NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Security: Commander dismissed from Met for second time

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A Metropolitan Police Commander has been dismissed from the service for a second time for refusing to take a drugs test.

    A misconduct hearing, led by an independent legally qualified chair, found the allegation proven against Commander Julian Bennett at the level of gross misconduct.

    Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: “I am enormously concerned that almost five years since this incident happened we have only now been able to dismiss Commander Bennett.

    “This should have been a simple matter. Commander Bennett has never disputed he refused a lawful order to take a drugs test. As a senior officer who had chaired misconduct hearings, Commander Bennett was highly experienced and knew full well what was required of him, yet he made a choice not to co-operate.

    “He has been suspended on full pay for an extraordinary length of time. I am sure Londoners will be as outraged as we are at the utter waste of public funds spent paying a senior officer to sit at home suspended and not work.

    “In the last few years the Met has been making greater use of accelerated misconduct hearings to fast-track cases where the evidence is irrefutable. This allows us to dismiss officers far more quickly. And while the Met is not responsible for all the delays in Commander Bennett’s matter, we are also working hard to expedite cases and cut bureaucracy.

    “I am confident a situation like Commander Bennett’s prolonged case would not happen again.”

    Commander Bennett was initially dismissed in October 2023 by a misconduct panel independent of the Met.

    The hearing heard that on 21 July 2020 he refused to provide a urine sample for a drugs test, having been informed there was reasonable cause to suspect he had taken drugs. On 24 July 2020 he was suspended from duty.

    The panel found that Commander Bennett had breached the standards of professional behaviour to the level of gross misconduct.

    Two further allegations were found not proven – that between February 2019 and 21 July 2020, while off duty, Commander Bennett smoked cannabis, and that he gave an untrue explanation for why he refused to take the drugs test.

    Commander Bennett then applied to the Police Appeals Tribunal, which is an independent process run by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime.

    In July 2024 the PAT quashed the dismissal decision and ordered a new hearing, on the technical basis that the panel had ruled on a matter that was not part of the allegations they were asked to consider.

    The Met considered a legal challenge by way of a Judicial Review but, after careful consideration and legal advice, decided Commander Bennett should face a fresh misconduct hearing.

    A date for a new hearing was set as quickly as possible in liaison with all parties.

    Commander Bennett has remained suspended throughout this process.

    He will be added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing. Those appearing on the list cannot be employed by police and a number of police-related bodies.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEW: Trump Continues to Block At Least $425 Billion Dollars in Funding Owed to American People 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Murray, DeLauro release updated tally of federal funds Trump is freezing—hurting communities across the country  
    ***VIEW UPDATED TRACKER HERE***
    Washington, D.C. — Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, released updated information detailing how President Trump is freezing at least $425 billion in federal funding that Congress has promised to communities across the country.
    The updated tracker, which Senator Murray and Congresswoman DeLauro first made public in April, chronicles how President Trump and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought are brazenly violating federal laws and choking off critical investments that families, businesses, and local governments across America depend on.
    This update comes as Trump and Vought seek to ask Congress to rescind a small fraction of the funding they have been illegally blocking, and as Vought vowed over the weekend to continue illegally impounding funding. 
    In a statement, Senator Murray and Congresswoman DeLauro said: 
    “President Trump continues to block hundreds of billions of dollars that have been signed into law, and it is families, farmers, small businesses, and communities in every part of the country who are suffering the consequences. 
    “While he works to kick millions off their health care and pad his own pockets with new tax breaks for billionaires, President Trump is choking off funding to lower the cost of living for families, create good jobs, and keep our communities safe. 
    “This administration’s unprecedented assault on our nation’s spending laws is costing the American people dearly. Students have seen critical support ripped away, disaster survivors are waiting on funds to be unfrozen, and cancer patients are seeing their best hope for treatment thrown into a shredder. Communities have suddenly lost resources to protect people from disease, tackle violent crime, and address the substance use crisis. And all across America, people are losing their jobs as President Trump freezes and cancels investments in energy projects, cutting-edge scientific research, community service, and so much else. 
    “We are going to continue shining a light on how President Trump’s sweeping, illegal funding freeze is hurting working people everywhere.” 
    As the updated tracker details, President Trump has—through a variety of different means—frozen, cancelled, clawed back, illegally impounded, and slow-walked federal funding for all manner of key priorities. Among much else, this includes investments in:  
    Critical research into Alzheimer’s disease, women’s health, cancer, diabetes, and much more, throwing research already conducted into the shredder and setting back treatments and cures.
    Mental health services and support for students across the country. 
    Public safety, including COPS grants, Office of Violence Against Women grants, and programs to help victims of crime.  
    Relief for states and communities responding to and recovering from natural disasters.  
    Cutting-edge scientific research, which advances breakthrough innovation and boost economic development. 
    Farmers and local agriculture businesses, making it more expensive for hardworking people to run their farms and cutting off research they count on.  
    School lunches and food for child care institutions at the detriment of the farmers who rely on these local markets.   
    Head Start, with unacceptable funding lags leading to program closures and costly uncertainty for providers and parents alike.  
    Critical investments in transportation projects—for roads and bridges, airports, public transit, ports, and more—and energy projects across the country that are creating new, good jobs and lowering families’ monthly energy bills.  
    Our national security and efforts to prevent and end global conflicts.   
    Essential health services like birth control and cancer screenings for over 800,000 patients—and resources to protect people from public health threats.
    Since the tracker was last updated, a small number of funds have begun flowing, but new funds have been frozen or cancelled, as well. The upshot remains: the president is blocking over $425 billion in enacted funding.
    About the Tracker 
    The tracker offers a snapshot-in-time look at the vast array of federal funding that should be going out the door, but that President Trump—in an unprecedented scheme—is holding up or actively fighting in court to block.   
    The tracker is not comprehensive or exhaustive—but it catalogs a wide range of investments that this administration is choking off, in many cases illegally. Compiled by the Democratic staffs of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, the tracker details the minimum amount of federal funding the Committees believe the administration is currently freezing, cancelling, or fighting in court to block. It does not detail tens of billions of dollars in funding that President Trump has previously frozen but finally allowed to flow—and it cannot measure the incredible cost of President Trump’s illegal funding freezes to American families, businesses, and communities. Additionally, it does not capture the wide range of funding at serious risk of not going out the door because of President Trump’s unprecedented mass firings or the full range of fiscal year 2025 funding that has yet to be awarded or disbursed, but that should be flowing. 
    In some instances, there are programs and priorities listed in the tracker that courts have ordered the Trump administration to release—rebuking President Trump’s unprecedented assault on our spending laws. Funding for those programs is listed because the Trump administration is actively fighting in court to block it; any relief provided by the courts at this stage is only temporary; and because this administration has over the last several months—whether through intentional defiance or sheer incompetence—repeatedly failed to get funding to its intended recipients even when ordered by a court to do so.
    In addition to flagrantly violating our nation’s spending laws, President Trump and Russ Vought are also taking every step they can to hide what they are doing from the American people. Despite repeatedly vowing to have the “most transparent administration in history,” President Trump has led an administration that has systematically obscured its spending actions and the actions of DOGE, failed to provide responses to oversight requests from Congress, refused to answer basic questions from the press, taken down a key website that OMB is required to publicly post spending decisions on in clear defiance of the law, and failed to submit detailed plans to the Appropriations Committees showing how this administration is spending fiscal year 2025 funding, as required by law. The unprecedented lack of transparency and responsiveness makes tracking what funding is being blocked all the more difficult, and it remains the Trump administration’s responsibility to not only begin to follow our spending laws but to explain its actions to date.  
    The updated database, which captures funding held up as of June 3, can be found on the Senate and House Appropriations Committees’ websites.  
    An earlier version of the tracker, which captures funding held up as of April 29, is available HERE. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MYTHBUSTER: The One Big Beautiful Bill Isn’t “Bad” for Families — It’s the Opposite

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Whitehouse
    HOAX: The One Big Beautiful Bill is “bad for our families.”
    FACT: Democrats have totally lost the plot — opposing middle class tax cuts, an expanded child tax credit, border security, and more.
    They’re opposing the largest tax cut in history, which will put an extra $5,000 in their pockets with a double-digit percent decrease to their tax bills. In fact, Americans earning between $30,000 and $80,000 will pay around 15% less in taxes.
    They’re opposing NO TAX ON TIPS for the millions of Americans who work in the service industry and NO TAX ON OVERTIME for law enforcement, nurses, and more.
    They’re opposing historic tax cuts for senior citizens.
    They’re opposing a boost to the child tax credit.
    They’re opposing new savings accounts for newborns and the chance for children across America to experience the miracle of compounded growth.
    They’re opposing expanded access to childcare for hardworking American families.
    They’re opposing historic border security to keep their communities safe.
    They’re opposing expanded health savings accounts that give Americans greater choice and flexibility in how they spend their money.
    They’re opposing scholarships that empower Americans to choose the education that best fits the needs of their families.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Stansbury on Trump’s “Skinny” Budget to Congress: The Great Betrayal Continues


    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01)

    22.6% reduction in critical programs threatens millions of American lives, including critical programs for schools, healthcare, the opioid epidemic, clean water, and tribal programs

    WASHINGTON D.C. — Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) released the following statement after President Trump delivered a “skinny” version of his Fiscal Year 2026 President’s Budget request to Congress on Friday: 

    
 “Today, Donald Trump delivered his first President’s Budget request to Congress, and it should tell you everything you need to know about his priorities: that they are all about gutting vital programs over meeting the needs of the American people,” said Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01). “This is the President’s Great Betrayal once again, following on his massive tax package gutting social programs and ongoing tariffs that are driving economic instability and increased costs for the American people. Trump’s budget would gut vital programs by over 22% across all major federal programs—including those crucial to funding our schools, mental and behavioral health programs, clean water and air, and tribal programs. This is America under DOGE. And, I will continue to fight it every step of the way.” 

    Today, President Donald Trump transmitted a FY 2026 “Skinny” Budget to Congress, proposing over $163 billion in cuts, totaling more than a 22% reduction in funding for non-defense discretionary spending, representing cuts across vital federal agencies, including, among many others: 

    • $33.3 billion in cuts (a 26.2% decrease) to the Department of Health and Human Services
    • $33.6 billion in cuts (a 43.6% decrease) to the Department of Housing and Urban Development
    • $5.1 billion in cuts (a 30.5% decrease) for the Department of the Interior, including hundreds of millions in cuts to the Bureau of Indian Affairs
    • $4.535 billion in cuts to the Department of Education’s K-12 Programs and billions more to early childhood education and other programs 
    • $1.065 billion in cuts to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 
    • $2.460 billion in cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds 
       

    Among additional cuts that could significantly impact New Mexico and New Mexico’s First Congressional District include: 

    • $617 million in funding cuts to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) serving Tribal and Pueblo Nations (including $107 million in cuts for BIA Public Safety & Justice programs and 187 million in cuts to the Bureau of Indian Education) 
    • The elimination of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). which helps low-income families with heating and utility costs
    • $900 million in cuts to the National Park System 
    • Billions in cuts to infrastructure, clean energy, and Department of Energy programs vital to New Mexico’s economy.

