Category: Vehicles

  • MIL-OSI USA: State-local partnerships lead to 6,700 arrests, 4,800 stolen vehicles recovered, reducing crime in key areas

    Source: US State of California 2

    May 27, 2025

    What you need to know: Since Governor Newsom launched the joint law enforcement efforts in Bakersfield, Oakland, and San Bernardino, officers have conducted 6,727 arrests, recovered 4,842 stolen vehicles, and confiscated 313 illicit firearms, reducing crime in regions statewide.

    Sacramento, CaliforniaContinuing to put public safety first in communities throughout California, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the ongoing joint law enforcement operations in Bakersfield, Oakland, and San Bernardino have yielded 6,727 arrests, recovered 4,842 stolen vehicles, and confiscated 313 dangerous firearms.

    At the direction of Governor Newsom and through state, county, and city partnerships, the California Highway Patrol began saturating high-crime areas in 2024 to reduce roadway violence and criminal activity. 

    Crime trends before and after these operations began point to a reduction in crime in Oakland, a decrease in homicides and shootings in Bakersfield, and an increase of arrests and recovered stolen vehicles in San Bernardino.

    I am proud of the CHP Officers, who continue to serve their communities, deter crime, and hold bad actors accountable. Their partnership with local law enforcement has helped to bring a sense of safety to communities across the state and exemplifies California’s commitment to  putting the public’s safety first.

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Bakersfield

    Following the launch of the CHP partnership in April 2024, the city of Bakersfield experienced notable changes in crime trends. The joint enforcement operation had led to 3,315 arrests, including 680 felony arrests, 1,174 stolen vehicles recovered, and 87 firearms seized. The city of Bakersfield announced that 2024 was its safest year since 2021, showing a 57% drop in homicides and 60% fewer shootings compared to previous years.

    In over a year of partnership, state and local law enforcement in the area have cracked down on crime, including using their aerial suppression team to assist ground units with apprehending fleeing suspects

    Oakland

    By the end of 2024, the city of Oakland had dramatically reduced crime in all categories, with an overall reduction of 34%, compared to the previous year. Preliminary data from January 1 to December 22, 2024, indicated a 25% decrease in robbery, a nearly 50% drop in burglary, and a 33% decline in motor vehicle theft year-over-year. Since the joint efforts began in February 2024, officials have made 2,101 arrests, 1,504 of those felonies, recovered 3,578 stolen vehicles, and confiscated 192 illicit firearms. 

    CHP officers have worked with local area police to keep neighborhoods safe in the past 15 months, including an arrest on multiple felony charges, an arrest with gun and cocaine following a foot chase, and a multimonth investigation to crack down on an organized retail theft ring and the recovery of stolen merchandise valued at more than $779,000.

    San Bernardino

    Since October 2024, when the collaborative law enforcement effort began in the area, CHP officers have helped clamp down on property theft and violent crime, including gun violence. Officials have arrested 1,311 individuals, including 249 for felony conduct, seized 90 stolen vehicles and removed 34 illicit firearms. The CHP’s operation also adds special law enforcement units on the ground and in the air — specifically targeting sideshow activities and stolen vehicles using high-tech camera technology. This advanced camera network in the region allows law enforcement agencies to identify vehicle attributes beyond license plate numbers, enabling the CHP, local law enforcement, and allied agencies to search for vehicles suspected to be linked to crimes and receive real-time alerts about their movement. Similar efforts have been used to fight crime in the Bay Area.

    Through continued partnerships with the San Bernardino Police Department, CHP officers in the past 7 months have made significant improvements to community safety, including reducing theft, violent crime, and gun violence in the region.

    Recent data suggests violent and property crime went down in key areas in 2024. According to an analysis of Real Time Crime Index data by the Public Policy Institute of California, property crime dropped by 8.5% and violent crime dropped by 4.6% in 2024, compared to 2023. Burglary and larceny also went down by 13.6% and 18.6%, respectively, compared to pre-pandemic levels. 

    Stronger enforcement. Serious penalties. Real consequences.

    In April, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the results from $267 million in grants to 55 communities to hire more police and secure more felony charges against suspects. Proposed by the Governor and distributed by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC), program participants collected data on arrests, referrals, charges, convictions, and sentencing related to organized retail crime. From October 2023 to December 2024, 88% of the 373 organized retail theft convictions were felonies. 

    Last year, Governor Newsom signed into law the most significant bipartisan legislation to crack down on property crime in modern California history. Building on the state’s robust laws and record public safety funding, these bipartisan bills establish tough new penalties for repeat offenders, provide additional tools for felony prosecutions, and crack down on serial shoplifters, retail thieves, and auto burglars.

    California has invested $1.1 billion since 2019 to fight crime, help local governments hire more police, and improve public safety. In 2023, as part of California’s Public Safety Plan, the Governor announced the largest-ever investment to combat organized retail crime in state history, an annual 310% increase in proactive operations targeting organized retail crime, and special operations across the state to fight crime and improve public safety.

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    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Springfield Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of Firearm

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing firearms.

    Aaron Wayne Williams, 34, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool, to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    Under federal law it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Williams has previous felony convictions for domestic assault in the third degree, attempted burglary in the first degree, property damage motivated by discrimination in the second degree, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful use of a weapon.

    Williams admitted to possessing several firearms which were seized by Springfield, Mo., Police Department officers on Jan. 8, 2025, after an officer observed Williams sleeping in his running vehicle in the parking lot of the Kum & Go located at 2963 East Division Street. Officers observed a Ruger, Mini 14, semiautomatic rifle beside Williams as he slept. Officers found three additional firearms on Williams and in the vehicle: a Taurus, G2S, 9mm pistol; an HS Produkt, XD, .40 caliber pistol; and a Star, 9mm pistol.

    Under federal statutes, Williams is subject to a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.

    Project Safe Neighborhoods

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

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Halifax County Felon Sentenced to More Than 5 Years for Possessing a Firearm

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RALEIGH, N.C. – Sakwon Artavas Bowser, age 29, was sentenced on Friday to 5.5 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Bowser pleaded guilty to the charge on February 18, 2025.

