Category: Transport

MIL-OSI Security: Jacksonville Man Indicted For Wire Fraud, Identity Theft, And Lying To Obtain U.S. Citizenship

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Oladapo Olalekan Fadugba (40, Jacksonville) with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making a false statement related to naturalization. If convicted on all counts, Fadugba faces a maximum penalty of 27 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Fadugba that the United States is seeking an order of forfeiture in the amount of $400,000, which represents the approximate proceeds of the charged criminal conduct.

According to the indictment, beginning on October 30, 2020, and ending no later than July 11, 2023, Fadugba had more than $690,000 of Department of Veterans Affairs funds, intended for reimbursement to a large local healthcare provider, transferred to his own personal bank accounts. Fadugba then wrote himself, or businesses associated with him, checks that were then transferred to other bank accounts owned by him. It is alleged that to procure the transfers, Fadugba used the identification of another individual.

The indictment further alleges that Fadugba, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Nigeria, made a false statement under oath during his naturalization proceeding. Fadugba allegedly falsely stated he had not committed any crime or offense for which he had not been arrested.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that the defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General, and Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the U.S. Treasury Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Secret Service. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Lasry.

MIL Security OSI –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Lawton-Area Trio Sentenced to Serve More Than 12 Years Collectively in Federal Prison for Health Care Fraud

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Defendants Ordered to Pay Nearly $2.7 Million in Restitution Collectively

OKLAHOMA CITY – JIMMIE MATHEWS, 41, NATHAN MATHEWS, 42, and AMBER DELGER, 55, all of the Lawton area, have been sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy to commit health care fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

The defendants were each charged in May 2024, with Delger being charged by Information with conspiring to commit health care fraud, and both Jimmie and Nathan charged by a 16-count federal grand jury Indictment with conspiring to commit health care fraud and fifteen counts of health care fraud. Beginning in 2016, Nathan owned Emerald Lane Therapy Services (Emerald Lane) in Lawton, a massage therapy provider. Delger was a subsequent co-owner of the company. Nathan and Jimmie also owned a separate massage therapy provider, Stars & Stripes Therapy (Stars & Stripes), which opened its doors in Lawton in January 2020. Both businesses purportedly treated TRICARE beneficiaries, submitted claims to the Defense Health Agency (DHA), and received payments from DHA for those services.

According to public record, beginning in January 2018, the defendants conspired together to submit false and fraudulent claims to TRICARE for services that were never rendered. Court documents allege that after TRICARE beneficiaries visited either of the businesses, the defendants would schedule multiple appointments for the beneficiaries many months in advance. If the beneficiary couldn’t make the appointments, or stopped coming altogether, the defendants would nonetheless continue to bill TRICARE as if the beneficiaries had received care. Additionally, Emerald Lane billed TRICARE using the National Provider Identity (NPI) number of an occupational therapist long after the therapist had stopped working for the business. In total, Emerald Lane and Stars & Stripes billed more than $7 million to TRICARE and received nearly $3 million in reimbursement.

In October 2024, Jimmie and Nathan pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit health care fraud. Previously, on June 17, 2024, Delger pleaded guilty to the same.

“Through their fraudulent conduct, these defendants exploited programs intended to provide critical benefits to our nation’s military, veterans, and their families” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. “Through vigorous investigation and prosecution, we will continue to protect taxpayer funded institutions and ensure that TRICARE dollars are protected and properly allocated to help those who serve.”

“The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) is committed to ensuring TRICARE, the U.S. Military healthcare program, is not subjected to fraudulent schemes that expose beneficiaries to harm and waste valuable tax dollars,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Chad Gosch of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, DCIS Southwest Field Office. “These sentencings demonstrate our tireless pursuit to investigate individuals that seek to enrich themselves at the expense of this valuable program.”

Last week, U.S. District Judge Jodi W. Dishman sentenced both Nathan and Jimmie. Nathan was sentenced to serve 87 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,410,255.66 in restitution. Jimmie was sentenced to serve 42 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $632,026.43 in restitution. Delger was previously sentenced on January 31, 2025, to serve 26 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $653,269.00. In announcing the sentences, Judge Dishman described the fraud scheme as egregious and far reaching in its scope, duration, and impact. Judge Dishman further noted that the public needs to know that health care fraud is not acceptable, will not be tolerated, and will result in prosecution and punishment.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service of the United States Department of Defense. Assistant U.S. Attorney D.H. Dilbeck prosecuted the case.

Reference is made to public filings for additional information.

MIL Security OSI –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: Results of ING’s 2025 Annual General Meeting
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Results of ING’s 2025 Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of ING Groep N.V. was held today in Amsterdam.

The AGM adopted all agenda items, including the annual accounts for 2024, discharge of the members of the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board and the dividend for 2024.

The AGM also approved the reappointment of Steven van Rijswijk and Ljiljana Čortan to the Executive Board. Stuart Graham and Petri Hofsté were appointed to the Supervisory Board and Margarete Haase and Lodewijk Hijmans van den Bergh were reappointed to the Supervisory Board.

Note for editors
For further information on ING, please visit www.ing.com. Frequent news updates can be found in the Newsroom or via the @ING_news X feed. Photos of ING operations, buildings and its executives are available for download at Flickr.

Press enquiries Investor enquiries

Raymond Vermeulen ING Group Investor Relations

+31 20 576 6369 +31 20 576 6396

Raymond.Vermeulen@ing.com Investor.Relations@ing.com

ING PROFILE
ING is a global financial institution with a strong European base, offering banking services through its operating company ING Bank. The purpose of ING Bank is: empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business. ING Bank’s more than 60,000 employees offer retail and wholesale banking services to customers in over 100 countries.

ING Group shares are listed on the exchanges of Amsterdam (INGA NA, INGA.AS), Brussels and on the New York Stock Exchange (ADRs: ING US, ING.N).

ING aims to put sustainability at the heart of what we do. Our policies and actions are assessed by independent research and ratings providers, which give updates on them annually. ING’s ESG rating by MSCI was reconfirmed by MSCI as ‘AA’ in August 2024 for the fifth year. As of December 2023, in Sustainalytics’ view, ING’s management of ESG material risk is ‘Strong’. Our current ESG Risk Rating, is 17.2 (Low Risk). ING Group shares are also included in major sustainability and ESG index products of leading providers. Here are some examples: Euronext, STOXX, Morningstar and FTSE Russell. Society is transitioning to a low-carbon economy. So are our clients, and so is ING. We finance a lot of sustainable activities, but we still finance more that’s not. Follow our progress on ing.com/climate.

Important legal information
Elements of this press release contain or may contain information about ING Groep N.V. and/ or ING Bank N.V. within the meaning of Article 7(1) to (4) of EU Regulation No 596/2014 (‘Market Abuse Regulation’).

ING Group’s annual accounts are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (‘IFRS- EU’). In preparing the financial information in this document, except as described otherwise, the same accounting principles are applied as in the 2024 ING Group consolidated annual accounts. All figures in this document are unaudited. Small differences are possible in the tables due to rounding.

Certain of the statements contained herein are not historical facts, including, without limitation, certain statements made of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to diﬀer materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Actual results, performance or events may diﬀer materially from those in such statements due to a number of factors, including, without limitation: (1) changes in general economic conditions and customer behaviour, in particular economic conditions in ING’s core markets, including changes affecting currency exchange rates and the regional and global economic impact of the invasion of Russia into Ukraine and related international response measures (2) changes affecting interest rate levels (3) any default of a major market participant and related market disruption (4) changes in performance of financial markets, including in Europe and developing markets (5) fiscal uncertainty in Europe and the United States (6) discontinuation of or changes in ‘benchmark’ indices (7) inflation and deflation in our principal markets (8) changes in conditions in the credit and capital markets generally, including changes in borrower and counterparty creditworthiness (9) failures of banks falling under the scope of state compensation schemes (10) non- compliance with or changes in laws and regulations, including those concerning financial services, financial economic crimes and tax laws, and the interpretation and application thereof (11) geopolitical risks, political instabilities and policies and actions of governmental and regulatory authorities, including in connection with the invasion of Russia into Ukraine and the related international response measures (12) legal and regulatory risks in certain countries with less developed legal and regulatory frameworks (13) prudential supervision and regulations, including in relation to stress tests and regulatory restrictions on dividends and distributions (also among members of the group) (14) ING’s ability to meet minimum capital and other prudential regulatory requirements (15) changes in regulation of US commodities and derivatives businesses of ING and its customers (16) application of bank recovery and resolution regimes, including write down and conversion powers in relation to our securities (17) outcome of current and future litigation, enforcement proceedings, investigations or other regulatory actions, including claims by customers or stakeholders who feel misled or treated unfairly, and other conduct issues (18) changes in tax laws and regulations and risks of non-compliance or investigation in connection with tax laws, including FATCA (19) operational and IT risks, such as system disruptions or failures, breaches of security, cyber-attacks, human error, changes in operational practices or inadequate controls including in respect of third parties with which we do business and including any risks as a result of incomplete, inaccurate, or otherwise flawed outputs from the algorithms and data sets utilized in artificial intelligence (20) risks and challenges related to cybercrime including the eﬀects of cyberattacks and changes in legislation and regulation related to cybersecurity and data privacy, including such risks and challenges as a consequence of the use of emerging technologies, such as advanced forms of artificial intelligence and quantum computing (21) changes in general competitive factors, including ability to increase or maintain market share (22) inability to protect our intellectual property and infringement claims by third parties (23) inability of counterparties to meet financial obligations or ability to enforce rights against such counterparties (24) changes in credit ratings (25) business, operational, regulatory, reputation, transition and other risks and challenges in connection with climate change, diversity, equity and inclusion and other ESG-related matters, including data gathering and reporting and also including managing the conflicting laws and requirements of governments, regulators and authorities with respect to these topics (26) inability to attract and retain key personnel (27) future liabilities under defined benefit retirement plans (28) failure to manage business risks, including in connection with use of models, use of derivatives, or maintaining appropriate policies and guidelines (29) changes in capital and credit markets, including interbank funding, as well as customer deposits, which provide the liquidity and capital required to fund our operations, and (30) the other risks and uncertainties detailed in the most recent annual report of ING Groep N.V. (including the Risk Factors contained therein) and ING’s more recent disclosures, including press releases, which are available on www.ING.com.

This document may contain ESG-related material that has been prepared by ING on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other third-party sources believed to be reliable. ING has not sought to independently verify information obtained from public and third-party sources and makes no representations or warranties as to accuracy, completeness, reasonableness or reliability of such information.

Materiality, as used in the context of ESG, is distinct from, and should not be confused with, such term as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation or as defined for Securities and Exchange Commission (‘SEC’) reporting purposes. Any issues identified as material for purposes of ESG in this document are therefore not necessarily material as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation or for SEC reporting purposes. In addition, there is currently no single, globally recognized set of accepted definitions in assessing whether activities are “green” or “sustainable.” Without limiting any of the statements contained herein, we make no representation or warranty as to whether any of our securities constitutes a green or sustainable security or conforms to present or future investor expectations or objectives for green or sustainable investing. For information on characteristics of a security, use of proceeds, a description of applicable project(s) and/or any other relevant information, please reference the offering documents for such security.

This document may contain inactive textual addresses to internet websites operated by us and third parties. Reference to such websites is made for information purposes only, and information found at such websites is not incorporated by reference into this document. ING does not make any representation or warranty with respect to the accuracy or completeness of, or take any responsibility for, any information found at any websites operated by third parties. ING specifically disclaims any liability with respect to any information found at websites operated by third parties. ING cannot guarantee that websites operated by third parties remain available following the publication of this document, or that any information found at such websites will not change following the filing of this document. Many of those factors are beyond ING’s control.

Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of ING speak only as of the date they are made, and ING assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or for any other reason.

This document does not constitute an oﬀer to sell, or a solicitation of an oﬀer to purchase, any securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction.

Attachment
- PDF version of press release
The MIL Network –
April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: Boomer Benefits Updates Popular Article on Medicare Telehealth Coverage for 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

FORT WORTH, Texas, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Boomer Benefits, a leading Medicare insurance agency based in Fort Worth, TX, is pleased to announce the update of its widely-read article, “Does Medicare Cover Telehealth,” now revised for 2025. This comprehensive guide is designed to help beneficiaries understand how Medicare Parts B and C cover telehealth services, reflecting the latest changes and enhancements in Medicare Policies.

Boomer Benefits-Medicare Agency

Founded in 2005, Boomer Benefits has established itself as an award-winning agency, partnering with national insurance carriers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, and Mutual of Omaha. The agency’s commitment to providing clear and accurate information is evident in this updated article, which serves as a vital resource for those navigating the complexities of Medicare coverage.

The updated article, available at https://boomerbenefits.com/does-medicare-cover-telehealth/, delves into the specifics of telehealth coverage under Medicare. It explains how beneficiaries can access telehealth services through Medicare Parts B and C, ensuring they receive the care they need from the comfort of their homes.

“As the healthcare landscape evolves, it’s crucial for Medicare beneficiaries to stay informed about their coverage options,” said Danielle K. Roberts, co-founder of Boomer Benefits. “Our updated article on telehealth coverage is part of our ongoing effort to provide valuable insights and support to our clients.”

Telehealth has become an essential component of healthcare, offering convenience and accessibility to millions of Americans. With the ongoing advancements in technology and healthcare delivery, understanding how Medicare covers these services are more important than ever. Boomer Benefits’ updated article aims to demystify the process, providing clear guidance on how to utilize telehealth services effectively.

Boomer Benefits continues to lead the way in educating Medicare beneficiaries, ensuring they have access to the most current and relevant information. By updating the “Does Medicare Cover Telehealth” article for 2025, the agency reaffirms its dedication to empowering individuals with the knowledge they need to make informed healthcare decisions. More informative Medicare articles can be found on the Boomer Benefits Medicare Blog.

About Boomer Benefits

Founded in 2005 in Fort Worth, TX, Boomer Benefits is an award-winning Medicare insurance agency for national insurance carriers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, Mutual of Omaha and many other A-rated carriers.

Press inquiries

Boomer Benefits
https://boomerbenefits.com
Kelsey Mundfrom
info@boomerbenefits.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/69cdbab3-1d3e-4553-a8c0-3b3b745c52c3

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3b6eec27-b8f2-4187-a0e0-a705c0461ca7

The MIL Network –

April 23, 2025

MIL-OSI: American Rebel Light Beer Continues Rapid Expansion of National Distribution Footprint adding North Carolina’s Adams Beverages

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Strategic Growth Fuels American Rebel Beer as it Reaches 10 States with Several More to be Announced Soon

Nashville, TN, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) (“American Rebel” or the “Company”), creator of American Rebel Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) and a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of branded safes, personal security and self-defense products and apparel (americanrebel.com), proudly announces its strategic expansion into North Carolina through a distribution agreement with Adams Beverages (adamsbev.com). This move is a significant milestone in the Company’s broader Southeast growth strategy.

“I am thrilled to see how fast our American Rebel Light Beer distribution is growing across this great country,” said American Rebel CEO Andy Ross. “North Carolina is a great market and has strong tie-ins with our relationship with Tony Stewart Racing (tsrnitro.com) and Matt Hagan and the Charlotte Motor Speedway (charlottemotorspeedway.com). We have been able to establish distribution with some high-volume distributors in ten states and growing. It’s fair to say that American Rebel is burning patriotic fuel.”

“We are very excited to partner with Adams Beverages to bring American Rebel Light Beer to 28 North Carolina counties,” said Todd Porter, President of American Rebel Beverages. “This collaboration allows us to serve the wonderful people of North Carolina who are looking for a clean, natural, and great-tasting light beer that embodies the values of our great nation.”

American Rebel Beer will host a series of exciting events, including beer tastings, live music performances, and promotional giveaways, kicking off this weekend at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The festivities will run through the Fall, offering a perfect opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy America’s Patriotic, God-Fearing, Constitution-Loving, National Anthem-Singing, STAND YOUR GROUND BEER!

The first shipment of American Rebel Light Beer arrives in North Carolina this week and in just a few short days, several locations have placed orders and brought in Rebel Light. In addition to the Charlotte Motor Speedway, American Rebel Light Beer will be available at multiple locations across North Carolina, including these on-premise and off-premise locations:

IRON THUNDER SALOON – CONCORD	10023 WEDDINGTON ROAD, CONCORD, NC 28027	MOTORSPORTS-THEMED SPORTS BAR
CANNON CROSSROADS BP	9960 POPLAR TENT ROAD, CONCORD, NC 28027	CONVENIENCE STORE
CITY FOOD MART – CONCORD MAIN	873 OLD CHARLOTTE ROAD, CONCORD, NC 28027	CONVENIENCE STORE
COMPARE FOODS – CONCORD	840 CONCORD PKWAY NORTH, CONCORD, NC 28027	CONVENIENCE STORE
DANNYS	300 NORTH CHURCH STREET, CONCORD, NC 28025	CONVENIENCE STORE
FAST AND FRIENDLY MART 2	7340 POPLAR TENT ROAD, CONCORD, NC 28027	CONVENIENCE STORE
SPEEDWAY XPRESS MART – SATYA	4521 MOREHEAD ROAD, CONCORD, NC 28027	CONVENIENCE STORE
CONCORD SHOPS	450 PITTS SCHOOL ROAD NW, CONCORD, NC 28027	CONVENIENCE STORE
TOTAL WINE	8054 CONCORD MILLS RD, CONCORD, NC 28027	LARGE WINE BEER RETAILER
D AND D EXPRESS	5501 POPLAR TENT ROAD, CONCORD, NC 28027	CONVENIENCE STORE
CAROLINA ALE HOUSE – CONCORD MILLS	8695 CONCORD MILLS BOULEVARD, CONCORD, NC 28027	CASUAL RESTAURANT/SPORTS BAR

For more information about the launch events and American Rebel Beer, please visit (americanrebelbeer.com) or follow us on our social media platforms.

About Adams Beverages

Founded in Dothan, Alabama in 1937, Adams Beverages has since expanded into North Carolina under the management of Bill Adams, Clay Adams and Amy Adams Dupree. Adams Beverages now employs over 750 team members, currently providing service to 44 counties in Alabama and 28 counties in North Carolina. For more information on Adams Beverages, go to adamsbev.com.

About American Rebel Light Beer

Produced in partnership with AlcSource, American Rebel Light Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) is a premium domestic light lager celebrated for its exceptional quality and patriotic values. It stands out as America’s Patriotic, God-Fearing, Constitution-Loving, National Anthem-Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.

American Rebel Light is a Premium Domestic Light Lager Beer – All Natural, Crisp, Clean and Bold Taste with a Lighter Feel. With approximately 100 calories, 3.2 carbohydrates, and 4.3% alcoholic content per 12 oz serving, American Rebel Light Beer delivers a lighter option for those who love great beer but prefer a more balanced lifestyle. It’s all natural with no added supplements and importantly does not use corn, rice, or other sweeteners typically found in mass produced beers.

About American Rebel Holdings, Inc.

American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) has operated primarily as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded safes and personal security and self-defense products and has recently transitioned into the beverage industry through the introduction of American Rebel Light Beer. The Company also designs and produces branded apparel and accessories. To learn more, visit www.americanrebel.com and www.americanrebelbeer.com. For investor information, visit www.americanrebelbeer.com/investor-relations.

Media Inquiries:
Matt Sheldon
Matt@Precisionpr.co
917-280-7329

American Rebel Holdings, Inc.
info@americanrebel.com

American Rebel Beverages, LLC
Todd Porter, President
tporter@americanrebelbeer.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. American Rebel Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: AREB; AREBW) (the “Company,” “American Rebel,” “we,” “our” or “us”) desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “forecasts” “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include benefits of marketing outreach efforts, actual placement timing and availability of American Rebel Beer, success and availability of the promotional activities, our ability to effectively execute our business plan, and the Risk Factors contained within our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Company Contact:
tporter@americanrebelbeer.com
info@americanrebel.com

Attachment

American Rebel Holdings Inc

The MIL Network –

April 23, 2025

MIL-OSI Canada: The CBSA launches an investigation into the alleged dumping of certain carbon and alloy steel wire from the People’s Republic of China, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, the Republic of India, the Italian Republic, the Federation of Malaysia, the Portuguese Republic, the Kingdom of Spain, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Türkiye, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Source: Government of Canada News

April 22, 2025
Ottawa, Ontario

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that it is initiating an investigation to determine whether certain carbon and alloy steel wire originating in or exported from the People’s Republic of China, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, the Republic of India, the Italian Republic, the Federation of Malaysia, the Portuguese Republic, the Kingdom of Spain, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Türkiye, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is being sold at unfair prices in Canada. This practice of dumping goods into Canada can harm Canadian industries by undercutting Canadian prices, which undermines fair competition.

The CBSA is investigating because of a complaint filed by Sivaco Wire Group 2004, L.P. and ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada G.P. The complainants allege that as a result of an increase in the volume of the dumped imports, they have suffered material injury in the form of price undercutting, price depression, lost sales, lost market share, reduced net income and profitability, reduction in capacity utilization, inability to raise capital for investments, and reduced employment.

The CBSA and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) both play a role in the investigation. The CITT will begin a preliminary inquiry to determine whether the imports are harming Canadian producers and will issue a decision by June 20, 2025. Concurrently, the CBSA will investigate whether the imports are being sold in Canada at unfair prices, and will make a preliminary decision by July 21, 2025.

Currently, there are 158 special import measures in force in Canada, covering a wide variety of industrial and consumer products. These measures have directly helped to protect approximately 31,000 Canadian jobs and $11.6 billion in Canadian production.

MIL OSI Canada News –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Community Update: International Students and Colleagues
Source: US State of Connecticut

Dear Colleagues and Students,

We write today to follow-up on the April 10 message to the community regarding student visa revocations and Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record terminations that are disrupting the lives and academic careers of international students and scholars in the U.S., including at UConn.

As of today, we are aware of 13 international students at UConn – 12 current students and one recent graduate completing postgraduate training – who have had their SEVIS records terminated. The university has not received any communication from the federal government regarding these actions; staff became aware of the revocations through repeated audits of the SEVIS system. There is no evidence these students were targeted due to political speech or affiliation.

For an international student, losing one’s SEVIS status is devastating, particularly with only a few weeks remaining in the semester. UConn has been in regular contact with each of the 13 students and has connected them with one another. We are coordinating with the Dean of Students office and The Graduate School to provide academic triage while the students are evaluating their legal options. We have reached out to the schools and colleges to make them aware of the situation so they can help identify solutions to support the students academically and emotionally, and we have organized an immigration Q&A with outside legal counsel for impacted and potentially impacted students.

Staff across multiple units continue to work together to identify additional avenues of support, including Global Affairs, Student Life and Enrollment, Diversity and Inclusion, General Counsel, and the Provost’s Office, among others.

This week, International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will host two meetings for international students and visiting scholars as a follow-up to the Immigration Q&A held last Tuesday. Participants need to register and may also submit their questions in advance of the meetings.

Immigration Q & A Follow Up for International Undergraduate Students, Exchange Students, and UCAELI students.

