Pike opened the original Pike’s Landing. Throughout the years, Pike’s Landing cemented itself as a landmark in the Fairbanks community.

When Jay purchased Pike’s Landing in 2000, he found himself wondering about the history of the property and the man who established the landmark location of Pike’s. The original owner had sort of disappeared from history. So Jay asked around, collecting oral histories from Fairbanks old-timers who had seen the growth of Pike’s Landing over the decades.

Jay found that Pike’s Landing had long faced congestion at the boat launch due to its prime location right there, as I said, on the Chena River. That was a problem Lloyd Pike solved by building a public launch to clear up some of the demand in terms of getting boats on the river.

The original boat launch was washed away when the Chena River flooded— huge flood by the way—in 1968. But decades later, Jay found himself building another boat launch, unknowingly, right at the same spot. As he said: If I hadn’t already been born, I would have believed in reincarnation. I would have thought I had been reincarnated as Lloyd Pike because he put his boat launch right where Lloyd Pike lived. Since then, Jay has been working with Fairbanks North Star Borough Historic Preservation Commission to put Pike’s Landing on the National Register of Historic Places. I have no doubt that is going to happen. ‘‘It was so important to me that we rescue Lloyd Pike from obscurity,’’ Jay said.

But this wasn’t the only historical figure that Jay has connected himself and the community of Fairbanks to. As Jay was in the process of building an aviation-themed extension of his hotel, he felt it needed a real airplane mounted in front to honor the lodge’s proximity to the Fairbanks International Airport. While searching, he stumbled on a refurbished Cessna 140 on Craigslist. After purchasing this plane, Jay discovered it had been owned by none other than Noel Wien.

The Presiding Officer is a pilot. Maybe he knows who Noel Wien is. For those who don’t, Noel Wien is considered the father of Alaska aviation—the first pilot to successfully fly from Anchorage to Fairbanks in 1924. Wien went on to found Wien Airlines, a commercial airline that operated in Alaska for nearly 60 years.

As the Presiding Officer knows, these were some intrepid pilots. That was 100 years ago he did that first flight—open-air cockpit, really cold.

Jay’s interest in history, once again, piqued, and he dug into that period and discovered some great photographs of Noel Wien, Wien Airlines, and had a great celebration last year in July of 2024, celebrating the 100th anniversary of that historic flight in Alaska. Really, that was a historic flight for America. My wife Julie and I were there. Senator MURKOWSKI was there. Our Governor was there. By the way, the Wien family was there, including Leslie Wien Hajdukovich, my former regional director. It was a great classic Jay Ramras event. Hundreds of people came out to celebrate a huge moment in Alaska history, Alaska aviation history—I would say, American aviation history.

In addition to preserving this incredible chapter in Fairbanks’ history, Jay has invested in Fairbanks’ future. Let me tell you about a few of his other endeavors. Each summer, Jay hosts the Yukon 800 boat race, the longest, toughest, roughest speedboat race in the world. It starts at Pike’s, up to the Chena, gets out on the mighty Yukon— huge race.

Just as I mentioned, he just recently hosted the fourth Iditarod start at Pike’s. Normally, the Iditarod starts down in Anchorage. That is the toughest, longest, greatest race in the world, the Iditarod. It occasionally starts in Fairbanks, but it did this year at Pike’s. And as I mentioned, he regularly sponsors the Iron Dog snow machine race that, yes, is the toughest, longest, roughest snow machine race in the world.

he world. Jay also had a successful political career, serving three terms in the Alaska House of Representatives. And he is a great philanthropist in Fairbanks—a key player in Fairbanks Food Bank and doing so many other things in terms of philanthropy.

On top of all this, Jay says his greatest legacy, he believes, will be something he recently did—which I think is just fantastic—the creation of a new synagogue in Fairbanks, the northernmost Chabad in the United States.

It began with a call from Rabbi Greenberg in Anchorage. He is a great friend of mine, one of the leaders of our Jewish community throughout the State. He asked Jay if he could host a young orthodox rabbi and his wife for a short visit. Of course, Jay, a very generous man, agreed. ‘‘I think it would be around a two-week summer stay.’’ Then they came again for a second visit, this time in January when it is 45 below zero in Fairbanks. It gets really cold in Fairbanks. And they still returned.

The young couple, Rabbi Heshy Wolf and his wife Chani have now chosen to make Fairbanks their permanent home.

Jay, generous as ever, purchased a small church with his own money. The previous congregation at the church had outgrown the place. They refurbished it, transforming it into the Fairbanks Jewish Center. The original congregation stayed on rent-free until they found a new home, a new church. Just a few weeks ago, five rabbis gathered in Fairbanks for the first time in over 120 years and hosted this new synagogue, the northernmost synagogue, I believe, in America, in Fairbanks.

Jay, thank you. What a life of accomplishment. What a legacy, not just for Fairbanks, but for all of Alaska. For every different community—sports community, Jewish community, historical community—you have done it all. And now, Jay, you have been awarded one of the most prestigious awards anyone can achieve in their life, Alaskan of the Week.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Communities to nominate UK traditions for new inventory
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

News story

Communities to nominate UK traditions for new inventory

Nominations will open this summer for traditions like Notting Hill Carnival, Hogmanay and artisanal crafts to be officially recognised
New inventory of traditions will champion UK values and heritage

Follows ratification of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Culture Heritage last year

Communities across the UK will soon be able to nominate their favourite traditions to be included within official inventories of our living heritage.

Traditions that are central to the rich tapestry which makes up the UK’s many cultures and identity – from Eisteddfodau to Notting Hill Carnival, Hogmanay and Highland dancing – are among those expected to be put forward for a UK-wide official inventory. Artisanal crafts such as basket-weaving, thatching and the art of creating tweed, will also be considered.

Today the Government has published its response to a consultation asking the public for their views on making sure the new inventory of living heritage encompasses the broad spectrum of traditions practised in the UK.

The response sets out how the Government will, together with the Devolved Governments, create inventories of living heritage across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Submissions to the inventories will be encouraged from communities and groups practising living heritage, including from those who practise traditions brought to the UK by immigrant communities.

This follows the UK ratifying the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage last year, which requires each member state to compile their own inventory of living heritage practiced by communities in their country. This can include the folklore, performance, customs and crafts that play an important role in telling our national story and making people feel proud of where they live.

Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross said:

The UK is rich with wonderful traditions, from Gloucestershire’s cheese rolling to folk music and dancing and the many heritage crafts that we practice, such as tartan weaving and carving Welsh love spoons.

I would encourage everyone to think about what traditions they value so that we can continue to celebrate them, tell our national story to the rest of the world and safeguard the traditions that make us who we are.

This UK-wide inventory will start a national conversation about the crafts, customs and celebrations that are valued across the UK and raise awareness of them, in order to help protect them for future generations. Nominations for the inventory are expected to open later this year.

DCMS ran a public consultation from January to February 2024 to inform the development of an Inventory of Living Heritage in the UK. This included 16 roundtables, which sought the views of those interested in recognising living heritage, such as grassroots organisations, non-governmental organisations, museums and academics as well as government representatives from across the UK.

Following this engagement, it has been agreed that nominations will be accepted under seven categories, which are:

Oral expressions, which could include poetry and storytelling

Performing Arts

Social Practices, which could include festivals and customs

Nature, Land and Spirituality, which could include land practices and living heritage knowledge and practice relating to nature and the environment

Crafts

Sports and Games

Culinary Practices

Further information about how to nominate traditions and crafts to be included on the inventories, including gaining support and consent from the community, will be available when the call for submissions opens later this year.

Notes to editors:

DCMS announced that the UK would ratify the UNESCO Convention on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2023. Further details of the 2003 Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage here.

The UK ratified the 2003 Convention on the 7th March 2024 and the Convention officially came into force on 7th June 2024.

The full response to the consultation is available on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/2003-unesco-convention-for-the-safeguarding-of-the-intangible-cultural-heritage

Whilst we ratify international treaties such as the 2003 Convention as the UK, policy responsibility for culture and heritage devolved from the UK Government to the Devolved Governments. DCMS therefore worked closely with counterparts in the Devolved Governments to agree on ratification and the consultation.

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Published 12 April 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein Spends 100th Day in Office in Western North Carolina

Source: US State of North Carolina

Headline: Governor Stein Spends 100th Day in Office in Western North Carolina

Governor Stein Spends 100th Day in Office in Western North Carolina
lsaito
Fri, 04/11/2025 – 18:57

Newland, NC

Governor Josh Stein spent his 100th day in office in the same place that he spent his first full day as Governor and many days in between – western North Carolina. The Governor today provided updates on the ongoing recovery efforts to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and joined musician Eric Church for the groundbreaking of his affordable housing project in Newland.

“We’ve spent the first 100 days fighting for the people of western North Carolina, and we will not stop now,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I am grateful for all the progress we have made to help western North Carolina rebuild and for our partners who are working to support their communities each and every day. We cannot forget western North Carolina.”

Governor Stein spoke to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners to highlight milestones in western North Carolina’s recovery efforts, as well as the work that remains to rebuild. The Governor thanked the General Assembly for its work to pass $524 million in relief funding and urged them to include home repair, small business grants, fire prevention, and local government support in their next round of funding.

Governor Stein also joined country artist Eric Church and his nonprofit Chief Cares at their affordable housing groundbreaking. Governor Stein thanked Church for his work to build new homes, which is crucial for broader recovery efforts. He also celebrated the $120 million allocated towards home repair in the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 and urged continued investment in home repair and rebuilding. Governor Stein also highlighted the recent submission of North Carolina’s action plan for a $1.4 billion grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – the fastest action plan submission by a state for a major hurricane in more than a decade.