    According to court records and evidence presented at sentencing, in June 2024, Bowser was wanted on outstanding warrants for common law robbery by the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO).  On June 6, 2024, law enforcement saw Bowser exit a local mobile home park and attempted a traffic stop.  Instead of stopping, Bowser drove through a restaurant parking lot and then accelerated at a high rate of speed. The officer pursued Bowser as he drove recklessly, passing a vehicle at a stop sign, traveling in the center lane, and reaching speeds of 60 mph in a 35-mph zone.  Bowser continued driving through residential yards of a mobile home park before he jumped from the moving vehicle and continued to flee on foot.  HCSO noticed that Bowser had a backpack in his possession when he jumped out of the car, which he dropped in a wooded area during the foot pursuit. HCSO found Bowser hiding inside one of the mobile homes. A subsequent search of Bowser’s backpack revealed multiple baggies of marijuana packaged individually for distribution, a loaded Glock 17 handgun, a digital scale, and U.S. currency.

    Bowser has a criminal history that spans a decade and includes a prior felony conviction from 2018 for conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses.

    Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III.  Agencies involved in the investigation include the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Dixon prosecuted the case.

    Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:24-CR-00074.

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    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Video: Los Angeles footage of ICE agents and officers preparing for a multiagency operation May 20

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    Watch this Los Angeles footage of ICE agents and officers preparing for a multiagency operation May 20.

    In all, we arrested 13 alleged Armenian crime syndicate associates in California and Florida. Charges included kidnapping, attempted murder, firearms offenses and more.

    The operation involved 40 federal search warrants and together, we seized:
    3 armored vehicles
    $100K in cash
    14 firearms

    Many of the illegal aliens arrested had previous felony convictions constituting crimes of moral turpitude — making them removable.

    Follow our page to learn more about this investigation & these arrests as the information becomes available to the public.

    Press release: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-law-enforcement-partners-arrest-13-armenian-rival-me

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W70Ppt38ao

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Hampshire National Guard teams with Morocco for sling load training at African Lion 2025

    Source: United States Army

    1 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard, discuss procedures with the crew of a Moroccan CH-47 Chinook, Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, ahead of a multinational sling load exercise at Cap Draa, Tantan, Morocco, May 17, 2025, during African Lion 2025 (AL25). This exercise required this multinational team to stage an ammunition package on the landing zone for retrieval by Moroccan air assets, demonstrating how munitions can be transported. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations – preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) VIEW ORIGINAL
    2 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard, sling load a reduced range practice rocket to a Moroccan CH-47 Chinook during a multinational sling load operation at African Lion 2025 (AL25), May 17, 2025, in TanTan, Morocco. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations – preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) VIEW ORIGINAL
    3 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard, sling load a reduced range practice rocket to a Moroccan CH-47 Chinook during a multinational sling load operation at African Lion 2025 (AL25), May 17, 2025, in Tan Tan, Morocco. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations – preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) VIEW ORIGINAL
    4 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A member of a CH-47 Chinook crew with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces guides a reduced range practice rocket during a multinational sling load exercise alongside U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard at Cap Draa, Tantan, Morocco, May 17, 2025, during African Lion 2025 (AL25). AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations – preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) VIEW ORIGINAL
    5 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A member of a CH-47 Chinook crew with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces guides a reduced range practice rocket, during a multinational sling load exercise alongside U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard at Cap Draa, Tantan, Morocco, May 17, 2025, during African Lion 2025 (AL25). AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations – preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) VIEW ORIGINAL
    6 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The crew of a CH-47 Chinook with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces inspect a reduced range practice rocket, ahead of a multinational sling load exercise with U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard, at African Lion 2025 (AL25), May 17, 2025, in TanTan, Morocco. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations – preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) VIEW ORIGINAL
    7 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Kyle Almonte, a motor transport operator with the 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard walks through the rotor wash of a Moroccan CH-47 Chinook as it lands at Cap Draa, ahead of sling load operations at Cap Draa, Tantan, Morocco, May 17, 2025, during African Lion 2025 (AL25). AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations – preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) VIEW ORIGINAL
    8 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The crew chief of a CH-47 Chinook with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces observes the landing zone during a multinational sling load exercise conducted alongside U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard at Cap Draa, Tantan, Morocco, May 17, 2025, during African Lion 2025 (AL25). AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations – preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) VIEW ORIGINAL

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    U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF)

    TAN TAN, Morocco – Soldiers assigned to the 744th Forward Support Company (744TH FSC), 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard partnered with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR), for a sling load exercise, May 17, 2025, at Tan Tan, Morocco, during African Lion 25.

    The Royal Kingdom of Morocco was recently approved to purchase High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and related equipment, and the exercise demonstrated air transportation of munitions for the system. U.S. Army Sgt. Jeff Splain, a motor transport operator with the 744th FSC led his soldiers through the training event where the FAR, using their CH-47 Chinook, flew into the training area, retrieved a reduced range practice rocket pod, departed, and then returned the pod to the landing zone.

    A Moroccan pilot with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces explains the process for using the static discharge wand to U.S. Army Sgt. Dylan Dibernardo, a wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard, to ensure the aircraft is properly grounded for safe sling load operations at African Lion 2025 (AL25), May 17, 2025, in TanTan, Morocco. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations – preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) VIEW ORIGINAL

    “My team spent five days rehearsing concepts of this operation,” Splain said. “We brainstormed with the pilot and his crew what the best way to hook up the pod was, keeping safety in mind.”

    A Royal Moroccan Armed Forces CH-47 Chinook pilot discusses safety with U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard, ahead of a multinational sling load exercise at Cap Draa, Tantan, Morocco, May 17, 2025, during African Lion 2025 (AL25). AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations – preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) VIEW ORIGINAL

    Military operations require a combined force, which demands rigorous training as teams integrate with allies and partners. This ensures combat experience and readiness to dominate and win on contemporary battlefields.

    U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard, inspect a reduced range practice rocket, alongside a CH-47 Chinook crew with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, ahead of a multinational sling load exercise at Cap Draa, Tantan, Morocco, May 17, 2025, during African Lion 2025 (AL25). The exercise demonstrated the capability of aircraft to retrieve and deliver munitions. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations – preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) VIEW ORIGINAL

    The multinational team worked together to determine the best way to complete the sling load by inspecting the pod, sling legs and apex, as well as the individual hookup equipment which includes the static discharge wand; keeping safety at the forefront of the mission.

