NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Meet the 2024 Canberra Citizen of the Year

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Hannah Andrevski, Roundabout Canberra founder and CEO and 2024 Canberra Citizen of the Year.

    Roundabout Canberra founder and CEO Hannah Andrevski has been named the 2024 Canberra Citizen of the Year in recognition of her commitment to supporting families in need.

    Hannah founded Roundabout Canberra in 2018 after trying to find a service where she could donate pre-loved belongings her children no longer needed.

    The Holt-based charity provides safe, essential baby and children’s items to families across the ACT and its surrounds. This year alone, Roundabout Canberra has helped hundreds of children and gifted thousands of items – with each family’s dignity always upheld.

    Items donated to Roundabout are cleaned, sorted and safety checked. From there, the charity works with more than 500 social workers and support workers from more than 100 organisations in Canberra and the surrounding regions to distribute the items to families in need.

    Locations that items are delivered to include:

    • public hospitals
    • women’s and domestic violence refuges
    • migrant and refugee support services and more.

    The name of the charity is more than just a nod to Canberra’s love of roundabouts. Roundabout reflects a mission to reduce waste and a commitment to a circular economy, where items are passed from one child to another.

    Hannah was a 2019 Westfield Local Hero and a nominee for the 2020 ACT Local Hero award. She also won the Galent Management Consulting Profound Influence Award at the 2019 Volunteering Awards, Canberra Region.

    “It’s hard to express how much this award means to me,” Hannah said.

    “I’m a very proud and passionate Canberran, having grown up here, and now raising my own family here. I care deeply about our community and want to play a role in making it a better place for all of us to live.

    “It’s a privilege to get to do what I do – to provide much needed support to families in our community in a way that upholds their dignity.”

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New operating theatres for Canberra Hospital

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The new theatres are equipped with a range of advanced features aimed at revolutionising surgical practices in the ACT.

    The ACT Government has unveiled the 22 new operating theatres in Canberra Hospital’s Critical Services Building.

    The new building is on track to open later this year.

    As well as the new theatres, the Critical Services Building will include a bigger emergency department, expanded intensive care unit and new inpatient wards.

    The theatres are equipped with a range of advanced features aimed at revolutionising surgical practices in the ACT.

    These include:

    • an Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (iMRI) Suite, providing surgeons with real-time images of the brain during procedures
    • three hybrid theatres equipped with cutting-edge angiography and CT angiography systems to support a variety of vascular surgeries and guided procedures
    • two Interventional Radiography Suites, relocated from Building 12 to the Critical Services Building, offering a comprehensive range of diagnostic and interventional services
    • 16 digital operating theatres.

    Access to the latest technology will improve image quality and resolution in the hospital’s operating theatres.

    This will lead to more precise diagnoses and improved patient outcomes.

    The new hospital building will significantly improve patient flow and experience, according to Dr Lance Lasersohn, Clinical Director of Anaesthetics for Canberra Health Services.

    “I’m excited about the technology’s co-location with angiography and the new technologies that will be available in the new building, which will make work more exciting for the workforce and enable the hospital to accommodate more patients.”

    The theatres are located on level 3 of the Critical Services Building, within the Perioperative Unit, which also features:

    • two spacious waiting areas
    • a Day Surgery Unit with 40 beds for admissions and post-operative care
    • a recovery area
    • a discharge lounge.

    Staffing within the Perioperative Unit will be expanded to manage the operation of the new theatres and improve patient flow.

    Recruitment efforts are currently underway, with Canberra Health Services implementing a range of strategies and initiatives aimed at targeting and attracting healthcare workers to the ACT.

    The operating theatres are connected to the Sterilising Services Unit via dedicated lifts. This improves efficiency by facilitating the swift transfer of instruments between clean and dirty areas.

    A Patient Transfer Link bridge has also been added to the Critical Services Building. This provides a private clinical connection between the new and existing hospital buildings. It enhances hospital efficiency and patient privacy by separating clinical pathways from public areas.

    One of the new operating theatres

    Recovery bays

    Recovery bays

    Children’s waiting area in the Perioperative Unit

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Embracing the ASbA option

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Young Canberran Poppy Chalmers is now working as a training and business administration officer.

    A desire to work in health care has seen Poppy Chalmers embrace success via an Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASbA).

    Poppy’s story is like many who choose a Vocational Education and Training pathway.

    She knew she didn’t want the university pathway but felt unsure which direction to take.

    In 2022, she started an Australian School-based Apprenticeship program with Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA).

    The next year, she was named ACT Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year at the 2023 ACT Training Awards.

    She then went on to be a finalist at the 2023 Australian Training Awards.

    These awards recognise students’ commitment to formal studies at school and in the workplace.

    A VET pathway

    Poppy had previously taken on leadership roles at school. She was selected as a Year 6 leader in 2017 and as a Year 10 Indigenous Leader in 2021.

    “I am a natural leader and see myself in a leadership position. I have a lot of ideas. I’m not sure where I want to end up, but I know I have what it takes to get there,” Poppy said.

    She completed a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance under a new program in the ACT called the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Academy.

    “I didn’t particularly like school, it wasn’t something that I enjoyed. One of my friends got an ASbA in childcare and I thought that was cool, so I did a placement where she worked, and they offered me an ASbA,” Poppy said.

    Moving into health care

    “Though my school supported me to do the ASbA in childcare, I had always been interested in working in the health industry so when an Auntie from the Community reached out with an opportunity to do an ASbA in Allied Health through an Aboriginal company, I applied and was successful.

    “I wanted to be a nurse, my Auntie was a nurse, I had spent a lot of time in hospitals because my sister has cystic fibrosis. I even went to school at the hospital. I saw the positive impact that nurses, doctors, and the hospital had on us all,” Poppy said.

    Through the ASbA, Poppy got to experience what nursing and working in a hospital is all about and what is out there in terms of a future job in Allied Health. She is now employed as a training and business administration officer for Indigenous Allied Health Australia.

    Poppy says applying for the ASbA was seamless, with support available if she needed it.

    “The ASbA process showed me that there are so many other pathways to get to where I want to go. Doing this I saw that I can work in health without having to go to uni. I finished the Certificate III and was offered a job at the hospital as a social work assistant straight away,” she said.

    The path ahead

    Poppy graduated from college in 2023. She says the ASbA has given her self-confidence and redefined her idea of success.

    “The ASbA has given me a lot of direction, opportunity and such a great community. When I was younger, I wanted to be a nurse but now I’m not sure because I have so many opportunities. I’ve been told I can do anything I want. You work with what you have and take every opportunity you get,” she said.

    “I’m not ready for uni yet. I want to do a Cert IV in Business.

    “Success is not where you get to, it is how you got there, the path you took, what you learned and did. Success for me is to experience everything I get to do. I would have a goal, but I would focus on the journey,” Poppy said.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: CIT supports the electrification of Canberra

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    CIT’s Electric Vehicle Certificate III is the first course of its kind in Australia.

    Canberra is transitioning away from the use of fossil fuels and towards electrification, which means the future is looking different for Canberrans – particularly our tradies.

    According to ACT Government modelling, Canberra will need at least 1,290 extra electricians and 270 more electrical engineers before 2045.

    CIT is helping to ensure that the ACT has people who have the skills to install technology in homes and businesses. The institution is providing important future skills development, particularly in the electrical trades, to prevent local and national skills shortages.

    “In Canberra, we have the biggest concentration of electric vehicles to people,” Richard Lindsay, CIT automotive teacher and national VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year 2022, said.

    “What that means is that the demand on the servicing industry in Canberra is growing higher and higher by the month.

    “Being at the forefront of the transition with the Electric Vehicle Certificate III is definitely helping to make sure that the industry is ready for the increase in customer demand that is coming through,” Richard said.

    Until this year, CIT was the only training organisation in Australia delivering this course. Richard says that it is a point of pride for both students and the staff at CIT.

    “For the students going through the brand-new Certificate III, the thought of being some of the first fully qualified electric vehicle technicians in Australia is a huge thing for their status in the automotive industry. They’re going to be leaders in their field,” he said.

    The course is attracting attention from a broad range of students.

    “From an apprentice point of view, we’re seeing a big increase in interest, especially from students who may not have thought about a mechanical path previously,” Richard said.

    “Because the vehicles are so autonomous these days with the way they’re working, it’s definitely taking some more interest from the more tech-savvy kids that would have normally gravitated towards a gaming or IT path.”

    The ACT Government will propose to the Commonwealth that a new centre of excellence be established at CIT Fyshwick. The centre would expand CIT’s Electric Vehicle Training Centre to train more EV automotive technicians.

    Extra funding will support the feasibility of a broader Future Energy Skills Hub at CIT which will incorporate the centre of excellence and support the expansion of training in electrotechnology.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: All Three Defendants Plead Guilty in Multimillion-Dollar Scheme to Defraud Automobile Auction

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

    NASHVILLE – On Monday, March 31, 2025, defendant Brian Baker, 53, of Mount Juliet, Tenn., pled guilty to all charges against him for a wire fraud and money laundering scheme to defraud an automobile auction business in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The other co-defendants, Stephanie Louise Baker, 54, of Mount Juliet, Tenn. and Jerry W. Hutchins, 50, of Dowelltown, Tenn., each pled guilty last week to all charges against them stemming from their involvement in the same wire fraud and money laundering scheme.

    “I commend the effort of the prosecutors from our office who are holding these thieves accountable for their crimes,” said Robert E. McGuire, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. “We will continue to tirelessly seek justice for those affected by economic crimes here in our community.”

    “IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to unraveling intricate financial transactions and money laundering schemes where individuals attempt to conceal the original source of their money,” said Special Agent in Charge Donald “Trey” Eakins, Charlotte Field Office, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. “IRS Criminal Investigation, along with our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s Office, will vigorously pursue those individuals who willfully try to enrich themselves by fraudulent means.”

    “These defendants used fake transactions to operate a wire fraud and money laundering scheme to illegally enrich themselves,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office. “The FBI remains vigilant in the fight against fraud and will bring those who cheat and steal to justice.”

    The federal indictment, returned by the grand jury in October 2023, had charged Stephanie Baker and Brian Baker, who are married, and Hutchins with a wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. The indictment also charged all three defendants with substantive offenses for acts of money laundering.  According to the indictment, between February 2017 and November 2018, Stephanie Baker was the General Manager of the Dealers Auto Auction Group’s Murfreesboro auction location. Brian Baker and Jerry Hutchins each owned and operated used car dealerships and did business at the auction. The defendants devised a scheme to defraud Dealers Auto Auction Group, LLC by creating fake transactions to make it appear that the defendants’ businesses had sold cars at the auction and were entitled to receive funds from Dealers Auto Auction Group, when in fact the defendants had not sold vehicles at the auction. Based on the fake transactions, Stephanie Baker caused Dealers Auto Auction Group to issue checks to Brian Baker’s and Hutchins’ businesses. Then, on a rolling basis each month, the defendants would create additional fake transactions using the same vehicles in order to conceal the original fraud and avoid detection. Brian Baker and Hutchins then converted proceeds of the fraud scheme for their own personal use and benefit.