    This FY 2026 Proposal for agency funding cuts follows on the special tax and spending package Trump and the GOP are trying to pass separately through a Budget Reconciliation package this spring. This disastrous package would have catastrophic impacts for the country and NM-01. This tax package includes $7 trillion in giveaways to billionaires and big corporations, including a $314,266 average annual tax cut for the richest 0.1 percent, funded through almost $5 trillion in deficit spending and cuts to vital programs like Medicaid and food assistance.

    Among its impacts for New Mexico’s First Congressional District include:  

    • Healthcare insurance premiums could increase by 60% – 169%  
    • 207,936 people on Medicaid could be at risk of losing health care access and benefits, including 85,960 children under the age of 19 and 22,000 seniors over 65 
    • 153,000 people on SNAP could be impacted in their ability to access benefits that help put food on the table. 
    • 216,669 children who rely on free school lunches could be impacted 
    • 15,721 students in NM-01 on Pell grants could be impacted 

    For a table with more information on these cuts, click here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Garbarino, LaLota Welcome U.S. Secretary of Labor to Long Island for Workforce Development Tour

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Andrew Garbarino (R-NY)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Long Island Congressmen Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY-02) and Nick LaLota (R-NY-01) today proudly welcomed U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer to Long Island for a workforce development tour highlighting local training programs and labor partnerships. 

    The tour began at the Local 290 Training Center in Hauppauge, where the Secretary, along with Rep. Garbarino, Rep. LaLota, and key leaders from the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (NASRCC), observed hands-on training in welding, framing, and acoustical work, and engaged with apprentices in the lecture hall. 

    Following the visit, the delegation traveled to Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood to explore the National Offshore Wind Training Center (NOWTC) partnership, a cutting-edge program preparing local workers for jobs in the emerging offshore wind industry. The group toured specialized training facilities focused on fire awareness, sea survival, and working-at-heights safety.

    “Long Island has long been a leader in workforce innovation, and today’s visit showcased the strong partnerships between labor, education, and government that are building pathways to good-paying jobs for local workers,” said Rep. Garbarino. “From apprentices learning the trades at Local 290 to advanced technical training programs at Suffolk County Community College, these initiatives are not only equipping our workforce with the skills they need — they’re also strengthening Long Island’s economic future. I thank Secretary Chavez-DeRemer for making the trip and recognizing the importance of continued investment in our skilled workforce.”

    ”Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s visit to Suffolk County and her engagement with Long Island’s blue-collar labor leaders highlight the new Republican Party’s commitment to supporting both business growth and hardworking Americans through fair wages, safe working conditions, and expanded opportunities,” said Rep. LaLota. “To keep our region competitive, we must continue investing in workforce development and modern infrastructure. In Congress, I’ll keep fighting for commonsense solutions that strengthen job training, connect workers to good-paying careers, and grow Long Island’s economy from the ground up.”

    “Long Island’s skilled workforce is thriving under President Trump’s leadership, with thousands of new jobs created since he took office. I saw that firsthand today – from top-notch training programs to the small businesses driving local growth. When we invest in skills and opportunity, we empower our men and women to build better lives. I look forward to continuing to work with Congressmen Garbarino and LaLota to advance President Trump’s America First agenda and deliver for American workers,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer.

    “The Carpenters were honored to host the Secretary and our local members of Congress, and we look forward to continuing our work together on behalf of our members and all blue collar workers across Long Island and throughout New York State. The construction industry is critical to New York’s economy, and our world-class training center ensures that the next generation of carpenters have the skills they need to be successful,” said Anthony Villa, Local 290 Business Manager, North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters.

    The visit brought together leadership from local labor unions, educational institutions, and county agencies, reflecting a collaborative effort to strengthen the pipeline of talent supporting Long Island’s construction, energy, and manufacturing sectors.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal alien sent to federal prison for trafficking over $1 million in cocaine

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    McALLEN, Texas – A 41-year-old Mexican national illegally in the United States has been ordered to prison for possessing narcotics with the intent to distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei.

    Rolando Banda-Lucero pleaded guilty Oct. 31, 2024.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Banda-Lucero to serve 37 months in federal prison. 

    At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence Banda-Lucero did not have status to be in the country and got involved in narcotics trafficking for money. In handing down the sentence, Judge Crane noted the straightforward facts of the case and Banda-Lucero’s clear role as a courier. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence.

    On Oct. 25, 2023, Banda-Lucero was to deliver narcotics in Pharr. Authorities conducted surveillance within a shopping center and observed a white work van pull into a parking spot.

    Banda-Lucero exited the passenger side of the van and provided a duffel bag over to who he thought was the purchaser. The bag contained 20 bundles which had an approximate weight of 22.5 kilograms and tested positive for cocaine.

    The drugs had an estimated street value of $1.2 million.  

    Banda-Lucero will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

    The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Garcia prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two West Covina Women Arrested on Indictment Alleging $4.8 Million Hospice Services Scheme to Defraud Medicare

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – The owner and operator of two West Covina hospices was arrested today on a 14-count federal grand jury indictment alleging she filed more than $4.8 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare – which paid more than $3.8 million on those claims – for medically unnecessary services for people not terminally ill and for paying kickbacks to marketers to procure patients.

    Normita Sierra, 71, a.k.a. “Normie,” of West Covina, is charged with nine counts of health care fraud, one count of conspiracy, and four counts of illegal remuneration for health care referrals.

    Also arrested today was Rowena Elegado, 55, a.k.a. “Weng,” also of West Covina, who is charged with one count of conspiracy, and four counts of illegal remuneration for health care referrals. 

    Both defendants are expected to make their initial appearances and be arraigned this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.

    According to the indictment, Sierra owned and operated Golden Meadows Hospice Inc., and D’Alexandria Hospice Inc., which billed Medicare for hospice services for patients who were not terminally ill during a scheme that lasted from September 2018 to October 2022.

    Sierra and Elegado allegedly worked together to pay marketers to recruit patients to the hospices, knowing that most of those patients had not been referred by their primary care physicians for such services. Those kickbacks, often referred to internally using the code words “girl scout cookies,” amounted to as much as $1,300 per patient, per month that the patient stayed on hospice service. 

    Others involved in the scheme included Carl Bernardo, 53, of Chino, who pleaded guilty in September 2024 to one count of receiving kickbacks in connection with a federal health care program and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 23. Relyndo Salcedo, 60, of Fontana, a nurse practitioner involved in the scheme, pleaded guilty on May 22 to one count of health care fraud and is scheduled for sentencing on November 20.

    Salcedo, a nurse practitioner, conducted initial assessments for the hospice and found many of the patients ineligible for hospice. But, under pressure from Sierra, who made the ultimate enrollment decisions even though she wasn’t a medical professional, and marketers such as Bernardo, Salcedo exaggerated and falsified the patients’ conditions to make them seem terminally ill. Hospice physicians then relied on Salcedo’s records to certify the patients as hospice appropriate.

    Once enrolled, those patients – who were not in fact terminally ill – rarely died, and instead were often discharged at around six months at Sierra’s direction, sometimes to her home health company or the other hospice company.

    During the scheme, Golden Meadows submitted at least approximately $3,870,642 in fraudulent claims, on which Medicare paid approximately $2,912,187. D’Alexandria submitted approximately $945,647 in fraudulent claims, on which Medicare paid approximately $894,199.

    An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime.  Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 

    If convicted of the charges, Sierra would face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for each health care fraud count. Sierra and Elegado would face up to five years in federal prison for the conspiracy count and up to 10 years in federal prison for each illegal kickback count. 

    The United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General and the FBI investigated this matter.

    Assistant United States Attorney Kristen A. Williams of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Air pollution kills 42,000 South Africans in one year. Big polluters must be held accountable

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    SOUTH AFRICA, 3 June 2025 – A new report released today by Greenpeace Africa and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) reveals a devastating and avoidable public health crisis. In 2023 alone, 42,000 South Africans lost their lives due to exposure to fine particle pollution (PM2.5), including over 1,300 children under the age of five.

    Behind these deaths lies a simple truth: polluters are poisoning our air and putting profits above people. Industrial giants, especially in the coal and energy sectors, continue to emit dangerous levels of toxic pollutants into the air we breathe, fully aware of the devastating health consequences.

    The report shows that fine particle pollution (PM2.5 — a dangerous pollutant formed by burning coal and fuel and so small that it can enter the bloodstream through the lungs) cost South Africa over  R960 billion in 2023, the equivalent of 14% of the GDP. These costs come in the form of premature deaths, respiratory illness, lost workplace productivity, and overburdened health systems.

    Communities in the Highveld region and Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces, which are home to the country’s largest coal-fired power plants and industrial zones, are hardest hit. The data makes it clear: coal is killing us.

    ‘Science is unequivocal. The air South Africans breathe is toxic, and the corporations driving this crisis must no longer be protected by silence or inaction,’ said Cynthia Moyo, Climate and Energy Campaigner at Greenpeace Africa.

    Despite mounting evidence and repeated warnings from health experts, polluting industries continue to operate without accountability. Eskom’s coal fleet, for example, remains one of the world’s largest contributors to deadly air pollution, with some facilities continuing to apply for exemptions from pollution limits meant to protect public health.

    The report also shows that aligning South Africa’s air quality standards with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines could prevent up to 33,000 deaths per year. Even meeting existing national standards could save more than 9,000 lives annually.

    “South Africa’s Constitution guarantees the right to a healthy environment but that right is being violated every day by polluters. Communities deserve clean air, not corporate impunity,” added Dr Jamie Kelly, Health Impact Assessment Team Lead  at CREA.

    Greenpeace Africa calls for:

    • an immediate end to exemptions from air pollution limits for major emitters;
    • the full enforcement of national air quality standards;
    • a bold, just transition away from coal to renewable energy that centers communities;
    • stronger transparency and access to real-time pollution data for the public.

    This report, Unmasking the Toll of Fine Particle Pollution in South Africa, is not just a call to awareness, it’s a call to action. South Africans deserve clean air and a livable future. The time to hold polluters accountable is now.