    Members of a CH-47 Chinook crew with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces outfit a U.S. Soldier assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard, during a multinational sling load exercise at African Lion 2025 (AL25), May 17, 2025, in TanTan, Morocco. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations – preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) VIEW ORIGINAL

    U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Alomonte, a motor transport operator with the 744th FSC played a key role in ensuring safety.

    U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Almonte, a motor transport operator assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard, guides a Royal Moroccan Armed Forces CH-47 out of the landing zone during a multinational sling load exercise at African Lion 2025 (AL25), May 17, 2025, in TanTan, Morocco. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations – preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester)
    U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Almonte, a motor transport operator assigned to 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, New Hampshire Army National Guard, adjusts the sling legs on a reduced range practice rocket alongside a Royal Moroccan Armed Forces CH-47 Chinook crew member during a multinational sling load operation at African Lion 2025 (AL25), May 17, 2025, in TanTan, Morocco. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF,) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations – preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Forester) VIEW ORIGINAL

    After the best course of action was determined, the teams took their respective places on the landing zone, completing two successful hookups.

    “This sling load exercise was a great success. It was a culminating event following months of training on both sides,” said Splain. “I’m very proud of my team and what they’ve done, and the knowledge they’ve shared with our Moroccan partners. There’s been no other training I’ve done so far that’s comparable to this.”

    About African Lion

    AL25 is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies, and about 10,000 troops. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), on behalf of U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), the exercise will take place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. AL25 is designed to restore the warrior ethos, sharpen lethality, and strengthen military readiness alongside our African partners and allies This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win.

    For all photos, videos and article throughout the exercise, visit the African Lion feature page on DVIDS.

    About SETAF-AF

    U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.

    Follow SETAF-AF on: Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn & DVIDS.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Uniting Labor and Community – IAM Midwest Territory’s H.E.L.P.S. Program

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    This article was featured in the Summer 2025 IAM Journal and was written by IAM Communications Representative John Carr.

    IAM Local 1202 and IAM District 8 delivered toys to deserving children around Aurora, Ill through the Aurora Fire Department as part of its annual toy drive.

    The IAM Midwest Territory continues to demonstrate its commitment to community service through its “IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community” program. This initiative, which stands for Honoring, Engaging, Lifting, Providing, and Servicing, reflects the union’s mission to make a positive impact beyond the workplace.

    For IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli, service is more than just an obligation it’s a core value of the labor movement. A 37-year IAM member, Cicinelli has long believed that unions should not only advocate for workers’ rights but also strengthen the communities where members live and work. Since stepping into his leadership role, he has championed IAM H.E.L.P.S. as a vehicle to spread the values of compassion, advocacy, and mutual support.

    “Service is the heart of solidarity,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “Through IAM H.E.L.P.S., we lift each other up, strengthen communities, and prove that the labor movement is about more than just work, it’s about making a meaningful difference.”

    Each year, every Midwest Territory District and unaffiliated Local sponsors a H.E.L.P.S. event to support local community or others that are in need. By organizing events and volunteer efforts, IAM members strengthen communities, support those in need, and uphold the values of solidarity and service to the community. The events also foster solidarity among members and reinforce their union values.

    “Many of us take a warm meal, a safe place to sleep, or a simple winter coat for granted,” said Kristy Kerr, Vice President for District 6 and Local 254’s Recording Secretary. “But for those struggling, these acts of kindness can be life changing. It’s not just about giving back it’s about creating continuing change.”

    Meals for Children in Need

    FIAM District 5, and members from Locals 2525, W33, and W384, performed their yearly IAM H.E.L.P.S event at the Great Plains Food Bank.

    In December 2024, IAM Midwest Territory staff participated in their annual charity event at Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) in Schaumburg, Ill. Volunteers packed 143 boxes of scientifically formulated meals designed to combat child malnutrition.

    These meals will sustain 85 children with daily nourishment for an entire year, ensuring they have the necessary nutrition to grow and thrive. The IAM’s continued partnership with FMSC highlights the union’s dedication to humanitarian efforts beyond national borders.

    “FMSC Coordinators said we were not only the largest group to volunteer, but also the most productive, having packed more meals than any other group,” said Dan Michalski, a Local 701 Member and ASE Master Certified Journeyman Technician. “Many members brought their families with them to help and experience the effort giving it a real family atmosphere. The H.E.L.P.S. projects not only brings union members together, it brings families together to participate to do something for a greater cause.”

    Getting Community Members Back on Their Feet

    In November 2024, members of IAM Local 1010 and IAM District 6 came together for a service event at Hope Haven, a nonprofit organization in Iowa that provides vocational, residential, and community living services to needy individuals. IAM members dedicated their time and effort to improving the organization’s grounds, creating a more welcoming and comfortable environment for its residents and participants. Their work included landscaping, cleaning, and general maintenance to ensure that the space remains a supportive haven for those who rely on its services.

    Keeping Our Commitment to Those Who Served

    In September and October 2024, IAM Local 254 and IAM District 6 focused on supporting homeless veterans in the Des Moines area. Recognizing the pressing need for resources as colder months approached, IAM members coordinated an initiative to collect winter clothing, hygiene essentials, and other necessities packed into backpacks.

    This project provided much-needed relief for veterans who have served their country but are now facing difficult circumstances. Through these efforts, IAM members demonstrated their unwavering support for those who have sacrificed so much, reinforcing the union’s dedication to service and advocacy.

    “We have a real homeless problem, especially amongst veterans who have given so much for our country. It’s our duty to step up and support them in their time of need,” said Kristy Kerr, Vice President for District 6 and Local 254’s Recording Secretary. “Getting volunteers isn’t easy, but if you can get the buy-in from your members, even if it’s just once, that usually starts to snowball amongst others, and they bring in more volunteers. We’re not just giving back, we’re creating lasting change.”

    Every Child Deserves a Safe, Secure Night’s Rest

    Kristy Kerr and her daughter Kenna turned a H.E.L.P.S. event into a family affair.

    In June 2024, members of IAM Locals 41, 313, and 660 from District 9 collaborated with Sleep in Heavenly Peace in Alton, Ill., to build beds for local children in need. This initiative, part of the IAM Midwest Territory’s H.E.L.P.S. program, reflects the union’s commitment to community service and ensuring that no child sleeps on the floor.