    As a result of this scheme, the defendants defrauded Dealers Auto Auction Group of more than $2 million.

    The three defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on September 11, 2025. The defendants face up to 20 years in prison for the wire fraud conspiracy, the money laundering conspiracy, and the concealment money laundering offenses, and up to 10 years in prison for domestic transaction money laundering. The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation in which the government seeks to forfeit any property derived from the proceeds of the crimes, including a money judgment in the amount of at least $2,041,170 from Stephanie Baker, $1,357,310 from Brian Baker, and $683,830 from Jerry Hutchins.

    This case was investigated by the IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chris Suedekum and Nani M. Gilkerson are prosecuting the case.

    # # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Happy Valley-Goose Bay — Happy Valley-Goose Bay RCMP investigates vehicle crash, driver found in possession of opioids and cash

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Forty-four-year-old Darryl Dyson was arrested by Happy Valley-Goose Bay RCMP on March 28, 2025, for possession of opioids after crashing a vehicle in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

    At approximately 9:00 p.m. on Friday, police on patrol came upon a single-vehicle crash on Cabot Crescent. Dyson, who was operating a vehicle while suspended, was found in possession of a quantity of suspected morphine pills and nearly $3000.00 cash.

    He attended court on March 31, 2025, and was released on a number of conditions. Dyson is charged with the following criminal offences:

    • Possession of a controlled substance
    • Failure to comply with a release order
    • Operating a vehicle with a suspended licence

    The investigation is continuing with other charges possible. Dyson’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 15, 2025.

    RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: José Adolfo “Fito” Macías Villamar, Leader of Los Choneros Transnational Criminal Organization, Indicted in Brooklyn Federal Court on International Drug and Gun Charges

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

    A seven-count indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging José Adolfo Macías Villamar, also known as “Fito,” with international cocaine distribution conspiracy; international cocaine distribution; using firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking; smuggling firearms from the United States; and straw purchasing of firearms conspiracy.  Since at least 2020, he has been the leader of Los Choneros, one of Ecuador’s most violent drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations.  The defendant is not in U.S. custody.

    John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Derek Maltz, Acting Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); L.C. Cheeks, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Newark Field Division, Atlantic City Satellite Office (ATF); and Jonathan Carson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, New York Field Office (OEE), announced the charges.

    “As alleged, the defendant was a ruthless leader and prolific drug trafficker for a violent transnational criminal organization.  By leading the Los Choneros’ network of assassins and drug and weapon traffickers and importing potentially lethal quantities of cocaine into the United States, the defendant has caused great harm to his own country and the United States, which was the destination for the vast majority of Los Choneros’ cocaine shipments,” stated United States Attorney Durham.

    Mr. Durham praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s Andean Region – Quito, Country Office, Special Operations Division-Bilateral Investigations Unit and Latin America/Caribbean Section, Joint Interagency Task Force South; U.S. Southern Command; the Government of Ecuador; the New Jersey State Police Casino Gaming Bureau; and the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations Atlantic City.  The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided significant assistance in this matter.

    “The indictment of José Adolfo Macías Villamar marks a significant strike against the violent networks that flood our communities with dangerous drugs like cocaine — a clear message that no one fueling this deadly trade is beyond the reach of justice. This case highlights the tireless efforts of DEA, alongside our partners in the United States and Ecuador,” stated DEA Administrator Maltz.  “We will continue to work across borders to dismantle the supply chain of violent, criminal networks, which underscores the ongoing need for vigilance and collaboration in the fight against drug trafficking and cartel violence.”

    “This investigation and charges are a testament to the combined efforts of law enforcement and underscores the resolve of ATF and our federal, state, and local partners. Drug trafficking and the heinous crimes associated with violent criminal organizations have an insidious impact on the public and tear apart the fabric of our communities. We will continue to use all the tools at our disposal, across the U.S. and around the globe, to combat violence, drug distribution, and the illegal sale and possession of firearms to safeguard the safety and well-being of all,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Cheeks.

    “This indictment alleges the defendant and Los Choneros illegally smuggled firearms from the United States in furtherance of their violent drug trafficking operations,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Carson of the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Office of Export Enforcement, New York Field Office.  “The Office of Export Enforcement will continue its efforts alongside its law enforcement partners to pursue those who violate export laws, wherever they may be, worldwide.”

    As alleged in the indictment, from at least 2020 to 2025, Macías Villamar was the principal leader of Los Choneros, one of the most violent and powerful transnational criminal organizations in Ecuador.  Los Choneros, in partnership with the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico, controlled key cocaine trafficking routes through Ecuador and operated a large-scale network responsible for the shipment and distribution of multi-ton quantities of cocaine from South America through Central America and Mexico to the United States and elsewhere.  The vast majority of drugs trafficked by Los Choneros were imported into the United States.

    As the principal leader of Los Choneros, Macías Villamar employed members of the organization to carry out serious acts of violence on the organization’s behalf.  At Macías Villamar’s direction, Los Choneros committed violent acts towards law enforcement, Ecuadorian politicians, attorneys, prosecutors and civilians. Los Choneros obtained many of their firearms and weapons by illegally trafficking and exporting them from the United States.  As alleged, the defendant specifically employed individuals who purchased firearms, firearms components and ammunitions on Los Choneros’ behalf in the United States and then illegally smuggled them to Ecuador.

    Moreover, in furtherance of their drug trafficking operation, Los Choneros relied on “sicarios,” or hitmen, as well as corruption and bribe payments, to ensure protection and loyalty to Los Choneros. These “sicarios” regularly used military-grade weapons, like machine guns, AK-47 assault rifles and grenades to perpetrate violence, including murder, torture and kidnapping.  Macías Villamar and the Los Choneros organization have also been sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life in prison.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section, and as part of the work of the Office’s Transnational Criminal Organizations Strike Force.  Assistant United States Attorneys Chand Edwards-Balfour and Lorena Michelen are in charge of the prosecution.

    The Defendant:

    JOSÉ ADOLFO MACÍAS VILLAMAR (also known as “Fito”)
    Age: 45
    Ecuador

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No.: 25-CR-114 (FB)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Orocidin’s QR-01 Shows Positive Results in Treating Periodontitis in Dogs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BEVERLY HILLS, California, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orocidin A/S (“Orocidin”), a subsidiary of Nordicus Partners Corporation (OTCQB: NORD) (“Nordicus” or the “Company”), a financial consulting company specializing in supporting Nordic and U.S. life sciences companies in establishing themselves in the U.S. market, today announced positive efficacy results for its lead periodontitis candidate, QR-01, in a preclinical study involving dogs diagnosed with periodontitis.

    The 13-day small efficacy study was conducted on beagle dogs with clinically confirmed periodontitis. and demonstrated consistent improvements across key clinical endpoints, including the Gingival Index, the Plaque Index and overall periodontal Disease. The animals were fasted for a minimum of 8 hours prior to assessment of the efficacy.

    Importantly, QR-01 was well tolerated, with no adverse side effects reported throughout the treatment period.

    “I am pleased to report that all dogs in the study showed encouraging and consistent responses to the treatment. This represents a significant milestone for Orocidin’s lead product, QR-01 and strengthens our confidence as we prepare for the upcoming human pilot efficacy study, planned to begin by the end of 2025,” said Allan Wehnert, CEO & Founder of Orocidin.

    For further information, contact:
    Mr. Henrik Rouf
    Chief Executive Officer
    hr@nordicuspartners.com
    Tel +1 310 666 0750

    About Orocidin

    Orocidin’s mission is to develop the preferred treatment against aggressive periodontitis. Our innovative therapeutic agent, QR-01, distinguishes itself through its unique ability to provide treatment of both inflammation and bacterial infection.

    About Nordicus Partners Corporation

    Nordicus Partners Corporation is the only U.S. publicly traded business accelerator and holding company for Nordic life sciences companies. Leveraging decades of combined management experience in domestic and global corporate sectors, Nordicus excels in corporate finance activities including business and market development, growth strategies, talent acquisition, partnership building, capital raising, and facilitating company acquisitions and sales. In 2024, Nordicus acquired 100% of Orocidin A/S, a Danish preclinical-stage biotech company developing next-generation therapies for periodontitis and 100% of Bio-Convert ApS, a Danish preclinical-stage biotech company dedicated to revolutionizing the treatment of oral leukoplakia. For more information about Nordicus, please visit: www.nordicuspartners.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Threads and BlueSky.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue” or “believe” or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations concerning our business, operating results, financial condition and other similar matters. We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our investors. There may be events in the future, however, that we are not able to predict accurately or control. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release speaks only as of the date on which we make it. 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 update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Maxwell Frost Takes Orlando’s Questions on Future of Democratic Party, Lowering Costs, Federal Funding Freezes and More on Reddit

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Maxwell Frost Florida (10th District)

    April 02, 2025

    Congressman Frost’s Ask Me Anything (AMA) received over 81,000 views, 1,000 upvotes, and over 350 comments and questions from Redditors in Central Florida.

    ORLANDO, FL — Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) joined Reddit users on the r/Orlando subreddit this past Friday to answer questions from Central Floridians concerned about the latest actions from the Trump Administration and what the Congressman is doing to fight back on various issues. Users asked various questions about the state of the economy, the dismantling of federal agencies, federal funding cuts to crucial programs, and the future of the Democratic party.

    In case you missed it, here are some of the highlights:

    During the AMA, one user asked the Congressman: Do House Democrats have a plan to offer an alternative to Trump’s economic policy?

    Congressman Frost replied: “My belief is that we can’t just oppose Trump’s billionaire takeover, we must provide our vision. The vision must be based in the reality that most working people are facing: shit is too expensive and living is unaffordable. Nobody wants to hear about how we’ll marginally make things better, they want bold, transformational change. 

    Expanding Medicare to cover all Americans so no one has to decide between a medical bill and their rent. Speaking of rent, ensuring that we up the inventory of affordable housing and pass robust protections for renters. Holding corporations accountable for price gouging and price fixing which is contributing to the high costs of living. Raising the minimum wage because nobody can live off of $7.25 an hour. We have a great thing going for us because our agenda is popular. We must forcibly oppose this billionaire takeover and in the next breath, give our vision. 

    We’re fighting to reclaim this narrative back and to put forward real solutions to give people results. While the Republicans are focused on covering up their SignalGate scandal, Democrats are working on lowering costs. I have been championing price-lowering legislation to fix the property insurance price crisis, decrease grocery prices, ban excessive hidden fees in rental housing, cap the cost of prescription drugs, including EpiPens, and help our community save on medical bills during hurricanes.”

    Another user whose daughters’ school will be losing a large portion of their Title I funding asked the Congressman: I worry that the school will lose their free lunches program. I’m fortunate enough that that won’t affect my children personally, but there will be plenty of children affected. What are you doing to fight back for education? 