    -End- 

    Contacts

    Ibrahima Ka Ndoye, International Communications Coordinator, Greenpeace Africa, +221 77 843 71 72, [email protected]

    Ferdinand Omondi, Communications and Storytelling Manager, Greenpeace Africa, +254 722 505233, [email protected] 

    Notes to editors

    Greanpeace Africa SA Air Pollution Report

    Greenpeace Africa has published the report here.

    CREA has published the report here.

    Greenpeace Africa media assets are available here.

    About Greenpeace Africa

    Greenpeace Africa is a growing movement of people acting in protection of the environment. Our campaigns use peaceful, creative confrontation to expose environmental injustices around the world and develop solutions for a green and peaceful future.

    About CREA

    The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) is an independent research organisation focused on revealing the trends, causes, and health impacts, as well as the solutions, to air pollution. The organisation’s work is funded through philanthropic grants and revenue from commissioned research.

    About the methodology

    PM2.5 exposure 

    Human exposure to PM2.5 is estimated using the dataset of van Donkelaar et al. (2021) and Hammer et al. (2023), version V5.GL.05.02. The dataset provides estimates of annual ground-level PM2.5 by combining Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) retrievals, the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model (http://geos-chem.org), and global ground-based observations.

    Health impact assessment

    Based on the spatial distributions of the PM2.5 simulated exposure map, we then calculated the corresponding public health impacts between 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023. CREA’s health impact assessment (HIA) framework builds on earlier work (Myllyvirta, 2020) but incorporates important methodological updates. Compared to the original approach, we now use integrated exposure response (IER) functions from the upcoming GBD 2023 study (IHME, 2025) instead of the Global Exposure Mortality Model (GEMM), and we have added dementia as a new health endpoint. The framework continues to include a comprehensive set of health outcomes, selected to avoid overlap and to enable robust economic valuation.

    The full methodology is available in the report.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fort Worth Man Sentenced to 50 Years for Producing Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A 36-year-old Fort Worth man who produced child pornography was sentenced on May 30, 2025, to 50 years in federal prison, announced Nancy Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.

    Jamie Hackney pled guilty to a two-count indictment charging him with the production and transportation of child pornography in February 2025.  He was sentenced on Friday to 600 months in federal prison by United States District Judge Reed O’Connor.

    According to court documents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children issued a Cybertip to the Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) regarding images that were uploaded to Hackney’s Google account.  Through their investigation, FWPD uncovered forensic evidence of Hackney using a minor to create and subsequently transport child pornography.  

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Worth Police Department conducted the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Allyson Monte.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Police Officers Plead Guilty to Federal Charges in Connection With Insurance Fraud Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Greenbelt, Maryland – Two Prince George’s County men have pleaded guilty to federal charges in connection with an auto-insurance fraud scheme. Michael Anthony Owen, Jr., 36, of Accokeek, Maryland pled guilty to falsification of records, and Jaron Earl Taylor, 31, of Ft. Washington, Maryland, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

    Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty pleas with Acting Special Agent in Charge Amanda M. Koldjeski, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office, and Chief Malik Aziz, Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD).

    According to the guilty pleas, between August 2018 and February 2020, Owen and Taylor, who were PGPD and Anne Arundel County Policy Department officers, respectively, at the time, conspired with fellow police officers to engage in mail and wire fraud. Owen and Taylor, along with officers Candace Tyler, Conrad D’Haiti, and Davion Percy, and others, devised a scheme for insurance companies to pay out the remaining financing costs of unwanted vehicles. 

    Members of the conspiracy reported fictitious losses to insurers to obtain money or avoid paying off vehicles that were now worth less than the amount owed on them. The co-conspirators used their statuses as police officers to assist each other’s claims by writing false police reports. Then co-conspirators submitted fictitious police reports to insurers to validate the claim. The false police reports were intended to impede, obstruct, or influence subsequent investigations of the false insurance claims.

    In August 2018, Owen and Taylor staged the theft of Taylor’s Chevrolet Tahoe. After Taylor filed a fraudulent police report, Owen and Taylor stripped the vehicle and drove it deep into the woods of a Maryland State Highway property near Largo, Maryland. Taylor then made a false claim to the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) for the loss, for which USAA paid out a total of $38,670.

    Then in January 2020, Owen assisted D’Haiti in avoiding payment on the loan balance of a Jaguar XKR. In cooperation with D’Haiti and Percy, Owen devised a scheme to fake the vehicle’s theft. On January 4, D’Haiti parked his Jaguar behind Marlow Heights Shopping Center where Percy worked as police chief.

    D’Haiti then paid Percy $350 to arrange for another co-conspirator to tow the vehicle and extensively vandalize it for the purpose of creating a total insurance loss. Tyler subsequently filed the fictitious police report which D’Haiti used to substantiate his claim against Liberty Mutual Insurance. In February 2020, Liberty Mutual paid the Jaguar’s lienholder, Navy Federal Credit Union, $17,585, on the false claim.

    Additionally, in January 2020, Owen and Taylor assisted with disposing of an Infiniti sedan to help a co-conspirator avoid making further payments on the vehicle while on extended overseas duty.  The co-conspirator gave Taylor $1,000 via CashApp to stage the theft. Taylor then forwarded the money to Owen who filed a false police report with PGPD, stating the vehicle was stolen.

    In reality, Owen, Taylor, and others moved the car to the top floor of a Camp Springs, Maryland apartment-complex parking garage.  The co-conspirators attempted to conceal the car’s identity by removing the vehicle’s license plates and replacing them with different ones registered to another vehicle. Then the owner and co-conspirator filed a claim with GEICO that was eventually denied on grounds of fraud.

    Owen faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.  Taylor faces a maximum sentence of three years in federal prison if the court fully accepts the plea deal. Both sentencings are scheduled for Tuesday, September 23. Taylor’s sentencing is at 10:30 a.m., and Owen’s sentencing is at 2:30 p.m.

    U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and PGPD for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Baldwin and LaShanta Harris who are prosecuting the case.

    For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit justice.gov/usao-md  and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: The Dawn of AI for Law Firms Is Here, and Practice AI Asks Law Firms To Be Picky About What Tools They Choose

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the legal industry enters the age of artificial intelligence, Practice AI™ is urging law firms not just to adopt AI, but to choose their tools carefully. In a time when efficiency, accuracy, and client outcomes matter more than ever, the AI partners law firms select will shape their success.

    “Technology alone isn’t enough,” said Hamid Kohan, President and CEO of Practice AI™. “Law firms must partner with AI providers who understand the legal landscape and who are committed to building tools that truly work for attorneys, not just impress on paper.”

    Legal AI Is No Longer Optional, but Choosing the Right Tool Is Critical

    AI has already started to transform legal research, document review, client intake, demand letter generation, and case summaries. However, with so many options available, many law firms feel unsure about which solutions actually deliver results and which ones are worth the investment.

    Kohan explained, “There’s a difference between having AI and having the right AI. That’s why Practice AI™ and its partners are focused on solving real problems, saving time, improving accuracy, and streamlining workflows from intake to resolution.”

    Why Being Selective About AI Matters

    Practice AI™ cautions that adopting AI without a clear plan or thoughtful evaluation can result in:

    • Wasted time and money on tools that don’t fit the firm’s workflow
    • Compliance and confidentiality risks if tools aren’t built for legal environments
    • Workflow disruption instead of transformation, especially when tools lack customization or support

    In contrast, Practice AI™ and its partners deliver tailored solutions, including AI Demands™ for personal injury demand letters and AI Case Summary™ for legal and medical document analysis. These tools are designed by legal professionals, specifically for law firms.

    The Right AI Partner Offers More Than Just Software

    According to Hamid Kohan, the best AI vendors provide more than technology. “This isn’t about buying software, it’s about building partnerships,” he said. “Law firms should expect hands-on support, clear onboarding, and tools that evolve with their needs.”

    Practice AI™ recommends evaluating AI partners based on:

    • Transparency in how the AI operates and generates results
    • Experience and knowledge of legal workflows
    • Dedicated support and onboarding assistance
    • Strong data security practices, including HIPAA compliance
    • Scalability for firms of all sizes, from solo practices to larger operations

    A Call to Legal Professionals to Choose Purposefully

    As legal technology continues to evolve, law firms must take a thoughtful and strategic approach. Practice AI™ advises starting with pilot programs, gathering feedback from legal staff, and focusing on tools that solve specific pain points.

    “AI should not be hype. It should be helpful,” Kohan said. “At Practice AI™, we measure success by how much time our clients save and how many cases they can manage more effectively.”

    Looking Ahead: Law Firms That Choose Wisely Will Lead the Future

    Artificial intelligence is not a passing trend. It is a long-term shift in how legal services are delivered. Law firms that choose wisely, partner with experienced providers, and adopt tools that truly improve performance will be best positioned for growth.

    Those who rush in without a plan or wait too long to act may struggle to keep up with more agile and tech-enabled competitors.

    For legal professionals who want clarity, control, and results from their AI journey, Practice AI™ offers not only innovative tools but also experienced guidance to ensure long-term success.

    For media inquiries, please contact:
    Practice AI™
    Address: 21731 Ventura Blvd. #175, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
    Phone: (424) 476-5858
    Email: sales@lawpractice.ai

    Visit us on social media:
    Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | X.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Derry City and Strabane District Council Shortlisted for Prestigious RTPI Northern Ireland Planning

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Derry City and Strabane District Council Shortlisted for Prestigious RTPI Northern Ireland Planning

    3 June 2025

    Derry City and Strabane District Council has been shortlisted for the prestigious RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute) Northern Ireland Awards for Planning Excellence 2025 in the category of Excellence in Planning for Heritage and Culture, recognising their outstanding work on the Clooney Terrace Cannon Regeneration Project.

    The nomination celebrates the Council’s leadership and collaborative approach in transforming the historic Clooney Cannon site into an accessible, vibrant public space that respects and enhances local heritage. Delivered in partnership with the Bonds Street Community Association and Clooney All Saints Church of Ireland, the regeneration project has brought new life to a site of significant cultural and historical value in the Waterside area.

    Completed in 2024, the £215k project included extensive environmental improvements, such as the restoration of the historic Crimean War-era cannon, new seating, planting, lighting, and the installation of interpretive signage. The scheme also created a physical link between the cannon site and the adjacent Clooney All Saints Church garden through a dedicated pathway, improved access points, new boundary railings and sympathetic lighting of the church building—ensuring that both heritage assets are better integrated and appreciated by the public.  The scheme was fully funded by the Department for Communities.

    Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Ruairí McHugh, welcomed the news of the nomination:
    “This recognition from RTPI is a testament to what can be achieved through strong partnership working with our local communities. The Clooney Cannon project not only honours an important aspect of our shared history but also creates a welcoming and engaging public space that contributes to the cultural fabric of the city. We’re proud to see our efforts acknowledged at a regional level.”

    Tony Monaghan, Regeneration Manager at Derry City and Strabane District Council, also praised the nomination and the team behind the project:
    “Being shortlisted for this award is a fantastic achievement and reflects the dedication and professionalism of our regeneration team. I want to sincerely thank our staff, community partners, other stakeholders and our funder DfC who worked tirelessly to bring this project to life. It’s incredibly rewarding to see their efforts recognised in such a meaningful way.”

    Funded by the Department for Communities, with £215k contributed to the project, the regeneration has already had a positive impact on the local community and urban landscape, aligning with broader goals for heritage-led regeneration and place-making in the district.

    The RTPI Northern Ireland Awards for Planning Excellence recognise outstanding contributions to planning that create inclusive, sustainable, and high-quality places. They highlight projects that demonstrate vision, leadership, and positive impact on communities and the built environment. Shortlisted entries span a range of categories, showcasing the breadth of work carried out by planners and built environment professionals throughout the region.

    The winners of the RTPI Northern Ireland Awards for Planning Excellence 2025 will be announced at the Welcome Celebration Event on 9 June 2025, from 12pm to 2pm at Malone House, Barnett’s Demesne, Belfast. The event will celebrate innovation, collaboration, and excellence across Northern Ireland’s planning community.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Motorists advised of road closures as Summer Jamm comes to town

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Motorists advised of road closures as Summer Jamm comes to town

    3 June 2025

    The highly anticipated Summer Jamm Festival is set to return to Strabane town centre this Saturday, June 7th from 12-late, promising a day filled with entertainment, family activities, and community celebration that will transform the heart of Strabane into a vibrant hub of creativity and excitement.

    The event attracts hundreds of visitors every year, and anyone planning on going along this weekend is encouraged to plan their trip, with some road closures and diversions in place to facilitate the event. From 7am-7pm the following roads will be closed to traffic, Railway Street, Main Street, Castle Street and Castle Place. Traffic diversions will be in place with alternative routes signposted.

    Visitors are advised that streets will be busy with lots of activities taking place in and around the town centre, so motorists should use the town centre car parks, or if possible travel to the event using public transport. Please note that Canal Street car park will be closed to facilitate Cullen’s Fun Fair. Disabled parking will be available in the car parks at Canal Basin North, Railway Street, Butcher Street and in Upper and Lower Main Street.

    Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Ruairí McHugh said: “I am absolutely delighted that one of my first major engagements as Mayor will be celebrating Summer Jamm with the people of Strabane. This fantastic festival has become a cornerstone of our community calendar, bringing together residents and visitors alike to celebrate the best of what our town has to offer. There is so much happening in the town on Saturday and there will be a real festival buzz about the place. I just want to remind people that there will be some minor disruption to traffic flow in some areas, so anyone driving to the event should follow directions and plan ahead for parking.

    “This is a great day for families to come out and enjoy a wonderful summer event together, and of course the additional visitors to the town bring a welcome boost to local business owners. As your new Mayor, I can’t wait to meet people throughout the day and see everyone enjoying this fantastic celebration of our community spirit.”

    Visitors to the town during Summer Jamm are also urged to be aware of the ‘Love Strabane’ campaign spearheaded by Strabane Business Improvement District (BID).

    Chair of Strabane BID Kieran Kennedy explained: “We want to showcase the fantastic offering we have here in the town and encourage locals and visitors to call in and support local businesses. Strabane is renowned for being a hotspot for independent businesses which offers unique one-off pieces that you can’t find anywhere else so we’d encourage everyone to love local and support local on the day and we can’t wait to see the town transformed into a hub of activity and vibrancy.

    “We have an incredibly strong hospitality sector in Strabane and this year we are particularly looking forward to the evening Music Trail. This will showcase the town’s fantastic venues as visitors can enjoy live music performances in our local bars throughout the evening.”

    There’s a packed programme of entertainment planned throughout Saturday for all the family from 12noon – late, with street performances, street drumming, and circus school skills aplenty. New to this year’s event will be the Street Art Festival which features interactive selfie murals and live street art demonstrations throughout the town. Artists will showcase their talents, offering visitors a chance to engage with the art and even try their hand at creating their own masterpieces.

    The popular Bear Run ’74 Supercar is making its first appearance at this year’s Summer Jamm. Featuring an impressive display of supercars, the Bear Run will also raise funds for the Mayor’s chosen charities – PIPS Suicide Prevention Derry and The Castlederg Patient and Comfort Terminally Ill Fund.

    Families will find plenty to enjoy with the Kidz Farm petting zoo, dinosaur encounters, urban sports activities, an interactive drumming circle, and face painting. Street performers, including magicians, dancers, and musicians, will entertain crowds throughout the town centre. Scheduled performances will take place at various locations, ensuring entertainment is always just around the corner.

    The Arts and Crafts and Food Quarter will have a variety of crafts stalls to explore along with a diverse range of culinary cuisine and delicious treats to satisfy everyone’s appetite.

    The Alley Theatre will host additional family-friendly entertainment, including the FizzWizzPop Magic Show at 12noon (tickets £2), this is an interactive magical experience designed to delight children and parents alike. The Alley will also offer face painting, Barry McGowan Art exhibition, and Arts and Crafts Workshops from 12noon.

    Cullen’s Funfair will be taking up residence in the Canal Carpark from June 5th – 8th for anyone who wants to start the celebrations early.

    Keep an eye on the Summer Jamm website: www.derrystrabane.com/summerjamm and Whats On Derry Strabane and The Alley Theatre Facebook pages for further updates.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government issues feedback on local plans to reshape councils

    Source: City of Leicester

    LEICESTER City Council has today (3 Jun) received the Government’s response to its interim proposal to expand the city’s boundary as part of plans to reorganise local government.

    In December 2024, the Government announced major changes to simplify how local government will work in England. This would abolish the two-tier system of councils which exists in many areas, including Leicestershire, and replace them with larger, single-tier unitary councils. This would in turn pave the way for devolution – the transfer of more power from central government to the regions.

    The Government invited local councils to make proposals for change in their areas.

    It has now issued feedback on the three separate proposals covering Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

    Leicester City Council’s interim proposal suggests a sensible and proportionate expansion of the city boundaries to include adjoining suburbs. This would create an expanded city council and a new single-tier authority in the county. These would be of roughly equal size and would both meet the Government’s target population for new unitary authorities, of at least 500,000 people.

    The Government feedback provides guidance on how plans can be further developed into a final submission for November. No decisions have been made at this stage. 

    City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “We have now received and will carefully consider the Government’s feedback to our interim proposal and will be continuing discussions with the county, district and Rutland councils to see if we can agree a way forward.

    “I remain absolutely convinced that any realistic option for local government reorganisation in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland must address the historic accident of our city’s boundaries. An expanded city is key to unlocking devolution and boosting much needed housing development and economic growth.

    “With the local elections in the county now concluded, I hope that we will now be able to return to sensible discussions about where new boundary lines should be drawn as we consider not just the challenges but also the immense opportunities of reshaping our local councils.

    “We will, of course, ensure that people are kept informed as our proposal develops over the coming months.”

    Leicester City Council will now continue discussions with the county, district and Rutland councils to see if a joint proposal for change across the area can be developed.

    If this is not possible, the city council will continue to develop its own plan.

    All councils must submit their final proposals by 28 November 2025.

    Central government will have the final decision on a proposal, and will lead public consultation on it.

    The Government’s response to Leicester’s interim proposal is available to view online at: leicester.gov.uk/devolution

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Panama Extradites Austin Fugitive to the United States to Face Aggravated Robbery Charges

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Austin, TX – The U.S. Marshals, working with the U.S. Department of State and Panamanian officials, have returned to Travis County a man who had been sought by the Austin Police Department on an aggravated robbery warrant issued April 2, 2024. 

    Brayan Estiven Rios, 29, was wanted by the Austin police for a robbery that occurred July 19, 2022, in the 2500 block of Francisco Street.  According to the affidavit, a victim reported to have been forced into a vehicle at gunpoint and instructed to withdraw a large sum of money from her bank account. 

    In April, the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office worked together to facilitate the extradition of Rios, who was intercepted by officials in Panama.

    On May 22, Panamanian officials transferred Rios to the USMS for extradition back to the United States.  After arriving at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport, Rios was transported and booked into the Travis County Jail, where he will await further judicial proceedings. 

    The Department of Homeland Security filed an immigration detainer on Rios, who is a Colombian national and has no legal status in the United States. 

    The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Panamanian authorities to secure the extradition of Rios.

    Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Austin – 

    Austin Police Department-Tactical Intelligence Unit
    Round Rock, and San Marcos Police Department
    Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson County Sheriff’s Office
    Texas Attorney General’s Office
    Texas Department of Criminal Justice OIG
    Texas Department of Public Safety
    U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement
    U.S. DHS/Homeland Security Investigations

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Attorney Sayler A. Fleming Departs from Post

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. LOUIS – United States Attorney Sayler A. Fleming announced Tuesday that she has resigned as the head prosecutor for the Eastern District of Missouri.

    “It has been the privilege of a lifetime to lead the United States Attorney’s Office for the last four and a half years,” Ms. Fleming said. “As a federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of Missouri, I have had the great fortune of working with some of the most dedicated law enforcement professionals in the country, and I am extremely grateful for the sacrifices they make every day for our safety. They are truly heroes, and it has been an honor to have worked alongside them. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in St. Louis has for years had an excellent reputation within the Department of Justice, which is a testament to the integrity of the committed and hard-working staff. I think they are the best in the country. I would also like to thank our partners in the business community and among religious and community organizations, who were invaluable in our efforts, including the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative,” Ms. Fleming said. “I will dearly miss this job and the people with whom I have worked.”

    Ms. Fleming was appointed by then-Attorney General William P. Barr on December 11, 2020, during the first administration of President Donald J. Trump. She assumed office on December 31, 2020.

    The Eastern District of Missouri leads the nation in gun prosecutions, including carjackers, armed robbers and murderers. Under Ms. Fleming’s leadership, St. Louis became one of a handful of cities in the Justice Department’s Violent Crime Initiative, targeting the ‘worst of the worst’ violent offenders. After former St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner resigned in May of 2023, Ms. Fleming signed an agreement that allowed assistant U.S. attorneys to prosecute murder cases in St. Louis and assist that office while they made hires to replace a depleted staff. The U.S. Attorney’s Office had long been handling many violent crimes that occurred in St. Louis.