As a reminder:
- International students and visiting scholars can visit the Center for International Students & Scholars website for updated guidance on travel concerns and emerging trends related to their immigration status, and to connect with international advising staff who can provide individualized guidance.
- Undocumented students can reach out to the Dean of Students Office and view the Undocumented Student Resources.
- Additional student support is available from the Dean of Students Office and The Graduate School.
- UConn employees who have questions about their employment-based visa sponsorship can reach out to Alison Cutler or Christene Cooper in Human Resources.
- The International Office at UConn Health is responsible for all visas for international students and staff/faculty employed through UConn Health. Reach out to Kaitlin Dornenburg, Department of Human Resources, for assistance.
- UConn faculty and staff can reach out to Rae Alexander, Assistant Vice President for Global Affairs, with general questions or concerns about changing immigration policies and their impact on our community.
We are a Connecticut institution and also a global university with a deep sense of care and compassion for members of our community. This is a very difficult and stressful time for our international students, faculty, and staff. Even if just to offer a kind word, please reach out to the international classmates and colleagues you know – hearing supportive words from others will not solve a specific problem, but it will be a reminder that we are a community where we support one another.

Radenka Maric
President

Anne D’Alleva
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Nathan Fuerst
Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment

Jeffrey Hines
Interim Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, and Chief Diversity Officer

Daniel Weiner
Vice President for Global Affairs

Lakeesha Brown
Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

MIL OSI USA News –
April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: BAPM Grad Students Take First-Place in InsurTech NY Case Competition

Source: US State of Connecticut

A UConn Business Analytics and Project Management (MSBAPM) team brought home the first-place award in the inaugural InsurTech NY Student Case Competition earlier this month, outshining ‘brilliant minds and razor-sharp pitches.’

“All the teams were incredible,’’ said Elia Cocoli who represented UConn with friend and classmate Rehaan Ahamed. Both graduate students will earn their degrees in May. “I think we won because of our delivery. We were comfortable with our presentation, brought a great deal of energy, and felt very relaxed on the stage,’’ she said.

Ahamed agreed.

“We tried to make our presentation relatable and engaging. We made sure everything on our slides was relevant. It was more of a conversation than a presentation, and we were determined to enjoy ourselves, win or lose,’’ he said.

Task Involved Disrupting Insurance Fraud

The team was tasked with reducing fraud in the insurance industry. Cocoli and Ahamed suggested a series of application that could address fraud, and proposed a cross-industry data base, aided by artificial intelligence, that would help identify and flag serial fraudsters.

The successful UConn team competed against other graduate students from Florida State University, the University of Iowa, and St. Joseph’s University. The event was judged by insurance professionals and the UConn students will share a $2,500 scholarship.

In order to enter the InsurTech NY competition, Cocoli and Ahamed first competed against other UConn teams. Because they had completed many presentations together, they were comfortable as a team and knew each other’s strengths.

“We practiced a lot and that was a gamechanger,’’ Cocoli said. “The best takeaway for me was the confidence boost. This is the first time I’ve spoken in front of a large audience. It was such a positive experience. I realized that I can do this.’’

“Opportunities like this require our students to apply their learnings in a real-world way, gain important leadership skills, and showcase the talent we have at UConn,’’ said Laurissa Berk, director of Global and Experiential Education, who organized the pre-competition. “The students came in with a phenomenal idea based on their knowledge of industry and we are so proud they came out with the win!’’

UConn Is a Sought-After Competitor

Professor John Wilson, the academic director for the FinTech program, advised the team. He has also been instrumental in creating the InsurTech NY event and said he hopes the case competition will grow into a national event.

“We have had extensive talks with the University of Iowa and, because of UConn’s continual visibility at industry conferences, we have more and more universities and companies seeking to partner with us,’’ Wilson said. “It is typically the very best students who participate in competitions like this, and UConn continues to establish itself as a program of excellence.’’

Both Competition Winners Seeking Jobs With Impact

Cocoli, who earned her bachelors in business analytics at UConn and then enrolled in the accelerated MSBAPM graduate program, is interviewing with a prominent company. She said her UConn education has been outstanding.

“In my Generative AI class, professor Jing Peng is teaching us things that aren’t even known to the public yet. We are learning things before many experts in the industry. Everything is very new, very fresh,’’ she said. “I have developed a great network and connections. There are so many opportunities now for people with business analytics expertise.’’

Ahamed, who earned both his bachelor’s degree and MBA in India, said he is looking to work for a company that is invested in transformative progress.

“My career goals center around creating impact and positive change, whether for an organization or a customer. That’s what motivates me,’’ he said.

Ahamed said he and Cocoli decided to enter the competition on the last day of eligibility and he’s glad they did. “I was the optimist and she was the realist. We balanced each other out,’’ he said. “We are grateful for the experience, and that we could represent UConn and bring home the championship.’’

MIL OSI USA News –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: Department of State Press Briefing – April 22, 2025

Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

Spokesperson Tammy Bruce leads the Department Press Briefing, at the Department of State, on April 22, 2025.

———-
Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
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Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
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#StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

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

MIL OSI Video –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: More playgrounds coming for B.C. students, families

Source: Government of Canada regional news

More children can play and exercise at safer, more-inclusive school playgrounds throughout B.C., through Budget 2025 funding.

“Creating safe, accessible spaces for children to play is crucial for our communities,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “Access to play shouldn’t depend on parents’ ability to fundraise for these facilities. This investment goes beyond building new playgrounds — it’s about fostering stronger, healthier neighbourhoods where families can connect and children can stay active regardless of their families’ ability to pay. This is something our government has made a priority since forming government in 2017.”

Twenty-five school districts will each receive $200,000 to fund the construction of new accessible school playgrounds.

“Playgrounds are more than just places to play, they are spaces where children make friends, build confidence and create memories,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care. “The new playgrounds we are announcing today will provide communities throughout B.C. with safe, accessible and inclusive spaces for kids and families to enjoy for years to come.”

Since 2018, government has supported students and families, with more than $45 million for new playgrounds at more than 300 schools, benefiting more than 77,000 students. Every B.C. school district has received at least one playground since the program started in 2018. Some schools have received funding for multiple playgrounds for the communities to enjoy.

“On behalf of parents and caregivers, thank you to the B.C. government for allowing parent advisory councils to focus on building stronger communities instead of fundraising for expensive playgrounds,” said Laura Ward, president, BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils. “Playgrounds are essential to schools and neighbourhoods as they offer safe, inclusive spaces where all children can play and connect. This ongoing investment eases the burden on families and supports the well-being and growth of our communities.”

The Province has approved more than $6 billion for hundreds of school capital projects, including new schools, additions and seismic upgrades, since 2017. These investments include the creation of more than 38,000 seismically safe seats, almost 43,000 new student seats, construction and delivery of additional prefabricated classrooms in growing communities, and the purchase of nearly 30 sites for future schools in growing communities.

Quotes:

Mable Elmore, MLA for Vancouver-Kensington –

“Playgrounds serve as vital spaces for students and the whole community. They contribute to children’s physical fitness, social development and creativity, while also providing inclusive environments where families and neighbours can connect beyond school hours. These investments are vital to support thriving communities for generations to come.”

Victoria Jung, chair, Vancouver School Board (VSB) –

“VSB is grateful for this investment in the Cunningham school community. Playgrounds provide so much value for students with structures built specifically for children to develop motor skills and ignite imaginative play. They are social hubs for students of all ages to play, reflect and, most importantly, connect with peers.”

Learn More:

To learn more about the playground equipment program, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/administration/capital/programs

A backgrounder follows.

MIL OSI Canada News –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: CWA Welcomes Jennifer Abruzzo as Senior Advisor to the President

Source: Communications Workers of America

Washington, D.C. – The Communications Workers of America are pleased to announce that Jennifer Abruzzo has returned to the union as a Senior Advisor to the President.

Abruzzo has spent the majority of her career at the National Labor Relations Board and served as General Counsel of the NLRB during the Biden Administration. Prior to her appointment as General Counsel, Abruzzo worked at CWA as Special Counsel for Strategic Initiatives.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer Abruzzo back to CWA after her trailblazing work as NLRB General Counsel,” said CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. “Jennifer is a brilliant attorney who has spent her entire career fighting for workers and ensuring that they are able to exercise their rights under the National Labor Relations Act. Those rights are under attack like never before. As part of our union’s leadership team, Jennifer’s strategic vision will play a vital role in crafting our response to those attacks and ensuring that workers can continue to join unions, bargain strong contracts, and win a better future for themselves and their families.”

“I very much look forward to collaborating, once again, with my CWA colleagues, who continue to work tirelessly and fiercely advocate for employees nationwide,” said Abruzzo. “During these extremely challenging times, it’s more important than ever for us to consider and implement a multitude of strategies to actively combat assaults by corporate billionaires on working families in this country.”

In addition to her role at CWA, Abruzzo will be of counsel at Bush Gottlieb, a California-based firm serving labor unions.

###

About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

cwa-union.org @cwaunion

MIL OSI USA News –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: NANO Nuclear and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Receive Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Fuel Qualification Methodology Approval for KRONOS MMR™ Energy System
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Safety Evaluation Issued by NRC Confirms Regulatory Acceptance of Fuel Qualification Methodology, Paving the Way for Eventual KRONOS Microreactor Deployment at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

New York, N.Y., April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing clean energy solutions, is pleased to announce that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued its final Safety Evaluation (SE) approving the Fuel Qualification Methodology Topical Report (FQM TR) for the advanced fuel design to be used in the NANO Nuclear’s stationary KRONOS MMR™ Energy System.

This important regulatory milestone marks the successful culmination of a rigorous review process and represents a major step toward deployment of the KRONOS reactor prototype at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.). The approved Fuel Qualification Methodology defines the regulatory framework and testing approach for the qualification of Fully Ceramic Microencapsulated (FCM^®) fuel, which incorporates tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel particles embedded in a silicon carbide matrix. With this latest regulatory breakthrough, NANO Nuclear is now positioned to submit its Construction Permit Application for the KRONOS reactor, with fuel qualification rapidly progressing. NANO Nuclear is advancing its vision to become a leader in small, clean energy technologies that address global energy security and decarbonization goals.

Figure 1 – NANO Nuclear and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Receive Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Fuel Qualification Methodology Approval for KRONOS MMR^™ Energy System

“This is a major victory for advanced nuclear energy and a transformative moment for NANO Nuclear, bringing us closer to turning the promise of KRONOS into a working reality at U. of I.,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer of NANO Nuclear. “With the NRC’s final approval of the FQM Topical Report, we now have the regulatory green light to move forward with the Construction Permit (CP) application for the prototype KRONOS. We thank the NRC for their thorough review. This milestone is a critical enabler for our entire reactor program and affirms the strength of our fuel strategy. The nuclear energy future is coming—and NANO Nuclear is at the center of it.”

“Fuel is one of the biggest sources of uncertainty in any advanced nuclear project,” Illinois Grainger Engineering Associate Professor Caleb Brooks, Head of the Microreactor Demonstration Program at U. of I. “This favorable regulatory outcome represents a significant reduction in that uncertainty for our project, and the SE establishes a common language between us and the regulator on how the fuel will be shown, with high assurance, to be safe and effective.”

The FQM TR had previously undergone joint review by the NRC and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), with initial participation from the UK’s Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) as an observer. NANO Nuclear believes that final approval of the FQM TR by the NRC demonstrates confidence in the methodology’s scientific soundness and regulatory compliance, offering a repeatable pathway for advanced fuel qualification applicable to NANO Nuclear reactors.

“With this regulatory foundation in place, we are prepared to execute,” said Dr. Florent Heidet, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Reactor Development of NANO Nuclear. “Our next steps include finalizing fuel fabrication timelines, preparing and submitting the construction permit this year, and completing early-stage site work at U. of I., including geotechnical drilling and environmental assessments. We will keep accelerating until the reactor is operating.”