    “It brings a lot of locals together throughout the District,” said Local 313 Vice President and District 9 Delegate Garrett Gerdes. “When union members come together for a cause bigger than themselves, the impact is extraordinary. Whether it’s feeding children, supporting veterans, or providing essentials for families, our efforts show that the IAM is always ready to lend a helping hand.”

    Clothing Donations Help Local Children

    The Midwest Territory’s commitment to community service extends even further, as seen in past initiatives such as IAM District 8 members from Locals 126, 1000, 2068, 49 and 48 came together in mid-December to make a difference in the community by volunteering at Cradles to Crayons in Chicago, a nonprofit dedicated to providing essential items to children who face clothing insecurity. During their volunteer efforts, IAM members played a vital role in sorting donations and preparing approximately 640 quality clothing items for distribution to local children. This effort aims to help many families that struggle to provide essential clothing, directly impacting the lives of at-risk children. It ensures children have access to the basic items necessary for confidence, safety, and success.

    Giving Back to Our Military Veterans

    IAM Local 254 and IAM District 6 organized an event under the IAM Midwest Territory H.E.L.P.S. initiative to support homeless veterans in the Des Moines area.

    IAM District 77 has also been a leading example of volunteerism within the program, and their consistent dedication to IAM H.E.L.P.S. events. IAM District 77 members recently volunteered their time to support the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV), an organization that works to provide housing services to veterans and former service members who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

    During the holiday season, IAM Midwest Territory staff brought warmth and cheer to the homeless by organizing meal services and distributing essential items. These efforts provided comfort and sustenance to individuals facing hardship, highlighting the union’s commitment to serving the most vulnerable members of society.

    Chicago based IAM Mechanics Local 701 members also contributed to the community by participating in various service projects, including supporting local shelters and food banks. Their involvement has made a tangible difference in the lives of many residents, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of the IAM H.E.L.P.S. program.

    Through each of these events, IAM Midwest Territory and its members reaffirm their commitment to making a difference. The IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community program is about fostering a culture of service and advocacy that strengthens neighborhoods, supports the most vulnerable, and upholds the core values of the labor movement. As IAM members continue to step up and give back, they embody the true spirit of unity and compassion, proving that the labor movement extends far beyond the workplace and into the heart of the community.

    Every year, the recipients of the IAM Midwest Territory Helping Hands Awards, affectionately known as the “IAM Helpy’s” honor IAM Districts and unaffiliated Locals that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their communities through the “IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community” program.

    New Year, New Initiative Added

    For 2025, Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli has announced a new initiative geared towards the IAM’s favorite charity, Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines. The new initiative, known as the Top Dog Award, will feature a “traveling” doghouse-shaped plaque. The annual winner will have bragging rights for the year being the top revenue generator and get to display the traveling trophy in their District or Local for the year.

    The idea behind the plan is to foster friendly competition amongst the states of the Midwest Territory, making the fundraising effort more of a good-natured and competitive series of events that also fosters team building while increasing fundraising across the territory.

    Carolyn Clark puts a finishing touch on the new Top Dog Award. The plaque was handcrafted by the Winpisinger Center’s own John Wible.

    “These programs aren’t just about volunteerism,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “It’s about building stronger communities and reinforcing the values of service, solidarity, and compassion that define our union. Every event, every hour volunteered, and every donation makes a difference in someone’s life, and that’s what being part of the IAM is all about.”

    Through the IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community program, IAM Midwest Territory members are proving that unions are about more than just workplace rights they are about uplifting people in every aspect of life. The program serves as a model for how organized labor can build stronger, more compassionate communities.

    The success of IAM H.E.L.P.S. should inspire IAM members everywhere to look beyond the workplace and find ways to make a difference in their communities. Every act of service strengthens the bond between the IAM and the people it serves, proving that the labor movement is, and always will be, about lifting people up together. 

    The post Uniting Labor and Community – IAM Midwest Territory’s H.E.L.P.S. Program appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Photophoretic Propulsion Enabling Mesosphere Exploration

    Source: NASA

    Igor BargatinUniversity of Pennsylvania
    We propose to use the photophoretic levitation and propulsion mechanism to create no-moving-parts flying vehicles that can be used to explore Earth’s upper atmosphere. The photophoretic force arises when a solid is heated relative to the ambient gas through illumination, inducing momentum exchange between the solid and the gas. The force creates lift in structures that absorb light on the bottom yet stay cool on the top, and we engineered our plate mechanical metamaterials to maximize this lift force and payload. The levitation and payload capabilities of our plates typically peak at ambient pressures in the 0.1-1000 Pa range, ideal for applications in Earth’s mesosphere and Mars’s low gravity and thin atmosphere. For example, in the Earth’s mesosphere (i.e., at altitudes from ~50 to ~80 km), the air is too thin for conventional airplanes or balloons but too thick for satellites, such that measurements can be performed for only a few minutes at a time during the short flight of a research rocket. However, the range of ambient pressures in the mesosphere (1-100 Pa) is nearly optimal for our plates’ payload capabilities. Phase 2 of the proposal focuses on the scalable fabrication of Knudsen pump structures that will enable missions with kg-scale payloads in the mesosphere as well as trajectory control with 1 m/s velocity control in existing stratospheric balloon vehicles.
    2025 Selections

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Smoothing out the bumps on the Caledonia Way

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    People walking, wheeling and cycling on the Inverness section of the Caledonia Way will now have a smoother and more enjoyable journey, thanks to works carried out by The Highland Council and active travel charity Sustrans.

    The Caledonia Way, also known as National Cycle Network (NCN) 78, runs south from Inverness city centre down the Great Glen to Fort William, Oban and on to Campbeltown, a total distance of 234 miles through some of Scotland’s most dramatic and beautiful scenery.

    Recent work has rerouted NCN78 between Holm Roundabout and the city centre to separate it from traffic, making the route more welcoming, safer and enjoyable for locals and visitors alike. The previous route ran between Dores Roundabout and Inverness Castle, with people cycling sharing the carriageway with vehicles. From Dores roundabout, the new route follows the shared use path alongside the Southern Distributor Road across the Ness, connects to Ness Hydro on a newly-surfaced and lit ramp, and links from there along the very popular new Riverside Way provision to St Andrew’s Cathedral.