    Ms. Fleming’s prosecutors also trained local and state law enforcement in the investigation of fatal drug overdoses and the possession and sale of machine gun conversion devices. Prosecutors also trained other U.S. Attorney’s offices on how to prosecute juveniles who commit murders during carjackings or robberies.

    Ms. Fleming, who co-chaired the Attorney General’s Child Exploitation Working Group, increased the number of prosecutors handling the child exploitation cases to help keep our children safer.

    “United States Attorney Sayler Fleming has been a tremendous law enforcement partner. Under her leadership over the years, our offices have been in lockstep in our efforts to protect our community,” said Special Agent in Charge Chris Crocker of the FBI St. Louis Division. “The FBI cannot effectively accomplish our mission without the support of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The people of Eastern Missouri are safer thanks to her proactive and aggressive approach to prioritizing fighting violent crime.”

    “U.S. Attorney Fleming made a definitive impact, for the betterment of our communities, in the Eastern District of Missouri,” Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Davis said. “We’re grateful for her partnership over these past 15 years as we worked together to remove violent drug traffickers from our region.  On behalf of the DEA St. Louis Division, I want to thank U.S. Attorney Fleming for her dedicated service and wish her continued success in the future.”

    “We extend our sincere gratitude to U.S. Attorney Sayler Fleming for her steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Bernard Hansen of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “Her dedication to combating violent crime and fostering strong partnerships with federal agencies like the ATF has made a lasting impact on public safety throughout the Eastern District of Missouri and beyond. Her service exemplifies integrity, diligence, and the highest standards of public duty.”

    “Sayler Fleming was instrumental in facilitating cooperation between law enforcement agencies and helping to fight crime,” said Mark A. Mossotti, Chief of the Bridgeton Police Department and Chairman of the St. Louis Area Police Chiefs Association. “We have many police departments in the St. Louis area and she was just phenomenal in working with every single one of them.”

    “U.S. Attorney Sayler Fleming has been a dedicated partner to the St. Louis region and the law enforcement community,” said St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert Tracy. “She has played a key role in SLMPD’s mission to reduce violent crime through her office and leadership.”

    “On behalf of the St. Louis County Police Department, I extend my deepest thanks to U.S. Attorney Sayler Fleming for her unwavering commitment to justice. Your leadership has left a lasting mark, and we wish you all the best,” said St. Louis County Police Chief Kenneth Gregory.

    Ms. Fleming joined the office in August of 2010 from the Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner law firm. She had extensive experience prosecuting and supervising violent crime cases and was the office’s Appellate Chief before becoming U.S. Attorney.

    Ms. Fleming grew up in Charleston, Missouri. She received her Bachelor of Accountancy from Mississippi State University and her law degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law.

    Ms. Fleming concluded her service at midnight on Friday to make way for the next U.S. Attorney. Former First Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Drake will now assume the role of Acting U.S. Attorney. U.S. Attorney Drake joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2002 in the National Security Unit. He earned his Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Missouri.

    The Eastern District of Missouri includes 49 counties and is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, firearms and narcotics. The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lowndes County Men Sentenced in OCDETF Drug Trafficking Case

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    According to court documents, Charles Stephen Farrar, Jr., of Columbus, Mississippi, pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District to Mississippi to trafficking methamphetamine. Farrar was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Glen H. Davidson on Monday to over 11 years in prison for the charge. He was further sentenced to four years supervised release following his release from prison.

    William Lyon, of Columbus, Mississippi, also pled guilty in the drug trafficking scheme. Lyons was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Glen H. Davidson on Monday to five years in prison for trafficking methamphetamine. He was further sentenced to four years supervised release following his release from prison.

    “The sentences imposed by Judge Davidson should provide notice to drug dealers that there are consequences to selfishly peddling poison within their communities,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner.  “We are proud of the partnership with DEA, ATF, and our invaluable state and local allies at the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Lowndes County SO that has allowed us to remove illegal narcotics, and those who sell them, from our midst.”

    “Methamphetamine tears lives apart. This sentencing, a result of dedicated work by our special agents and law enforcement partners, ensures these traffickers are held accountable for the damage they inflicted on Mississippi,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Anessa Daniels-McCaw.

    “This sentencing is the result of outstanding work and coordination by our local, state and federal partners,” said Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell. “I commend the efforts of all the agencies involved for their dedication to ensuring justice is served and for their continued commitment to keeping our communities safe.”

    “The ATF is working closely with local and state police agencies to combat the scourge of deadly illegal drugs in our communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. “The sentence imposed yesterday sends a message that we will continue to focus efforts on repeat offenders so we can remove more violent criminals from our streets and keep our neighborhoods safe as the top priority for ATF.”

    The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Clyde McGee prosecuted the case.

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

    This case is also a 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.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Global Bioenergies is looking for a buyer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PRESS RELEASE

    Global Bioenergies is looking for a buyer

    Evry, 03 June 2025 – 05:40 p.m.: Despite all the efforts and discussions established over the last few months with major industrial players, the Company acknowledges that it has been unable to find strategic investors to finance the continuation of its business.

    At the date of publication of this press release, the Company has a gross cash position of 3.0 million euros. As a reminder, the 13.1 million euros in bank debt recorded at December 31, 2024 remain fully on the balance sheet, thanks to the deferral of repayments obtained on a month-by-month basis with the Company’s bank creditors.

    In view of its limited cash position, the Company is now forced to launch an official search for buyers in the form of a “pre-pack sale” as part of a conciliation procedure. The pre-pack sale enables potential buyers to position themselves for the acquisition of all or part of a company’s business and assets. Completion of the sale plan, once decreed by the Commercial Court, will be followed by the liquidation of the Company, involving the uncollectibility of all or part of its liabilities, notably bank debts, and will result in the delisting of its securities.

    Marc Delcourt, co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Global Bioenergies, explains: “As a reminder, we were unable to finance our first plant project and switched in the autumn of 2024 to an R&D collaboration project with a major international industrialist, aiming to combine its technology with ours to produce particularly competitive sustainable aviation fuels. In this context, we had to finance our share of this project until profitability was reached.

    We contacted numerous potential investors, mainly large industrial companies who would play an operational role in the project in addition to their investment. Despite several promising discussions and significant expressions of interest, we regret to say that none of these players is interested in acquiring a minority or majority stake in the Company in its current configuration and in the current geopolitical climate, which is adverse to investment in solutions to fight global warming and promote the energy transition. As a result, we are now looking for a buyer for the business.

    In the context of a business acquisition through a pre-pack sale, the proceeds from the sale would most probably not be sufficient to repay shareholders, who would then suffer a total loss. As one of Global Bioenergies’ largest shareholders myself, I am fully aware of the financial loss this will represent for the many existing shareholders.

    Other options, which would allow the Company to continue in its current form, remain theoretically possible, even if this pre-pack sale procedure is launched, but are now highly unlikely.”

    The deadline for submitting offers is July 9, 2025. The offers of the potential buyers will then be examined, and the buyer will be chosen by the Commercial Court of Evry. The closing could take place in September or October 2025.

    Interested candidates are invited to submit their offer to:

    Maître Joanna Rousselet – SCP Abitbol et Rousselet
    joanna.rousselet@fajr.eu

    About GLOBAL BIOENERGIES

    As a committed player in the fight against global warming, Global Bioenergies has developed a unique process to produce SAF and e-SAF from renewable resources, thereby meeting the challenges of decarbonising air transport. Its technology is one of the very few solutions already certified by ASTM. Its products also meet the high standards of the cosmetics industry, and L’Oréal is its largest shareholder with a 13.5% stake. Global Bioenergies is listed on Euronext Growth in Paris (FR0011052257 – ALGBE).

    Contacts

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: EyePoint’s Duravyu holds potential to become new treatment option for wAMD, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    EyePoint’s Duravyu holds potential to become new treatment option for wAMD, says GlobalData

    Posted in Pharma

    EyePoint Pharmaceuticals’ Duravyu (vorolanib) is in the spotlight following its recent advancements in its Phase III trial. The company recently announced the completion of patient enrollment for LUGANO, its pivotal Phase III clinical trial. The current wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) treatment landscape is largely dominated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors. Duravyu is expected to introduce a novel mechanism of action, offering enhanced durability and consistent dosing in the wAMD therapeutic arena, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Duravyu is a sustained-release intravitreal implant that selectively inhibits tyrosine kinase activity by targeting all three VEGF receptors: VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3, as well as the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), while sparing the TIE-2 receptor. It is being evaluated in the LUGANO trial, a randomized, active-controlled, quadruple-masked, multi-center Phase III study designed to assess Duravyu’s efficacy, safety, and durability at two dosage levels in patients with wAMD. Enrollment for this trial has been completed across multiple sites in the US.

    Data from the completed Phase II DAVIO2 trial, presented by Dr. Katherine Talcott, Vitreoretinal Surgeon at the Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, during the 2025 ARVO Annual Meeting, demonstrated that both 2mg (n=50) and 3mg (n=52) doses of Duravyu were statistically non-inferior to aflibercept administered every eight weeks (n=54) in terms of improvement in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), thereby meeting the primary endpoint.

    Additionally, BCVA and central subfield thickness (CST) were maintained over one year. Remarkably, 63% of eyes treated with Duravyu did not require supplemental aflibercept treatment for up to six months post-insertion. The treatment burden was reduced by 80% among trial participants compared to their pre-trial regimen, whereas those previously on standard care experienced a 70% reduction.

    Sara Reci, MSc, Managing Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “These findings highlight Duravyu’s potential to significantly alleviate treatment burden while maintaining efficacy and durability, a critical consideration for patients managing wAMD.”

    Key opinion leaders (KOLs) interviewed by GlobalData have praised Duravyu’s initial clinical data, emphasizing its promising potential in the wAMD patient population. They noted that Duravyu has demonstrated a level of durability that surpasses many currently approved therapies on the market.

    Reci concludes: “Duravyu shows considerable promise as a treatment option for wAMD patients and clinicians, given its encouraging efficacy, safety, and durability profiles. Should the LUGANO trial confirm these benefits, Duravyu could emerge as a leading therapy, offering much-needed durability in wAMD management.”

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Major step forward for homes on another brownfield site

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Tuesday, 3rd June 2025

    A former Stoke-on-Trent school site which has been vacant for almost two decades is being given a new lease of life as a brand-new housing estate for almost 120 homes.

    Plans to transform the former Brookhouse Green Primary School site in Wellfield Road, Bentilee, into 117 new, affordable homes were approved in April as part of the city council’s mission to ensure everyone has access to a decent home. 

    Now the authority has entered into a pre-construction services agreement with GRAHAM – and work is expected to start on site before the start of next year.