Figure 2 – Rendering of the KRONOS MMR^™ Energy System

The KRONOS MMR Energy System would be the first advanced microreactor built and operated on a U.S. university campus and will serve as a national platform for research, training, and demonstration. It would also become a centerpiece of U. of I.’s energy innovation initiatives, providing the university with clean, resilient energy while training the next generation of nuclear professionals.

“NANO Nuclear is doing what others are still planning—we are executing,” said Jay Yu, Founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear Energy. “The NRC’s approval of the FQM TR is more than a regulatory milestone; it’s a launchpad for reliable, deployable, and efficient nuclear power in the U.S. and beyond.”

About The Grainger College of Engineering at U. of I.

The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is one of the world’s top-ranked engineering institutions, and a globally recognized leader in engineering education, research and public engagement. With a diverse, tight-knit community of faculty, students and alumni, Grainger Engineering sets the standard for excellence in engineering, driving innovation in the economy and bringing revolutionary ideas to the world. Through robust research and discovery, our faculty, staff, students and alumni are changing our world and making advances once only dreamed about, including the MRI, LED, ILIAC, Mosaic, YouTube, flexible electronics, electric machinery, miniature batteries, imaging the black hole and flight on Mars. The world’s brightest minds from The Grainger College of Engineering tackle today’s toughest challenges. And they are building a better, cooler, safer tomorrow.

Visit https://grainger.illinois.edu for more information.

About NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.

NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) is an advanced technology-driven nuclear energy company seeking to become a commercially focused, diversified, and vertically integrated company across five business lines: (i) cutting edge portable and other microreactor technologies, (ii) nuclear fuel fabrication, (iii) nuclear fuel transportation, (iv) nuclear applications for space and (v) nuclear industry consulting services. NANO Nuclear believes it is the first portable nuclear microreactor company to be listed publicly in the U.S.

Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s reactor products in development include patented KRONOS MMR^™Energy System, a stationary high-temperature gas-cooled reactor that is in construction permit pre-application engagement U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in collaboration with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.), “ZEUS”, a solid core battery reactor, and “ODIN”, a low-pressure coolant reactor, and the space focused, portable LOKI MMR^™, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors.

Advanced Fuel Transportation Inc. (AFT), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is led by former executives from the largest transportation company in the world aiming to build a North American transportation company that will provide commercial quantities of HALEU fuel to small modular reactors, microreactor companies, national laboratories, military, and DOE programs. Through NANO Nuclear, AFT is the exclusive licensee of a patented high-capacity HALEU fuel transportation basket developed by three major U.S. national nuclear laboratories and funded by the Department of Energy. Assuming development and commercialization, AFT is expected to form part of the only vertically integrated nuclear fuel business of its kind in North America.

HALEU Energy Fuel Inc. (HEF), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is focusing on the future development of a domestic source for a High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel fabrication pipeline for NANO Nuclear’s own microreactors as well as the broader advanced nuclear reactor industry.

NANO Nuclear Space Inc. (NNS), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is exploring the potential commercial applications of NANO Nuclear’s developing micronuclear reactor technology in space. NNS is focusing on applications such as the LOKI MMR^™ system and other power systems for extraterrestrial projects and human sustaining environments, and potentially propulsion technology for long haul space missions. NNS’ initial focus will be on cis-lunar applications, referring to uses in the space region extending from Earth to the area surrounding the Moon’s surface.

For more corporate information please visit: https://NanoNuclearEnergy.com/

For further NANO Nuclear information, please contact:

Email: IR@NANONuclearEnergy.com
Business Tel: (212) 634-9206

PLEASE FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES HERE:

NANO Nuclear Energy LINKEDIN
NANO Nuclear Energy YOUTUBE
NANO Nuclear Energy X PLATFORM

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release and statements of NANO Nuclear’s management in connection with this news release contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. In this press release, forward-looking statement relate to the NANO Nuclear’s development, demonstration, licensing and commercial plans for the KRONIS MMR, each as described herein. These and other forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For NANO Nuclear, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following: (i) risks related to our U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) or related state or non-U.S. nuclear fuel licensing submissions, (ii) risks related the development of new or advanced technology and the acquisition of complimentary technology or businesses, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, regulatory delays, integration issues and the development of competitive technology, (iii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations, (iv) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to technologically develop and commercially deploy a competitive advanced nuclear reactor or other technology in the timelines we anticipate, if ever, (v) risks related to the impact of U.S. and non-U.S. government regulation, policies and licensing requirements, including by the DOE, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and (vi) similar risks and uncertainties associated with the operating an early stage business a highly regulated and rapidly evolving industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement, and NANO Nuclear therefore encourages investors to review other factors that may affect future results in its filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov and at https://ir.nanonuclearenergy.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

Attachment
- NANO Nuclear Energy Inc.
The MIL Network –
April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: 18-Year-Old Man Who Led Law Enforcement on Dangerous High-Speed Chase Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Yakima, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced that United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke sentenced Angel Omar Zuniga-Soriano, age 18, to 144 months in prison on one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Judge Dimke also imposed 3 years of supervised release.

According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, on June 29, 2024, Zuniga-Soriano, who is involved with the Sureno street gang, was driving a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle used in a robbery earlier that same day in Wapato, Washington. When a police officer in Toppenish, Washington, spotted the vehicle, he activated his overhead lights and attempted to stop the vehicle. Instead, Zuniga-Soriano sped-off and led police on a high-speed chase. Zuniga-Soriano drove on the busy interstate between Toppenish, Sunnyside, and Zillah at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour. During the pursuit, Zuniga-Soriano fired one bullet out of the driver’s side window.

Ultimately, Zuniga-Soriano pulled into a convenience store parking lot in Zillah, attempting to drive thru the lot. In an effort to reduce risk to the public, a law enforcement officer then rammed his police vehicle into the vehicle Zuniga-Soriano was driving. As a result, the sergeant driving the police vehicle was injured.

Even still, Zuniga-Soriano was undeterred. He took off running, throwing a Glock pistol into a nearby yard. After a lengthy foot pursuit, law enforcement tackled Zuniga-Soriano in a nearby field. When the Glock pistol was recovered, law enforcement observed that the gun had a “Glock switch,” which is a modification that attaches to the rear of a Glock handgun and is designed to convert it from semi-automatic firearm into an automatic machine gun.

Zuniga-Soriano subsequently provided a recorded statement to law enforcement. Zuniga-Soriano stated that he used to be a “demonic demon” and explained that he used to try to drown puppies in his toilet. He further advised that he tries to stay away from certain people; otherwise, he ends up falling back to his old ways and “my demonic self comes into me.” Zuniga-Soriano explained that he was not actual a gang member, but was a gang associate. When asked about the instant case, Zuniga-Soriano stated he had ingested marijuana, blacked out, and could only recall part of what had happened.

In that same interview, Zuniga-Soriano attempted to claim that he was not actually firing at law enforcement. Rather, according to Zuniga-Soriano, he was going to commit suicide during the pursuit. He claimed that he put the gun to his head, but dropped it, which caused the gun to discharge. When the detective advised Zuniga-Soriano that a Glock firearm does not discharge when you drop it, Zuniga-Soriano recanted and then claimed that he tried to take the gun apart during the pursuit, which caused it to discharge.

Ultimately, an extended firearm magazine was recovered from inside the vehicle Zuniga-Soriano was driving. Law enforcement subsequently test-fired the Glock firearm and discovered that it was capable of firing multiple rounds by a single trigger press.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Dimke pointed out that despite Zuniga-Soriano only being 18 years of age this was his third firearm conviction. Judge Dimke also explained that she took into account the dangerousness of the instant offense in pronouncing the twelve-year sentence.

“The seriousness and nature of this offense cannot be understated,” Acting U.S. Attorney Rich Barker said. “I am grateful for the courage of the brave law enforcement officers, who ensured Mr. Zuniga-Soriano would not escape apprehension that day. Obviously firing a gun from a vehicle is extremely dangerous. However, attempting to elude police officers at such high rates of speed on public roadways presents an equally dangerous risk to our citizens. Had it not been for a sergeant with the Toppenish Police Department, who put his own life at risk to immediately stop the pursuit, innocent lives of motorists and their families could have been tragically lost. I also am grateful for Assistant United States Attorney Tom Hanlon’s excellent work on this case. For decades, AUSA Hanlon has dedicated his career to seeking justice and handling many of the most challenging and significant cases within our Yakima office.”

“It is amazing that more people were not injured, or worse, by Mr. Zuniga-Soriano’s reckless actions.” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “It is clear from his blatant disregard for the welfare of innocent people that the community will be safer with him behind bars. I commend the brave actions of our partners who were able to bring him into custody despite his irresponsible and dangerous attempts to evade accountability.”

Based on severity of the Zuniga-Soriano’s actions, and due to the nature of the type of firearm utilized in the offense, the Southeast Washington Safe Streets Task Force was contacted. The Southeast Washington Safe Streets Task Force consists of law enforcement officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Border Patrol, the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, and the Toppenish Police Department. Along with the Safe Streets Task Force, the case was investigated by the Toppenish Police Department, the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, the Yakama Nation Police Department, the Granger Police Department, the Wapato Police Department, the Washington State Patrol, the Zillah Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney and Yakima Branch Manager Thomas J. Hanlon.

Case 1:24-cr-02069-MKD

MIL Security OSI –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: St. John’s — Meet Jamie Pike, a RCMP Telecommunications Officer!

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Jamie Pike has been working as a telecommunications officer in the Operational Communications Centre (OCC) with the RCMP in Newfoundland and Labrador for the past three years—and no two days are ever the same.

In his role, Jamie is responsible for emergency call taking and dispatching police officers to emergencies across the province. Whether it’s a 911 call or a high-priority incident requiring immediate attention, he’s the first point of contact for people in distress and a critical lifeline for officers on the ground.

Jamie says the most interesting part of the job is the unpredictability. You really never know what the next phone call is going to be. It could be something routine, or extremely high priority.

The best part of working in the OCC, Jamie says, is knowing he’s actively helping the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

So, what does it take to succeed in this line of work? According to Jamie, OCC operators need a level head, strong organization, care and compassion, and excellent communication skills. “You need to be empathetic, self-disciplined, a team player, and able to stay calm and focused when people are calling in distress,” he says. Problem-solving and thinking quickly are also essential when lives could be on the line.

MIL Security OSI –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Manchester Man Pleads Guilty in Connection with Operating a Counterfeit Pill Press Scheme

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

CONCORD – A Manchester man pleaded guilty today in federal court in connection with manufacturing and trafficking counterfeit pharmaceutical pills, Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announces.

Jerry Summers, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of manufacturing controlled substances, one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, two counts of distributing controlled substances, and two counts of trafficking in a drug and knowingly using a counterfeit mark on or in connection with such drug. U.S. District Court Judge Paul Barbadoro scheduled sentencing for July 30, 2025.

According to the charging documents, on July 1, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant of Summer’s Manchester office, rented under the name of “Summertime Drywall and Maintenance LLC.” During the search, law enforcement located a pill press that was covered in powdered residue and wrapped in soundproofing material, and large amounts of colored tablets. Drug testing revealed the presence of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the various pills as well as in the residue found on and around the pill press.

On two prior occasions, Summers sold pills to a confidential informant. On March 21, 2024, Summers sold a quantity of blue pills that were marked as being OxyContin but later tested positive for fentanyl. On April 10, 2024, Summer sold a quantity of blue pills that were marked as being OxyContin but later tested positive for fentanyl as well as a quantity of orange pills that were marked as being Adderall but later tested positive for methamphetamine.