Governor Stein is committed to partnering with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as private and nonprofit partners, to ensure western North Carolina’s recovery and resilience. Read more about Stein’s ongoing work below:

Apr 11, 2025

MIL OSI USA News –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Tillis, Colleagues Reignite Effort to Improve Reporting Attacks on Law Enforcement

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to enhance information-gathering on attacks targeting law enforcement. The Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act would help fill identified gaps in reporting requirements for ambush-attacks against law enforcement officers by increasing our understanding of these crimes and how they arise.
“Attacks on our law enforcement officers are abhorrent and we must get a clear picture on when they occur,” said Senator Tillis. “I’m proud to co-introduce this bipartisan legislation so we can improve reporting and continue supporting the men and women in blue to prevent these disgusting acts.”
Background:
In 2023, law enforcement agencies reported over 79,000 police officers were assaulted and 60 were feloniously killed. While the government collects basic information on these attacks, including when the attack occurred and the types of weapons used, more information is needed to help prepare for, identify and prevent anti-police activity.
The Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act would:
Increase the categories of information that can be voluntarily reported regarding anti-police attacks, including the intention and coordination of perpetrators;
Direct the Justice Department to explore adding escalatory aggression to its reports;
Shed light on the mental health and stress-related impacts of aggressive activity or trauma on law enforcement; and
Explore the availability and extent to which mental health resources for officers are used.
Full text of the legislation is available HERE.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: As Trump’s Trade War Bludgeons US Economy, Duckworth, Durbin, Democratic Senators Slam Administration for Defunding Network of Centers That Boost American Manufacturing

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
April 11, 2025
As Trump’s Trade War Bludgeons US Economy, Duckworth, Durbin, Democratic Senators Slam Administration for Defunding Network of Centers That Boost American Manufacturing
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and 11 of their Senate Democratic colleagues in a letter to Trump’s Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, demanding answers regarding the Administration’s decision to cancel funding for 10 National Institute of Standards and Technology Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers across the country. The action came on April 1, one day before Trump announced sweeping tariffs on imports which tanked the stock market and raised warnings from experts of a recession.
“Small manufacturers rely on MEP Centers for essential support in adopting the latest advanced technologies, updating their cybersecurity, navigating supply chain challenges, and accessing workforce training—resources that are often out of reach for small businesses without this dedicated assistance,” the Senators wrote. “These centers drive innovation, boost productivity, and create high-quality jobs, strengthening both local economies and America’s global competitiveness. Without this critical federal support, MEP Centers—especially those with the fewest resources, and those serving rural and underserved communities—will be at the greatest risk of closure.
The economic impact of these centers has been substantial. A report by Summit Consulting and the Upjohn Institute found that the MEP program generated a substantial economic and financial return ratio of more than 17:1 for the $175 million funding invested by the federal government in FY2023. The study also determined that MEP Center projects contributed to an overall increase of nearly 309,000 jobs nationwide.
Since 1988, the MEP has worked to strengthen and empower U.S. manufacturing through a nationwide network of MEP Centers. The MEP National Network is comprised of 51 MEP Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico and over 1,450 trusted advisors and experts at more than 430 MEP service locations that provide any U.S. manufacturer with access to resources they need to succeed. In Illinois, the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) leads a variety of initiatives to grow manufacturing, including supporting the development of quantum technologies in our state. IMEC has created and retained more than 7,000 jobs and assisted nearly 3,000 companies.
Joining Duckworth, Durbin, Cantwell and Baldwin in sending the letter was Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Coons (D-DE) and Gary Peters (D-MI).
Full text of the letter is available on Senator Duckworth’s website and below:
April 8, 2025
Dear Secretary Lutnick,
We write to express our deep concern regarding the Department of Commerce’s recent decision to cancel future funding for ten National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers in Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Wyoming. This decision has raised widespread concern across the entire national network of MEP Centers, prompting fears about whether these initial cancellations are the first step in a broader effort to dismantle the program and eliminate federal funding for all 51 centers, with centers in Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin expected to be notified about their status shortly. Given the MEP program’s long-standing, bipartisan support in strengthening small and medium-sized American manufacturers, we share these concerns and urge you to provide clarity and certainty on your plans for the future of the MEP program.
According to the National Association of Manufacturers, 93% of manufacturers have fewer than 100 employees, while 75% have fewer than 20 employees. Small manufacturers rely on MEP Centers for essential support in adopting the latest advanced technologies, updating their cybersecurity, navigating supply chain challenges, and accessing workforce training—resources that are often out of reach for small businesses without this dedicated assistance. These centers drive innovation, boost productivity, and create high-quality jobs, strengthening both local economies and America’s global competitiveness. Without this critical federal support, MEP Centers—especially those with the fewest resources, and those serving rural and underserved communities—will be at the greatest risk of closure.
Dismantling this program would not only disrupt benefits for small businesses but also undermine decades of federal investment in domestic manufacturing resilience, which Congress prioritized in the MEP program in the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988. Congress also reauthorized the MEP program in the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. NIST was provided $175 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 to fund the MEP Centers. In FY2024 alone, the MEP National Network resulted in $2.6 billion in cost savings, $15 billion in new and retained sales, $5 billion in new client investments, and over 108,000 jobs created or retained. Additionally, a report by Summit Consulting and the Upjohn Institute found that the MEP program generated a substantial economic and financial return ratio of more than 17:1 for the $175 million funding invested by the federal government in FY2023. The study also determined that MEP Center projects contributed to an overall increase of nearly 309,000 jobs across the United States.
Given these benefits and the funding in the FY 2025 Continuing Resolution, we request a full explanation of the rationale behind this funding decision and ask that you promptly reconsider. Additionally, we urge the Department of Commerce to provide Congress with an impact assessment detailing how this decision will affect manufacturers in the affected states and regions. This action has caused tremendous uncertainty for all MEP Centers and the thousands of American manufacturing companies and their workers. Therefore, to better understand your plans for renewals across other states in the future, we request a briefing on the way ahead for the overall MEP program prior to making any final non-renewal decisions by April 30, 2025.
Eliminating federal support for MEP Centers would hamper American small and medium-sized manufacturers. We urge you to take immediate action to protect the MEP program and the manufacturers that rely on it. We look forward to your response no later than April 30, 2025, and are ready to work with you to find solutions that maintain and enhance the MEP program’s ability to serve America’s manufacturing sector.
Sincerely,
-30-

MIL OSI USA News –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Banking: The ultimate guide to Microsoft Security at upcoming RSAC 2025 event
Source: Microsoft

Headline: The ultimate guide to Microsoft Security at upcoming RSAC 2025 event

So you just finished watching Microsoft Secure. That means by now, you’ve heard about our new protections for AI and Microsoft Security Copilot agents. These innovations will be the focus of Microsoft Security’s sessions and activities at RSACTM 2025 Conference (RSAC 2025).

The can’t-miss conference is just around the corner. Microsoft Security is bringing an exciting lineup of sessions, expert panels, and exclusive networking opportunities to empower security professionals in the era of AI. Our entire presence at RSAC 2025 is designed to help you boost your AI skills so you can stay ahead of threats and manage security more effectively.

Whether you’re interested in protecting all your AI investments, AI-driven security, threat intelligence, or securing cloud environments, we’ve got something for you. To help you plan your time from Sunday, April 27 to Thursday, May 1, 2025, in San Francisco, here’s a quick and easy guide to all the key Microsoft Security moments at RSAC 2025.

Microsoft Pre-Day | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Palace Hotel

For the fourth year in a row, Microsoft Pre-Day kicks off the full lineup of Microsoft events and activities throughout RSAC 2025. We will host these at the Microsoft Security Hub at Palace Hotel, just a short walk from Moscone Center.

Hear directly from Microsoft Security leaders as they share reporting on emerging cyberthreat trends and the product innovations designed to protect against them. See the lineup below:
- Vasu Jakkal, Corporate Vice President (CVP), Microsoft Security Business
- Charlie Bell, Executive Vice President, Microsoft Security
- Sherrod DeGrippo, Director of Threat Intelligence Strategy
- Dorothy Li, Corporate Vice President (CVP), Microsoft Security Copilot
- Ann Johnson, Corporate Vice President (CVP) and Deputy CISO
- And more.
Register for Pre-Day today.

Networking Reception | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM | Microsoft Security Hub, Palace Hotel, Second Floor

Stick around after Microsoft Pre-Day to attend the Networking Reception—a lively evening designed to connect with the security community, engage with Microsoft leaders, and exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere. It’s the perfect way to kick off an inspiring week at RSAC 2025.

On Monday we ease into things by focusing on what’s new all around. We’ll share lots of goodness about agents and our new innovations announced in March.

Security Demo Experience at the Microsoft Security Booth #5744 | All day, every day | Moscone Center North Expo Hall

Monday is the first day to explore the show floor. Stop by the Microsoft Security Booth #5744 in Moscone Center North Expo Hall to explore live demos, meet Microsoft Security experts, and get hands-on with the latest tools.

Become a defender against cyber threats in a fast-paced, interactive game. You’ll be a part of a mission, navigating realistic incident response scenarios using Microsoft Security solutions, including our new AI Agents. Engage in quick skill challenges and wrap up with expert insights. Are you ready to beat the bad actors?

Keynote: Security in the Age of Agentic AI | 4:40 PM | Moscone Center (West Stage)

Agentic workflows will dramatically reshape what is possible in security. By enabling more complex problem-solving, agent collaboration, and iterative learning, agentic AI will empower a new paradigm for security that was once the domain of science fiction. Vasu Jakkal will take an imaginative look at the future of security AI agents, and the very human-driven way they will change the game.