    Congressman Frost replied: “Title I funding is especially important in a state like Florida, where the state government not only shows disinterest in the needs of marginalized communities, but is actively trying to dismantle public education.  

    I am proud to be the son of a retired public school teacher. My mom taught special needs students for 37 years. In February, when it was clear that the Department of Education was under threat, I marched with other Members of Congress to the Department’s doors. It took Department of Homeland Security officers in body armour to keep us out. No matter what Trump says, it will take an act of Congress to truly dismantle the Department of Education, so it is incredibly important that elected officials know how unpopular that goal is. I have been working to organize people in that effort. Parents, teachers, school administrators need to let their elected officials at all levels know that they oppose Trump’s desire to abolish the Department of Education. Making progress at the state level in Florida is hard, which makes a strong Department of Education even more important.”

    Another Reddit user asked: I am concerned about Second Harvest getting its government support cut. Is there anything you can do to help?

    Congressman Frost replied: “For folks who are catching up on this news, this week the Trump Administration canceled shipments of food for Second Harvest, and we just found out it’s likely not a temporary cut. Being hungry is a tragic and terrible experience that harms people’s physical and mental health and Second Harvest plays such an important role in preventing that. I was able to secure $200,000 for Second Harvest to help them save money on their monthly energy costs to store food, but I’m going to continue to fight for resources for our partner. Over 300 local partners in my district (churches, food pantries, etc.) rely on Second Harvest to help them get food out to our community and the individuals and families that need it.”

     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Representatives Goldman, Crockett Introduce Abortion Care Awareness Act to Combat Anti-Abortion Misinformation

    Source: US Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10)

    Legislation Ensures Women Have Access to Accurate Information About Abortion Services and Where to Obtain Them 

     

    Goldman’s Bill Will Specifically Combat Misinformation about Medication Abortion, the Most Common Abortion Used in Telehealth Abortions 

     

    Read the Bill Here 

    Washington, DC – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) today re-introduced the ‘Abortion Care Awareness Act,’ which would increase access to medically accurate information about abortion, including medication abortion. Additionally, this bill would ensure people have access to accurate information about where and how to obtain abortion services across the country, how to avoid anti-abortion centers intended to deceive patients, and how to identify misinformation about abortion care. 

    For women residing in states with abortion bans, telehealth appointments and medication abortion have emerged as among the only ways they can receive reproductive health care in their jurisdiction. This bill comes as states with abortion bans in place have increasingly cracked down on these services, most recently charging a New York telemedicine provider who was protected by the state’s shield laws, which protects abortion and reproductive health care providers from lawsuits relating to providing medication abortions to out-of-state patients.  

    “As abortion rights face relentless attacks at every level of government, women across the country are being inundated with a maze of laws and false and misleading information about their reproductive healthcare options,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “I’m proud to reintroduce the Abortion Care Awareness Act to ensure every woman has access to accurate, trusted information about their rights and available care. No woman should be deceived by bad actors seeking to interfere with her personal medical decisions.” 

    Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett said, “Women across the country, but especially in abortion restrictive states like my state of Texas, have been the targets to mis- and dis-information campaign at the hands of far-right anti-abortion groups. Women should be able to have quick access to know their rights and be provided accurate the type of care available to them to then make their very personal decision of what to do with their bodies. That is why I am proud to reintroduce the Abortion Care Awareness Act of 2025 to protect women’s right to decide with medically accurate and complete information about abortion.” 

    The ‘Abortion Care Awareness Act’ would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a coordinated national public health education, awareness, and outreach campaign to provide accurate information regarding where and how to access abortion care, the right to travel across state lines and utilize telemedicine to access abortion care, how to identify misinformation about abortion, and more. The campaign would be designed in consultation with health care professionals, nonprofit reproductive rights and justice organizations, state and local health departments, and other experts. 

    The bill would also include information on how to identify and avoid crisis pregnancy centers which market themselves as abortion clinics or comprehensive reproductive health care providers to women in vulnerable and emotionally fragile positions, intentionally targeting low-income communities and communities of color. Once under their care, these centers use aggressive rhetoric and manipulative means to coerce them into carrying their pregnancies to full term, jeopardizing their health, well-being, and trust in health care providers. 

    According to the University of Georgia’s Crisis Pregnancy Center Map, there are 10 crisis pregnancy centers in New York City alone, outnumbering the number of Planned Parenthood locations in the city. 

    Congressman Dan Goldman is committed to protecting abortion access across the country and combatting abortion misinformation. 

    In March 2024, the Congressman cosponsored the ‘Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation (SAD) Act’ to stop crisis pregnancy centers organizations from using deceptive advertisements claiming to offer reproductive health care. The SAD Act would direct the Federal Trade Commission to prohibit unfair or deceptive advertising related to the provisions of abortion services and authorize the FTC to enforce these rules and collect penalties from organizations in violation.  
    In March 2023, the Congressman cosponsored the ‘Women’s Health Protection Act,’ which establishes a federal right for healthcare professionals to provide abortion care and the right for their patients to receive care, free from bans and medically unnecessary restrictions that single out abortion care. The ‘Women’s Health Protection Act’ codifies and expands upon the rights established in Roe v. Wade. 

     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Securing a greener future with cleaner maritime technology

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Securing a greener future with cleaner maritime technology

    The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has been supporting the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC).

    Image from FastRig

    The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has been at the forefront of The Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC), a government-funded initiative to support the delivery of net zero emissions across the maritime industry.  

    Delivered by Innovate UK on behalf of the Department for Transport’s UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, each iteration of the scheme awards funds in areas of green technology, decarbonisation and skills development.  

    CMDC round 6 is currently open for bidders until Wednesday 16 April, and invites UK-registered organisations to apply for their share of a £30 million fund to pitch and develop innovative clean maritime technologies and skills.  

    HQ Consultant Surveyor Gwen Lancaster has been involved with the competition since its early stages. Gwen has helped provide the programme with technical and specialist maritime insight.  

    Essentially, the CMDC provides funding to projects that progress innovative ideas and concepts,” she says.  

    The MCA provides technical maritime advice and insight to the programme, guiding both the technology focus and advising on aspects and areas that require certification, surveying or regulatory compliance.

    We’re able to consider the regulatory pathway and how entirely new products or inventions can be certified according to our processes and standards.

    Previous rounds of the CMDC have funded a diverse range of projects, covering future fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia, electrification of vessels and energy efficiency alongside feasibility studies exploring concepts like UK green shipping corridors in support of the Clydebank Declaration.

    MCA’s role in delivery of this programme is particularly key when a project involves the integration of an innovative technology with an existing ship, as a recent example the MCA supported the integration and subsequent sea-trials of a 20m wing sail developed by a consortium led by Smart Green Shipping, with the sail being retrofit to the UK-flagged Pacific Grebe.  

    The sail, which operates autonomously, has the potential to reduce energy demand and fuel consumption significantly, cutting operating costs and CO2 emissions while aiding UK decarbonisation efforts.  

    Gwen, who was part of the vessel’s survey and inspection team, said:

    As the FastRig wing sail was retrofitted for use on a commercial vessel, it required technical input from MCA Surveyors as well as the vessels Classification Society Lloyd’s Register. 

    It’s a complex and thorough process but it is essential that all the necessary steps are followed to ensure that the invention is correctly certified, all safety considerations are made, and relevant legislation is followed.  

    Our Marine Office audited and inspected the vessel, which was then able to head to Southampton for demonstration and sea trials.

    Decarbonisation of the shipping industry is a key priority for both UK and International shipping, and the MCA is committed to supporting safe, sustainable innovation across the sector.

    Press office

    Email public.relations@mcga.gov.uk

    Press enquiries (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm) 0203 817 2222

    Outside these hours or on bank holidays and weekends, for media enquiries ONLY, please send an email outlining your query and putting #Urgent in the subject title.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Media Advisory: U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Events

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RALEIGH, N.C – In commemoration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar is announcing NCVRW observances planned in the Eastern District of North Carolina for the week of April 6-12, 2025. Members of the public and media are invited to attend.

    • On Monday, April 7th, a Pinwheel Event will be held in Wilmington to honor and support crime victims and their families.

      • 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Community Justice Center (410 Princess Street, Wilmington, NC 28401).

        This event will feature a message of hope and inspiration from caretakers in a child exploitation case and is being held in partnership with A Safe Place.

    • On Tuesday, 8th the National Crime Victims’ Rights Ceremony will be held in Raleigh.

      • 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the North Carolina State Bar Association (217 E. Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601)

      • Registration is required for this event.

        This event is sponsored by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts and the Interagency Council.

    For additional information about this year’s NCVRW and how to assist victims in your own community, please visit the United States Attorney’s Office website.  For more ideas on how to support victims of crime, visit OVC’s website at www.ovc.ojp.gov.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Felon Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Illegal Gun and Oxycodone Possession

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    EVANSVILLE— Marquell T. Lockridge, 26, of Evansville, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to illegal possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance.

    According to court documents, on November 1, 2024, at approximately 3:51 a.m., officers with the Evansville Police Department were dispatched to a Circle K gas station on a report of a disturbance in the parking lot. When officers arrived on scene, a woman in the parking lot claimed that Marquell Lockridge had pulled out a gun and pointed it at her. 

    Lockridge saw the officers walk toward him to investigate and jumped into his vehicle to flee the scene. However, he was unable to shift the car into drive. Officers commanded Lockridge to step out of the car. He eventually exited the vehicle, but then began running on foot and was quickly tased and arrested. 

    While officers were applying the handcuffs, Lockridge admitted that he had a loaded gun inside the front of his underwear. During a search of his person, officers located a plastic corner bag containing Oxycodone pills and approximately $20,227 in cash.

    Lockridge has been previously convicted of multiple crimes, including misdemeanor domestic battery in 2019, felony pointing a firearm at another in 2019, and felony theft of a firearm in 2022. These prior felony convictions prohibit him from ever legally possessing a firearm again.

    “Illegally armed felons are a preventable source of the gun violence that threatens our neighborhoods and takes far too many lives,” said John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “A successful return to the community from prison requires compliance with the law, including never again possessing a gun. I commend the ATF and Evansville Police Department for keeping the community safe by getting this felon off the streets.”

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Evansville Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Matthew P. Brookman. 

    Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Miller, who prosecuted this case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Aguilar: Trump’s incompetence is jeopardizing our national security, crashing the economy and dismantling Social Security

    Source: US House of Representatives – Democratic Caucus

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI – April 01, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar was joined by House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Ranking Member Jim Himes, House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan for a press conference on the Trump Administration national security team sharing classified information in a group chat, and how that same incompetence is leading America towards a recession.

    CHAIRMAN AGUILAR: Good morning. It has become increasingly clear that the Trump Administration’s incompetence is jeopardizing our national security, crashing the American economy and dismantling Social Security.