On the manufacturing and possession with intent to distribute charges the charging statutes provide a sentence of up to life in prison, a term of supervised release of at least five years, and a fine of up to $10,000,000. On the distribution charges the charging statute provides a sentence of up to 40 years in prison, a term of supervised release of at least four years, and a fine of up to $5,000,000. On the charge of trafficking in a drug and knowingly using a counterfeit mark on or in connection with such drug, the charging statute provides a sentence of up to 20 years, a term of supervised release of not more than three years and a fine of up to $5,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Manchester Police Department led the investigation. Assistant U.S Attorney Geoffrey Ward is prosecuting the case.

###

MIL Security OSI –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Louisiana Bounty Hunter Sentenced for Missouri Kidnapping

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp on Tuesday sentenced a bounty hunter from Louisiana to the three years he’s spent behind bars for removing a woman from a St. Peters, Missouri home and taking her across state lines against her will.

Wayne D. Lozier Jr., 46, of the New Orleans area, has been in custody since March 31, 2022.

Lozier was originally convicted by a jury in 2023 of one count of kidnapping and one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Lozier’s conviction was overturned by the 8th U.S. Court of Appeals because of an issue with a jury instruction. Lozier then pleaded guilty in March, prior to a re-trial, to the same charges. He admitted entering a private residence without first notifying local law enforcement, transporting the victim without her consent and refusing the instructions of a St. Peters Police Department officer to either return the victim or transport her to the nearest law enforcement agency. He also admitted that neither he nor his partner, Jody L. Sullivan, were licensed by the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance to operate as surety recovery agents within Missouri.

Lozier and Sullivan had driven from Louisiana to where the victim was staying at the home of a friend in St. Peters, Missouri. They were attempting to return with the victim to St. Tammany Parish, where she had an arrest warrant for four misdemeanor offenses.

On May 9, 2019, Lozier handcuffed the victim and he and Sullivan took her away in their SUV. The homeowner contacted police. St. Peters Police Officer Jeffrey Atkins told Lozier on the phone that he was breaking the law and needed to return the victim, but Lozier refused to do so.

When the victim sought help from clerks at a gas station in Sullivan, Missouri, Lozier shocked the victim multiple times with a Taser and pulled her hair. He and Sullivan then dragged the victim out of the store by the chain that connected her handcuffs and leg. Lozier continued to refuse Officer Atkins’ instructions to return the victim to Missouri. But he did not bring her to Louisiana, instead dropping her off at a detention facility in Mississippi.

Sullivan, 57, of the New Orleans area, pleaded guilty Sept. 18, 2023, to the conspiracy and kidnapping charges and admitted unlawfully seizing the woman and transporting her across state lines. She was sentenced to five years of probation.

The FBI and the St. Peters Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Martin and Donald Boyce prosecuted the case.

MIL Security OSI –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Defence Secretary Statement to the House of Commons
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Oral statement to Parliament

Defence Secretary Statement to the House of Commons

Ukraine Update
Thank you Mr Speaker. Today, HMS Prince of Wales set sail from Portsmouth and I trust the whole House will join me in wishing the entire carrier strike group a safe and successful global deployment.

Mr Speaker, I wish to make a statement on the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Today, parliament returns from its Easter break.

But during the last two weeks Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has continued. Drones strikes. Missile attacks. Fierce fighting on the frontline.

On Palm Sunday, men, women and children in Sumy, on their way to church were hit by Putin’s deadliest attack on Ukrainian civilians so far this year, killing 35 people – including young children – and injuring over 100 more.

We are united in condemnation at this brutal attack and Putin’s illegal actions.

At this critical moment for Ukraine and for European security, we have stepped up the Government’s efforts for Ukraine and we will step up further, both to increase military support for the fight today and to secure peace for tomorrow.

Mr Speaker, we cannot jeopardise the peace by forgetting about the war.

So, ten days ago in Brussels, the UK convened and I co-chaired the 27th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, alongside my good friend, the German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.

51 nations and partners – from Europe from the Indo Pacific, from South America – came together at NATO HQ, including Ukrainian President Zelensky, US Defence Secretary Hegseth and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

We came together to step up our support for Ukraine in the fight. Together we pledged a record 21 billion euros of military support to put Ukraine in strongest possible position and to increase pressure on Putin to negotiate.

Mr Speaker this year, the UK is providing £4.5 billion in military support to Ukraine, more than ever before.

And in Brussels, I announced £200 million of support will be surged to the front line, with supplies starting to reach Ukraine’s fighters within the next month including radar systems, anti-tank mines and hundreds of thousands of drones.

I also announced £160 million worth to help the repair and maintenance essential battlefield vehicles and equipment.

This support will strengthen Ukrainian troops in the close fight now and strengthen our industrial links with Ukraine to boost UK businesses.

When President Trump talks about peace through strength, it’s the commitments made through this Contact Group that provide the strength to secure that peace.

Despite President Putin’s promise of a 30-hour pause in fighting, I can confirm that Defence Intelligence have found, and I quote “no indication that a ceasefire on the frontline was observed over the Easter period”.

And 10,000 missiles and drones have been fired into Ukraine during this year alone, including from the Black Sea.

So, while Putin has said he declared an Easter truce – he broke it.

While Putin says he wants peace – he rejected a full ceasefire.

And while Putin says he wants to put an end to the fighting – he continues to play for time in negotiations.

And the military, the Russian military continue to press on a number of fronts.

Mr Speaker, I can confirm Russian military progress is slowing.

Putin gained less territory in March then he did in February and less territory in February than he did in January.

Ukrainian towns which Russia have been targeting since before Christmas have still not been captured.

Ukrainian troops have still not been ejected from Russian territory in Kursk.

Whatever ground Putin is taking comes at enormous human cost. Over 940,00 Russians have likely been killed or injured in the war so far – including over 150,000 killed and injured this year alone.

Last month, the average daily casualty rate on the Russian side was 1,300 – almost double the rate of this time last year.

While at home, Putin faces crippling interest rates at 21 per cent, inflation running at over 10 per cent and the Russian government is spending nearly 40 per cent of its total budget on this military campaign.

I have to say Mr Speaker, in the days ahead, it is likely that Russia will keep up attacks on the Sumy oblast to help it fully reclaim nearby contested areas of Kursk.

In central Donetsk oblast, Russia is targeting urban strongholds such as Toretsk, Povrosk and Chasiv Yar.

And in Kharkiv, Russia is continuing to make assaults towards the rail and logistics hub of Kupiansk.

We do expect more ground to be taken, and more Russian missiles fired into Ukraine.

And that is why we must remain united for Ukraine across this House, across this country, and across those nations standing alongside Ukraine.

And we will step up support for Ukraine and pressure on Putin to force him to recognise that now is the time for peace, and continuing the war will prove much worse in the long run for Russia.

Updates to this page

Published 22 April 2025

Invasion of Ukraine

UK visa support for Ukrainian nationals

Move to the UK if you’re coming from Ukraine

Homes for Ukraine: record your interest

Find out about the UK’s response
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Ashwagandha: this ancient herb is trending for its potential health benefits – but also comes with risks

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Dipa Kamdar, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, Kingston University

Mateusz Feliksik/Shutterstock

Depending on who you follow on social media, you may have come across talk of a little-known herb called ashwagandha over the past year. Celebrities including Meghan Markle, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston are reported to use ashwagandha for its calming effects. Ashwagandha has been trending on social media with data showing #ashwagandha had more than 670 million views on TikTok in 2024.

Scientifically known as Withania somnifera, ashwagandha is a common herb used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine – an ancient Indian system of healing based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a balance between the body, mind and spirit. Ayurveda emphasises a holistic approach to health using natural treatments, such as herbal remedies, dietary changes, physical therapy, meditation and yoga.

But beyond the social media buzz, what does science say about this herb’s benefits?

Ashwagandha root has been used in traditional medicine as an adaptogen. This means it could help people become more resilient to various types of stress, whether biological, physical, or chemical.

The strongest evidence available for ashwagandha is as a stress and anxiety reliever. A review looking at several small studies showed that ashwagandha can significantly reduce levels of perceived stress and anxiety in people. This may be partly due to its regulating effect on stress hormones such as cortisol.

Ashwagandha is also known for its ability to improve sleep quality. The “somnifera” part of its scientific name, meaning “sleep-inducing” hints at its effects. Some trials show it can help people fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper, more restful sleep, thus boosting energy levels. This may be beneficial for people suffering from insomnia. But there is no evidence showing whether it is better than taking sleeping tablets.

Possible benefits

Recently, this herb has been associated with other benefits. The Sanskrit word “ashwagandha” means “the smell of a horse,” symbolising its ability to give the strength and stamina of a horse. Athletes and fitness enthusiasts may benefit from ashwagandha’s ability to enhance physical performance. Some research indicates that ashwagandha can improve strength, muscle mass and oxygen use during exercise.

For men, ashwagandha has been shown in some small studies to boost testosterone levels and improve fertility by increasing sperm count and motility. This may be linked to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) – a sex hormone that your body naturally produces. DHEA is used to make other hormones such as testosterone. This means men with prostate cancer sensitive to testosterone should avoid using this herb.

Ashwagandha has been linked to improved cognitive function, such as better memory and focus. Small studies, involving older people who have some cognitive impairment, suggest that ashwagandha may help to reduce oxidative stress – harmful molecules called free radicals that can damage cells in the body – and inflammation, which can negatively effect memory and thinking processes.

There are also ongoing clinical trials investigating whether ashwagandha may be effective in treating long COVID symptoms such as fatigue and cognitive dysfunction – having trouble with mental tasks such as thinking, remembering and making decisions – but there’s no robust evidence yet.

Ashwagandha is rich in phytochemicals, including withanolides. Withanolides are steroidal lactones – they are structurally similar to steroids, with a lactone ring in their chemical structure – that are thought to help cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream. This can lower blood sugar in both healthy people and those with diabetes, although larger studies need to be done. In animal studies, withanolides show anti-inflammatory activity.

Side effects

While ashwagandha may offer potential health benefits, it also has numerous risks and side effects. The long-term safety of ashwagandha is not well-documented. Most studies have focused on short-term use, typically up to three months – but the benefits may take some weeks or months to appear. The most common side effects are mild stomach upsets and nausea.

Its use is not advised in people with some pre-existing health conditions such as liver disease. Although rare, there have been reports of liver problems, including severe liver failure, associated with ashwagandha use. Ashwagandha may stimulate the immune system, potentially causing flare ups for people with autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

It’s also possible that ashwagandha may interact with some medications, such as immunosuppressants, sedatives and thyroid hormone medications. Research suggests that ashwagandha may influence thyroid function, particularly by increasing thyroid hormone levels. It may also interact with thyroid medications, such as levothyroxine, possibly leading to overmedication.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to avoid ashwagandha, especially at higher doses. The herb may be linked to miscarriages and, although there’s conflicting evidence, it’s best to be cautious.

Ashwagandha holds promise, then, as a stress reliever, sleep aid and even an energy booster. With growing interest and a large body of anecdotal evidence, it’s no surprise that it’s become a favourite among wellness enthusiasts. However, scientific research is still developing and more extensive clinical trials are needed to confirm the benefits, side effects and determine the safest, most effective doses.

If you’re considering incorporating ashwagandha into your routine, especially for long-term use, do consult a healthcare professional first, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or are taking other medications.

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

– ref. Ashwagandha: this ancient herb is trending for its potential health benefits – but also comes with risks – https://theconversation.com/ashwagandha-this-ancient-herb-is-trending-for-its-potential-health-benefits-but-also-comes-with-risks-253979

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: The New Yorker at 100: how bold, illustrated and wordless covers helped define the iconic magazine

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Geoff Grandfield, Associate Professor Illustration Animation Department, Kingston University

olesea vetrila/Shutterstock

Over the last century of glorious, tragic, turbulent and innovative human endeavour, the cover of the New Yorker magazine has used only the illustrated image to communicate talking points of American – and specifically New York City – life and culture.