    Carole Patrick, Sustrans’ UK NCN Director, said: “This rerouting gives two miles of traffic-free provision on NCN78 for people walking, wheeling and cycling. We know that being separate from traffic hugely increases usage of these key routes for everyday journeys, and for leisure and tourism. We are delighted to fund the improvements on the ramp, made possible by Transport Scotland, and fully expect that this new route will help people to choose active ways of getting around Inverness.”

    City Leader, Councillor Ian Brown said: “The route is very popular with walkers and cyclists who are now benefitting from improvements to the lighting and the surface. This kind of comfortable, safe, attractive infrastructure makes it easier for people to choose to leave their car at home for some trips, supports cycle tourism which is a growth area for Highland, and also makes life easier for the many people who do not drive, particularly young people, the least well off, and those with a disability.”

    The improvements were carried out on time and on budget by local contractors Pat Munro. The ramp and the Riverside Way works were funded by the Scottish Government via Sustrans through their Network Development / Places for Everyone programmes.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bay Roberts — Driver arrested for impaired operation by Bay Roberts RCMP

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    A 32-year-old man was arrested for impaired operation by Bay Roberts RCMP during a traffic stop that was conducted in Bay Roberts on May 27, 2025.

    Shortly after 12:30 a.m. today, police stopped a vehicle on Conception Bay Highway in Bay Roberts. The officer noted a smell of alcohol coming from the driver and administered a roadside breath test, which resulted in a failure. The driver was arrested and transported to the detachment where he provided further breath tests that were one and half times the legal limit.

    The man’s licence was suspended and the vehicle was seized and impounded.

    He is scheduled to appear in court at a later date to answer to charges of impaired operation.

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

    If you suspect a driver is operating a vehicle while impaired, please immediately call your local police or 911 and be prepared to provide a description of the vehicle, including a licence plate if possible, and the vehicle’s current location.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Make Transportation More Cost-Effective For Disabled Veterans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) reintroduced the Deliver for Veterans Act. The bipartisan legislation expands an existing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) grant program to cover shipping costs for disabled veterans who require modified vehicles for transportation.
    “Disabled veterans deserve access to every benefit they have earned – regardless of where they live,” said Senator Schatz. “Our bill is about basic fairness and will help disabled veterans in Hawai‘i and other isolated areas receive the specialized vehicles they need to go about their daily lives.”
    “Our veterans in rural Alaska, deserve the same access to the specialized grant programs and services that they would get if they lived elsewhere in the country,” said Senator Murkowski. “There is a significant financial burden associated with transporting a car to many of the rural communities around Alaska. As the state with the highest number of veterans per capita, I want those with disabilities living in Alaska to be able to benefit from the VA’s many excellent programs. Ensuring that they can affordably transport handicapped-modified vehicles to their homes is an important step.”
    Currently, the program provides eligible veterans with a stipend of roughly $26,400 to purchase or modify accessible vehicles. However, those funds cannot be used to ship their vehicles, making it exceedingly difficult for veterans in places such as Hawai‘i and Alaska to acquire these vehicles. The Deliver for Veterans Act would amend the grant program to allow coverage of these additional costs.
    The full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Zinke Nominates 15 Western Montana Projects for Federal Funding totaling $64,619,833

    Source: US Congressman Ryan Zinke (Western Montana)

    Zinke prioritizes infrastructure, law enforcement, and rural development across 13 Counties

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Ryan Zinke announced that he requested federal funding for 15 projects in Western Montana to improve infrastructure, economic development, and law enforcement capabilities. The requests were submitted to the House Appropriations Committee of which he is a member. The projects would benefit communities in the following counties: Beaverhead, Flathead, Gallatin, Granite, Lake (2), Lincoln (2), Missoula (2), Mineral (2), Powell, Ravalli (3), and Sanders (3). The projects are posted on Congressman Zinke’s website for public inspection here and listed below.

    “Rural America’s infrastructure needs have been ignored for too long, as a member of the Appropriations Committee I can ensure our tax dollars are spent on projects that directly support our communities,” said Zinke. “With the help of county commissioners, mayors, and sheriffs, we’ve identified and nominated strong, shovel-ready projects that reflect real community needs and deliver the highest return to Montana taxpayers. These investments will support our law enforcement, expand access to clean water, repair failing infrastructure, and spur economic growth across Western Montana. This is about building a stronger Montana by making sure our families have access to housing, clean water, and safe streets for generations to come.”

    The submissions were made through the U.S. House of Representatives Community Project Funding program, which allows Congress to direct appropriations from specific grant accounts to eligible projects. All projects must meet the published grant requirements and pass a series of legislative hurdles. Every project must be approved by the House Appropriations Committee, the full House of Representatives and be included in the joint funding package approved by the House and Senate and signed by the President. In Fiscal Year 2024, Zinke successfully secured $35 million in funding for Western Montana.  

     

    Proposed projects include:

    *Projects listed by county in alphabetical order 

    Beaverhead, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral and Sanders Counties, $2,889,500 – Five-County Law Enforcement Resilience Project

    Provides a funding level of $2,889,500 for Mineral County, located at P.O. Box 99, 310 River Street, Superior, MT 58972. To reduce cost to the taxpayer and promote equipment continuity in the event of a multi-county response to an incident, Mineral, Lake, Beaverhead, Lincoln, and Sanders counties have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to purchase much needed vehicles and equipment in bulk for bolstered law enforcement and public safety. The 2021-2025 crisis at the southwest border turned every state into a border state -including Montana. Five rural counties with a combined population of less than 80,000 are experiencing the lingering effects of the border crisis with criminal aliens still at large. These five counties have formed a joint purchasing agreement to purchase desperately needed equipment and vehicles in bulk to save tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars per county. The funding will purchase patrol vehicles, body scanners, radios and telecom equipment, rifles, vests, and fund safety upgrades.

    Flathead County, $1,936,170 – North Fork Road Guardrails

    The significance of the North Fork Road cannot be overstated. It provides crucial access for residents, U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations along the Canadian border, year-round recreational activities, and timber industry operations. It also serves as the route for approximately 150,000 annual visitors to Glacier National Park that access the park through the Camas and Polebridge entrances. The North Fork Road plays a pivotal role in the economic and recreational vitality of the region. Despite its significance, the North Fork Road poses safety concerns. Composed of a mostly gravel surface and winding in nature, it has numerous roadside hazards, including sections of roadway with steep side slopes descending to the river below. The existing guardrail along this section of road have surpassed their service life and due to their poor condition, have reduced ability to function as intended. The project will add or replace guardrail to improve safety along 3.71 miles of roadway.