    Secretary of Defense Hegseth must resign for his role in sharing classified war plans. This is a scandal that feels a little more like The Onion than the Atlantic, but he should be fired. But the White House’s carelessness is not isolated to our national security—it’s also having a negative impact on our economy. This carelessness and recklessness of Donald Trump is moving next to imposing tariffs, which have been suggested now that there are 40% chance that the economy crashes into a recession next year, according to Moody’s. They have not taken a single step toward bringing down the high cost of living. In fact, the President of the United States said he couldn’t care less if prices go up. Now, the stock market is crashing and inflation is rising. Hard-working Americans just want a little breathing room and some stability in their busy lives, but what they’ve received from Donald Trump is chaos, confusion and corruption. 

    Later today, House Democrats will hold a hearing on how Trump and Elon Musk are dismantling Social Security. Services are being cut and for the first time in our nation’s history, there is a very real concern that Americans won’t receive the benefits on time that they have paid into. And despite what the Commerce Secretary says, seniors aren’t fraudsters if they get mad—they’ve earned those benefits. 

    They’re doing all of this to help pay for tax giveaways for billionaires and Elon Musk,
    This isn’t about rooting out waste, fraud and abuse. This is about upending the status quo—these are unserious people looking out for themselves, their allies and their political
    donors. If the President doesn’t fix this incompetence, the consequences for our national
    security, our economic security, will be devastating. 

    Now, I’ll yield to the Ranking Member on Intelligence, Jim Himes.

    RANKING MEMBER HIMES: Thanks, Pete, and good morning. The White House Press Secretary’s efforts notwithstanding to sweep this scandal under the carpet, there is a lot of work yet to be done. 

    Since we learned about the disclosures from Jeffrey Goldberg in the Atlantic, the story has, of course, gotten larger. We hear press reports that an allied country provided targeting information and that they were pretty upset about the disclosure of that information. That is something that we need to follow up on, and we still, at this point, as the entity charged with oversight of these things, have no accounting of the breach other than what we’ve gotten from Jeffrey Goldberg at the Atlantic. Now, I know that Mr. Goldberg was being very, very careful in what information he put out there. So, at this moment, we don’t even know what information was in the Signal chat. So again, the White House Press Secretary’s efforts notwithstanding. The law requires the Director of National Intelligence to undertake an investigation and to report that investigation, the results of that investigation to the Senate and the House Intelligence Committee. Needless to say, we have seen nothing. 

    We the Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee issued a letter yesterday asking those questions and asking for an investigation, a real investigation—not something that the White House Press Secretary cooks up out of thin air—with those results reported to the Intelligence Committees, as the law would dictate. And I’ll just point out before handing this over to the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, it’s not just the law. It’s what anyone else associated with the Department of Defense or with the intelligence community would see done if they, in fact, were putting extremely sensitive information that should have been classified if it was not on an unclassified Signal chat here. There would have been a stand down. There would have been a full investigation. The results and the damage of that, of that act would have been reported, and there would have been accountability. This Administration has dodged every single one of those steps, starting with an attack on Jeffrey Goldberg of the Atlantic, who didn’t even ask to be put on the Signal chat. So, the message being sent by this, both inside the Pentagon, from four star officers down to privates, or inside the intelligence community, from the senior intelligence service right on down to the recruit, is that you have to play by one set of rules, but our senior most people play by an entirely different set of rules, and that is not something that we can tolerate in either the DOD or the intelligence community. 

    So, we will be following up here to make sure that this story is reported to the Congress, that the full damage or potential damage associated with this Signal chat is out there and that accountability is ultimately visited. With that, let me hand over to Ranking Member Smith at the House Armed Services Committee.

    RANKING MEMBER SMITH: Thank you very much. I completely agree with everything Jim just said. I’ll just add three quick points. 

    One big concern we have on the Armed Services Committee, what is the policy going forward? Because obviously the action on the Signal chat is bad in a thousand different ways that Jim outlined fairly well. But worse is the fact that the Secretary of Defense and everybody else associated is saying, “There’s nothing to see here, there’s nothing wrong,” which clearly implies that they’re just going to keep doing it this way. So, what we really want to know is, what happened? How did you screw up? And how are you going to fix it? Because make no mistake about it, this is a very, very dangerous thing to do, to be giving out attack plans, the time, the weapons you’re going to use and the targets you’re going to hit in advance of that attack. I don’t know why we’re having a conversation about why that is bad. What are they going to do to fix it? Right now, the answer is nothing. So, I still think that the House Armed Services Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee should have a hearing. Ideally, Secretary Hegseth should come over and talk to us. But somebody from DOD should come over and explain what they’re going to do to make sure that OPSEC actually is something that they care about, that they’re going to fix going forward. 

    Second, this speaks to a larger problem of the overall competence and experience of the national security team. Just about anyone who’s ever been involved in an operation like this would have said, “Why are we having this conversation on a Signal chat?” But the people on that Signal chat, none of them have really had that experience, with the possible exception of Mike Waltz. Also worth noting, no senior uniform was on that call. That’s what happens when you fire the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and you don’t have one. So, we’re really concerned about the overall competence of the national security team. 

    The third point that has been lost in all of this, one of the justifications offered by Secretary Hegseth and by Mr. Waltz, was, “Hey, but the mission was a spectacular success. So, what are we looking at?” Was the mission a spectacular success? We don’t even really know at this point. And this is an ongoing campaign. We are now 17,18 days into the bombing campaign. And please understand, the mission wasn’t to blow some things up and kill a bunch of Houthis. The mission is to reopen the Red Sea to shipping, and the Red Sea is no more open today than it was 18 days ago when this campaign started. So again, getting to the competence of the national security team. If they think the mission has been accomplished, it appears they don’t even know what the mission is. 

    So, we should start asking some questions about what they’re trying to accomplish in Yemen going forward. With that, I’m pleased to yield to a Member of the Armed Services Committee and the Intelligence Committee, Ms. Houlahan. 

    REP. HOULAHAN: Thank you, Chairman. Thank you very much for the opportunity to talk to you about this very important issue.

    I want to pause for a moment and imagine a world where the Director of the FBI yells at a Member of Congress that his organization is the one that calls balls and strikes, defying Congress’s constitutional obligation for oversight, and in the process, also refusing to investigate. Imagine a world where the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency berates Members of Congress, specifically Democrats, that they don’t care about national security because they dared to ask him questions about a significant leak of information, a significant breach of classified data. Imagine a world where the Secretary of Defense shares information on an unclassified channel, that was arguably top-secret information and had to do as the Chairman said with targeting information, with timing and with weaponry. This is a channel that his own agency said should not be used because it was compromised or possibly compromised. 

    So, the problem is with this, we don’t have to imagine because this is reality. This is an unimaginable world that we are in, but it is the reality that we have found ourselves in today. And the only hope that I have, which I echo the Chairmen who have spoken before me, is that in this world, that the Director of National Intelligence has committed to following the law, which would allow opening an investigation into this, so that we can imagine a world where people are contrite, where people are non-partisan, where people work for the people, where people are true leaders and have the same rules that the people that they lead have, and where they hold themselves accountable. So, this is the world that I hope that we can live in. And this is the world that we demand because it’s the only world in which we will be safe.

    So, today, as many of my colleagues have already done, I call once again on the Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, to fulfill that commitment that she made to me last Wednesday, a commitment to follow the law and to conduct an independent investigation into what is a significant unauthorized disclosure of compromised information. I want them to stop gaslighting us and the American public. I want them to stop distracting us and the American public, and to stop playing us for fools and hoping that Americans don’t catch on. 

    Follow the law. Do your job. Uphold the oath that we uphold, as well, that we took to this nation. The world and we are watching. And I thank the opportunity to speak, and I turn back over to the Chairman for any questions that you might have. 

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

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nashville Man Charged with Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm After Allegedly Pointing a Stolen Rifle at Police

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NASHVILLE – Isaiah Taivon Newsom a/k/a Isaiah Taivon Porterfield, 25, of Nashville, has been charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee.

    “Dangerous felons who possess firearms and put police officers at risk will face swift justice,” said Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire. “We will not tolerate potential violence against first responders and will seek full accountability for those putting our first responders in danger.”

    According to court documents, on March 25, 2025, detectives with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department were conducting covert surveillance near an address on Nashboro Boulevard. Detectives were parked in their unmarked police vehicles in several different areas of the apartment complex. One detective observed three people walk out of the breezeway near unit B, with one, later identified as Newsom, carrying what appeared to be a rifle.

    As they walked through the apartment complex, Newsom walked about fifteen feet away from another detective’s unmarked vehicle, stood near a tree, raised the rifle to his shoulder and pointed it at the detective, who was still in his vehicle. As the detective relayed Newsom’s actions to the other detectives in the area and they discussed a plan of action over the radio, Newsom walked past the front of the detective’s vehicle towards the passenger side and again pointed the rifle at the detective.

    As other detectives arrived in the area, Newsom moved towards the front of the detective’s vehicle and pointed the rifle directly at the detective. Although he was in an unmarked car, the detective was wearing a tactical vest with patches indicating he was a law enforcement officer, and he was equipped with a body worn camera. The detective activated his blue lights and a short burst of the siren, as he exited the vehicle and announced himself as a police officer. Newsom and the other two people then ran from the area. Detectives pursued Newsom on foot as he ran across a field and entered the wood line. Detectives set up a perimeter and, with the assistance of a K9 unit and the Metro Nashville Police Department aviation unit, took Newsom into custody.

    Detectives searched Newsom’s flight path and located a Windham Weaponry, WW-15, .223/5.56 caliber rifle which was later found to have been reported stolen from a Williamson County Sheriff’s Office marked patrol vehicle. After being advised of his Miranda rights, Newsom admitted to detectives that he had possessed the rifle.

    Newsom had previously been convicted of two counts of aggravated robbery and two counts of felony theft in Shelby County, Tennessee. Newsom served more than seven years in the Tennessee Department of Correction for his felony convictions.

    If convicted, Newsom faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

    This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel M. Stephens is prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

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

    # # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: José Adolfo “Fito” Macías Villamar, Leader of Los Choneros Transnational Criminal Organization, Indicted in Brooklyn Federal Court on International Drug and Gun Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A seven-count indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging José Adolfo Macías Villamar, also known as “Fito,” with international cocaine distribution conspiracy; international cocaine distribution; using firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking; smuggling firearms from the United States; and straw purchasing of firearms conspiracy.  Since at least 2020, he has been the leader of Los Choneros, one of Ecuador’s most violent drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations.  The defendant is not in U.S. custody.

    John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Derek Maltz, Acting Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); L.C. Cheeks, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Newark Field Division, Atlantic City Satellite Office (ATF); and Jonathan Carson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, New York Field Office (OEE), announced the charges.

    “As alleged, the defendant was a ruthless leader and prolific drug trafficker for a violent transnational criminal organization.  By leading the Los Choneros’ network of assassins and drug and weapon traffickers and importing potentially lethal quantities of cocaine into the United States, the defendant has caused great harm to his own country and the United States, which was the destination for the vast majority of Los Choneros’ cocaine shipments,” stated United States Attorney Durham.