Microsoft Sessions at RSAC 2025 | All day | Moscone Center

Our top Microsoft Security experts were chosen by RSAC to share their insights and best practices to help you level up your own security strategy. These sessions are designed for learning, not selling. So, you’ll hear more about what’s happening in the security space and less about products.
- Practical Strategies for Security Architecture in a Changing World @ 8:30 AM – 9:20 AM
This session will delve into the core pillars of security architecture and share practical strategies that uphold foundational principles. Will discuss holistic system thinking and provide a practical playbook for navigating the complexities of security architecture while maintaining a focus on the fundamentals and essential considerations for a secure digital environment.

Speaker: Abhilasha Bhargav-Spantzel, Partner Security Architect, Microsoft
- RSAC Innovation Sandbox @ 9:30 AM – 12:40 PM
Ten of cybersecurity’s boldest new innovators compete in Innovation Sandbox for the title of “Most Innovative Startup.” ISB celebrates 20 years & spotlights startups with potentially game-changing ideas. The Finalists have 3 minutes to share groundbreaking products & solutions with a panel of judges. Interact first-hand with these companies as the judges deliberate before the winner is crowned.

Speakers: Christopher Young, Executive Vice President, Business Development, Strategy and Ventures, Microsoft; David Chan, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley; Dorit Dor, Chief Technology Officer, Check Point Software Technologies; Niloofar Razi Howe, Operating Partner, Capitol Meridian Partners; Hugh Thompson, Executive Chairman & RSAC Conference Program Committee Chair, RSAC; Paul Kocher, Researcher, Independent Researcher; and Nasrin Rezai, SVP & CISO, Verizon
- AI Era Authentication: Securing the Future with Inclusive Identity @ 1:10 PM – 2:00 PM
This session explores the security and usability risks of authentication techniques for users with diverse needs. Emergence of AI agents, a new user identity acting on our behalf, also necessitates a rethink of authentication methods. Discover AI-era authentication using sensors like location and behavior and learn about the shift from active to passive authentication with prototypes in action.

Speakers: Abhilasha Bhargav-Spantzel, Partner Security Architect, Microsoft and Aditi Shah, Senior Data & Applied Scientist, Microsoft
- DPRK Remote IT Workers – Have You Hired One and Are You at Risk? @ 2:20 PM – 3:10 PM
The DPRK actively deploys remote IT workers to generate revenue for the regime while circumventing sanctions. DPRK IT workers pose risks to companies, including insider access, potential intellectual property theft, and exposure to other malicious cyber activity. This panel will discuss best practices for identifying and preventing the hiring of DPRK IT workers.

Speakers: Greg Schloemer, Senior Threat Intelligence Analyst, Microsoft; Elizabeth Pelker, Special Agent, FBI; Chris Horne, Director, Trust & Safety Intelligence & Investigations, Upwork; Adam Meyers, SVP Intelligence, CrowdStrike; and Bryan Vorndran, Assistant Director, FBI

Microsoft Expert Sessions | All day Monday – Wednesday | Microsoft Security Hub at the Palace Hotel (Second Floor)

Don’t miss our deep-dive sessions happening at the Microsoft Security Hub. Build your AI cybersecurity skills as Microsoft Security experts will share what they’ve learned and provide insights you can apply in your own organization.
- Harnessing Diversity – Strengthening the Cybersecurity Workforce in the Age of AI @ 10:30AM – 11:30AM
Speakers: Amanda Minnich, Principal Research Manager, Microsoft; Nicole Ford VP, Customer Security Officer, Microsoft; Kyla Guru, Founder/CEO, Bits N’ Bytes Cybersecurity Education; Tanell Ford, Assistant General Counsel, Microsoft; and Sherrod Degrippo, Directory of Threat Intelligence Strategy, Microsoft
- Reshaping SecOps for the Cloud AI Era @ 10:30AM – 11:30AM
Speakers: Scott Woodbridge, General Manager, Product Marketing, Microsoft and Corina Feuerstein, Principal Product Manager for Copilot in Defender and Sentinel
- Practical use of CoPilot AutoFix to address Security Backlog @ 12:00PM – 1:30PM
Speakers: Alexis Wales, CISO, GitHub and Marcelo Oliveira, VP, Product Management, GitHub
- Executive Lunch: Scaling Compliance for Global Regulations @ 12:00PM – 1:30PM
Speakers: Bret Arsenault, CVP, Chief Cybersecurity Advisor, Microsoft

Theatre Sessions | Location: Microsoft Security Booth #5744

Here’s where we talk products. These 15-20 minute informal, come-and-go sessions run all day at the Microsoft Security booth. They’re demo-heavy product showcases to help you learn how to better use the tools you’ve got now.
- Identity Security in the Era of AI with Security Copilot @ 5:35PM – 5:55 PM
- Security Copilot Agents: Autonomous, adaptive, with you in control @ 6:05PM – 6:25 PM
- From Risk to Resilience: The Next Evolution in Multicloud Security @ 6:35 PM– 6:55PM
MISA Awards| Location: Microsoft Security Hub at the Palace Hotel (Second Floor)

It’s time to suit up in heroic attire for an epic celebration at the 6th annual Microsoft Security Excellence Awards! Just like the Avengers, assembling to save the world, we’re coming together to honor the extraordinary achievements of our MISA members who work so diligently to protect customers from external threats! Congratulations to the incredible finalists for the sixth annual Microsoft Security Excellence Awards presented by MISA!

Customer Meetings | Location: Microsoft Security Hub at the Palace Hotel (Second Floor)

Take advantage of the opportunity to connect with Microsoft Security experts and enhance your cybersecurity knowledge. From April 28 to April 30, 2025 customers and CISOs can schedule one-on-one meetings at the Palace Hotel to discuss your most pressing security product and threat intelligence questions. Secure your spot by visiting the Microsoft Security Experiences at RSAC 2025 Home Page.

Tuesday is the busiest day of the conference, with lots of choices in front of you, so plan ahead.

Keynote: AI Safety: Where Do We Go From Here? | 8:30 AM | Moscone Center (West Stage)

During this keynote session, Google, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and the UK AI Safety Institute leaders come together for this blockbuster panel to explain the evolving landscape of AI safety. Attendees will gain insights into key developments in AI safety that should matter to organizations, its intersection with existing security initiatives, and time-tested approaches to translate AI safety to practice.

Speakers: Ram Shankar Siva Kumar, Data Cowboy, Microsoft; Jade Leung, Data Cowboy, Microsoft; and Daniel Rohrer, VP Software Product Security, Architecture & Research, NVIDIA

Microsoft Sessions at RSAC 2025 | All day | Moscone Center

RSAC has chosen top Microsoft Security experts to share insights and best practices, letting you learn about the latest in security without the sales pitch.
- Incident Response Dilemmas: Sharing Intel Across Sectors in Critical Times @ 9:40 – 10:30 AM
An incident may be a singular event affecting one entity. What happens when it affects our critical infrastructure and has the possibility of sector-wide impact and cascading effects? How do companies share information and meet regulatory expectations? The session will dive into the work that financial services companies, the government, and cloud service providers are taking to mature IR.

Speakers: Ann Johnson, CVP & Deputy CISO, Customer Security Managment Office, Microsoft; Ted Conklin, Chief AI Officer & Deputy Assistant Secretary, US Treasury; Heather Hogsett, Senior Vice President, Deputy Head of BITS, Bank Policy Institute; and Erez Liebermann, Partner, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
- XPIA Attacks – Rethinking Defense in Depth for an AI-Powered World @1:15 – 2:05 PM
As adversaries rapidly develop sophisticated AI attacks, the solutions also need to evolve rapidly. This panel will explore Cross/Indirect Prompt Injection Attacks (XPIA) and the need to rethink traditional defense in depth strategies. Gain insights into XPIA trends, risk analysis, and innovative solutions to protect critical infrastructure. Join for practical strategies and expert insights.

Speakers: Abhilasha Bhargav-Spantzel, Partner Security Architect, Microsoft; Aanchal Gupta, CVP, Microsoft; John Leo, Jr, Managing Director – Threat and Vulnerability Management Leader, EY; and Stefano Zanero, Professor, Politecnico di Milano
- A Year(ish) of Countering Malicious Actors’ Use of AI: What Have We Learned? @ 2:25 –3:15 PM
Artificial Intelligence has changed the game when it comes to how cyber adversaries operate, and how defenders respond. This panel will explore lessons learned from the past year of countering malicious cyber actors’ use of AI, challenges and limitations of legal actions involving AI, and what roadblocks might appear going forward as AI, and the actors who use it, continues to evolve.

Speakers: Sherrod DeGrippo, Director, Threat Intelligence Strategy, Microsoft; Morgan Adamski, Executive Director, US Cyber Command; Cynthia Kaiser, Deputy Assistant Director, FBI; and Sean Newell, Chief, National Security Cyber Section, National Security Division, Department of Justice

Microsoft Expert Sessions | All day | Monday – Wednesday Location: Microsoft Security Hub at the Palace Hotel (Second Floor)

Join Microsoft Security product leaders as they share their learnings and how you can apply them in your organization.
- Defending Against Modern Threats: Enhancing Endpoint Security and IT Resilience @ 8:00AM – 9:30AM
Speakers: Archana Devi Sunder Rajan, Partner Group Product Manager, Microsoft and Peter M. Thompson, Principal PM Manager, Microsoft
- Secure and Govern AI to safeguard your data, reduce risks, and support compliance @ 10:30AM – 11:30AM
Speakers: Herain Oberoi, GM, Data & AI Security, Microsoft; Rudra Mitra, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Purview; and Neta Haiby, Director of AI Security, Microsoft
- Microsoft Security Copilot @ 12:00PM – 1:30PM
Speaker: Dorothy Li, CVP, Microsoft Security Copilot
- Secure your data in the era of AI with Microsoft Purview @ 2:30PM – 3:30PM
Speakers: Talhah Mir, Principal Group Product Manager, Microsoft Purview and Maithili Dandige, Partner Group Product Manager, Microsoft Purview
- AI and Automation Panel: The Startup Innovation for Enterprise Resilience – moderated by FC @ 2:30PM – 3:30PM
**Attendees will have the opportunity to receive a copy of FC’s book, How I Rob Banks, and the chance to have it signed by the author at the end of the session.