    Gallatin County, $906,660 – Sheriff’s Office Rapid DNA Capabilities and Patrol Vehicles

    Provides a funding level of $906,660 for Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, located at 615 South 16th Street, Bozeman, MT 59715. The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Department and Belgrade Police Department have formed an MOU to combine their purchasing power and coordinate complementary technology. This funding request will fund the purchase of all necessary equipment, software, warranties, consumables, and technical DNA support for the county sheriff’s office and all other municipal law enforcement agencies. This comprehensive Rapid DNA program will be open to all law enforcement agencies within the county, and hopefully beyond. The state crime lab is facing an overwhelming number of DNA evidence items awaiting processing. To manage this caseload, they have created strict guidelines prioritizing certain crimes and limiting the number of DNA samples that can be processed. To help ease the burden on the state crime lab and enable them to focus on more complex and high-priority cases, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office will be able to process DNA samples that can lead to immediate investigative leads. Additionally, the Belgrade Police Department will acquire fully outfitted patrol sport utility cruisers to enhance the safety of the citizens of Belgrade. Belgrade is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Western Montana and budgets are stretched thin across city government to support that growth.

    Granite County, $5,000,000 – Clean Water Infrastructure Project “Phase 1”

    Provide a funding level of $5,000,000 for the town of Phillipsburg, Montana, located at 104 South Sansome St. Philipsburg, MT 59858, to construct a new water transmission line. The town of Phillipsburg derives over 82% of its municipal water supply from the Fred Burr Reservoir, a high mountain lake located approximately 7 miles from the town. The dependability of the Fred Burr supply hinges on the reliability of the 7-mile-long transmission main that connects the lake to the town. The transmission line recently experienced a catastrophic failure. The pipeline traverses through rugged, forested, mountainous terrain at high elevations. Replacement of this transmission line is critical for the community to ensure clean and plentiful drinking water.

    Lake County, $730,000 – Ronan Volunteer Fire Department Replacement of 30 Year Old Type 1 Fire Truck 

    Support $730,000 for the purchase of a Type 1 Structure Engine to replace the current vehicle which is over 30 years old. The purchase would replace aging equipment and improve emergency response capacity. This funding will directly strengthen emergency response capacity in Montana’s First Congressional District, where many rural and tribal communities face long response times and limited firefighting resources. By equipping the Ronan Fire Department with a modern, NFPA-compliant Type 1 engine, we not only enhance local fire protection but also regional mutual aid support across Lake County and surrounding areas. This project promotes public safety, supports rural infrastructure, and aligns with congressional priorities to invest in underserved communities. Additionally, it strengthens partnerships between local, tribal, and federal entities in protecting critical infrastructure and natural resources.

    Lincoln County, $820,319 – Rural Airport Reconstruction and Emergency Services Expansion  

    The Troy Airport runway is in poor condition at-best, requiring extensive runway restoration and repair. This rural airport is vital to search and rescue, wildland firefighting efforts and medical flights within Northwest Montana. With the wildland fire trend in NW Montana, the need for a central location for deploying firefighting aircrafts and for a well-maintained runway is essential and cannot be overstated. The Troy Airport is situated close to many forested regions that are susceptible to wildland fire allowing for quick response time to extinguish fires before they spread further. A poorly maintained runway can have significant negative effects on airport operations and safety including the delay of firefighting efforts. Additionally, the 797 residents of Troy rely on the airport for air ambulance service as the closest trauma center is located more than 2 hours away in Kalispell.

    Missoula County, $1,400,000 – Lolo Wastewater Treatment Plant

    The community of Lolo is deficient in the water supply requirements for having the largest well out of service and meeting the max day water demand for the system. The community currently operates a public water supply system through an RSID and requires an upgrade to Well No. 1 and Well No. 2, to increase the water supply for the community. The water rights exist, and the wells can easily be upgraded to increase their capacity. The project was bid last year, and the community didn’t have enough money to award the bid. The benefit is that the project is shovel-ready and already approved by DEQ to move forward as soon as funds are available for the community to use.  The community is concerned about having enough water for the citizens, but particularly concerned during the summer months when the fire season is imminent.  The lack of redundancy for the water system is a great concern for the community and upgrading these two wells would provide that necessary capacity and surety.

    Missoula County, $21,134,250 – Seeley Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant  

    The largest employer in Seeley Lake and one of the largest in Missoula County announced it was closing after 75 years in business citing it was “crippled” by labor shortages driven by a lack of affordable housing, inflation, and lumber prices. The mill employed roughly 250 employees. The town of Seeley Lake is very rural and unable to build additional housing because it does not have a municipal water system to support additional housing and the existing septic system is at capacity and contaminating the groundwater. Building a water system will allow developers to invest in affordable workforce housing to support reopening the mill and growing jobs and economic activity in the region.

    Mineral County, $1,000,000 – Alberton Water Tower 

    Currently, the storage volume for Alberton is inadequate. The proposed Water Storage Improvements Projects will add 200,000 gallons of drinking water storage in order to provide adequate water volume to satisfy maximum day demands and also to deliver sufficient fire flow/volume. The Town is implementing a major improvements project to its distribution system in ’24-’25 and the storage tank project is the next highest priority project according to the Town’s 2020 Preliminary Engineering Report. 

    Powell County, $1,009,934 – Equipment for Volunteer Fire Departments

    Provides a funding level of $1,009,934 to Powell County, Montana located at 409 Missouri Ave, Suite 203, Deer Lodge, MT 59722. Powell County is larger than the entire state of Delaware, and large sections of the County are very remote. First responders are responsible for responding to more than 800 miles of county road, 90 miles of state highway, and 36 miles of Interstate. Volunteer departments respond to hundreds of interstate accidents every year in addition to countless search and rescue operations on millions of acres of rugged wilderness. This request would fund the acquisition of equipment for EMS, fire department and search and rescue operations. This will help both Granite and Powell Counties, as both Gold Creek and Drummond’s Valley Fire work together per a mutual aid agreement, which further extends the impact of this request. 