Beyond the masthead and issue date, no set typography has ever been allowed, maintaining a unique wordless space in magazine publishing where only an image connotes the idea. The absence of copy is arresting, the silent core of what the solely visual can communicate. Though notably, the majority of weekly sales are by subscription, not impulse buys.

There are few of the New Yorker’s 1925 newsstand contemporaries left. Meanwhile, publications like Time, Newsweek and Fortune have not resisted the dominant orthodoxy of photography with multiple cover lines to gain sales.

While photography delivers celebrity and the spectacle of modern life, the New Yorker has maintained a belief in visualising without written explanation to reach those readers who seek something more. But how can a magazine whose survival depends on sales maintain appeal with such apparently humble graphic means?

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The magazine’s strategy for success has been to employ a succession of brilliant art editors (just four in 100 years – somewhat unique in magazine publishing) who understand how illustration, in the right hands, can offer appeal, surprise, entertainment and imaginative freedom to invent what French poster artist Cassandre called “a visual incident”.

Posters and magazine covers have a similar task: both vie to grab the attention of a public subjected to evermore intrusive image assault. From simple street hoardings and news vendors in 1925, to broadcast then digital media today, the changes over the last 100 years have been immense and profound.

This audio-visual bombardment of words, images, sound and movement simply did not exist back then. This golden age of the printed poster and magazine cover appears now to belong another world – so how can preservation of these ideals be viable in a 21st century weekly magazine?

Illustration and its reinvention as an agile alternative to the over-saturation of audio-visual and written media is one key. The choice of illustration as communication remains underrepresented. Other than courtroom reporting, there have been few front pages that have used a drawing, but its popular appeal evidences a relevance to complex modern lives.

As a discipline, illustration is closely related to the cartoon and its sequential form, the comic strip. Many New Yorker cover artists operate across these practices, demonstrating the common ground of drawing.

Illustrations are used for associative value – they conjure up an expressive or reflective mood, provide a seasoned commentary, or capture concisely a cultural moment. In the context of fake news, illustrations don’t purport to be objective – they best work through a coherent convincing visual language that offers more than words.

For the majority of the New Yorker’s audience, illustration has an affectionate, unsophisticated association with successive stages of development, starting in childhood. From early picture books to comics, graphic novels, music and lifestyle, illustrated communication allows interpretation and relatability.

Illustration can be successful in performing the elusive act of being inclusive and appealingly anonymous. The New Yorker recognises that diversity in content is reliant on the real-life experience of its artists. Since the 1930s when most journalists and illustrators were male and white, the magazine has sought to make a weekly visual statement of the contemporary by prioritising images that represent the diversity of New York.

There is a disposable deal in buying a magazine – it is not designed to be a keeper. Certain images of “a moment” can later become the visual signature of an age, though it may not not always be apparent at the time.

The early consistency of New Yorker art deco covers expressed both wonderful visual ideas and a graphic language for modernity. The skyscrapers, bridges and lights of the quintessential modern metropolis are beautifully shown in Adolph Kronengold’s cover from March 1938.

Barry Blitt’s 2008 “politics of fear” cover, showing Barack Obama in Muslim clothing and Michelle Obama in combats with a gun slung over her back, expressed much more than portraits in an American presidential campaign. It provocatively articulated media exaggeration and control, forces that dominate today.

And then there are the images that transcend a stylistic era and which are elevated above beyond specific facts in a way that helps us see the world in a new way, like Saul Steinberg’s “view of the world from 9th Avenue” cover from 1976.

Saul Steinberg’s View From 9th Avenue New Yorker Cover.
Wikipedia / The New Yorker

The viewpoint is literally floating above the street, not so high that local details are unrecognisable, yet just beyond the Hudson are diminishing deserts and prairies and over the Pacific ocean you can see Japan.

A wonderful satire on the attitude of global centrality and specifically a New Yorker’s idea of their own importance, the image has been copied and referenced ever since its publication.

The completely black cover by Art Spiegelman and New Yorker art director Françoise Mouly for September 24 2001 achieved the impossible task of visualising the feeling of loss following the world trade centre attacks. Mouly has been the art director since 1993 and possesses a supreme visual intelligence that has driven the success of the pictorial cover for more than three decades.

She maintains that artists are able to say new things about the same themes year after year – something AI cannot do as it refers only to the past. The present, however, is elusive and the province of the artist gathering energy like a lightning conductor. Plus, crucially, AI doesn’t doodle.

New Yorker artists are people who can present a dilemma, an issue, a moment or a spectacle visually, not abstracted, but through emotional empathy. The covers are non-linear but require “reading”. The multiple layers of meaning are often open to interpretion.

The beauty of the New Yorker cover lies in not equating it with a written description, but rather in prompting an emotional response to what it is to be alive in that moment, whether good times or bad. That’s a pretty wonderful objective and guiding principle for a weekly publication.

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

– ref. The New Yorker at 100: how bold, illustrated and wordless covers helped define the iconic magazine – https://theconversation.com/the-new-yorker-at-100-how-bold-illustrated-and-wordless-covers-helped-define-the-iconic-magazine-253260

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Do cats make good therapy animals? The new trend showing felines may be more complicated than we realise

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Grace Carroll, Lecturer in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, School of Psychology, Queen’s University Belfast

larisa Stefanjuk/Shutterstock

Dogs are sociable, enthusiastic and widely used to comfort people in settings like hospitals, schools and care homes. But an increasingly popular alternative is emerging: therapy cats.

The term is often used loosely in the media and inconsistently within the scientific community. But in its strictest sense, animal-assisted therapy is a structured activity delivered by health professionals with clinical goals.

Most cats involved in this kind of work are part of broader animal-assisted services. For simplicity, we will stick with “therapy cat” throughout this article.

Therapy cats are used to alleviate loneliness and stress. They are used in prisons, schools, hospices, care homes and hospitals and are recommended for people who are afraid of dogs or might struggle to interact with large animals like horses.

Therapy cats are becoming increasingly popular.
Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

The environments therapy cats are often taken into, such as nursing homes or schools, can be noisy, unpredictable, and filled with unfamiliar people and surroundings. These are precisely the kinds of settings that can unsettle a typical cat.

Cats usually prefer predictability and stable surroundings. Similar to their wildcat ancestors, domestic cats prioritise territorial security over social bonds with people or other cats. C

ats rely on scent to navigate and feel secure in their surroundings. The F3 pheromone helps them mark areas as “safe” or “known”, creating a kind of olfactory map of their home range.

Yet recent social media trends suggest a shift in our understanding. Increasingly, we see cats travelling alongside their owners in a campervan, via plane or even on motorbikes. These cats appear to tolerate, and sometimes even thrive, in environments animal behaviour experts once assumed were too stressful for them. So, what makes these cats different?

Some cats can benefit from the presence of a trusted human in unfamiliar or potentially stressful environments. In a 2021 study, animal behaviour researcher Alexandra Behnke and colleagues found that nearly half of the 42 cats they tested showed signs of the secure base effect, a bond that helps reduce stress and encourages exploration when reunited with their owner. This could be helping therapy cats cope with new environments.

A recent study led by Joni Delanoeije, a Belgian researcher in human-animal interaction, explored how cats selected for animal-assisted services differ from the average household pet. The study analysed survey responses relating to 474 cats – 12 of which had participated in such services. Cats involved in animal-assisted services were found to be more sociable with both people and other cats, were more attention-seeking and less resistant to being restrained.

These findings suggest that behavioural traits, like sociability and tolerance, may make some cats better suited to interacting with people in unfamiliar settings. However, the small number of cats actually involved in service work in this study means that we need more research to draw firm conclusions.

These cats also have strong, trusting bonds with their handlers. Early socialisation and gradual exposure seem to be essential for preparing cats to cope with the unpredictable nature of service work.

However, even with these qualities, cats may still face challenges in therapy environments. In a 2023 global study of cat-assisted services, US psychologists Taylor Griffin and Lori Kogan found that even well-adapted cats may struggle in practice.

The study found that 68% of handlers had ended visits early when they deemed it best for the cat. Handlers in this study also described strong bonds with their cats – a relationship probably key to the cat’s ability to adapt, offering a sense of safety and predictability in a potentially stressful setting.

Cats can help people feel less lonely.
Veera/Shutterstock

How do therapy cats compare to dogs?

Cats are different from dogs in their social needs, temperament and tolerance for change. These differences must be carefully considered during selection for therapy work – but with their differences come advantages. For example, therapy cats may provide more benefits to people that see themselves as “cat people”.

Research has shown that this self-classification is linked to personality traits, with cat people often being more independent, creative and self-sufficient. Dog people tend to be more outgoing, sociable and group-oriented. Cat lovers might feel more at ease in one-to-one therapeutic settings, while dog lovers could prefer group-based activities.

Species preferences can also affect emotional responses. In a 2022 study, researcher Jovita Lukšaite and colleagues used facial expression software to analyse participants’ reactions to animal images.

Both cat and dog images triggered similar levels of happiness on average, yet dog images evoked significantly more fear. Fear of dogs could reduce the effectiveness of canine-assisted therapy for some, making cats a valuable alternative.

Dogs may excel at providing emotional support through physical interaction but cat purrs are a unique characteristic that may offer therapeutic benefits. A 2001 study found that domestic cats purr at a frequency between 25 and 50 hertz – a frequency that promotes healing in humans.

While there is a lack of more recent research to support this finding, a 2021 study found that cat owners reported that their cat’s purrs had a calming effect.

So, dogs might be the traditional therapy animal, but cats have shown they too have what it takes. With the right temperament and training, cats can offer something different to those in need of comfort.

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

– ref. Do cats make good therapy animals? The new trend showing felines may be more complicated than we realise – https://theconversation.com/do-cats-make-good-therapy-animals-the-new-trend-showing-felines-may-be-more-complicated-than-we-realise-254507

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: George Edwards Appointed Eastern Territory Coordinator

Source: US GOIAM Union

IAM International President Brian Bryant has appointed George Edwards to serve as Eastern Territory Coordinator, effective April 1, 2025.

Edwards, who had served as an International Representative, was appointed to the Eastern Territory as a Special Representative in August 2021. Prior to that, Edwards had served as District 4’s Directing Business Representative and Assistant Directing Business Representative.

Edwards is known as one of the leading voices for shipbuilding and repair workers in the IAM and nationally. He has participated in numerous high-profile negotiations and organizing campaigns over the course of his IAM career.

“George has spent decades dedicating himself to the IAM Union, our members and the labor movement as a whole,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “He is a passionate and knowledgeable voice for IAM members in all industries, and we welcome George to this new role in the Eastern Territory.”

Edwards began his career as an IAM Local S6 tinsmith at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, where he helped build ships for the U.S. Navy. He held several positions in the local, including officer and general steward, before joining District 4’s staff.

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MIL OSI USA News –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: FBI Chicago Announces Increased Reward for Information Leading to Arrest & Conviction of Joseph “Troubles” Matos

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

CHICAGO—Douglas S. DePodesta, special agent-in-charge of the Chicago Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced today a reward increase for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Joseph “Troubles” Matos.

Matos is wanted in connection with the shooting death of National Guard member Chrys Carvajal. On July 3, 2021, it is alleged that Matos and a fellow gang member shot and killed Carvajal when he was walking to his car following a party. Matos is believed to be a member of the Milwaukee Kings street gang, a criminal organization whose members and associates have engaged in narcotics trafficking and committed acts of violence, including murder and assault, to acquire and preserve the gang’s perceived territory on the North Side of Chicago, Illinois.