    The national company will work collaboratively with the council to ensure that homes are of high quality and energy efficient.

    The plans include a mix of homes for older people to live independently, dormer bungalows, apartments and family houses. Construction is expected to last approximately two years.

    Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration, said: “We have got a fantastic opportunity here to transform derelict brownfield land into new homes, creating new jobs and a sense of community.

    “We know people are in desperate need of new, affordable homes so I’m delighted that we have appointed GRAHAM and we are looking forward to working with them in future.

    “By working together, we’re making great strides to bring much-needed new homes to the city to ensure families can live their best lives now and in the future.”

    Councillor Sarah Jane Colclough, ward councillor for Bentilee, Ubberley and Townsend, added: “The redevelopment of this site will make a massive difference to local residents. This is a large piece of land which has been empty since the old school closed back in 2006, so I’m really pleased to see progress being made to bring it back into use.”

    The Wellfield Road site was deemed surplus to requirements in 2020. The redevelopment is being supported by a £1.8 million government grant from the Brownfield Land Release Fund 2.

    Ronan Hughes, Regional Director at GRAHAM,said: “We’re proud to be working in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to bring this long-vacant site back into productive use.

    “By delivering a mix of high-quality, energy-efficient homes, we’re helping to address local housing needs and support wider regeneration goals. This project is a great example of how collaboration can unlock social value and long-term benefits for communities.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Flower power — The Island’s summer makeover is in full bloom! 3 June 2025 Flower power — The Island’s summer makeover is in full bloom!

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    The Island’s gone floral!

    Summer planting is now in full bloom across the Isle of Wight, turning heads (and flower beds) with a dazzling display of colour and creativity.

    Thanks to the green-thumbed efforts of John O’Conner’s team, an eye-popping 24,441 bedding plants have been tucked into public flower beds across the Island. That’s right — twenty-four thousand, four hundred and forty-one. We counted. (Well, they did.)

    This year’s floral line-up includes the ever-cheerful Osteospermums, classic geraniums, playful antirrhinums (that’s snapdragons to most of us), and the bold and beautiful salvias.

    Chosen for their ability to thrive in the Island’s salty sea air, these blooms are more than just a pretty face. They’re part of a carefully curated planting scheme designed to brighten up our public spaces and support local biodiversity.

    Natasha Dix, service director for waste, environment, and planning at the Isle of Wight Council, said: “It’s always a joy to see the Island come alive with colour at this time of year.

    “The planting has been thoughtfully designed to thrive in our coastal conditions, and we hope residents and visitors alike will enjoy the displays throughout the summer.

    “We’d also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Island’s town, parish and community councils for their ongoing collaboration and support. Their commitment to floral excellence and pride in our public spaces plays a vital role in making the Isle of Wight bloom so beautifully each year.”

    And the job doesn’t stop at planting — John O’Conner’s team will be on watering duty too, keeping the blooms perky, pampered, and paparazzi-ready all summer long.

    Summer has officially landed — and it’s dressed to impress!

    Gardener’s tip of the week

    Want your own garden to rival the Island’s dazzling displays? Try watering early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation and keep your plants happy.

    Bonus tip: talking to your plants might not be scientifically proven, but it certainly can’t hurt — and it makes you look delightfully eccentric to the neighbours.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: There’s still time to enter Go CV’s win a wedding competition!

    Source: City of Coventry

    Engaged couples have two weeks left to apply for the win a wedding package with Go CV, worth over £5,000.

    The fantastic prize, which is reserved for Valentine’s Day 2026, includes:

    • A marriage ceremony hosted in the Black Prince Room at Cheylesmore Manor House (Coventry Register Office)
    • Wedding reception and buffet at Drapers’ Hall 
    • Overnight accommodation with breakfast in a Junior Suite at the Telegraph Hotel 
    • Flower bouquets provided by Isabel’s Flower Studio
    • Photographs by UR Rosa Photography
    • Social media ready content by Electric Joy Moments Content Creator
    • Brody Swain as Wedding Toastmaster at the ceremony and reception.

    To have the chance of winning this amazing prize, complete the form on the Go CV website and tell us in no more than 300 words why you deserve to win.  Entrants for this wonderful prize need to be a Coventry resident and also hold a fully validated Go CV card.

    Deadline for entries are 23.59, on Sunday 15 June 2025.   Winners will be notified by the end of June and must consent to publicity of their special day.

    Councillor Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member, Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, said:

    “Being a Go CV cardholder brings many benefits to our city residents so if you are already a member, check out to see how you can enter. If you’re not already a member, then I’d encourage you to sign up and get the chance to enter the competition.”

    “I’m sure there are Coventry couples out there who would love the opportunity to win this prize, especially as for many people, the costs involved in having a wedding or ceremony are a challenge.

    “It’s really important that we continue to promote through Go CV the amazing cultural venues and attractions we have in the city. Through the funding we’ve attracted, this is a really exciting and creative way to raise the profile of the city’s cultural assets and, of course, provide a brilliant opportunity for a Coventry couple.

    “Good luck to all entrants and I look forward to hearing more about the lucky couple.”

    Full details on what the package includes, how to apply, terms and conditions and lots more information with details about the  partners’ offers included in the prize, are available at go-cv.co.uk/winawedding .

    Tuesday, 3rd June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The FCAA Warns Consumers of Unlicensed Door to Door Sellers Offering Security Cameras and Security Systems

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 3, 2025

    The Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan (FCAA) has received information regarding unlicensed door-to-door sellers in North Battleford selling security cameras and security systems. Saskatchewan residents are reminded to only deal with door-to-door sellers licensed by the FCAA.

     All door-to-door salespeople, also known as direct sellers, are required to be licensed in Saskatchewan pursuant to The Direct Sellers Act and Regulations. They must also adhere to specific contract requirements and cancellation rules. To view a comprehensive list of licensed door-to-door sellers, visit FCAA411.

    Tips for Consumers Considering Door-to-Door Purchases

    If you decide to purchase goods or services from a door-to-door seller, consider the following tips:

    • Ask to see a copy of their licence and verify their listing on FCAA411.
    • Read the contract carefully, including the fine print.
    • Ask questions if you do not understand something.
    • Do not feel pressured to make an immediate purchase.
    • Keep down payments to a minimum; the higher the amount paid in advance, the greater the risk of loss.
    • Never hand over a blank cheque.
    • Avoid paying in cash or agreeing to services without documentation.
    • Check the seller’s rating and customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau directory at https://www.bbb.org/ or call 1-888-352-7601.

    Consumer Rights for Door-to-Door Sales

    If a salesperson comes to your door, here are some rights you should be aware of:

    • All contracts must be in writing unless the sale is less than $100.
    • All direct sales contracts must include a statement of cancellation rights.
    • You have 10 days to cancel a contract without needing to provide a reason.
    • If a contract is canceled, the vendor must refund all money received under the contract within 15 days of cancellation.

    For questions about door-to-door sellers, please contact the FCAA’s Consumer Protection Division toll-free at 1-877-880-5550 or by email at branch.consumerprotection@gov.sk.ca

    For more information about contract rights and cancellation rules, visit: https://fcaa.gov.sk.ca/regulated-businesses-persons/businesses/directdoor-to-door-sellers

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CMS Statement on Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA)

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services

    The Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) are rescinding July 2022 guidance from CMS with the subject “Reinforcement of EMTALA Obligations specific to Patients who are Pregnant or are Experiencing Pregnancy Loss” (QSO-22-22-Hospitals) and (QSO-21-22-Hospitals) and the accompanying

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 117-Units of Affordable Housing for Seniors in the Bronx

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams today announced the completion of YP Senior Residence, a 117-unit affordable housing development in the Morris Heights neighborhood of The Bronx that is reserved for older New Yorkers. The $81 million project includes 37 supportive apartments where eligible tenants will receive on-site support services. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) has financed almost 6,200 affordable homes in The Bronx. YP Senior Residence continues this effort and complements Governor Hochul’s $25 billion five-year housing plan, which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.

    “New York is committed to supporting our more vulnerable communities, including seniors who help build and shape neighborhoods throughout the state,” Governor Hochul said. “As an affordable housing development for older New Yorkers, YP Senior Residence is making the cost of living more affordable for over 100 households in The Bronx. Thank you to our partners for bringing this important project to fruition.”

    New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, “From creating record amounts of senior housing for older New Yorkers to building historic amounts of supportive housing for people who need a little extra help, we have the most pro-housing mayoral administration in New York City history. Through our partnership with Governor Hochul and projects like this one in the Bronx, we have doubled down on those efforts, delivering the housing that New Yorkers need at prices they can afford. Whether it’s individual developments like this or generational initiatives like our ‘City of Yes for Housing Opportunity’ plan to revitalize New York City’s zoning code, we are showing what is possible when government at all levels comes together to make a real difference in building a more affordable city for New Yorkers.”

    Apartments at YP Senior Residence are available to households earning up to 60 percent of the Area Median Income. There are 37 units reserved for New Yorkers age 55 and older experiencing chronic homelessness eligible for on-site support services. The remaining 80 units are available to New Yorkers age 62 and older.

    YP Senior Residence includes sustainable features such as rooftop solar panels and a Variant Refrigerant Flow heating and cooling system that captures and repurposes heat already in the environment. There are Energy Star® appliances, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation for improved indoor air quality, water-conserving plumbing, and a green roof.

    The building is designed to promote a supportive environment and socialization while combatting isolation. It is full of indoor and outdoor gathering spaces including communal lounges on each floor, a rooftop terrace, and a landscaped courtyard.

    The project’s developer and support services provider is the Volunteers of America — Greater New York. Robert Sanborn Development is the co-developer.

    YP Senior Residence is supported by HCR’s Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program which generated nearly $35 million in equity, a $20 million first mortgage bond from its Housing Finance Agency, $4.4 million from its Office of Resilient Homes and Communities’ Affordable Housing Fund Program, and $1.7 million from its Senior Housing Program.

    The project also received $6.5 million from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s (HPD) Senior Affordable Rental Apartments program, $6.1 million from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, $1 million in Reso A capital discretionary funding from the Bronx Borough President and the Bronx delegation of the City Council, and $135,000 from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

    Operating funding for the supportive units is being provided by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, administered by the New York State Department of Health. All apartments will benefit from Project-Based Section 8 vouchers administered by NYC HPD.

    New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Older New Yorkers deserve the opportunity to remain in the communities they love, and that means creating affordable apartments that provide the resources and amenities they need to live independently. This $81 million investment will allow more than 100 senior households to stay in The Bronx and offers support to those individuals who need it most. We thank Governor Hochul and each of our partners for their continued commitment to addressing the housing crisis.”