    Mr. Durham praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s Andean Region – Quito, Country Office, Special Operations Division-Bilateral Investigations Unit and Latin America/Caribbean Section, Joint Interagency Task Force South; U.S. Southern Command; the Government of Ecuador; the New Jersey State Police Casino Gaming Bureau; and the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations Atlantic City.  The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided significant assistance in this matter.

    “The indictment of José Adolfo Macías Villamar marks a significant strike against the violent networks that flood our communities with dangerous drugs like cocaine — a clear message that no one fueling this deadly trade is beyond the reach of justice. This case highlights the tireless efforts of DEA, alongside our partners in the United States and Ecuador,” stated DEA Administrator Maltz.  “We will continue to work across borders to dismantle the supply chain of violent, criminal networks, which underscores the ongoing need for vigilance and collaboration in the fight against drug trafficking and cartel violence.”

    “This investigation and charges are a testament to the combined efforts of law enforcement and underscores the resolve of ATF and our federal, state, and local partners. Drug trafficking and the heinous crimes associated with violent criminal organizations have an insidious impact on the public and tear apart the fabric of our communities. We will continue to use all the tools at our disposal, across the U.S. and around the globe, to combat violence, drug distribution, and the illegal sale and possession of firearms to safeguard the safety and well-being of all,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Cheeks.

    “This indictment alleges the defendant and Los Choneros illegally smuggled firearms from the United States in furtherance of their violent drug trafficking operations,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Carson of the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Office of Export Enforcement, New York Field Office.  “The Office of Export Enforcement will continue its efforts alongside its law enforcement partners to pursue those who violate export laws, wherever they may be, worldwide.”

    As alleged in the indictment, from at least 2020 to 2025, Macías Villamar was the principal leader of Los Choneros, one of the most violent and powerful transnational criminal organizations in Ecuador.  Los Choneros, in partnership with the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico, controlled key cocaine trafficking routes through Ecuador and operated a large-scale network responsible for the shipment and distribution of multi-ton quantities of cocaine from South America through Central America and Mexico to the United States and elsewhere.  The vast majority of drugs trafficked by Los Choneros were imported into the United States.

    As the principal leader of Los Choneros, Macías Villamar employed members of the organization to carry out serious acts of violence on the organization’s behalf.  At Macías Villamar’s direction, Los Choneros committed violent acts towards law enforcement, Ecuadorian politicians, attorneys, prosecutors and civilians. Los Choneros obtained many of their firearms and weapons by illegally trafficking and exporting them from the United States.  As alleged, the defendant specifically employed individuals who purchased firearms, firearms components and ammunitions on Los Choneros’ behalf in the United States and then illegally smuggled them to Ecuador.

    Moreover, in furtherance of their drug trafficking operation, Los Choneros relied on “sicarios,” or hitmen, as well as corruption and bribe payments, to ensure protection and loyalty to Los Choneros. These “sicarios” regularly used military-grade weapons, like machine guns, AK-47 assault rifles and grenades to perpetrate violence, including murder, torture and kidnapping.  Macías Villamar and the Los Choneros organization have also been sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life in prison.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section, and as part of the work of the Office’s Transnational Criminal Organizations Strike Force.  Assistant United States Attorneys Chand Edwards-Balfour and Lorena Michelen are in charge of the prosecution.

    The Defendant:

    JOSÉ ADOLFO MACÍAS VILLAMAR (also known as “Fito”)
    Age: 45
    Ecuador

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No.: 25-CR-114 (FB)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: WTW’s Towers Watson announces new Health, Wealth & Career leadership appointments

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Imran Qureshi succeeds retiring Marco Boschetti as Global Retirement Leader
    • Emory Todd succeeds Qureshi as Integrated & Global Solutions Leader, globally
    • Michelle Acciavatti succeeds Todd as North America Health, Wealth & Career Leader
    • Additionally, Rick Sherwood succeeds Acciavatti as Midwest Leader across WTW.

    NEW YORK, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WTW, a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company (NASDAQ: WTW), has today announced new appointments on its Health, Wealth & Career (HWC) leadership team following the retirement of Marco Boschetti as Global Leader of Retirement.

    Imran Qureshi will take over from Boschetti as Retirement business leader on April 2. Emory Todd will succeed Qureshi as the Integrated & Global Solutions (IGS) business leader and Michelle Acciavatti will replace Todd as North America HWC Leader.

    Qureshi brings more than 25 years of client and leadership experience to the Retirement business. With an actuarial background and extensive multinational work, he understands the environment and opportunities for organizations in the retirement space. Qureshi will continue to hold his role as WTW’s North America geography leader and sit on the company’s executive team.

    Todd, who has also been with WTW for more than 25 years, has held consultancy and leadership roles in the Work & Rewards business, served as the HWC growth leader for North America and led the company’s U.S. West region. He will bring his deep knowledge of client issues and his natural ability to make connections across HWC businesses to the IGS leadership position.

    Acciavatti, who is an actuary and has been with WTW for more than 30 years, has held client relationship manager and leadership roles, most recently as WTW’s Midwest Region Leader. As North America HWC Leader, Acciavatti will be responsible for driving revenue growth across the geography, bringing new solutions to market and ensuring clients benefit from the full value of HWC insights and offerings.

    Rick Sherwood will succeed Acciavatti as WTW’s Midwest Region leader alongside his role as North America leader of the IGS business. Sherwood will bring his track record of growing client relationships to his dual role where he will support both market growth in the Midwest and growth of the IGS business in North America.

    Qureshi, Todd and Acciavatti are based in the U.S. and will all serve on the HWC Global Leadership team, reporting to Julie Gebauer, President of Health, Wealth & Career.

    “We are grateful to Marco for leading the Retirement business into a new era that combines DB and DC services. We’ll see his legacy of integrity and intelligence in our clients’ success and colleagues’ careers for years to come,” said Gebauer. “And we are delighted to have Imran, Emory, Michelle and Rick extend their natural leadership skills, deep experience and visions for what is next to their new roles.”

    About WTW

    At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organizations sharpen their strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate their workforce and maximize performance.

    Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you.

    Media contact

    Ileana Feoli: +1 212 309 5504
    Ileana.feoli@wtwco.com

    Jamie Kilduff: +44 20 7170 3746
    Jamie.kilduff@wtwco.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Invesco Ltd: Form 8.3 – Alphawave IP Group plc; Opening Position Disclosure

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)        Full name of discloser: Invesco Ltd.
    (b)        Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		  
    (c)        Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 Alphawave IP Group plc
    (d)        If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:  
    (e)        Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 01.04.2025
    (f)        In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 Yes; Qualcomm Incorporated

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

    (a)        Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

    Class of relevant security: GBP 1p ordinary GB00BNDRMJ14
      Interests Short positions
      Number % Number %
    (1)        Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 10,696 0.00    
    (2)        Cash-settled derivatives:        
    (3)        Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        

            TOTAL:

    		 10,696 0.00    
    Class of relevant security: Senior unsecured convertible bond XS2962835257
      Interests Short positions
      Number % Number %
    (1)        Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 0 0.00    
    (2)        Cash-settled derivatives:        
    (3)        Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        

            TOTAL:

    		 0 0.00    

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    (b)        Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:  
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:  

    3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
           

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit
             

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
                   

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit
             

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)
           

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
     

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)        the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)        the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
     

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 02.04.2025
    Contact name: Philippa Holmes
    Telephone number*: +441491417447

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    *If the discloser is a natural person, a telephone number does not need to be included, provided contact information has been provided to the Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why AI can’t take over creative writing

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By David Poole, Professor Emeritus of Computer Science, University of British Columbia

    A large language model tries to generate what a random person who had produced the previous text would produce. (Shutterstock)

    In 1948, the founder of information theory, Claude Shannon, proposed modelling language in terms of the probability of the next word in a sentence given the previous words. These types of probabilistic language models were largely derided, most famously by linguist Noam Chomsky: “The notion of ‘probability of a sentence’ is an entirely useless one.”

    In 2022, 74 years after Shannon’s proposal, ChatGPT appeared, which caught the attention of the public, with some even suggesting it was a gateway to super-human intelligence. Going from Shannon’s proposal to ChatGPT took so long because the amount of data and computing time used was unimaginable even a few years before.

    ChatGPT is a large language model (LLM) learned from a huge corpus of text from the internet. It predicts the probability of the next word given the context: a prompt and the previously generated words.

    ChatGPT uses this model to generate language by choosing the next word according to the probabilistic prediction. Think about drawing words from a hat, where the words predicted to have a higher probability have more copies in the hat. ChatGPT produces text that seems intelligent.

    There is a lot of controversy about how these tools can help or hinder learning and practising creative writing. As a professor of computer science who has authored hundreds of works on artificial intelligence (AI), including AI textbooks that cover the social impact of large language models, I think understanding how the models work can help writers and educators consider the limitations and potential uses of AI for what might be called “creative” writing.

    LLMs as parrots or plagiarists

    It’s important to distinguish between “creativity” by the LLM and creativity by a human. For people who had low expectations of what a computer could generate, it’s been easy to assign creativity to the computer. Others were more skeptical. Cognitive scientist Douglas Hofstadter saw “a mind-boggling hollowness hidden just beneath its flashy surface.”

    Linguist Emily Bender and colleagues described the language models as stochastic parrots, meaning they repeat what is in the data they were trained on with randomness. To understand this, consider why a particular word was generated. It’s because it has a relatively high probability, and it has a high probability because a lot of text in the training corpus used that word in similar contexts.

    Selecting a word according to the probability distribution is like selecting text with a similar context and using its next word. Generating text from LLMs can be seen as plagiarism, one word at a time.

    The creativity of a human

    Consider the creativity of a human who has ideas they want to convey. With generative AI, they put their ideas into a prompt and the AI will produce text (or images or sounds). If someone doesn’t care what is generated, it doesn’t really matter what they use as a prompt. But what if they do care about what is generated?

    An LLM tries to generate what a random person who had written the previous text would produce. Most creative writers do not want what a random person would write. They want to use their creativity, and may want a tool to produce what they would write if they had the time to produce it.

    LLMs don’t typically have a large corpus of what a particular author has written to learn from. The author will undoubtedly want to produce something different. If the output is expected to be more detailed than the input, the LLM has to make up details. These may or may not be what the writer intended.

    Most creative writers do not want what a random person would write, but to use their creativity.
    (Shutterstock)

    Some positive uses of LLMs for creative writing

    Writing is like software development: Given an idea of what is wanted, software developers produce code (text in a computer language) analogously to how writers produce text in a natural language. LLMs treat writing code and writing natural language text the same way; the corpus each LLM is trained on contains both natural language and code. What’s produced depends on the context.

    Writers can learn from the experience of software developers. LLMs are good for small projects that have been done previously by many other people, such as database queries or writing standard letters. They are also useful for parts of larger projects, such as a pop-up box in a graphical user interface.

    If programmers want to use them for bigger projects, they need to be prepared to generate multiple outputs and edit the one that is closest to what is intended. The problem in software development has always been specifying exactly what is wanted; coding is the easy part.