Speakers: Kevin Magee, Director Cybersecurity Startups, Microsoft for Startups; FC, Co-founder & CEO, Cygenta; Shane Coleman, Chief Data Security Evangelist; Christ “Tito” Sestito, CEO, HiddenLayer; Ravid Circus, Co-founder & CPO, Seemplicity; and Jeremy Vaughan, CEO, Start Left Security

Theatre Sessions | Location: Microsoft Security Booth #5744

Stop by the Microsoft Security booth to catch a short demo of your favorite product.
- See Beyond Silos and Protect Better with Microsoft Security Exposure Management 11:00 AM –11:20 AM
- Accelerate your Zero Trust journey with the Microsoft Entra Suite 11:30 AM – 11:50 AM
- Automating Vulnerability Management: The Power of “Endpoint Vulnerability Remediation Agent” in Microsoft Intune 12:00 PM – 12:20 PM
- From Risk to Resilience: The Next Evolution in Multicloud Security 12:30 PM – 12:50 PM
- Accelerating post-breach deep content analysis and mitigation with Microsoft Purview @ 1:00 PM – 1:20 PM
- Microsoft Sentinel Uncovered: Advanced Capabilities to Transform the SOC @ 1:30 PM – 1:50 PM
- Protect AI Workloads from Code to Runtime with Microsoft Defender for Cloud @ 2:00 PM – 2:20 PM
- Security Copilot Agents: Autonomous, adaptive, with you in control @ 2:30 PM – 2:50 PM
- Unified SecOps: Defending Critical Infrastructure with Microsoft Defender @ 3:00 PM – 3:20 PM
- Be Fast as Lighting: Automate Microsoft Defender XDR and Microsoft Sentinel Service Delivery @ 3:30 PM – 3:50 PM
- Mastering Cloud Threats: Detect, Investigate, and Respond in real-time with Microsoft Defender for Cloud and Defender XDR integration @ 4:00 PM – 4:20 PM
- Practical Strategies for Securing AI-Driven Data: Enhancing Cyber Resilience and Insider Risk Management @ 4:30 PM – 4:50PM
- Secure and govern access to GenAI apps with the Microsoft Entra Suite @5:00 PM – 5:20 PM
- Bolster your SOC with Microsoft’s Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR) @ 5:30 PM – 5:50PM
Networking and Fun | Location: Microsoft Security Hub at the Palace Hotel (Second Floor)
- Secure & Sip: DevOps Edition @ 4:30PM – 6:30PM
Speaker: Alexis Wales, CISO, GitHub

Gather with GitHub’s security leaders and experts for meaningful conversations, thoughtfully crafted cocktails, and a custom ramen bar to round out your day at RSAC.

Customer Meetings | Location: Microsoft Security Hub at the Palace Hotel (Second Floor)

Day 2 of meetings with Microsoft Security experts continues. Secure your spot by visiting the Microsoft Security Experiences at RSAC 2025 Home Page. https://MicrosoftSecurityEvents.eventbuilder.com/MicrosoftRSAC2025events?source=blog_techcomm

As the conference starts to wrap up, don’t miss your chance to get hands-on with Microsoft Security solutions and ask questions at the Hub and booth and in 1:1 meetings.

Microsoft Sessions at RSAC 2025 | Location: Moscone Center
- Guardians of the Cyber Galaxy: Allies Against AI-Powered Cybercrime @ 8:30 – 9:20 AM
AI is revolutionizing cybercrime, putting traditional defenses to the test. Expert panelists unite to detail innovative public-private strategies and real-world case studies from their experience in INTERPOL, the FBI, Microsoft, and the Privacy & Cybersecurity Group of an international law firm. Gain actionable insights to protect the global community and fortify cybersecurity defenses.

Speakers: Sean Farrell, Lead Counsel, AI Strategy, Digital Crimes Unit, Microsoft Corporation; Garylene Javier, Privacy & Cybersecurity Counsel, Crowell & Moring LLP; Craig Jones, Immediate Past Director Cybercrime, INTERPOL; and Andrew Sczygielski, Supervisory Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Green and Sustainable AI for Cybersecurity @1:15 – 2:05 PM
The session will consider the carbon cost of AI and analytics. It will focus on the estimated energy and carbon costs of many cybersecurity use cases and approaches that can be taken to build more sustainable solutions. This will be illustrated through the use of a threat hunting and detection analytical solution and how that could be designed to be most power efficient.

Speakers: Lesley Kipling, Chief Security Advisor, Microsoft and Sian John, CTO, NCC Group
- Scaling AppSec With an SDLC for Citizen Development @ 1:15 – 2:05 PM
AppSec programs are difficult. Filled to the brim with vulnerabilities. Overloaded staff and inadequate budget. The common “solution” is to narrow scope and focus on crown jewels and their devs. Increasing the scope to 100x devs and 1000x apps surprisingly worked, resulting in program remediation of >50K vulnerabilities in 3 months. 18K of them in a single night. This session will show how.

Speakers: Ryan McDonald, Principal Program Manager, Microsoft and Michael Bargury, Co-Founder & CTO, Zenity

Microsoft Expert Sessions | All day Monday – Wednesday | Location: Microsoft Security Hub at the Palace Hotel (Second Floor)

Don’t miss the final few Microsoft Security focused sessions at our Hub.
- Threat intelligence trends and insights panel: Exclusive briefing from Microsoft Threat Intelligence @10:30AM – 11:30AM
Speakers: Sherrod De Grippo, Director of Threat Intelligence Strategy, Microsoft; Jeremy Dallman, Senior Director of Security Research in Microsoft Threat Intelligence; and Steven Masada, Assistant General Counsel, DCU
- Secure access for your employees with Entra Suite @ 10:30AM – 11:30AM
Speaker: Irina Nechaeva, General Manager, Identity and Network Access
- Securing the AI Powered Enterprise Executive Panel Lunch @12:00PM – 1:30PM
Speakers: Bret Arsenault, Chief Cybersecurity Advisor, Microsoft; Brandon Dixon, Partner Product Manager, Security AI Strategy, Microsoft; Manny Sahota, Director, Global Cloud Privacy, Microsoft; Herain Oberoi, General Manager, Data Security, Governance, Compliance, Privacy Business and Marketing, Microsoft; and Sarah Bird, Chief Product Officer of Responsible AI, Microsoft

Theatre Sessions | Location: Microsoft Security Booth #5744

Don’t miss your chance to see demos and ask questions casually at the booth.
- Make Windows endpoints more secure and prevent downtime 11:00 AM – 11:20 AM
- Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to Partnering with Microsoft 11:30 AM – 11:50 AM
- EY Security Copilot Empowered Solutions 12:00 PM – 12:20 PM
- Microsoft Security Copilot: Protect at the speed and scale of AI 12:30 PM – 12:50 PM
- Phishing-Resistant Authentication, Trusted Onboarding & Recovery @ 1:00 PM – 1:20 PM
- Building a multi-layered approach to data security SOC @ 1:30 PM – 1:50 PM
- Secure your email and collaboration tools against sophisticated cyber attacks @ 2:00 PM – 2:20 PM
- The latest intelligence on North Korean remote IT workers @ 2:30 PM – 2:50 PM
- Secure and govern M365 Copilot with Microsoft Purview @ 3:00 PM – 3:20 PM
- Proactively Mitigate Risks with Microsoft Security Exposure Management @ 3:30 PM – 3:50 PM
- Windows 365: The security of Windows, the scale of the cloud@ 4:00 PM – 4:20 PM
- Shift your SOC from manual incident response to automatic attack disruption @ 4:30 PM –4:50PM
- A Look Inside Microsoft’s Secure Future Initiative: Progress, Innovations, and Best Practices @ 5:00 PM – 5:20 PM
- Simplifying Data Security for the Modern Network with Microsoft Purview and Netskope One @ 5:30 PM – 5:50 PM
Customer Meetings | Location: Microsoft Security Hub at the Palace Hotel (Second Floor)

It’s your final chance to ask your questions and give your suggestions directly to Microsoft Security experts. Book your meeting here: Microsoft Security Experiences at RSAC 2025 Home Page.

Microsoft Sessions at RSAC | Location: Moscone Center

Last but certainly not least.
- Shaping Cybersecurity: How Regulation Shapes Operational Cyber Defense @ 10:50 – 11:40AM
In 2024, elections and growing cyberthreats pushed cybersecurity to the forefront of government priorities. The panel will explore governments’ efforts to strengthen cybersecurity and resilience through regulation, the impact on operational cyber defense, and discuss where greater alignment is possible. Attendees will gain an understanding of the quickly evolving global regulatory landscape.