    Ravalli County, $1,143,000 – Bridge Replacement, Groff Lane 

    Ravalli County is one of the fastest growing counties in Montana. Groff Lane provides access to larger agricultural tracts in Ravalli County and a future potential public access.  The narrow bridges need to be replaced to allow for safer passage and also to ensure that irrigation water delivery can continue to some larger agricultural water users in the Bitterroot Valley.

    Ravalli County, $5,500,000 – Old Corvallis Road Repair 

    The funding would be used for repair of the Old Corvallis Road in the critical north-south transportation corridor of the greater Hamilton area. The Project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because Old Corvallis Road serves as a crucial transportation artery in the greater Hamilton area, connecting the Corvallis community with essential services and employment opportunities in the City of Hamilton, notably a large pharmaceutical facility as well as a soon-to-be residential development that will consist of 140 units. The road suffers from poor pavement conditions and lacks dedicated non-motorized facilities, making walking hazardous. Traffic counts from 2023 reveal an average daily traffic of 2,705 vehicles with an anticipated increase of nearly 50% once the residential development is completed. Addressing these infrastructure challenges is crucial to ensuring safe and efficient travel along Old Corvallis Road. 

    Ravalli County, $10,000,000 – Wastewater Treatment Plant 

    Ravalli county is currently one of the most rapidly developing counties in Montana and one of the greatest in need of affordable housing. One of the greatest barriers to that is the lack of water and sewage treatment capacity. Ravalli county until recently has been forced to send its raw sewage by truck to Missoula county for disposal and treatment. Recently this arrangement was terminated due to Missoula counties own issues with sewage treatment capacity. Currently all sewage pumped from septic tanks in Ravalli county is being deposed of on National Forest lands. This is a concern both environmentally and economically due to the capacity barriers this creates. Septic seepage levels are reaching a dangerous level and because of this the county is limited in new septic permits it can issue to build new homes and dwellings. This new facility if funded would protect drinking water, ease capacity restrictions inhibiting development, and protect environmental quality by keeping septic seepage and human waste out of critical groundwater siphons and the Bitterroot river.

    Sanders County, $10,000,000 – Noxon Bridge Replacement Project Phase 1

    This funding would replace a failing 102-year-old bridge that is on an important emergency service, school bus, and commodity transportation route. The 102-year-old structure is now facing serious structural concerns, leading to its indefinite closure. This is the only bridge which links Highway 200 to the town of Noxon, and has developed cracks in its foundation and holes in the roadbed have opened, prompting urgent safety evaluations. The Sanders County Commissioners commissioned a study to assess the bridge’s condition, with findings recommending full replacement rather than rehabilitation. The closure has already disrupted daily life, affecting food deliveries, emergency services, and local businesses. School busses fully loaded are unable to traverse the bridge. Due to budget constraints of a small taxbase, the county is unable to fund the project alone. With its historical significance and essential role in local infrastructure, restoring the Noxon Bridge remains a top priority for both county and state officials. Securing the necessary funding remains a challenge, leaving the community in limbo as they await further action.

    Sanders County, $1,150,000 – Repaving Marten Creek Road 

    This project aims to rehabilitate and upgrade a surface transportation asset that if left unimproved threatens the mobility of people, delivery of services to residents, economic growth from tourism and vital national forest access. This project will improve the lifespan of Marten Creek Road, reduce future maintenance costs and allow more time, money and resources to be spent on other roads in the county. Sanders County proposes to hire a contractor to overlay 4.5 miles of Marten Creek Road with 2.5″ thick asphalt 22′ wide. Estimated cost of the project is $1,150,000.

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    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein Announces New Headquarters Operations for Daimler Truck Financial Services USA in Charlotte

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Stein Announces New Headquarters Operations for Daimler Truck Financial Services USA in Charlotte

    Governor Stein Announces New Headquarters Operations for Daimler Truck Financial Services USA in Charlotte
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today, Governor Josh Stein announced Daimler Truck Financial Services USA (DTFS), the financial lender for Daimler Truck North America, will create 276 jobs in Mecklenburg County. The company will invest more than $7.8 million to locate its headquarters in Charlotte.

    “I am pleased to welcome Daimler Truck Financial Services USA to North Carolina,” said Governor Stein. “More than 200 financial service companies call North Carolina home thanks to our skilled workforce and top-tier quality of life.”

    DTFS provides financing and leasing solutions for Daimler Truck North America, one of the largest commercial vehicle manufacturers in the world, that produces Freightliner trucks, Western Star trucks and Thomas Built Buses. For more than 50 years, the company has offered custom financing, leasing, and insurance options for its commercial vehicle customers that include owner-operators, fleet owners, and municipalities. DTFS’s new headquarters in North Carolina will consolidate the current offices from Michigan and Texas into 60,000-square-feet for its administration, HR, and financial operations.

    “We’re thrilled to establish our new headquarters in the Ballantyne area—this move marks a pivotal step in aligning our team closer to DTNA and advancing our strategy for long-term services growth,” said Kevin Bangston, president and CEO of Daimler Truck Financial Services.

    “Charlotte is the second largest banking center in the United States,” said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “Daimler Truck knows the proximity to its existing manufacturing operations, combined with our excellent business climate and thriving financial sector, makes North Carolina the best place to grow and expand.”

    Although the salaries for the new positions will vary, the average annual salary is expected to be $133,940, exceeding the Mecklenburg County average of $86,830. These new jobs could create a potential annual payroll impact of more than $36.9 million for the region.

    DTFS’s operation in North Carolina will be facilitated, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee earlier today. Over the course of the 12-year term of this grant, the project is estimated to grow the state’s economy by $1.08 billion. Using a formula that takes into account the new tax revenues generated by the new jobs and capital investment, the JDIG agreement authorizes the potential reimbursement to the company of up to $4,174,500, spread over 12 years. State payments only occur following performance verification by the departments of Commerce and Revenue that the company has met its incremental job creation and investment targets.

    The project’s projected return on investment of public dollars is 119 percent, meaning for every dollar of potential cost to the state, the state receives $2.19 in state revenue. JDIG projects result in positive net tax revenue to the state treasury, even after taking into consideration the grant’s reimbursement payments to a given company.

    Because DTFS chose to locate to Mecklenburg County, classified by the state’s economic tier system as Tier 3, the company’s JDIG agreement also calls for moving $1,391,500 into the state’s Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account. The Utility Account helps rural communities finance necessary infrastructure upgrades to attract future business. Even when new jobs are created in a Tier 3 county such as Mecklenburg, the new tax revenue generated through JDIG grants helps more economically challenged communities elsewhere in the state.