    Generating good prompts

    How to generate good prompts has been advocated as an art form called “prompt engineering.” Proponents of prompt engineering have suggested multiple techniques that improve the output of current LLMs, such as asking for an outline and then asking for the text based on the original prompt augmented with the outline.

    Another is to ask the LLM to show its reasoning steps, as in so-called chain of thought. The LLM outputs don’t just the answer a question, but explains the steps that could be taken to answer it. The LLM uses those steps as part of its prompt to get its final answer.

    Proponents of prompt engineering propose techniques that improve the output of current LLMs.
    (Shutterstock)

    Such advice is bound to be ephemeral. If some prompt-engineering technique works, it will be incorporated into a future release of the LLM, so that the effect happens without the need for the explicit use of the technique. Recent models that claim to reason have incorporated such step-by-step prompts.

    People want to believe

    Computer scientist Joseph Weizenbaum, describing his ELIZA program written in 1964–66, said: “I was startled to see how quickly and how very deeply people conversing with (the program) became emotionally involved with the computer and how unequivocally they anthropomorphized it.” The tools have changed, but people still want to believe.

    In this age of misinformation, it is important for everyone to have a way to judge the often self-serving hype.

    There is no magic in generative AI, but there is lots of data from which to predict what someone could write. I hope that creativity is more than regurgitating what others have written.

    David Poole receives funding from NSERC.

    – ref. Why AI can’t take over creative writing – https://theconversation.com/why-ai-cant-take-over-creative-writing-252358

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luttrell Champions Service Dogs for Veterans with New Bill

    Source:

    WASHINGTON — Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), Chairman of Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) Subcommittee on House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC), introduced the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award grants to nonprofit organizations to assist with programs to provide service dogs to eligible veterans. This bill includes training for the service dog and extends the availability of this program to other veteran disabilities, such as blind, deaf, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), military sexual trauma, paralysis, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
     
    It is estimated that upwards of 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, and more than 450,000 service members have been diagnosed with at least one traumatic brain injury over the past two decades. As a result, these veterans suffer from alarmingly high rates of depression, anxiety, joblessness, homelessness, and substance use disorders. Far too often, they resort to taking their own lives, with nearly 17 veterans dying by suicide each day. 
     
    “Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, and we owe it to them to provide every possible resource to support their recovery and well-being. For many veterans, service dogs are not just companions, they are life-changing partners that provide independence, stability, and purpose.  
     
    “The Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act will ensure more veterans have access to highly trained service dogs, expanding support beyond PTSD to include those suffering from traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, military sexual trauma, and other service-related conditions. This is about giving our heroes the tools they need to thrive — not just survive —when they come home,” said Congressman Luttrell. 
     
    “Service dogs have a proven track record of providing lifesaving assistance to Veterans in critical need,” said Bill McCabe, Vice President of Government & External Affairs at K9s For Warriors. “The Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act will ultimately put more service dogs in the hands of Veterans with visible and invisible disabilities, allowing them to regain their independence and reintegrate into civilian life. We applaud this bipartisan effort and urge Congress to pass this important legislation without delay.”
     
    “America’s VetDogs proudly supports the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act—a crucial step toward expanding access to accredited service dogs for veterans with physical disabilities, PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, hearing loss, blindness, and more. Serving America’s heroes in all 50 states and beyond, we are honored to provide custom-trained service dogs, free of charge, to U.S. veterans, helping them regain independence, restore confidence, and Live Without Boundaries. Through our work with veteran suicide prevention coalitions like Face the Fight and by training exceptional service dogs like Sully H.W. Bush—who served President George H.W. Bush and continues his mission at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center—we witness the life-changing impact of these dogs every day. We urge Congress to pass this vital legislation and ensure that more veterans receive the support they deserve,” said John Miller, president and CEO, America’s VetDogs and Guide Dog Foundation.
     
    Background:

    • Tens of thousands of service dogs help veterans with disabilities across the U.S.
    • Service dogs assist with conditions like blindness, mobility impairments, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury.
    • The bipartisan the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act establishes a VA grant program to fund nonprofit organizations providing trained service dogs to eligible veterans at no cost.
    • Nonprofits must meet requirements, including training standards and aftercare services, and be accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or a similar organization.
    • The program aims to support veterans with disabilities like PTSD, TBI, military sexual trauma, and more.

    This legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Morgan McGarvey (D-KY)(Co-Lead), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Eleanor Norton Holmes (D-DC), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Don Davis (D-NC), David Valadao (R-CA), Greg Murphy (R-NC), Wesley Hunt (R-TX), Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS), John Rutherford (R-NE), Jason Crow (D-CO), Jen Kiggans (R-VA), Nancy Mace (R-SC), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Michael Rulli (R-OH), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Craig Goldman (R-TX), August Pfluger (R-TX), Nick LaLota (R-NY).

    Several veterans organizations have endorsed this legislation, including: American Veterans (AMVETS), Americas Warrior Partnership (AWP), American Kennel Club (AKC), American Humane, Americas VetDogs, Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), Chief Warrant Officers Association (CWOA), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Dog Tag Buddies, Elizabeth Dole Foundation (EDF), Guardian Angels, HunterSeven Foundation, Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Jewish War Veterans of America (JWV), K9s For Warriors, Lions Club International, National Military Families Association (NMFA), Non-Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Pet Advocacy Network, Retrieving Freedom, Semper K9 Assistance Dogs, The American Legion (TAL), The Independence Fund (TIF), Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), TREA: The Enlisted Association (TREA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Warrior Canine Connection, Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Feenstra Introduces Legislation to Make Pell Grants Tax-Free

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) introduced legislation – the Tax-Free Pell Grants Act – to make federal Pell Grants tax-free.

    Specifically, this legislation expands the use of Pell Grants on a tax-free basis, improves coordination with the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC), and ensures that students do not lose out on any AOTC benefits. Increasing compatibility with the AOTC ensures that Pell Grants are not treated as taxable income, even if they are used for non-tuition education expenses.

    U.S. Reps. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Mike Kelly (R-PA), and Danny Davis (D-IL) are co-leads.

    “I have long supported Pell Grants because they offer academic opportunities to our students and ensure that Iowans who might otherwise skip higher education because of the cost can pursue advanced studies. These grants are an important investment in the next generation of leaders, farmers, innovators, and entrepreneurs who will support our communities and power our economy forward,” said Rep. Feenstra. “However, current law still requires some students to pay taxes on their Pell Grants, reducing the financial support that these grants are intended to provide. That’s why I’m glad to help introduce legislation to make Pell Grants completely tax-free so that our kids can focus on their studies without worrying about the cost.”

    While Pell Grant awards used to pay for tuition and fees are already treated as tax-free income, any portion of a Pell Grant used for other education-related items like living expenses is taxed. Currently, using Pell Grants to cover tuition reduces potential AOTC eligibility and creates complications for students in maximizing their educational benefits. As a result, many students simply forgo the AOTC, leaving an estimated hundreds of millions of dollars unclaimed each year. 

    The AOTC covers up to $2,500 in annual college tuition, fees, and other education-related expenses — 40% of the credit, up to $1,000, is refundable. 

    With more than 3 million undergraduate students in the United States being parents – nearly one in five college students – access to affordable childcare can be the difference between completing a degree program or not. The Tax-Free Pell Grants Act meets this need by adding childcare and computer costs as qualifying expenses for the AOTC.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: New Permanent Representative of Guinea Presents Credentials

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    (Based on information provided by the Protocol and Liaison Service)

    The new Permanent Representative of Guinea to the United Nations, Mohamed Dabo, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres today.

    Prior to his appointment, Mr. Dabo served in his country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Guineans Living Abroad as Coordinator of Economic Diplomacy, Strategic Intelligence and International Cooperation, from January 2022 to December 2024.

    Before that, from April 2019 to January 2022, he served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, African Integration and Guineans Abroad, as Adviser responsible for diaspora and international careers.

    From October 2017 to April 2019, he served as a member of the Minister’s cabinet and Special Assistant to the Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Guineans Abroad.  Before that, from August 2013 to October 2017, he served in the Permanent Mission of Guinea to the United Nations as First Secretary and Special Assistant to the Permanent Representative.

    Mr. Dabo holds a master’s degree in political science, policies and strategies of international public action and a bachelor’s degree in political science, international relations and security defence, both from the University Jean Moulin Lyon 3, France.  He also holds a degree in law and political science from the University Lumière Lyon 2 and a degree in law from the University of Lille 2, both in France.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: New Permanent Representative of Liberia Presents Credentials

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    (Based on information provided by the Protocol and Liaison Service)

    The new Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations, Lewis Garseedah Brown II, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres today.

    Mr. Brown returns to the post after a previous tenure from March 2016 to September 2018.  During that time, he served as Vice-President of the seventy-second session of the General Assembly and chaired the Assembly’s Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization).  Throughout his career, he has held several key Government positions. He served as the Government’s Chief Spokesperson in the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism. He was also Liberia’s Chief Negotiator at the Accra Comprehensive Peace Conference.

    In 2003, Mr. Brown served as Minister for Foreign Affairs.  Prior to that, he held roles in the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs as National Security Advisor and Managing Director of the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Company.  Additionally, he was a member of Liberia’s Transitional Legislative Assembly.

    Mr. Brown holds a Master of Science in management from Johns Hopkins University in the United States, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Liberia.

    __________

    * This supersedes Press Release BIO/4854 of 30 June 2016.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: HTX Crypto Gem Hunt Report #4: Amplifying Wealth Potential – HTX, a Core Hub for Early-Stage Gems

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Q1 2025 draws to a close, the crypto market is experiencing a dynamic “segmented bull market”, where various sectors are taking turns in the spotlight. Technological innovations and vibrant community engagement are driving ecosystem activity, with sectors like meme coins, Layer 1 blockchains, and AI + social platforms leading the charge. HTX, in its commitment to identifying and listing high-potential crypto assets, has recently launched the fourth phase of its popular Crypto Gem Hunt program, featuring seven carefully selected projects from diverse emerging sectors. This initiative underscores HTX’s dedication to becoming a premier platform for “quality assets and wealth creation.”

    Crypto Gem Hunt #4: A Curated Selection from Emerging Sectors

    This report emphasizes projects demonstrating significant technological advancements and robust community engagement, focusing on public chain infrastructure, Meme culture, AI + Social integration, and hardware acceleration.