Speakers: Ted Maurer, Senior Director, Global Cybersecurity Policy, Microsoft; Christiane Kirketerp de Viron, Director for Digital Society, Trust & Cybersecurity, DG Connect, European Commission; Ari Schwartz, Managing Director, Cybersecurity Services, Venable LLP; Josephine Wolff, Associate Professor of Cybersecurity Policy, Tufts University, The Fletcher School; and Florian Schütz, Director, NCSC – National Cybersecurity Centre
- Taking the Fight Upstream: Pursuing Systemic Defense Against Phishing 12:20 – 11:10 PM
Three decades into the public internet, cybercrime is booming and phishing remains a key vector. With AI-enhanced attacks rising, common users are increasingly ill-equipped to defend themselves. What can be done upstream to protect society? This session explores systemic defense strategies across the ICT ecosystem that hold the potential for significant ecosystem-wide impact.

Speakers: Kelly Bissell, CVP Security & Fraud, Microsoft; Tal Goldstein, Head of Strategy, World Economic Forum Centre for Cybersecurity; Steven Kelly, Chief Trust Officer, Institute for Security and Technology; and Kemba Walden, President, Paladin Global Institute, Paladin Capital Group
- Fraud, Risk, Hollywood & Government—A Strategy for AI Across Industry 12:20 – 11:10 PM
Dive into the high-stakes world of AI as the experts in this session unravel AI’s game-changing roles in Hollywood, government, and finance. Experience firsthand revolutionary strategies, ethical showdowns, and futuristic trends set to redefine industry landscapes. Get ready for a session that’s as dynamic and ambitious as a Hollywood blockbuster!

Speakers: Vishal Amin, GM, National Security Group, Security; Gurpreet Bhatia, Acting Deputy CIO for Cybersecurity, Acting CISO, DOD; David Mahdi, CIO, Transmit Security; and Scott Mann, Film Director & Co-Founder/Co-CEO, Flawless
- Generative AI Meets Identity Governance: Automating the Overlooked @ 1:30 – 2:20 PM
Identity governance is often the last thing to be implemented and rarely gets the attention it deserves due to its complexity. This session will explore how Generative AI agents can help overcome this by automating critical but often deprioritized tasks like role mining and identity lifecycle management, particularly addressing the challenges of managing ‘movers’ within organizations.

Speakers: Angelica Faber, Sr Security Architect, Microsoft and Wesley Kuzma, Architect Manager, Microsoft

Theatre Sessions | Location: Microsoft Security Booth #5744

Catch the last day of theater sessions.
- How Enterprises will Continue to Learn from Open Source 11:00 AM – 11:20 AM
- Creating Bespoke Identity Governance Solutions with Microsoft Entra Suite 11:30 AM – 11:50 AM
- Identity-first security: Using an event-based approach for threat remediation @ 12:00 PM – 12:20 PM
- Securing and governing Agents built-in Microsoft Copilot Studio @ 12:30 PM – 12:50 PM
- Azure Platform Security in an Evolving Threat Landscape @ 1:00 PM – 1:20 PM
How to Make the Most of Microsoft Security at RSAC 2025

Plan Ahead: Bookmark this blog to easily find the things that interest you the most.

Visit the Booth: Engage with our security experts and experience live demos.

Follow Along Online: Stay updated by following Microsoft Security on LinkedIn and X.

Book a Meeting: Want to connect 1:1 with a Microsoft Security expert? Secure your spot by visiting the Microsoft Security Experiences at RSAC 2025 Home Page.

See you at RSAC 2025!
MIL OSI Global Banks –
April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: The ultimate guide to Microsoft Security at upcoming RSAC 2025 event
Source: Microsoft

Headline: The ultimate guide to Microsoft Security at upcoming RSAC 2025 event

So you just finished watching Microsoft Secure. That means by now, you’ve heard about our new protections for AI and Microsoft Security Copilot agents. These innovations will be the focus of Microsoft Security’s sessions and activities at RSACTM 2025 Conference (RSAC 2025).

The can’t-miss conference is just around the corner. Microsoft Security is bringing an exciting lineup of sessions, expert panels, and exclusive networking opportunities to empower security professionals in the era of AI. Our entire presence at RSAC 2025 is designed to help you boost your AI skills so you can stay ahead of threats and manage security more effectively.

Whether you’re interested in protecting all your AI investments, AI-driven security, threat intelligence, or securing cloud environments, we’ve got something for you. To help you plan your time from Sunday, April 27 to Thursday, May 1, 2025, in San Francisco, here’s a quick and easy guide to all the key Microsoft Security moments at RSAC 2025.

Microsoft Pre-Day | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Palace Hotel

For the fourth year in a row, Microsoft Pre-Day kicks off the full lineup of Microsoft events and activities throughout RSAC 2025. We will host these at the Microsoft Security Hub at Palace Hotel, just a short walk from Moscone Center.

Hear directly from Microsoft Security leaders as they share reporting on emerging cyberthreat trends and the product innovations designed to protect against them. See the lineup below:
- Vasu Jakkal, Corporate Vice President (CVP), Microsoft Security Business
- Charlie Bell, Executive Vice President, Microsoft Security
- Sherrod DeGrippo, Director of Threat Intelligence Strategy
- Dorothy Li, Corporate Vice President (CVP), Microsoft Security Copilot
- Ann Johnson, Corporate Vice President (CVP) and Deputy CISO
- And more.
Register for Pre-Day today.

Networking Reception | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM | Microsoft Security Hub, Palace Hotel, Second Floor

Stick around after Microsoft Pre-Day to attend the Networking Reception—a lively evening designed to connect with the security community, engage with Microsoft leaders, and exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere. It’s the perfect way to kick off an inspiring week at RSAC 2025.

On Monday we ease into things by focusing on what’s new all around. We’ll share lots of goodness about agents and our new innovations announced in March.

Security Demo Experience at the Microsoft Security Booth #5744 | All day, every day | Moscone Center North Expo Hall

Monday is the first day to explore the show floor. Stop by the Microsoft Security Booth #5744 in Moscone Center North Expo Hall to explore live demos, meet Microsoft Security experts, and get hands-on with the latest tools.

Become a defender against cyber threats in a fast-paced, interactive game. You’ll be a part of a mission, navigating realistic incident response scenarios using Microsoft Security solutions, including our new AI Agents. Engage in quick skill challenges and wrap up with expert insights. Are you ready to beat the bad actors?

Keynote: Security in the Age of Agentic AI | 4:40 PM | Moscone Center (West Stage)

Agentic workflows will dramatically reshape what is possible in security. By enabling more complex problem-solving, agent collaboration, and iterative learning, agentic AI will empower a new paradigm for security that was once the domain of science fiction. Vasu Jakkal will take an imaginative look at the future of security AI agents, and the very human-driven way they will change the game.

Microsoft Sessions at RSAC 2025 | All day | Moscone Center

Our top Microsoft Security experts were chosen by RSAC to share their insights and best practices to help you level up your own security strategy. These sessions are designed for learning, not selling. So, you’ll hear more about what’s happening in the security space and less about products.
- Practical Strategies for Security Architecture in a Changing World @ 8:30 AM – 9:20 AM
This session will delve into the core pillars of security architecture and share practical strategies that uphold foundational principles. Will discuss holistic system thinking and provide a practical playbook for navigating the complexities of security architecture while maintaining a focus on the fundamentals and essential considerations for a secure digital environment.

Speaker: Abhilasha Bhargav-Spantzel, Partner Security Architect, Microsoft
- RSAC Innovation Sandbox @ 9:30 AM – 12:40 PM
Ten of cybersecurity’s boldest new innovators compete in Innovation Sandbox for the title of “Most Innovative Startup.” ISB celebrates 20 years & spotlights startups with potentially game-changing ideas. The Finalists have 3 minutes to share groundbreaking products & solutions with a panel of judges. Interact first-hand with these companies as the judges deliberate before the winner is crowned.

Speakers: Christopher Young, Executive Vice President, Business Development, Strategy and Ventures, Microsoft; David Chan, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley; Dorit Dor, Chief Technology Officer, Check Point Software Technologies; Niloofar Razi Howe, Operating Partner, Capitol Meridian Partners; Hugh Thompson, Executive Chairman & RSAC Conference Program Committee Chair, RSAC; Paul Kocher, Researcher, Independent Researcher; and Nasrin Rezai, SVP & CISO, Verizon
- AI Era Authentication: Securing the Future with Inclusive Identity @ 1:10 PM – 2:00 PM
This session explores the security and usability risks of authentication techniques for users with diverse needs. Emergence of AI agents, a new user identity acting on our behalf, also necessitates a rethink of authentication methods. Discover AI-era authentication using sensors like location and behavior and learn about the shift from active to passive authentication with prototypes in action.

Speakers: Abhilasha Bhargav-Spantzel, Partner Security Architect, Microsoft and Aditi Shah, Senior Data & Applied Scientist, Microsoft
- DPRK Remote IT Workers – Have You Hired One and Are You at Risk? @ 2:20 PM – 3:10 PM
The DPRK actively deploys remote IT workers to generate revenue for the regime while circumventing sanctions. DPRK IT workers pose risks to companies, including insider access, potential intellectual property theft, and exposure to other malicious cyber activity. This panel will discuss best practices for identifying and preventing the hiring of DPRK IT workers.