On May 14, 2024, an arrest warrant was issued for Matos in the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Chicago, Illinois, after he was charged with murder-in-aid of racketeering and murder through the use of a firearm. Previously, the FBI Chicago Field Office offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information from the public. The FBI is now offering a reward of up to $25,000 for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of Matos.

Matos should be considered armed and dangerous, and members of the public are asked not to approach him directly.

Anyone with information, even anonymously, is strongly encouraged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.

Additional resources:

MIL Security OSI –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: Ecobat’s Seculene Sets New Flame-Retardant Standards for Recycled Polypropylene

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

DALLAS, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ecobat, a global leader in sustainable energy solutions, today announced that its proprietary Seculene line of high-performance recycled polypropylene (PP) compounds was named a finalist in the prestigious Plastics Recycling Awards Europe (PRAE). The recognition marks a major milestone for Seculene, affirming its role as a trailblazing solution in the circular economy and in advanced polymer engineering.

Developed in-house by Ecobat and produced entirely from 100% post-consumer waste, Seculene represents a leap forward in recycled plastic technology. With over a decade of expertise behind its development, Seculene has been engineered to rival, and in many cases exceed, the performance of virgin polypropylene—delivering both environmental and functional excellence across demanding industrial applications.

“Our Seculene polypropylene, derived entirely from post-consumer recycled materials, is a high-quality alternative to virgin polymers,” said Erich Esser, Vice President of Global Polypropylene and Managing Director for Ecobat Resources Germany/Austria. “This achievement reflects years of investment in innovation, resulting in materials that meet the highest industry standards for safety, reliability, and sustainability. Our flame-retardant grades, in particular, represent a new frontier in circular materials technology.”

Flame-Retardant Innovation That Raises the Bar

At the heart of Seculene’s PRAE recognition is its flame-retardant variant—the only recycled polypropylene compound certified to UL 94 V0 (Yellow Card) standards. In fire exposure scenarios, this grade forms a protective foam layer that insulates and protects internal components, making it ideal for high-risk environments such as e-bike battery housings and electrical enclosures.

This advanced fire safety performance, combined with Seculene’s virgin-like density, impact strength, and processability, positions Ecobat at the intersection of circular economy leadership and technical material excellence.

Automotive-Grade Materials Backed by Industry Validation

In another major milestone, Ecobat recently secured DBL 1000 approval for its glass-fiber-reinforced Seculene (with 35% glass fiber content), certifying the compound for automotive interior use. A leading German automotive supplier has already adopted this grade for precision control unit housings—validating Seculene’s consistency and structural integrity under real-world manufacturing conditions.

This recognition underscores the growing demand for high-performance, sustainable alternatives in the automotive sector, where lightweighting, durability, and environmental accountability are increasingly essential.

Built for Versatility and Circularity

Seculene is available in over 30 specialized grades tailored to a wide range of use cases—from UV-stabilized components for outdoor applications to mineral-filled variants designed for increased rigidity. Engineered for injection molding, extrusion, and other processing techniques, Seculene enables seamless integration into modern manufacturing environments.

Use cases span automotive parts (wheel arch liners, cable conduits), electrical components, industrial systems, and consumer goods—making it one of the most versatile recycled polypropylene lines available on the market today.

Every Seculene batch is manufactured at Ecobat’s recycling facilities, where closed-loop systems minimize waste and reduce energy use. These plants employ rigorous sorting, cleaning, and compounding processes to ensure material purity, consistent melt flow rates, and mechanical properties that meet or exceed industry benchmarks.

Driving Toward a Circular Future

The recognition by PRAE not only affirms the quality and innovation of Seculene, but also highlights Ecobat’s broader mission to lead the global transition to a circular economy. By replacing virgin polymers with 100% recycled alternatives, Seculene significantly reduces the environmental footprint of plastic-intensive industries while enabling compliance with rising regulatory and sustainability demands.

About Ecobat
With operations throughout Europe and the United States, Ecobat is a leader in the collection, recycling, production and distribution of energy storage solutions, lead and polypropylene products. Ecobat is now applying its global capability, infrastructure, and market knowledge towards recycling lithium-ion battery materials. For more information on how we are transforming energy storage, visit www.ecobat.com.

Media Contact:
Chelsey Berend
Press@Ecobat.com
1-888-317-4687 ext. 703

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4e61f4d9-c65c-48e8-98e2-fbec8c0acdf2

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fe4dfdec-0ee5-42b7-8f6a-64d8d2eefa31

The MIL Network –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Capito Urges HHS Secretary to Bring Back NIOSH Employees to Support Coal Industry

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, penned a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. regarding the recent layoffs at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in Morgantown, W.Va. Specifically, Senator Capito highlighted the important role NIOSH plays in the health and wellbeing of West Virginia coal miners and requested that the administration bring back these critical programs and employees that allow them to function properly.
“I believe in the President’s vision to right size our government, but I do not think eliminating the NIOSH coal programs and research will accomplish that goal. The mission and work conducted by the specially trained NIOSH employees is not duplicative of any other government program. I am concerned that the RIFs at NIOSH will undermine the vital health programs important to so many West Virginians. I urge you to bring back the NIOSH employees immediately so they can continue to support our nation’s coal industry,” Senator Capito wrote.
The full letter can be found HERE or below:
Dear Secretary Kennedy,
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me regarding the important work CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) does to improve and monitor the health care of our coal miners in West Virginia. During our discussion, I was pleased you agreed with me that the work happening at NIOSH is unique across the federal government. Now, I ask that the Department bring back not only the functions of the NIOSH coal offices and programs, but also some of the specialized employees impacted by the April 1 HHS-wide Reduction in Force (RIF) who do this important work in Morgantown, West Virginia.
The NIOSH facility in Morgantown is known for its research aimed at preventing work-related injuries and illnesses, particularly in coal miners. The NIOSH Mining Program works to eliminate mining fatalities and injuries. Research on rock dust has resulted in safety changes to prevent explosions in underground mines. NIOSH research has also resulted in industry standards for pillar design and roof support programs to prevent collapses in underground mines. NIOSH’s Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP) studies respiratory disease and provides black lung screenings to coal miners. It is my understanding that the RIF impacted every employee in these important programs.
There are specialized labs at the NIOSH facilities in Morgantown where dedicated scientists with years of training had been researching coal and silica dust along with black mold. This research stands not just to make the mining industry safer but also to benefit workers exposed to silica dust at construction sites and residents in West Virginia and North Carolina impacted by the devastating flooding from Hurricane Helene. With all the scientists and employees that work in theses labs impacted by the RIF, the CDC will be starting the process to decommission the Morgantown labs in the coming days. Decommissioning the labs will cost millions of taxpayer dollars. If the labs were to later be brought back online, additional taxpayer dollars would be spent to re-comply with numerous regulations and inspections.
Earlier this month, I was honored to join President Trump, along with miners from West Virginia, at the White House as he signed Executive Orders to support the coal industry and unleash American energy. The President’s Executive Orders are welcome news for our miners and will help ensure all Americans have access to affordable and reliable energy resources like coal. As the President recognizes the importance of coal, we must also recognize the health of our miners and I encourage you to bring back the NIOSH coal programs and researchers that will help ensure the President’s vision to unleash American energy can be done safely.
I believe in the President’s vision to right size our government, but I do not think eliminating the NIOSH coal programs and research will accomplish that goal. The mission and work conducted by the specially trained NIOSH employees is not duplicative of any other government program. I am concerned that the RIFs at NIOSH will undermine the vital health programs important to so many West Virginians. I urge you to bring back the NIOSH employees immediately so they can continue to support our nation’s coal industry.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to Make American Healthy Again.
Sincere regards,

MIL OSI USA News –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: CLIK Announces Acquisition of Remaining 75% Equity Interest in Leading Nursing Care Competitor, Solidifying Market Leadership and Expanding Revenue Base

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Hong Kong, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Click Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: CLIK) (“Click” or the “Company” or “we” or “our”), a leading provider of human resources (“HR”) solutions in Hong Kong specializing in Seniors Nursing Care, Logistics, and Professional HR services, is pleased to announce the acquisition of the remaining 75% equity interest in a prominent nursing care competitor (“Target Company”).

The Target Company has over a decade of experience serving the Hong Kong seniors community and maintains a talent pool of over 9,000 nursing professionals. It is expected to generate annual billings of over HK$60 million and net profit in the range of approximately HK$2.0 million to HK$3.5 million, making it a financially accretive addition to Click’s growing healthcare HR platform.

Click previously acquired a 25% equity interest in the Target Company in March 2025. Upon completion of the remaining 75% acquisition, Click will hold 100% ownership, granting it full control to integrate operations and drive long-term strategic value.

“This acquisition marks a transformative step for Click,” said Mr. Chan, CEO of Click. “With full ownership, we are able to consolidate operations, align our resources, and unlock significant synergies that will accelerate our leadership in the nursing care sector.”

The acquisition expands Click’s total talent pool to over 19,000 registered professionals, strengthening its ability to meet surging demand for skilled nursing services across Hong Kong and surrounding regions. The integrated operations are also expected to create substantial operational efficiencies and boost overall profitability.

Full ownership further enables Click to fast-track development in high-growth verticals, including Home Seniors Nursing Services and Smart Home Nursing Solutions — key focus areas in its long-term strategy to deliver scalable, tech-enabled care solutions.

Click remains focused on executing its integration roadmap and delivering superior value to its clients, talent network, and shareholders. Further updates on the progress of the integration, service enhancements, and growth milestones will be shared in due course.

About Click Holdings Limited

We are a fast-growing human resources solutions provider based in Hong Kong, aiming to match our client’s human resources shortfall through our proprietary AI-empowered talent pool by one “click”. Our key businesses primarily include nursing solution (mainly seniors) services, logistics solution services and professional solution services.

For more information, please visit https://clicksc.com.hk.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov.

For enquiry, please contact:

Click Holdings Limited
Unit 709, 7/F., Ocean Centre
5 Canton Road
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Hong Kong
Email: jack.wong@jfy.hk
Phone: +852 2691 8900

The MIL Network –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: PHOTOS: Capito Delivers Keynote Remarks at Focus Forward Conference

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, traveled to Morgantown, W.Va. to deliver keynote remarks at the seventh annual Focus Forward conference: Long Live West Virginia.
During her remarks, Senator Capito discussed the intersection of health, wellness, and economic mobility, as well as provided an update on some of the legislative solutions she has worked on in the United States Senate to improve health outcomes for West Virginians. After her remarks, Jon Retzlaff, Chief Policy Officer of the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) presented Senator Capito with AACR’s 2025 Distinguished Public Service Award.
“The health and wellbeing of West Virginians is directly tied to the strength of our economy and the resilience of our people. As a United States Senator and as someone who has spent years working on health and economic issues—particularly in rural areas like West Virginia—I know just how interconnected these challenges are. We cannot talk about economic mobility without talking about health, we cannot promote wellness without looking at access to care, and we cannot plan for the future without acknowledging that Americans are living longer – often with more complex health needs. I was glad to share this message during the Focus Forward Conference and continue working together to improve health care opportunities so all West Virginians have a fair shot at a healthy, productive life,” Senator Capito said.
“We are honored that Senator Capito could join our seventh annual Focus Forward conference, a broad-based convening of leaders to better understand an emerging issue that will impact West Virginia’s workforce and economy,” Jen Giovannitti, President of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, said. “As a leading champion in supporting legislation and policy on health, aging, neuroscience, cancer research and caregiving, her voice and impact at the federal and state level are critical as we navigate the future opportunities and challenges of how increasing life expectancies will impact our society, work, economy and everyday lives. We are grateful for her continued engagement at this event, as well as her leadership and time today.”
Photos from today’s visit are below:

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) speaks at the Focus Forward conference in Morgantown, W.Va. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) receives the Distinguished Public Service Award from Jon Retzlaff of the American Association of Cancer Research in Morgantown, W.Va. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) at the Focus Forward conference in Morgantown, W.Va. on Tuesday April 22, 2025.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Bean Increases Health Care Choices for Americans

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Aaron Bean Florida (4th District)

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean (FL-04) introduced the Flexible Savings Arrangements for Healthy Robust America (FSA-HRA) Act, to expand options for Americans seeking to save responsibly for their future health costs.