    • MUBARAK (Meme Coin): Inspired by Arab cultural themes, MUBARAK, also known as “White Cloth,” is a community-managed project on the BSC network. Following its listing on HTX, MUBARAK surged 66% from $0.1, fueled by Binance Chain’s popularity and strong community momentum.
    • XION (Public Chain): A Layer 1 blockchain optimized for consumer applications, XION delivers a seamless user experience through its innovative Chain Abstraction infrastructure. In its initial week post-launch, XION achieved a 116% increase and garnered over $1 billion in capital support, with an accelerator program driving significant ecosystem expansion.
    • KAITO (AI + Social): Leveraging AI, this crypto information distribution platform is constructing an interoperable InfoFi layer, creating a new “attention economy” that connects creators, users, and brands. Real-time data and semantic analysis facilitate informed investor decisions, resulting in a 99% increase following its launch on HTX.
    • SOLAYER (Hardware Accelerator): Leading with a 153% increase, SOLAYER demonstrates the impact of technological innovation on Solana ecosystem expansion, attracting substantial institutional capital. Solayer is developing infiniSVM, a hardware-accelerated SVM designed to infinitely scale Solana, utilizing a multi-execution cluster architecture connected via SDN and RDMA and achieving 100 Gbps with atomic state integrity.
    • BERA (Public Chain): Berachain, a high-performance EVM public chain, operates on a Proof of Liquidity consensus (PoL) mechanism. This innovative approach coordinates network incentives. The governance token BGT saw a nearly 95% increase post-launch, with an ecosystem incentive plan mobilizing billions in liquidity, establishing Berachain as a key player in the public chain space.

    Furthermore, established meme coins have also performed well. MEW (CAT IN DOGS WORLD), a standout token, doubled in price, driven by strong community consensus and sustained liquidity growth.PEPE, an OG-level Meme coin on the Ethereum network, inspired by the Pepe the Frog internet meme, also saw a substantial 77% increase.

    HTX’s Competitive Edge: Key Features for Wealth Growth

    In the fast-paced crypto market, securing promising assets early is crucial for investor success. To empower investors, HTX offers access to promising assets through its “Crypto Gem Hunt” program, providing “easy-access, high-potential” picks based on expert market trend analysis and a rigorous selection process.

    • Unmatched Price Discovery: HTX offers early access to high-growth assets, exemplified by MEW in phase four, where users could acquire the token at a $0.0016 floor.
    • Strategic Sector Selection: HTX prioritizes listing leading projects in trending sectors like AI-related meme coins and Layer 1 blockchains, providing users with a significant first-mover advantage.
    • Secure Trading Environment: HTX ensures user asset safety through robust risk control measures and Merkle Tree-based Proof of Reserves, consistently maintained above 100%, enabling them to confidently capitalize on market opportunities.

    HTX remains dedicated to identifying and listing high-potential assets in their early stages. As emerging sectors like AI, DePIN, and RWA continue to evolve, the HTX Crypto Gem Hunt program will further refine its asset selection strategy. HTX is committed to listing high-potential assets, supported by comprehensive analysis and detailed market evaluations, to provide users with early access to future industry-leading projects at minimal cost. Follow the HTX Crypto Gem Hunt program to turn market insights into wealth!

    About HTX

    Founded in 2013, HTX has evolved from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, incubation, and other businesses.

    As a world-leading gateway to Web3, HTX harbors global capabilities that enable it to provide users with safe and reliable services. Adhering to the growth strategy of “Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance,” HTX is dedicated to providing quality services and values to virtual asset enthusiasts worldwide.

    To learn more about HTX, please visit HTX Square or https://www.htx.com/, and follow HTX on X, Telegram, and Discord.

    For further inquiries, please contact Ruder Finn Asia glo-media@htx-inc.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by HTX. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cacad863-1d1a-41a5-9c61-4c786a100c54

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dcb9b2f4-0cb2-440e-855e-e3b145feb7c1

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: WISeKey, OISTE Foundation, Abraham House (AbrahamID.Com), and GFLI Announce Major Milestone in Landmark Global Initiative to Deliver Digital Identity to Over One Billion People

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WISeKey, OISTE Foundation, Abraham House (AbrahamID.Com), and GFLI Announce Major Milestone in Landmark Global Initiative to Deliver Digital Identity to Over One Billion People

    New York | April 2, 2025 – WISeKey International Holding (“WISeKey” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: WKEY; SIX: WIHN), in collaboration with the OISTE Foundation, Abraham House, and the Global Financial Literacy Initiative (GFLI), today announced significant progress in the global AbrahamID.com initiative, a groundbreaking humanitarian technology project aimed at providing secure digital identities to more than one billion unbanked and underserved individuals worldwide.

    See more information by visiting this video – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MXJSQmftxPGo_Yc47R-7_i07km5Ldvkl/view?usp=drivesdk.

    This transformative initiative was first introduced at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2025, where it received global media coverage, including features in the Financial Times and other leading international outlets. It will be officially launched tomorrow in New York during the Partners for Prosperity Summit, an event hosted by FinFit in collaboration with Salary Finance, and powered by SHINE at Harvard. The summit is not just a gathering—it is a global catalyst for systems-level change, bringing together innovators, policy-makers, philanthropists, and technologists committed to reshaping the future of inclusion, equity, and prosperity.

    At the heart of this announcement is the launch of the AbrahamID.com platform, now live and operational. Through this secure digital portal, individuals from every corner of the globe can create their verified digital identity, opening the door to critical services and opportunities that were previously out of reach. These include access to financial services, healthcare, education, employment, voting systems, and social safety nets, especially in regions where individuals lack official documentation or access to banking systems.

    Built on WISeKey’s WISeID platform and underpinned by the OISTE Foundation’s global cryptographic Root of Trust, the platform utilizes cutting-edge blockchain, AI, and post-quantum cryptography to ensure data integrity, privacy, and cross-border interoperability. These identities are tamper-proof, privacy-respecting, and legally recognized—making them suitable for use by individuals, NGOs, and governments in both the physical and digital domains.

    This initiative directly supports multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). By addressing the fundamental right to identity and financial access, the AbrahamID project lays the foundation for social and economic inclusion at an unprecedented scale.

    The platform is especially transformative for marginalized populations—refugees, displaced persons, women in rural communities, youth in informal labor markets, and migrant workers—who often remain invisible to formal systems due to the lack of identification. AbrahamID offers these individuals a secure and portable identity solution that is lightweight, mobile-compatible, and functional even in low-bandwidth environments.

    To complement the digital infrastructure, the initiative integrates the work of the Global Financial Literacy Initiative (GFLI), co-founded by James Rosebush and Daniel Shakhani. GFLI provides practical, culturally relevant financial education to empower individuals with the tools to manage money, plan for the future, and break free from poverty. Combined with digital identity, this dual approach equips individuals not just with access, but with the agency and knowledge to fully engage in today’s digital economy.

    “Digital identity is the gateway, but financial literacy is the roadmap,” said James Rosebush, a globally recognized financial advisor, author, and former senior advisor to President Ronald Reagan. “Together, they enable people to not just survive—but thrive. We’re proud to contribute to this historic effort that bridges technology and humanity.”

    Daniel Shakhani, co-founder of Abraham House, emphasized the moral urgency behind the mission. “As the world becomes more digitized, millions are being left behind. Without identity, people are denied opportunity, justice, and dignity. Abraham House exists to bring together the world’s most forward-thinking minds and ensure innovation serves humanity equitably. This partnership with WISeKey and GFLI is about impact at scale—driving global justice, economic empowerment, and digital inclusion.”

    Co-founded by Shakhani and Jennifer de Broglie, Abraham House serves as a global convener dedicated to solving systemic humanitarian challenges through collaboration, diplomacy, and entrepreneurship. With the AbrahamID.com platform now active, this vision is being brought to life as a real-time, scalable solution for peace and prosperity.

    The technology behind this initiative—WISeID—offers not just a tool for access, but a framework for trusted, ethical, and future-proof digital citizenship. Legally binding digital signatures, encrypted communications, and post-quantum protections ensure that even the most vulnerable individuals are shielded from rising cybersecurity threats and misuse of AI. In an age where identity fraud, digital surveillance, and algorithmic bias disproportionately affect underserved populations, this platform provides digital dignity and control over personal data.

    The range of immediate applications is vast and deeply impactful. Migrant workers can receive secure remittances, patients can access healthcare records, students can register for education, and entrepreneurs can apply for microloans. In fragile states and diaspora communities, digital identity can also restore civic participation by enabling secure digital voting and engagement in public decision-making.

    WISeKey, along with its subsidiaries—including SEALSQ, WISe.ART, WISeSat, and SEALCOIN—continues to pioneer responsible, human-centric innovation. As a Swiss-based global technology leader, WISeKey is committed to embedding trust, privacy, and resilience at the core of digital ecosystems, working toward a future where technology uplifts, protects, and empowers every person.

    Governments, NGOs, corporations, and individuals are now invited to join this global movement by visiting www.AbrahamID.com, where they can register identities, support deployments, and become part of the mission to digitally and financially empower over one billion people.

    #AbrahamID #DigitalDignity #OneBillionStrong #FinancialInclusion #IdentityForAll #TechForGood #SDGs #WISeID #OISTE #AbrahamHouse #GFLI #DigitalInclusion #HumanCentricAI

    About Abraham House
    Abraham House is a global organisation dedicated to fostering peace, collaboration, and innovation. It unites individuals and organisations to address global challenges and deliver tangible benefits for future generations.

    About the Global Financial Literacy Initiative (GFLI)
    Founded by James Rosebush and Daniel Shakhani, GFLI is a UK-registered charity under Kingdom Network and a 501(c)(3) organisation in the United States. It partners with leading organisations to drive financial literacy and stability at scale.

    About WISeKey

    WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions, and (v) SEALCOIN AG which focuses on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform.

    Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and people. For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its subsidiary companies, please visit www.wisekey.com.

    Disclaimer
    This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”), the FinSa’s predecessor legislation or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey.