Speakers: Greg Schloemer, Senior Threat Intelligence Analyst, Microsoft; Elizabeth Pelker, Special Agent, FBI; Chris Horne, Director, Trust & Safety Intelligence & Investigations, Upwork; Adam Meyers, SVP Intelligence, CrowdStrike; and Bryan Vorndran, Assistant Director, FBI

Microsoft Expert Sessions | All day Monday – Wednesday | Microsoft Security Hub at the Palace Hotel (Second Floor)

Don’t miss our deep-dive sessions happening at the Microsoft Security Hub. Build your AI cybersecurity skills as Microsoft Security experts will share what they’ve learned and provide insights you can apply in your own organization.
- Harnessing Diversity – Strengthening the Cybersecurity Workforce in the Age of AI @ 10:30AM – 11:30AM
Speakers: Amanda Minnich, Principal Research Manager, Microsoft; Nicole Ford VP, Customer Security Officer, Microsoft; Kyla Guru, Founder/CEO, Bits N’ Bytes Cybersecurity Education; Tanell Ford, Assistant General Counsel, Microsoft; and Sherrod Degrippo, Directory of Threat Intelligence Strategy, Microsoft
- Reshaping SecOps for the Cloud AI Era @ 10:30AM – 11:30AM
Speakers: Scott Woodbridge, General Manager, Product Marketing, Microsoft and Corina Feuerstein, Principal Product Manager for Copilot in Defender and Sentinel
- Practical use of CoPilot AutoFix to address Security Backlog @ 12:00PM – 1:30PM
Speakers: Alexis Wales, CISO, GitHub and Marcelo Oliveira, VP, Product Management, GitHub
- Executive Lunch: Scaling Compliance for Global Regulations @ 12:00PM – 1:30PM
Speakers: Bret Arsenault, CVP, Chief Cybersecurity Advisor, Microsoft

Theatre Sessions | Location: Microsoft Security Booth #5744

Here’s where we talk products. These 15-20 minute informal, come-and-go sessions run all day at the Microsoft Security booth. They’re demo-heavy product showcases to help you learn how to better use the tools you’ve got now.
- Identity Security in the Era of AI with Security Copilot @ 5:35PM – 5:55 PM
- Security Copilot Agents: Autonomous, adaptive, with you in control @ 6:05PM – 6:25 PM
- From Risk to Resilience: The Next Evolution in Multicloud Security @ 6:35 PM– 6:55PM
MISA Awards| Location: Microsoft Security Hub at the Palace Hotel (Second Floor)

It’s time to suit up in heroic attire for an epic celebration at the 6th annual Microsoft Security Excellence Awards! Just like the Avengers, assembling to save the world, we’re coming together to honor the extraordinary achievements of our MISA members who work so diligently to protect customers from external threats! Congratulations to the incredible finalists for the sixth annual Microsoft Security Excellence Awards presented by MISA!

Customer Meetings | Location: Microsoft Security Hub at the Palace Hotel (Second Floor)

Take advantage of the opportunity to connect with Microsoft Security experts and enhance your cybersecurity knowledge. From April 28 to April 30, 2025 customers and CISOs can schedule one-on-one meetings at the Palace Hotel to discuss your most pressing security product and threat intelligence questions. Secure your spot by visiting the Microsoft Security Experiences at RSAC 2025 Home Page.

Tuesday is the busiest day of the conference, with lots of choices in front of you, so plan ahead.

Keynote: AI Safety: Where Do We Go From Here? | 8:30 AM | Moscone Center (West Stage)

During this keynote session, Google, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and the UK AI Safety Institute leaders come together for this blockbuster panel to explain the evolving landscape of AI safety. Attendees will gain insights into key developments in AI safety that should matter to organizations, its intersection with existing security initiatives, and time-tested approaches to translate AI safety to practice.

Speakers: Ram Shankar Siva Kumar, Data Cowboy, Microsoft; Jade Leung, Data Cowboy, Microsoft; and Daniel Rohrer, VP Software Product Security, Architecture & Research, NVIDIA

Microsoft Sessions at RSAC 2025 | All day | Moscone Center

RSAC has chosen top Microsoft Security experts to share insights and best practices, letting you learn about the latest in security without the sales pitch.
- Incident Response Dilemmas: Sharing Intel Across Sectors in Critical Times @ 9:40 – 10:30 AM
An incident may be a singular event affecting one entity. What happens when it affects our critical infrastructure and has the possibility of sector-wide impact and cascading effects? How do companies share information and meet regulatory expectations? The session will dive into the work that financial services companies, the government, and cloud service providers are taking to mature IR.

Speakers: Ann Johnson, CVP & Deputy CISO, Customer Security Managment Office, Microsoft; Ted Conklin, Chief AI Officer & Deputy Assistant Secretary, US Treasury; Heather Hogsett, Senior Vice President, Deputy Head of BITS, Bank Policy Institute; and Erez Liebermann, Partner, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
- XPIA Attacks – Rethinking Defense in Depth for an AI-Powered World @1:15 – 2:05 PM
As adversaries rapidly develop sophisticated AI attacks, the solutions also need to evolve rapidly. This panel will explore Cross/Indirect Prompt Injection Attacks (XPIA) and the need to rethink traditional defense in depth strategies. Gain insights into XPIA trends, risk analysis, and innovative solutions to protect critical infrastructure. Join for practical strategies and expert insights.

Speakers: Abhilasha Bhargav-Spantzel, Partner Security Architect, Microsoft; Aanchal Gupta, CVP, Microsoft; John Leo, Jr, Managing Director – Threat and Vulnerability Management Leader, EY; and Stefano Zanero, Professor, Politecnico di Milano
- A Year(ish) of Countering Malicious Actors’ Use of AI: What Have We Learned? @ 2:25 –3:15 PM
Artificial Intelligence has changed the game when it comes to how cyber adversaries operate, and how defenders respond. This panel will explore lessons learned from the past year of countering malicious cyber actors’ use of AI, challenges and limitations of legal actions involving AI, and what roadblocks might appear going forward as AI, and the actors who use it, continues to evolve.

Speakers: Sherrod DeGrippo, Director, Threat Intelligence Strategy, Microsoft; Morgan Adamski, Executive Director, US Cyber Command; Cynthia Kaiser, Deputy Assistant Director, FBI; and Sean Newell, Chief, National Security Cyber Section, National Security Division, Department of Justice

Microsoft Expert Sessions | All day | Monday – Wednesday Location: Microsoft Security Hub at the Palace Hotel (Second Floor)

Join Microsoft Security product leaders as they share their learnings and how you can apply them in your organization.
- Defending Against Modern Threats: Enhancing Endpoint Security and IT Resilience @ 8:00AM – 9:30AM
Speakers: Archana Devi Sunder Rajan, Partner Group Product Manager, Microsoft and Peter M. Thompson, Principal PM Manager, Microsoft
- Secure and Govern AI to safeguard your data, reduce risks, and support compliance @ 10:30AM – 11:30AM
Speakers: Herain Oberoi, GM, Data & AI Security, Microsoft; Rudra Mitra, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Purview; and Neta Haiby, Director of AI Security, Microsoft
- Microsoft Security Copilot @ 12:00PM – 1:30PM
Speaker: Dorothy Li, CVP, Microsoft Security Copilot
- Secure your data in the era of AI with Microsoft Purview @ 2:30PM – 3:30PM
Speakers: Talhah Mir, Principal Group Product Manager, Microsoft Purview and Maithili Dandige, Partner Group Product Manager, Microsoft Purview
- AI and Automation Panel: The Startup Innovation for Enterprise Resilience – moderated by FC @ 2:30PM – 3:30PM
**Attendees will have the opportunity to receive a copy of FC’s book, How I Rob Banks, and the chance to have it signed by the author at the end of the session.

Speakers: Kevin Magee, Director Cybersecurity Startups, Microsoft for Startups; FC, Co-founder & CEO, Cygenta; Shane Coleman, Chief Data Security Evangelist; Christ “Tito” Sestito, CEO, HiddenLayer; Ravid Circus, Co-founder & CPO, Seemplicity; and Jeremy Vaughan, CEO, Start Left Security

Theatre Sessions | Location: Microsoft Security Booth #5744

Stop by the Microsoft Security booth to catch a short demo of your favorite product.
- See Beyond Silos and Protect Better with Microsoft Security Exposure Management 11:00 AM –11:20 AM
- Accelerate your Zero Trust journey with the Microsoft Entra Suite 11:30 AM – 11:50 AM
- Automating Vulnerability Management: The Power of “Endpoint Vulnerability Remediation Agent” in Microsoft Intune 12:00 PM – 12:20 PM
- From Risk to Resilience: The Next Evolution in Multicloud Security 12:30 PM – 12:50 PM
- Accelerating post-breach deep content analysis and mitigation with Microsoft Purview @ 1:00 PM – 1:20 PM
- Microsoft Sentinel Uncovered: Advanced Capabilities to Transform the SOC @ 1:30 PM – 1:50 PM
- Protect AI Workloads from Code to Runtime with Microsoft Defender for Cloud @ 2:00 PM – 2:20 PM
- Security Copilot Agents: Autonomous, adaptive, with you in control @ 2:30 PM – 2:50 PM
- Unified SecOps: Defending Critical Infrastructure with Microsoft Defender @ 3:00 PM – 3:20 PM
- Be Fast as Lighting: Automate Microsoft Defender XDR and Microsoft Sentinel Service Delivery @ 3:30 PM – 3:50 PM
- Mastering Cloud Threats: Detect, Investigate, and Respond in real-time with Microsoft Defender for Cloud and Defender XDR integration @ 4:00 PM – 4:20 PM
- Practical Strategies for Securing AI-Driven Data: Enhancing Cyber Resilience and Insider Risk Management @ 4:30 PM – 4:50PM
- Secure and govern access to GenAI apps with the Microsoft Entra Suite @5:00 PM – 5:20 PM
- Bolster your SOC with Microsoft’s Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR) @ 5:30 PM – 5:50PM
Networking and Fun | Location: Microsoft Security Hub at the Palace Hotel (Second Floor)
- Secure & Sip: DevOps Edition @ 4:30PM – 6:30PM
Speaker: Alexis Wales, CISO, GitHub

Gather with GitHub’s security leaders and experts for meaningful conversations, thoughtfully crafted cocktails, and a custom ramen bar to round out your day at RSAC.