    New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, “The Homeless Housing and Assistance Program’s investment in YP Senior Residence will provide chronically homeless seniors in the Bronx with safe, affordable, apartments they can call home, along with easy access to vital support services that will help them remain housed and age in place with dignity and independence. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for continuing to make permanent supportive housing a priority in New York State, and to all the state and local partners who supported the development of this important project.”

    New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Access to affordable housing and adequate support is critical for older adults who may otherwise experience isolation, preventable illness, homelessness or even death. Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, the Department is committed to the wellbeing of all New Yorkers, and affordable and supportive housing like the YP Senior Residence will help some of our most vulnerable residents achieve basic needs for health and safety.”

    New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen said, “Housing that is affordable, accessible, and supportive ranks among the highest priorities for older adults across New York State. Thanks to Governor Hochul, New York State is addressing this need with a comprehensive plan that brings forth innovative housing models to address health and social needs at the heart of age-friendly community development.”

    New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Doreen M. Harris, President & CEO said, “The completion of today’s project welcomes more than 100 clean, comfortable living spaces to the Bronx and helps ensure New York residents benefit from the latest modern building solutions. Through the use of energy efficient appliances, ventilation, and plumbing, these affordable housing units and community spaces will improve the quality of life for many senior citizens within the community.”

    New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Acting Commissioner Ahmed Tigani said, “Older New Yorkers are often the anchors of our communities and the stewards of our shared history. That’s why, at HPD, we are deeply committed to ensuring that those who helped build and sustain their neighborhoods can age with dignity in safe, affordable homes. Today’s event is a testament to the incredible work that can happen when we work together — guided by our values and commitment to take care of our neighbors, including those who need a bit of additional support — and deliver real, tangible results.”

    New York City Department of Homeless Services Administrator Joslyn Carter said, “I commend Volunteers of America-Greater New York for recognizing that older adults face unique challenges in remaining stably housed and for building affordable, supportive housing that will allow senior residents to continue to be vibrant, important members of their community. VOA-GNY has long been a vital collaborator with DHS in addressing homelessness. Here, they are stepping up once again to serve a need and ensure that older adults age with dignity and respect, maintain or establish social connections as they leave transitional housing to a permanent home.”

    New York City Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park said, “One of my biggest priorities as commissioner has been to build bridges between the affordable housing side and the homeless services lane to create a pipeline of housing options for vulnerable New Yorkers. This project and the work of Volunteers of America-Greater New York will facilitate shelter exits and confront the issue of senior homelessness. The benefits of this residence couldn’t be clearer. We are thrilled for the tenants, who will have access to services they deserve, and we applaud VOA-GNY for being a valued partner in the effort to combat homelessness.”

    Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “Seniors are a crucial pillar of communities across New York, and we must ensure that they have a safe and supportive place to call home. The YP Senior Residence will address the growing threats of homelessness and isolation among older adults by creating 117 affordable and supportive apartments— Including units housing seniors who have experienced homelessness and building a safe, supportive environment for its occupants. I look forward to the positive change this project will bring to the Bronx and beyond, and I will continue to fight for the right of all Americans to age with dignity and security.”

    State Senator Robert Jackson said, “A society is judged by how it treats its elders — and today, we take a proud step forward. The YP Senior Residence is more than brick and mortar — it is policy made personal. It is what happens when we invest in care, not neglect; in permanence, not patches. This building says to our seniors—especially those who have known homelessness — that your journey matters, your dignity matters, and their golden years will not be lived in the shadows. Let this ribbon cutting also be a ribbon of commitment — to build not just housing, but justice, equity, and community. Congratulations to Volunteers of America and everyone who helped turn vision into refuge. Let’s keep building”

    Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia said, “Ensuring our seniors have access to safe, affordable housing is a top priority. I am proud to celebrate this housing development for the Bronx, a place where our seniors can age with dignity and independence. This is exactly the kind of investment we need to ensure every New Yorker has a safe and supportive place to call home.”

    Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson said, “Ensuring our older adults have safe, stable, and affordable housing is not just a promise, but a priority. With the completion of YP Senior Residence, we are taking a significant step forward in allowing our most seasoned residents to age in place with dignity, stability, and the support they deserve. I am grateful to Governor Hochul, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the Bronx delegation of the City Council, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for their continued partnership in uplifting our older New Yorkers and investing in a future where every generation is cared for and valued.”

    VOA-GNY President and CEO Jeffrey R. Ginsburg said, “It is an honor to help reverse the growing crisis of senior homelessness, and address the serious risks social isolation and loneliness can have on the health of older adults. We thank our partners for their generosity and collaboration, without whom the development of YP Senior Residence would not have been possible. Older New Yorkers deserve to age with dignity and independence, and we are proud to help make this possible.”

    Governor Hochul’s Housing Agenda
    Governor Hochul is dedicated to addressing New York’s housing crisis and making the State more affordable and more livable for all New Yorkers. As part of the FY 2025 Enacted Budget, the Governor secured a landmark agreement to increase New York’s housing supply through new tax incentives, capital funding, and new protections for renters and homeowners. Building on this commitment, the FY 2026 Enacted Budget includes more than $1.5 billion in new State funding for housing, a Housing Access Voucher pilot program, and new policies to improve affordability for tenants and homebuyers. These measures complement the Governor’s five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan, included in the FY 2023 Budget, to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. More than 60,000 homes have been created or preserved to date.

    The FY 2025 and 2026 Enacted Budgets also strengthened the Governor’s Pro-Housing Community Program – which allows certified localities exclusive access to up to $750 million in discretionary State funding. Currently, more than 300 communities have received Pro Housing certification, including New York City.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Cornwall — Police have a busy winter at the Cornwall border

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Between January 1, 2025 and April 1, 2025, the Ontario RCMP Border Integrity team and its partners in the Cornwall region, laid multiple charges and seized a total of $561,568 worth of contraband tobacco products. The RCMP allege that several individuals have attempted to smuggle unstamped tobacco, cigarettes, cigars and nicotine pouches which are being unlawfully imported for unregulated resale in convenience stores and other retail outlets into Ontario.

    The Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) is a joint task force made up of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and the Ontario Ministry of Finance. We work closely with our trusted Canadian and US partners to combat crime on both sides of the border.

    On January 7th, a CBSA led initiative partnering with the Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) stopped a vehicle under Section 99(1)(f) of the Customs Act and a search of the vehicle found 28 boxes of unstamped tobacco with a total of 280,000 cigarettes. Driver James Johnson (34 yrs.), from Saint Regis, QC was charged with Possession of Unstamped Tobacco under Section 32(1) of the Excise Act, 2001 and Operation while Prohibited under Section 320.18 of the Criminal Code. Passenger Dylan David (35 yrs.), from Hogansburg, NY was charged with Possession of Unstamped Tobacco under Section 32(1) of the Excise Act, 2001 and Section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) for Possession of a Schedule 1 Drug – Fentanyl.

    On January 12th, a vehicle was examined by the CBSA under Section 99(1)(f) of the Customs Act and found to contain 9,360 unstamped cigars. Nadir Khedidem (23 yrs.), from Mirabel, QC was charged by the RCMP pursuant to Section 32(1) of the Excise Act, 2001 and was convicted.

    On January 16th, two vehicles that had crossed the Cornwall border were stopped and searched under Section 99(1)(f) of the Customs Act and a total of 18 cases of nicotine pouches, for a total of 36,000 pouches were seized. Reese Hitterman-Carr (24 yrs.) from Lancaster, ON and Adam Bomberry (31 yrs.) from Akwesasne, NY were arrested and charged under Sections 155 and 159 (1) of the Customs Act.

    On January 27th, Lawrence Oakes (22 yrs) from Cornwall was arrested by Cornwall RCMP after fleeing from a secondary examination by CBSA officers at the border and striking a marked Police vehicle. Oakes is charged with Assaulting a Police Officer with a weapon, Dangerous Driving, Flight from Police and Fail to Comply to Release Order.

    In late February, a CBSA led initiative partnering with the CRTF collaborated to arrest, Robert Green (32 yrs.), from Ohsweken, ON under Sections 155 and 159(1) of the Customs Act and Section 32(1) of the Excise Act, 2001 for possession of 37,000 nicotine pouches, 7200 cigars and 1440 ounces of chewing tobacco for a total of $294,560. Green was released on an undertaking and appeared in court on May 20th.

    On February 26th a CBSA led initiative partnering with the CRTF spotted three individuals behind a restaurant in Cornwall where they were allegedly exchanging nicotine pouches from the trunks of their vehicles. RCMP arrested all three males on Customs Act charges and seized over $ 160 Thousand dollars’ worth of nicotine pouches. Nasim El Bendago (22 yrs.) from Gatineau, QC, Zahir Taskie (20 yrs.) from Orleans, ON, and Mark Wesley (24 yrs.) from Scarborough, ON were arrested under Sections 155 and 159(1) of the Customs Act for possession of these nicotine pouches. Wesley also faces charges for possession for the purpose of trafficking under Section 5 (2) of the CDSA. All three were released on undertakings and will appear in court on June 3rd.

    On February 24th, Megan Morin (22 yrs.) from Longueuil, QC was found with a total of 255 cartons of illegal cigars which was seized from the trunk of the vehicle she was driving. Morin was charged with Possession of Unstamped Tobacco, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Excise Act, 2001, released on an undertaking and was convicted on May 7th.

    In March, law enforcement seized 3,122 tins of flavoured nicotine pouches from a driver allegedly attempting to illegally import them across the Cornwall border. The male driver was arrested initially under Sections 155 and 159(1) of the Customs Act, however, has subsequently been released without charges.

    On March 8th, a traffic stop led the OPP and RCMP to an observation of a total of 2,532 tins of Unstamped Tobacco valued at over $56,000 which was seized immediately. The driver, Asiful Haque (27 yrs.) from Scarborough, ON was arrested under Section 32(1) of the Excise Act, 2001 for Unlawful Possession of Unstamped Tobacco. Haque was released on bail and is scheduled to appear in court on May 29th.