    Press and Investor Contacts

    WISeKey International Holding Ltd
    Company Contact: Carlos Moreira
    Chairman & CEO
    Tel: +41 22 594 3000
    info@wisekey.com     		 WISeKey Investor Relations (US) 
    The Equity Group Inc.
    Lena Cati
    Tel: +1 212 836-9611
    lcati@equityny.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Invesco Ltd: Form 8.3 – Qualcomm Incorporated; Opening Position Disclosure

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1. KEY INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Full name of discloser: Invesco Ltd.  
    (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
    The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		    
    (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
    Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 Qualcomm Incorporated  
    (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:    
    (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken:
    For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 01.04.2025  
    (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
    If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 Alphawave IP Group plc  
       
    2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.  
    (a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)  
       
    Class of relevant security: USD 0.0001 common US7475251036  
      Interests Short Positions  
      Number % Number %  
    (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 32,469,980 2.93 6,705 0.00  
    (2) Cash-settled derivatives:          
    (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:          
      Total 32,469,980 2.93 6,705 0.00  
       
       
    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    		  
       
       
    (b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)  
       
    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:    
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:    
       
    3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    		  
    (a) Purchases and sales  
       
    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit  
    USD 0.0001 common US7475251036 Purchase 2,386 151.40 USD  
    USD 0.0001 common US7475251036 Purchase 2,929 152.49 USD  
    USD 0.0001 common US7475251036 Purchase 269 152.50 USD  
    USD 0.0001 common US7475251036 Purchase 888 153.05 USD  
    USD 0.0001 common US7475251036 Sale 591 153.05 USD  
    USD 0.0001 common US7475251036 Sale 33 152.90 USD  
    USD 0.0001 common US7475251036 Short Sale 59 151.58 USD  
       
    (b) Cash-settled derivative transactions  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. CFD Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit  
               
       
    (c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)
     
    (i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying
     
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
                   
       
    (ii) Exercise  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit  
               
       
    (d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)  
                 
    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable)  
             
       
    4. OTHER INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements  
       
    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
    (b) Agreements, arrangements, or understandings relating to options or derivatives  
       
    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
       
    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO  
       
    Date of disclosure 02.04.2025
    Contact name Philippa Holmes
    Telephone number +441491417447
     

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King Cosponsors Effort to Repeal Anti-Voter Executive Order

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) joined his colleagues on legislation that would defend voting rights for all Americans. The Defending America’s Future Elections Act would repeal an Executive Order (EO) that instructs the federal government to review voter registration lists and inserts the federal government into each state’s voting process to prosecute election crimes in states the White House believes are not in compliance with federal law. If implemented, the burdensome voter documentation requirements in the executive order would likely disenfranchise millions of eligible American voters.
    In addition to repealing the executive order, the legislation prevents any federal funds from being transferred to or used by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to access state voter registration lists, records concerning voter list maintenance activities, federal databases, or other public or private state records related to federal elections. This provision is important because the EO provides DOGE with subpoena power to pursue this data, which could be used to purge eligible voters from state voter rolls. Noncitizen voting is already a federal crime and incredibly rare, with an analysis of Heritage Foundation data identifying only 68 such cases out of nearly 2 billion votes cast over four decades.
    “Since its ratification in 1788, the U.S. Constitution has guided America’s system of government and has been the blueprint for freedom and democracy around the globe,” Senator King said. “The continued success of our unique experiment in self-government relies on each successive generation understanding our shared past, national values, and the framers’ careful – though imperfect – work. If we truly want a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, we must make sure the people have the tools and perspective needed to play their part. The Defending America’s Future Elections Act would ensure that the people can continue to vote for the elected officials that they believe best represent their interests. Not only is this Executive Order illegitimate, it’s also inefficient – there are laws and election boards already in place to maintain the sanctity of the vote.”
    Joining King on the legislation are Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jack Reed (D-RI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
    Senator King has long championed increasing civic engagement and historical literacy, especially among younger Americans. As a former member of the Senate Rules Committee, he previously introduced a bipartisan bill, the Civics Secure Democracy Act, which would make a $1 billion annual investment in civics and history at K-12 and higher education institutions across the country. He also introduced bipartisan legislation to designate a National High School Seniors Voter Registration Day to encourage school districts nationwide to help high school seniors register to vote.
    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: April 2nd, 2025 Heinrich Slams Trump Plan to Sell Off Americans’ Public Lands to Pay for Tax Handouts to Billionaires

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement after E&E reported that the Trump Administration is considering selling off America’s public lands to pay for tax cuts for billionaires: 
    “For weeks, the Trump Administration has covertly laid the foundation to sell off Americans’ public lands to fund tax handouts for billionaire donors. Now, Republicans’ plans are out in the open. 
    “If they succeed, Donald Trump and Elon Musk will sell off your right to access the places you know and love: The place you first learned to fish or harvested your first elk. The campground your family goes to on long weekends. The trail you hike to clear your head. The site that was sacred to your ancestors and is now sacred to you. All of these places could be up for auction to the highest bidder if Republicans have their way.  
    “For Americans wondering what we can do to stop this: Call your members of Congress. Call the White House. Make it clear to the President himself just how unpopular these attacks on our American birthright are. Public lands belong in public hands.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New trial awards quota to fishers delivering sustainability and growth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    New trial awards quota to fishers delivering sustainability and growth

    UK fishers demonstrating environmental, social, and economic benefits from quota use to be awarded additional quota.

    UK fishers demonstrating how they will deliver environmental, social, and economic benefits will be awarded with additional quota this week.

    Following last year’s successful pilot, the 2025 Quota Application Mechanism trial has been expanded to include English non-sectoral over-10-metre vessels alongside producer organisations with English members.

    Around 8,658.8 tonnes of quota will be awarded to applicants who scored highest against the environmental, social, and economic criteria based on how they will use the additional allocation.

    Measures to be rewarded include:

    • investments in improved fishing gear, reducing environmental impacts while enhancing selectivity to minimize unwanted catches;
    • acoustic deterrents to help protect vulnerable marine wildlife by preventing accidental entanglement in fishing gear;
    • employment of local crew, strengthening coastal communities by providing sustainable livelihoods and preserving traditional fishing heritage;
    • vessel upgrades focused on crew safety and welfare to ensure that fishing remains a viable career with improved working conditions.

    Amongst other stocks, 535 tonnes of North Sea Cod, 1162 tonnes of North Sea Saithe, and 213 tonnes of Western Skates and Rays will be awarded to sectoral and non-sector fishers.

    Fisheries Minister Daniel Zeichner said:

    I’m delighted to see the expanded Quota Application Mechanism rewarding fishers who demonstrate clear commitments to sustainability.

    By allocating quota based on environmental, social, and economic criteria, we’re charting a new course for UK fisheries that balances conservation with economic prosperity. It’s a vital step towards building a sustainable and profitable fishing industry, as part of our Plan for Change.

    Dale Rodmell, Chief Executive of Eastern England Fish Producers Organisation Ltd. said:

    We appreciate the efforts made by the government to make a new approach to quota allocation work. 

    It recognises the efforts we are making to realise environmental, social and economic benefits from under-utilised and additional quota resulting from the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

    Paul Stone, Director of Stone Marine Services (South West) Ltd, said:

    It’s really something to help diversify and enables us to free up more options and rest areas which are tight for quota, helping us to fish sustainably. It’s been life-changing to the company; it makes life easier for the crew and the fish quality is better.

    It’s nice to be recognised. As a small private company, it means a heck of a lot.

    Shaun Hayter, Director of Bubba Shrimp Ltd, said:

    Being awarded this quota will make a massive difference. It will keep us fishing all year and the crew busy. It gives other grounds a rest and makes everything financially viable.

    I’ve been really looking forward to this year and so has the crew. It’s a massive opportunity and seems like a step in the right direction.

    The quota has been drawn from England’s additional quota allocation and anticipated underutilised non-sectoral quota.

    This trial represents a significant shift from standard quota allocation methods, introducing a criteria-based approach that aims to enhance sustainable fisheries management by considering broader environmental outcomes alongside the social and economic interests of fishing communities.

    Lessons from this trial will shape how fishing quotas are allocated in the future, helping protect fish stocks and support fishing communities for the long-term.

    Further information

    The breakdown of tonnages to be awarded as a part of the 2025 Quota Application Mechanism is as follows:

    • 535.2 tonnes of North Sea Cod (165.5T of this is to the non-sector)
    • 1166.7 tonnes of North Sea Saithe (24.7T of this is to the non-sector)
    • 2830 tonnes of North Sea Herring (20T of this is to the non-sector)
    • 212.9 tonnes of Western Skates and Rays (75T of this is to the non-sector)
    • 3914 tonnes of Western Mackerel (4T of this is to the non-sector)
    • This is subject to the applicants accepting the Quota.

    Eastern England Fish Producers Organisation was awarded:

    • 369.7T of Cod North Sea
    • 1141.7T of Saithe North Sea
    • 155T of Herring North Sea
    • 137.9T of Skates & Rays Western
    • 1340T of Mackerel Western

    Humberside Fish Producers’ Organisation was awarded:

    • 2655T of Herring North Sea
    • 2570T of Mackerel Western

    As part of the conditions for receiving the quota, applicants have committed to delivering a range of benefits including:

    Environmental performance

    • Advanced monitoring technologies like remote electronic monitoring provide real-time data on fishing activities, supporting sustainable management of marine resources.
    • Investments in improved fishing gear, reducing environmental impacts while enhancing selectivity to minimize unwanted catches.
    • Participation in scientific studies to contribute vital information that strengthens our understanding of marine ecosystems and stock health.
    • Fuel-saving techniques to not only reduce operational costs but also lower carbon emissions.
    • Acoustic deterrents to help protect vulnerable marine wildlife by preventing accidental entanglement in fishing gear.

    Social contribution

    • Employment of local crew, strengthening coastal communities by providing sustainable livelihoods and preserving traditional fishing heritage.
    • Vessel upgrades focused on crew safety and welfare ensure that fishing remains a viable career with improved working conditions.
    • Engagement with local apprenticeship schemes to create pathways for young people to enter the industry, securing its future.
    • Participation in careers fairs to raise awareness about opportunities in the fishing sector, attracting diverse talent to the industry.

    Economic benefits

    • Landings into UK ports stimulate local economies through direct employment and supporting additional dockside businesses.
    • Supply to local and domestic processors strengthens our food security while adding value to catches within the UK economy.
    • Use of local business services creates multiplier effects, where fishing activity supports a broader network of maritime and coastal enterprises.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Cold Lake — Cold Lake RCMP seize drugs and guns after successful operation

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The Cold Lake RCMP General Investigations Section (GIS) have concluded a long-term drug trafficking investigation in Cold Lake and surrounding area dubbed Project K-NANOSECOND. With the assistance of the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) in Lloydminster and Edmonton, Cold Lake GIS embarked on an investigation into a group of individuals trafficking cocaine which has resulted in one of the largest drug seizures ever made in Cold Lake and surrounding area.

    On Feb. 25, 2025, with the assistance of Lloydminster ALERT, Edmonton ALERT, the RCMP Eastern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit, the RCMP Community Response Team in Edmonton, Bonnyville GIS, Police Dog Services, and members of the Cold Lake RCMP, Cold Lake GIS executed six separate search warrants in various locations. Three residences, as well as a commercial property in Cold Lake, were searched along with a residence in the hamlet of Ardmore, Alta. and a dwelling unit in the city of Edmonton.

    As a result of this investigation, the following has been seized:

    • Approximately one kilogram of suspected cocaine;
    • Approximately one kilogram of suspected fentanyl;
    • Approximately five kilograms of a suspected cocaine cutting agent, benzocaine;
    • Approximately $68,000.00 in Canadian currency;
    • 23 Firearms, including 4 restricted handguns;
    • A Range Rover SUV and a Ford F350 Super duty Truck.

    As a result of this investigation, three individuals have been charged:

    A 31-year-old individual, a resident of Cold Lake, has been charged with the following offences:

    • Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking;
    • Possession of Proceeds of Crime;
    • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose;
    • Possession of a prohibited weapon.

    A 62-year-old individual, a resident of Cold Lake, has been charged with the following offences:

    • Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking;
    • Possession of Proceeds of Crime;
    • Careless Use of a Firearm;
    • Possession of a Prohibited Device.

    A 33-year-old individual, a resident of Ardmore Alta., has been charged with the following offences with Trafficking in a Controlled Substance.

    All individuals were held for a judicial interim hearing and released with conditions to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Cold Lake on March 19, 2025.

    MIL Security OSI –