Customer Meetings | Location: Microsoft Security Hub at the Palace Hotel (Second Floor)

Day 2 of meetings with Microsoft Security experts continues. Secure your spot by visiting the Microsoft Security Experiences at RSAC 2025 Home Page. https://MicrosoftSecurityEvents.eventbuilder.com/MicrosoftRSAC2025events?source=blog_techcomm

As the conference starts to wrap up, don’t miss your chance to get hands-on with Microsoft Security solutions and ask questions at the Hub and booth and in 1:1 meetings.

Microsoft Sessions at RSAC 2025 | Location: Moscone Center
- Guardians of the Cyber Galaxy: Allies Against AI-Powered Cybercrime @ 8:30 – 9:20 AM
AI is revolutionizing cybercrime, putting traditional defenses to the test. Expert panelists unite to detail innovative public-private strategies and real-world case studies from their experience in INTERPOL, the FBI, Microsoft, and the Privacy & Cybersecurity Group of an international law firm. Gain actionable insights to protect the global community and fortify cybersecurity defenses.

Speakers: Sean Farrell, Lead Counsel, AI Strategy, Digital Crimes Unit, Microsoft Corporation; Garylene Javier, Privacy & Cybersecurity Counsel, Crowell & Moring LLP; Craig Jones, Immediate Past Director Cybercrime, INTERPOL; and Andrew Sczygielski, Supervisory Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Green and Sustainable AI for Cybersecurity @1:15 – 2:05 PM
The session will consider the carbon cost of AI and analytics. It will focus on the estimated energy and carbon costs of many cybersecurity use cases and approaches that can be taken to build more sustainable solutions. This will be illustrated through the use of a threat hunting and detection analytical solution and how that could be designed to be most power efficient.

Speakers: Lesley Kipling, Chief Security Advisor, Microsoft and Sian John, CTO, NCC Group
- Scaling AppSec With an SDLC for Citizen Development @ 1:15 – 2:05 PM
AppSec programs are difficult. Filled to the brim with vulnerabilities. Overloaded staff and inadequate budget. The common “solution” is to narrow scope and focus on crown jewels and their devs. Increasing the scope to 100x devs and 1000x apps surprisingly worked, resulting in program remediation of >50K vulnerabilities in 3 months. 18K of them in a single night. This session will show how.

Speakers: Ryan McDonald, Principal Program Manager, Microsoft and Michael Bargury, Co-Founder & CTO, Zenity

Microsoft Expert Sessions | All day Monday – Wednesday | Location: Microsoft Security Hub at the Palace Hotel (Second Floor)

Don’t miss the final few Microsoft Security focused sessions at our Hub.
- Threat intelligence trends and insights panel: Exclusive briefing from Microsoft Threat Intelligence @10:30AM – 11:30AM
Speakers: Sherrod De Grippo, Director of Threat Intelligence Strategy, Microsoft; Jeremy Dallman, Senior Director of Security Research in Microsoft Threat Intelligence; and Steven Masada, Assistant General Counsel, DCU
- Secure access for your employees with Entra Suite @ 10:30AM – 11:30AM
Speaker: Irina Nechaeva, General Manager, Identity and Network Access
- Securing the AI Powered Enterprise Executive Panel Lunch @12:00PM – 1:30PM
Speakers: Bret Arsenault, Chief Cybersecurity Advisor, Microsoft; Brandon Dixon, Partner Product Manager, Security AI Strategy, Microsoft; Manny Sahota, Director, Global Cloud Privacy, Microsoft; Herain Oberoi, General Manager, Data Security, Governance, Compliance, Privacy Business and Marketing, Microsoft; and Sarah Bird, Chief Product Officer of Responsible AI, Microsoft

Theatre Sessions | Location: Microsoft Security Booth #5744

Don’t miss your chance to see demos and ask questions casually at the booth.
- Make Windows endpoints more secure and prevent downtime 11:00 AM – 11:20 AM
- Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to Partnering with Microsoft 11:30 AM – 11:50 AM
- EY Security Copilot Empowered Solutions 12:00 PM – 12:20 PM
- Microsoft Security Copilot: Protect at the speed and scale of AI 12:30 PM – 12:50 PM
- Phishing-Resistant Authentication, Trusted Onboarding & Recovery @ 1:00 PM – 1:20 PM
- Building a multi-layered approach to data security SOC @ 1:30 PM – 1:50 PM
- Secure your email and collaboration tools against sophisticated cyber attacks @ 2:00 PM – 2:20 PM
- The latest intelligence on North Korean remote IT workers @ 2:30 PM – 2:50 PM
- Secure and govern M365 Copilot with Microsoft Purview @ 3:00 PM – 3:20 PM
- Proactively Mitigate Risks with Microsoft Security Exposure Management @ 3:30 PM – 3:50 PM
- Windows 365: The security of Windows, the scale of the cloud@ 4:00 PM – 4:20 PM
- Shift your SOC from manual incident response to automatic attack disruption @ 4:30 PM –4:50PM
- A Look Inside Microsoft’s Secure Future Initiative: Progress, Innovations, and Best Practices @ 5:00 PM – 5:20 PM
- Simplifying Data Security for the Modern Network with Microsoft Purview and Netskope One @ 5:30 PM – 5:50 PM
Customer Meetings | Location: Microsoft Security Hub at the Palace Hotel (Second Floor)

It’s your final chance to ask your questions and give your suggestions directly to Microsoft Security experts. Book your meeting here: Microsoft Security Experiences at RSAC 2025 Home Page.

Microsoft Sessions at RSAC | Location: Moscone Center

Last but certainly not least.
- Shaping Cybersecurity: How Regulation Shapes Operational Cyber Defense @ 10:50 – 11:40AM
In 2024, elections and growing cyberthreats pushed cybersecurity to the forefront of government priorities. The panel will explore governments’ efforts to strengthen cybersecurity and resilience through regulation, the impact on operational cyber defense, and discuss where greater alignment is possible. Attendees will gain an understanding of the quickly evolving global regulatory landscape.

Speakers: Ted Maurer, Senior Director, Global Cybersecurity Policy, Microsoft; Christiane Kirketerp de Viron, Director for Digital Society, Trust & Cybersecurity, DG Connect, European Commission; Ari Schwartz, Managing Director, Cybersecurity Services, Venable LLP; Josephine Wolff, Associate Professor of Cybersecurity Policy, Tufts University, The Fletcher School; and Florian Schütz, Director, NCSC – National Cybersecurity Centre
- Taking the Fight Upstream: Pursuing Systemic Defense Against Phishing 12:20 – 11:10 PM
Three decades into the public internet, cybercrime is booming and phishing remains a key vector. With AI-enhanced attacks rising, common users are increasingly ill-equipped to defend themselves. What can be done upstream to protect society? This session explores systemic defense strategies across the ICT ecosystem that hold the potential for significant ecosystem-wide impact.

Speakers: Kelly Bissell, CVP Security & Fraud, Microsoft; Tal Goldstein, Head of Strategy, World Economic Forum Centre for Cybersecurity; Steven Kelly, Chief Trust Officer, Institute for Security and Technology; and Kemba Walden, President, Paladin Global Institute, Paladin Capital Group
- Fraud, Risk, Hollywood & Government—A Strategy for AI Across Industry 12:20 – 11:10 PM
Dive into the high-stakes world of AI as the experts in this session unravel AI’s game-changing roles in Hollywood, government, and finance. Experience firsthand revolutionary strategies, ethical showdowns, and futuristic trends set to redefine industry landscapes. Get ready for a session that’s as dynamic and ambitious as a Hollywood blockbuster!

Speakers: Vishal Amin, GM, National Security Group, Security; Gurpreet Bhatia, Acting Deputy CIO for Cybersecurity, Acting CISO, DOD; David Mahdi, CIO, Transmit Security; and Scott Mann, Film Director & Co-Founder/Co-CEO, Flawless
- Generative AI Meets Identity Governance: Automating the Overlooked @ 1:30 – 2:20 PM
Identity governance is often the last thing to be implemented and rarely gets the attention it deserves due to its complexity. This session will explore how Generative AI agents can help overcome this by automating critical but often deprioritized tasks like role mining and identity lifecycle management, particularly addressing the challenges of managing ‘movers’ within organizations.

Speakers: Angelica Faber, Sr Security Architect, Microsoft and Wesley Kuzma, Architect Manager, Microsoft

Theatre Sessions | Location: Microsoft Security Booth #5744

Catch the last day of theater sessions.
- How Enterprises will Continue to Learn from Open Source 11:00 AM – 11:20 AM
- Creating Bespoke Identity Governance Solutions with Microsoft Entra Suite 11:30 AM – 11:50 AM
- Identity-first security: Using an event-based approach for threat remediation @ 12:00 PM – 12:20 PM
- Securing and governing Agents built-in Microsoft Copilot Studio @ 12:30 PM – 12:50 PM
- Azure Platform Security in an Evolving Threat Landscape @ 1:00 PM – 1:20 PM
How to Make the Most of Microsoft Security at RSAC 2025

Plan Ahead: Bookmark this blog to easily find the things that interest you the most.

Visit the Booth: Engage with our security experts and experience live demos.

Follow Along Online: Stay updated by following Microsoft Security on LinkedIn and X.

Book a Meeting: Want to connect 1:1 with a Microsoft Security expert? Secure your spot by visiting the Microsoft Security Experiences at RSAC 2025 Home Page.