    “Thanks to the CBSA, OPP, OPP-BEST, Ontario Ministry of Finance, and Cornwall RCMP for their dedicated collaboration which continues to produce successful results, taking contraband, including nicotine pouches, off our streets.”
    —Inspector Etienne Thauvette, Officer in Charge RCMP Cornwall Detachment

    “Canada Border Services Agency officers are committed to disrupting organized crime. By intercepting contraband, we stop proceeds from being reinvested into other criminal activity. We will continue to work closely with the RCMP and other law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe.”
    —Jag Johnston, Regional Director General, CBSA Northern Ontario Region

    “The OPP is committed to working with our provincial and national partners to stem the flow of contraband tobacco, as well as illegal drugs and firearms, contributing to safer communities.”
    – OPP Acting Detective Inspector Tyler Stewart, Border Enforcement Security Task Force

    Products seized

    • Unstamped tobacco: 633 KG
    • Cigarettes: 280 000
    • Nicotine pouches: 180 380
    • Cigars: 17 400
    • Chewing tobacco: 1440 oz

    Vehicles seized

    • 2003 Chevy Silverado
    • 2015 Mazda 3
    • 2010 Black Kia Forte
    • 2020 Grey Honda Civic
    • 2014 White KIA Sedan
    • 2010 White Honda Civic
    • 2005 GMC Savana
    • 2009 White Dodge Ram Crew Cab

    Fast facts:

    • Ontario RCMP Border Integrity protect over 2,700km of the Canada-US border from Cornwall through the Great Lakes to the Manitoba border. The Canada-US border is the longest, safest border in the world.
    • Oral nicotine pouches over the 4mg limit as per the Food and Drugs Act are classified as prescription drugs as per Health Canada’s prescription drug list.
    • No person other than one of following shall import a prescription drug: a practitioner, a drug manufacturer, a wholesale druggist, a pharmacist or a resident of a foreign country while a visitor to Canada (policy of a 90-day supply).
    • Its effects are widespread, impacting public health, public safety, government revenue, and the broader economy.
    • Revenues from contraband tobacco often support organized crime activities, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and firearms smuggling.
    • Smuggling networks engage in violent activities and corruption, increasing risks to the public and law enforcement agencies.
    • The Canada Border Services Agency screens goods coming into Canada and examines more closely those that may pose a threat to the safety of Canadians.
    • For the latest enforcement statistics, visit Canada Border Services Agency seizures.

    If you have any information related to smuggling, drug importation, trafficking, or possession, or wish to report other criminality, you can contact the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020, the confidential CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), at any time.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal immigrant gets 12 years in prison for his part in India-based fraud targeting elderly victims across the Midwest

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – An illegal immigrant from India got 12 years in prison for his role in an imposter scam that defrauded elderly victims in three states out of more than $400,000.

    In February, a federal jury convicted Nirav B. Patel, 44, an Indian citizen, of one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and one count of illegal entry into the U.S. by an alien.

    “This illegal alien admitted that he came to Illinois because the state would give him a driver’s license, and then he used that license to steal from the elderly all across the Midwest,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “We will continue to do all we can to remove this criminal element from our country.”

    In an imposter scam, fraudsters pose as government officials to manipulate and exploit elderly victims for money.  This scheme targeted elderly victims with text messages and emails purportedly warning that their Amazon accounts had been compromised. When the victims followed up on the messages, they were redirected to scammers posing as federal agents who convinced the victims that they were victims of identity theft who needed to withdraw their life savings to be held in phony U.S. Treasury or FTC trust accounts for safekeeping. 

    In reality, the money was stolen and ultimately transferred to accounts controlled by the scammers in India.  The fraudsters kept the victims on the hook by calling them constantly, sometimes for up to 12 hours a day.  The scammers also threatened victims with criminal liability if they told their friends or family what was going on. 

    Patel traveled to the elderly victims’ residences to pick up cash and assets to support the crime.  Trial testimony established that, in one instance, Patel picked up $177,000 in gold bars from an elderly resident at her assisted living facility, even though she was pushing a walker and on oxygen.

    In addition to the fraud charges, Patel was convicted for entering the U.S. illegally. Evidence showed that Patel snuck into the U.S. near Vancouver before connecting with the fraudsters in Georgia.  Patel’s fraud operation was based in the Chicago, where he could get an Illinois driver’s license despite being in the U.S. unlawfully.  From there, he drove hundreds of miles through Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana to take money and gold from elderly victims on behalf of the fraud scheme.

    In imposing the 12-year sentence, the Court rejected Patel’s claim that he had no idea what was going on, noting the scammers entrusted Patel with hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time.  These scams need people on the ground in the U.S. in order to be successful, the court continued, and those willing to help them steal from elderly victims should receive stiff sentences to deter others from doing the same thing in the future.

    “This case highlights the serious public safety risks posed by individuals who enter the United States illegally and exploit our systems to target some of the most vulnerable among us,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino. “HSI remains committed to identifying and dismantling transnational criminal schemes, especially carried out by perpetrators who flout our immigration laws to defraud and target elderly Americans. HSI will continue working with our partners to ensure that those who abuse our country’s generosity are held accountable.”

    The Federal Trade Commission reported in March 2025 that imposter scams are now the most common type of consumer fraud against Americans.  If you or a loved one has been a victim of this kind of fraud, call the National Elder Fraud Hotline by dialing 1-833-372-8311.

    The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Edwardsville Police Department, the Merrill Wisconsin Police Department, the Lincoln County Wisconsin Sheriff’s Office, and the Franklin Indiana Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter T. Reed and Steve Weinhoeft prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of a Machinegun and a Firearm

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

    BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A convicted felon has pleaded guilty to illegally possessing two firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.

    Kelvontae Rashad Wallace, 26, of Pell City, Alabama, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge R. David Proctor to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machinegun.

    According to the plea agreement, between December 2023 and January 2024, Wallace illegally possessed a firearm and a machinegun on two separate occasions:

    On December 15, 2023, Talladega police officers responded to a call of a person shot at the Orange #1 gas station. Officers responded to the scene and found a victim lying on the ground that had been shot in the stomach, back, and both legs. Officers collected five .45 caliber spent shell casings from the scene and there were at least three bullet holes in the glass on the store windows and door. Surveillance video from the store showed Wallace drive up to the store, exit his vehicle, and shoot the victim with a Glock pistol that had been converted to a machinegun using machinegun conversion device, commonly referred to as a “Glock switch.”

    On January 2, 2024, the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Fugitive Task Force and the Pell City Police Department went to Wallace’s apartment to arrest him for warrants for Assault, Fist Degree and Shooting into an Occupied Building arising from the December incident in Talladega. When the officers arrived, Wallace attempted to flee out the back door of the apartment, but the officers were able to apprehend and arrest him. Officers recovered a Century Arms Micro VSKA 7.62x39mm pistol with a round chambered and a loaded magazine from Wallace’s apartment.    

    ATF investigated the case along with the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Fugitive Task Force, Pell City Police Department, Talladega Police Department, and Anniston Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristy M. Peoples prosecuted the case.  

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  • MIL-OSI Security: ATF Warns Against Dangerous Illegal Explosive Devices

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

    Philadelphia – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Philadelphia Field Division warns Pennsylvanians about the dangers of illegal explosive devices before the July 4th holiday and encourages the public to report their manufacture and sales to protect their community.

    “They are dangerous explosives, not playthings for amusement,” said Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Philadelphia Field Division. “Just handling these devices puts you and anyone else around at risk of serious injury or death.”

    “Their manufacture, storage and handling can lead to deadly explosions and fire,” DeGree added. “When you buy them, you’re supporting dangerous criminal activity.”

    These dangerous devices are a particular concern in Pennsylvania, which accounted for almost 20% of all ATF illegal explosive device investigations nation-wide since 2020. To tackle the problem ATF Philadelphia works with state and local fire and police agencies as well as federal law enforcement agencies like the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to prevent manufacture and sales of illegal explosive devices, and to hold perpetrators accountable.

    “They’ll blow your hand or face off,” said Tim Brooks, a Certified Explosive Specialist Bomb Technician from the Philadelphia Police Department Bomb Disposal Unit assigned to the ATF Philadelphia Arson and Explosives Task Force. He is all too familiar with the danger posed by these devices, whose misuse can be deadly. “These devices are manufactured without safety oversight or quality control. The fillers inside occasionally contain small rocks that when bumped together can cause the slightest spark and set these off!”

    As part of its core mission, ATF actively regulates and investigates the illegal use of explosives. Under federal explosives law, it is illegal to manufacture, store, distribute, receive or transport explosive materials without a federal explosives license or permit. Violations are punishable with up to 10 years in federal prison.

    It is important to distinguish illegal explosives from regular consumer fireworks. Here are some signs that a device may be an illegal explosive device:

    • They are sold in a non-commercial location, such as out of a vehicle or residence.
    • The person with the device has no evidence of a receipt or commercial packaging, or they cannot tell you where they originally purchased it.
    • The device is often 1-6 inches long and up to an inch or more in diameter.
    • The casing resembles a roll of coins with a fuse. Some outer shells are made of cardboard tubes.
    • The outer covering is red, silver or brown in color.
    • The device looks oddly shaped and wrapped in brown paper that may be filled with an explosive material.

    These devices should not be handled if you have or find one. Anyone with such explosives (or items they think may be explosives) should act with extreme care and contact their police or fire departments for guidance. Either call the ATF tip line below or 911 to turn it over. The authorities will coordinate for proper safe handling and disposal.

    To protect yourself and your community ATF urges the public to report manufacturing or sales to your local police or ATF tip line at 888-ATF-BOMB (283-2662), 888-ATF-TIPS (283-8477), ATFTips@atf.gov, http://atf.gov/atf-tips, or via the ReportIt® app.

    “Have a happy and safe Independence Day holiday and summer,” said DeGree. “Don’t let dangerous illegal explosives wreck your life.”

    For further information on illegal explosives, visit the ATF’s website at https://www.atf.gov/explosives/illegal-explosives.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Nine Defendants Charged with Federal Immigration Crimes

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

    Nine Defendants Charged with Federal Immigration Crimes

    BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal grand jury in Birmingham has charged nine individuals with immigration crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona.

    The following defendants were indicted for illegally reentering the United States after having previously been deported:

    • Jesus Malaquias Manuel-Marcos, 44, a citizen of Guatemala;
    • Sergio Rogelio Sandoval-Luna, 26, a citizen of Mexico;
    • Jose Medrano Aguilar-Rodriguez, 42, a citizen of Mexico;
    • Jose Alberto Sanchez-Pineda, 35, a citizen of Mexico;
    • Sergio Dominguez-Bautista, 42, a citizen of Mexico;
    • Husaid Cruz-Santos, 28, a citizen of Mexico;
    • Berenice Margarita Reyes-Rodriguez, 44, a citizen of Mexico; and
    • Pedro Paz-Diaz, 36, a citizen of Guatemala

    Elvin Geovanny Lopez-Diaz, 19, a citizen of Honduras, was charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm.

    These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (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). Operation Take Back America partners Homeland Security Investigations – Atlanta and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Nashville Field Division investigated these cases.  

    An indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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