Specifically, this commonsense bipartisan legislation amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit Americans to transfer Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) contributions into Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) in connection with establishing coverage under a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP).

Upon introduction, Congressman Bean said: “Many hardworking individuals and families find our nation’s health care system too convoluted and confusing to navigate. As a result, many often forfeit their unused FSA contributions or lose their HRA contributions. We need to give Americans the flexibility to plan, save, and take charge of health care decisions for their families. That’s why I’m proud to introduce this commonsense bill that will make it easier for families to take control of both their physical and financial health.”

Congressman Bean was joined by Congressmen Dan Crenshaw (TX-02) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) in introducing this bill.

“This bill is simple. If you contribute your dollars to a tax advantaged account, you should be able to use those dollars to fund a health savings account,” said Congressman Crenshaw. “Arbitrary government rules shouldn’t stop Americans from using their own savings for health care.”

“All too often, too many working families lose their unused FSA and HRA funds because of outdated “use-it-or-lose-it” rules,” said Congressman Panetta. “The FSA-HRA Act lets them roll those unused dollars into their Health Savings Accounts so they can save for future medical expenses tax-free. This bipartisan fix gives working families more flexibility and ensures they’re not penalized for being prepared.”

BACKGROUND

Currently, the law requires FSA and HRA contributions to be spent by the end of the year or otherwise forfeited and returned to the employer.

The FSA-HRA Act will allow American workers, or those switching jobs, to preserve their unused FSA and HRA funds by removing this out-of-date use-it-or-lose-it policy and giving them the flexibility to save for future medical expenses tax-free.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

April 23, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Governor Lamont Announces $10 Million in Grants Awarded for Continued Broadband Expansion

Source: US State of Connecticut

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today the second round of awards in the state’s ConneCTed Communities Grant Program. Totaling $9.9 million, these funds will be used by internet service providers to build out broadband infrastructure, which will serve an estimated 3,802 residences and businesses in 44 towns and cities.

The grant awards announced today build on $24 million in grants benefitting 88 cities and towns announced last year in round 1 of this program. Funded through the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, the ConneCTed Communities Grant Program was established to fund the construction and deployment of broadband infrastructure designed to support the goal of universal access to fast, affordable, and reliable broadband. DEEP has made great progress towards awarding funds to advance this work.

To date, with this second round included, the ConneCTed Communities Grant Program has announced $34 million in awards to support buildouts for:

5,582 locations;
116 cities and towns; and
30 distressed municipalities.

“This is a milestone in the state’s ongoing work to increase access to high-speed broadband for all Connecticut residents,” Governor Lamont said. “Fast, affordable internet connectivity is essential to the success and wellbeing of our residents. Being able to go online and access the internet is tied to nearly every aspect of daily life from paying bills to finding employment and housing and even accessing healthcare.”

“This latest round of grant awards is supporting the vital work of bringing broadband infrastructure to locations with the greatest needs,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. “Research shows that 92% of jobs require digital skills and 60% of adults get health information online. This effort is critical. It’s about increasing access to vital elements of daily life, and helping to improve health, safety, affordability, and prosperity for the people of Connecticut.”

The grant recipients for the second round of the ConneCTed Communities Grant Program are as follows:

Provisional Awardee	Project Area	Number of Locations in Project Area	Number of Units in Project Area*	Grant Funding
Frontier Communications (d.b.a. Frontier)	Canterbury, Griswold, Killingly, Plainfield, Putnam, Sterling, Woodstock	1180	1423	$1,232,486.00
Frontier Communications	Enfield, Granby, Somers, Stafford	164	412	$624,227.00
Frontier Communications	Colebrook, Cornwall, Goshen, Litchfield, Morris, Sharon, Torrington, Warren, Watertown, Winchester	504	698	$5,076,560.00
Frontier Communications	New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Sherman	105	158	$69,805.00
Frontier Communications	Bridgeport, Darien, Milford, Norwalk, Stamford	153	518	$755,971.00
Frontier Communications	East Haddam, East Lyme, Meriden, Waterford	297	480	$919,205.00
Comcast**	Griswold, Killingly, North Canaan, Voluntown	35	49	$762,295.77
Comcast	Bolton, Burlington, Colchester, East Haddam, East Lyme, Guilford, North Haven, Salem, Sharon, Shelton, Wallingford, Watertown	38	64	$540,273.06

For an interactive map of locations awarded in this grant round, click here.

DEEP is also administering the $144 million Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, which is in the deployment phase now, and will bring broadband to unserved and underserved locations and community anchor institutions.

ConneCTed Communities Funds Still Available

DEEP has approximately $6.7 million remaining in funding available through the ConneCTed Communities Program. Municipalities, community organizations, and internet service providers are eligible to apply. A major focus of this initiative is supporting broadband upgrades in multi-dwelling units (MDUs). To identify MDUs in need of faster, more reliable broadband, DEEP has launched a survey to help with the identification process. Learn more about this effort and take the survey here.

As noted in the 2024 Connecticut Broadband Report, the state has made great strides toward Governor Lamont’s goal of ensuring broadband internet speeds of 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) download and 100 megabits per second (Mbps) upload for all residents. Gigabit-speed broadband is now available to nearly 850,000 locations statewide, up from nearly zero in 2022. The percentage of residential and small business locations lacking basic internet access has dropped from 1.7% in 2022 to just 0.4% in 2024. Efforts to address price and non-price barriers to adoption have helped contribute to a rise in overall internet subscriptions, now covering 92.2% of households.

For more information about the many initiatives supporting broadband expansion in Connecticut, click here.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 23, 2025

MIL-OSI Security: Former Owner of Collapsed Nursing Home Empire Sentenced to 36 Months’ Imprisonment for $38 Million Tax Fraud Scheme

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

NEWARK, N.J. – A New York man was sentenced to 36 months in prison for his role in a $38 million employment tax fraud scheme involving nursing homes he owned across the country, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Joseph Schwartz, 65, of Suffern, New York, previously pled guilty to two counts of an indictment charging him with willfully failing to pay over employment taxes withheld from employees of his company, and willfully failing to file an annual financial report (Form 5500) with the Department of Labor for the employee 401K Benefit Plan Schwartz sponsored, before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court.

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

Schwartz, an insurance broker and operator of Skyline Management Group LLC (“Skyline”), with headquarters in New Jersey, willfully failed to pay employment taxes relating to numerous health care and rehabilitation facilities that Skyline operated in 11 states.

According to the indictment, Schwartz was required to collect, truthfully account for, and pay over to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) trust fund taxes withheld from the pay of employees of Skyline and related companies. From October 2017 through May 2018, Schwartz caused taxes to be withheld from employees’ pay but failed to then pay over more than $38 million in employment taxes to the IRS. As an administrator of the Skyline 401K plan, Schwartz further had an obligation to file an annual Form 5500 financial report with the Secretary of Labor for calendar year 2018, but knowingly and willfully failed to file the report.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan in Newark; Investigators with the Department of Labor-Employee Benefits Security Administration, under the direction of Regional Director Mark Seidel in the New York Regional Office; special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly; and the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz in the New York Regional Office, with the investigation that led to the sentencing in this case.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel H. Rosenblum and Kendall R. Randolph of the Criminal Division in Newark and Trial Attorney Shawn Noud of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.

###

Defense counsel: Kevin H. Marino, Esq.

MIL Security OSI –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Operators of New Jersey Company Sentenced to Prison and Enter Into Related Civil Settlement Agreement for Roles in $127 Million Health Care Fraud and Kickback Scheme

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

NEWARK, N.J. – Two operators of a New Jersey marketing company were sentenced to prison for their roles in conspiracies to commit health care fraud and to pay and receive illegal kickbacks, United States Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Eric Karlewicz a/k/a “Anthony Mazza,” 46, of Rockland County, New York, and Nicco Romanowski, 33, of Roswell, Georgia, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court following their guilty pleas to Informations charging conspiracy to violate the Federal Anti-Kickback statute and conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Karlewicz was sentenced to 51 months in prison and Romanowski was sentenced to 80 months in prison.

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

From in or around June 2017 through in or around May 2019, Karlewicz and Romanowski participated in a scheme with durable medical equipment (“DME”) companies, telemedicine companies, and doctors to submit false claims to health care benefit programs, including Medicare and TRICARE, based on a circular scheme of kickbacks and bribes. Karlewicz and Romanowski controlled a New Jersey-based marketing company, Empire Pain Center Holdings LLC (“Empire”), though which they and their co-conspirators identified Medicare and TRICARE beneficiaries to target. Employees of Empire called the beneficiaries to pressure them to agree to accept DME, frequently consisting of back, shoulder, and knee braces. Karlewicz and Romanowski paid Empire’s employees commissions, bonuses, and incentives to encourage them to convince as many beneficiaries as possible to accept DME, regardless of medical necessity.

Karlewicz and Romanowski, through Empire, then paid kickbacks to telemedicine companies, which in turn paid kickbacks to doctors in exchange for prescriptions for the DME. As agreed upon, the doctors signed the prescription orders regardless of medical necessity, often without ever speaking to the patient. Karlewicz and Romanowski distributed the prescriptions to DME suppliers around the country, with which Empire had additional kickback arrangements. These DME suppliers submitted claims for reimbursement to health care benefit programs including Medicare and TRICARE, and thereafter sent a portion of the proceeds to Empire as payment for the doctor’s orders generated through the conspiracy. Empire received more than $63 million from DME suppliers in exchange for the referrals.

In total, Karlewicz and Romanowski caused the submission of false and fraudulent claims to health care benefit programs totaling in excess of $127 million for DME. Using proceeds from the scheme, Karlewicz and Romanowski purchased luxury vehicles, including a Ferrari, and Lamborghini, a Bentley, and a BMW.

In addition to the prison terms, Judge Salas sentenced each defendant to three years of supervised release and ordered them to pay $127,600,000 in restitution. Karlewicz was ordered to forfeit over $63 million, and Romanowski was ordered to forfeit over $5.5 million.

United States Attorney Habba also announced that Karlewicz and Empire entered into a civil settlement agreement. As part of that civil settlement agreement, Karlewicz and Empire admitted to violating the False Claims Act and agreed to the entry of a consent judgment against them in the amount of $63.8 million.

The civil settlement agreement resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties, called relators, to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The relator, Robert Jackson Tyler, Jr., will receive a share of the funds recovered by the United States pursuant to the False Claims Act.

United States Attorney Habba credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly in Newark, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz, and U.S. Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Silvestro, with the investigation.

The government is represented in the criminal case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine M. Romano of the Health Care Fraud Unit and Senior Trial Counsel Barbara Ward of the Bank Integrity, Recovery, and Money Laundering Unit in Newark.

The government is represented in the civil case by Assistant U.S. Attorney David V. Simunovich of the Health Care Fraud Unit and Trial Attorney Martha Glover of U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Fraud Section.

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Defense counsel: Darren Gelber, Esq. (for Eric Karlewicz)

Alyssa Cimino, Esq. (for Nicco Romanowski)

MIL Security OSI –

April 23, 2025

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