See you at RSAC 2025!
MIL OSI Economics –
April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: RSA – A great day for our veterans

Source: Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association

The Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association has called today’s government announcement a “great day of recognition” for veterans.

Today, on Poppy Day, the Minister for Veterans, Hon Chris Penk, announced the government is expanding the official term “veteran” to cover more soldiers, sailors and aviators, as well as setting up a new national day of tribute.

Tā Wayne Shelford, National President of the RNZRSA, says this day has been a long time coming for veterans in New Zealand to get the recognition they deserve.

“To finally achieve the definition of veteran to cover more of our service men and women, is a real breakthrough, and it really means a lot. It is appropriate as we approach Anzac Day where we remember those who have died in service, that we now have a way of better recognising our veterans who are alive but up until now have been invisible in our communities.”

Rhys Jones, Board Chair of the RNZRSA, says he fully supports the announcement from the Minister, and it is a day that veterans and RSAs around New Zealand have been looking forward to.

“For a number of years, the RNZRSA and advocates in the veteran community have worked tirelessly to get this recognition and acknowledgement at a government level.”

“This is another step in the journey but there is more work ahead to shape the support to veterans. We look forward to the conversations to be held, the opinions sought, and the decisions to be made in order to put these measures into effect.” says Jones.

The RNZRSA today has received many comments and messages of thanks from veterans across New Zealand stating how important it is for the profile of veterans to be lifted and recognised at the highest level.

Today’s government announcement will not, however, expand eligibility for support entitlements under the Veterans’ Support Act.

The official statement from Hon Minister Penk can be found here: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/more-former-defence-personnel-be-recognised-veterans

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Honduran Man Extradited for Role in International Drug Smuggling Conspiracy

Source: US State of California

Extensive coordination and cooperation between U.S. and Honduran law enforcement authorities resulted in the extradition of a Honduran national for his alleged role in a conspiracy to smuggle drugs from Honduras to the United States.

According to court documents, Olvin Javier Velasquez Maldonado, 39, conspired with others to bring approximately 24 kilograms of cocaine from Honduras to the United States aboard a vessel attempting to bring 23 Honduran aliens illegally into the United States. In February 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard interdicted the M/V Pop, a 65’ sportfishing vessel, approximately 75 miles off the coast of Louisiana after it developed engine trouble and lost power. The U.S. Coast Guard responded, found the aliens and cocaine, and towed the vessel to shore. The M/V Pop departed from Utila, Honduras, and was destined for Cocodrie, Louisiana. Velasquez Maldonado was allegedly responsible for bringing the cocaine on board the M/V Pop and ensuring its safe delivery. When he was apprehended, according to court documents, Velasquez Maldonado posed as an alien intending to remain in the United States so he could avoid prosecution.

Velasquez Maldonado is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Velasquez Maldonado made his initial court appearance today in the Eastern District of Louisiana. He was detained and will have his detention hearing on Monday. If convicted, Velasquez Maldonado faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Co-defendants Carl Allison, 47, Darrel Martinez, 41, and Josue Flores-Villeda, 37, previously pleaded guilty in 2023 to conspiracy to unlawfully bring aliens to the United States for financial gain and conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride. Lenord Cooper, 40, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to aid and assist aliens to enter the United States unlawfully and attempting to bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain. Two co-defendants, Hennessy Devon Cooper Zelaya, 29, and Rudy Jackson Hernandez, 38, were convicted after trial of one count of conspiracy to unlawfully bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain and two counts of attempting to bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain.

Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson for the Eastern District of Louisiana and Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans Field Office made the announcement.

The investigation and extradition of Velasquez Maldonado was coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) and the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) Program. JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders.

JTFA is currently comprised of detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, DEA, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 360 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 325 U.S. convictions; more than 270 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

The ECT program is a partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI and focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks or present grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence, and prosecutorial resources. ECT also coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.

This case is 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 our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

The HSI Houma, Louisiana Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the HSI Pittsburgh Field Office, HSI Atlanta Field Office, and Louisiana Bureau of Investigation. The HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C., U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations, Louisiana State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, North Huntington Township Police and Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office also provided valuable assistance. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance. The Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training in Honduras also provided assistance.

Deputy Chief Rami Badawy of the Criminal Division’s HRSP and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter Guice of the General Crimes Unit for the Eastern District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case.

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

MIL OSI USA News –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Honduran Man Extradited for Role in International Drug Smuggling Conspiracy

Source: United States Attorneys General 13

Extensive coordination and cooperation between U.S. and Honduran law enforcement authorities resulted in the extradition of a Honduran national for his alleged role in a conspiracy to smuggle drugs from Honduras to the United States.

According to court documents, Olvin Javier Velasquez Maldonado, 39, conspired with others to bring approximately 24 kilograms of cocaine from Honduras to the United States aboard a vessel attempting to bring 23 Honduran aliens illegally into the United States. In February 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard interdicted the M/V Pop, a 65’ sportfishing vessel, approximately 75 miles off the coast of Louisiana after it developed engine trouble and lost power. The U.S. Coast Guard responded, found the aliens and cocaine, and towed the vessel to shore. The M/V Pop departed from Utila, Honduras, and was destined for Cocodrie, Louisiana. Velasquez Maldonado was allegedly responsible for bringing the cocaine on board the M/V Pop and ensuring its safe delivery. When he was apprehended, according to court documents, Velasquez Maldonado posed as an alien intending to remain in the United States so he could avoid prosecution.

Velasquez Maldonado is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Velasquez Maldonado made his initial court appearance today in the Eastern District of Louisiana. He was detained and will have his detention hearing on Monday. If convicted, Velasquez Maldonado faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Co-defendants Carl Allison, 47, Darrel Martinez, 41, and Josue Flores-Villeda, 37, previously pleaded guilty in 2023 to conspiracy to unlawfully bring aliens to the United States for financial gain and conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride. Lenord Cooper, 40, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to aid and assist aliens to enter the United States unlawfully and attempting to bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain. Two co-defendants, Hennessy Devon Cooper Zelaya, 29, and Rudy Jackson Hernandez, 38, were convicted after trial of one count of conspiracy to unlawfully bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain and two counts of attempting to bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain.

Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson for the Eastern District of Louisiana and Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans Field Office made the announcement.

The investigation and extradition of Velasquez Maldonado was coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) and the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) Program. JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders.

JTFA is currently comprised of detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, DEA, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 360 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 325 U.S. convictions; more than 270 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

The ECT program is a partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI and focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks or present grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence, and prosecutorial resources. ECT also coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.

This case is 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 our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

The HSI Houma, Louisiana Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the HSI Pittsburgh Field Office, HSI Atlanta Field Office, and Louisiana Bureau of Investigation. The HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C., U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations, Louisiana State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, North Huntington Township Police and Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office also provided valuable assistance. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance. The Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training in Honduras also provided assistance.

Deputy Chief Rami Badawy of the Criminal Division’s HRSP and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter Guice of the General Crimes Unit for the Eastern District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case.

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

MIL Security OSI –

April 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Files Statement of Interest In New York in Support of Religious Muslim Community’s Land Use Claim

Source: US State of California

The Justice Department filed a statement of interest today in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York supporting a claim by a religious Islamic organization that the Town of Oyster Bay violated its rights under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) when it denied the organization’s site plan application to expand its current facility into a mosque that would meet the religious needs of its congregation.

The lawsuit alleges that Muslims on Long Island (MOLI) have worshipped at a mosque in Bethpage, Long Island, since 1998, but that it has grown and now needs additional space for prayer, religious education, ritual washing and religious counseling. In its complaint and motion for a preliminary injunction, MOLI claims that the Town’s recently revised zoning code imposes more onerous parking requirements on houses of worship than on comparable nonreligious places of assembly like theaters, museums and libraries. MOLI alleges that the Town denied its application to expand its house of worship, relying on the Town’s recently revised parking code. The Department’s statement of interest supports MOLI’s argument that the zoning code treats religious uses less favorably than non-religious uses, in violation of RLUIPA’s equal terms provision, and that the Town has failed to justify this unequal treatment.

“RLUIPA prohibits local governments from imposing more onerous requirements on religious assemblies than comparable nonreligious assemblies,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Zoning codes violate RLUIPA when they single out religious uses for tougher restrictions than comparable secular uses. The Civil Rights Division will continue to vigilantly enforce RLUIPA’s protections and ensure that religious groups have equal access to places to worship.”

“Zoning regulations that unfairly restrict assemblies by faith-based groups violate federal law,” said United States Attorney John J. Durham for the Eastern District of New York. “Municipalities cannot impose tougher parking or other land use standards on houses of worship than comparable secular assemblies. The Justice Department and my Office will vigorously protect the right of religious institutions to receive equal treatment under the law.”

RLUIPA is a federal law that protects persons and religious institutions from unduly burdensome, unequal, or discriminatory land use regulations. More information about RLUIPA and the department’s efforts to enforce it can be found on the Place to Worship Initiative’s webpage.

As part of this initiative, the department distributed a letter to state, county, and municipal leaders throughout the country to remind them of their obligations under RLUIPA, including its requirement that land use regulations treat religious assemblies and institutions at least as well as nonreligious assemblies and institutions.

Individuals who believe they have been subjected to discrimination in land use or zoning decisions may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Division’s Civil Rights Section at (718) 254-7000 or the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section at (833) 591-0291 or may submit a complaint through the RLUIPA complaint portal. More information about RLUIPA, including questions and answers about the law and other documents, may be found at www.justice.gov/crt/about/hce/rluipaexplain.php.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 12, 2025