    “This is outstanding news for Mecklenburg County and the entire state,” said Senator Woodson Bradley. “This announcement wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of the local and state partners that collaborated to add this great addition to our corporate community.”

    “This region of the state has some of the brightest financial talent in the nation,” said Representative Laura Budd. “These well-paying jobs will be transformative for our talent pipeline as we help the company take root in our community.”  

    In addition to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in this project include the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, N.C. Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions, Mecklenburg County, and the City of Charlotte. 

    May 27, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Queen Street reopens following further Station Gateway works

    Source: City of York

    Published Tuesday, 27 May 2025

    Queen Street reopened to vehicles yesterday as work on the Station Gateway project continues.

    The road reopened ahead of schedule on late Monday evening. During the closure, intensive work took place to remove the existing temporary road surface and form the new permanent road, creating a new and improved highway for all users. The existing pedestrian crossing was also removed to allow works to continue next to the railway station, with a new temporary road crossing installed. This will maintain access to the new Bus Stops, which will be via the temporary raised walkway.

    Over the next few weeks a new bus layby area will be created next to the railway station as well as landscaping, improved paths and cycle paths.

    Councillor Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport at City of York Council, said: 

    We would once again like to thank everybody for their patience during the closure and while work is ongoing around the station. This is a hugely complex project, and I’d also like to extend thanks to all those involved in making this happen.

    “The progress made recently has been visibly transformative as we can now begin to see how the area will look once finished. I look forward to seeing further progress being made in the coming months as the area moves towards becoming a more accessible and welcoming space for all.”

    These works are part of the Station Gateway project which is being delivered in partnership by City of York Council, Network Rail, LNER and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority alongside contractor for the highways works for the project, John Sisk & Son and is part funded by the UK government.

    The ambitious project will completely transform the area to the front of York Station, providing an improved transport interchange, enhanced public spaces and an improved setting for the City Walls.

    For more information on the project visit: www.york.gov.uk/StationGateway.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Security: Roanoke Man, Who Posed as Baseball Prospect, Pleads Guilty to Failure to Register, False Statement Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ROANOKE, Va. – A Roanoke, Virginia man, who used burner phones to pose as officials from both Major and Minor League baseball teams, pled guilty today in federal court to failing to register as a convicted sex offender and making false statements.

    Janike Dunbar Holt, 29, a.k.a. “Nike,” a.k.a. “Janike Tagovailoa” a.k.a. “Keanu Tagovailoa,” a.k.a. “Trey Tagovailoa,” pled guilty today to one count of failure to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act and one count of making a false statement to law enforcement.

    According to court documents, in August 2018, Holt was convicted of four counts of taking indecent liberties with a child in North Carolina after he had sexual relations with a fifteen-year-old. Holt was released from custody in October of 2018 and, after initially complying with his required sex offender registration requirements, Holt failed to report an address change in June 2022.

    In March 2022, Holt began dating a woman (Individual 1) who had a minor child (Minor A). Holt was not the father of Minor A, but he told others that he was. In addition, Holt was asking several other women for money that he claimed was to support Minor A, to visit Minor A, or to help obtain custody of Minor A. However, Holt did not actually use the money for these stated purposes or otherwise provide this money to Individual A or Minor A.

    Around October 2022, Holt began dating Individual 2. Holt falsely told Individual 2 that he had a child (Minor A) and got Individual 2 to give him $65 for diapers for the child and for gas to go visit her.  Individual 2 gave Holt access to her bank accounts, and Holt stole $5,000 from her. Individual 2 was able recover this money from her bank.

    At other times in 2022, Holt also dated Individual 3 and Individual 5. While living with Individual 3, Holt stole at least three checks from her, which he subsequently made out to himself. Holt filled out one of these checks and asked Individual 5 to cash it for him. Holt made out another of these stolen checks for $225,000, with the memo line reading “Lawsuit Refund.” The check was never cashed. Holt later made out another of these stolen checks for $75,000, with the memo line reading “Law-suit settlement.” He asked Individuals 7 and 8 to cash this check for him, but they refused.

    On February 6, 2023, Holt asked a friend to drive him from North Carolina to Virginia, where he was planning to move. Holt lived with his brother in Roanoke for a few days before moving in with a new girlfriend, Individual 6. Holt continued living with his new girlfriend until March 14, 2023. While living in Roanoke, Holt never registered as a sex offender in Virginia, despite being required to under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

    Despite living with Individual 6, Holt also spent a significant amount of time at a house where the mother of two of his brother’s children (Individual 7) lived with her mother (Individual 8). Holt falsely told his brother, Individual 7, and Individual 8 that he had been recruited to play for a Major League Baseball team. Holt used burner phones to send text messages to his brother, Individual 7, and Individual 8 while pretending to be actual individuals affiliated with a Major League Baseball team and a Minor League Baseball team. Holt used the names of these individuals without their knowledge.

    Holt told his brother, Individual 6, Individual 7, and Individual 8 that they would all be moving as a result of his purported Major League Baseball career. In preparation, and at Holt’s urging, Individual 7 and Individual 8 sold some of their vehicles and gave Holt the proceeds. Holt also attempted to sell Individual 6’s vehicle without her knowledge. 

    On March 14, 2023, Holt was arrested on a warrant out of North Carolina. While being interviewed by a deputy marshal, Holt made several false statements, including that he had a child (Minor A), that he had not been living in Roanoke, Virginia but had been driving back and forth between Roanoke and North Carolina every other day, and that his probation officer was aware that he was habitually traveling between Roanoke and North Carolina.

    The United States Marshals Service is investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Scheff is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Global: Regulating AI seems like an impossible task, but ethically and economically, it’s a vital one

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jun Du, Professor of Economics, Centre Director of Centre for Business Prosperity (CBP), Aston University

    AlinStock/Shutterstock

    AI has already transformed industries and the way the world works. And its development has been so rapid that it can be hard to keep up. This means that those responsible for dealing with AI’s impact on issues such as safety, privacy and ethics must be equally speedy.

    But regulating such a fast-moving and complex sector is extremely difficult.

    At a summit in France in February 2025, world leaders struggled to agree on how to govern AI in a way that would be “safe, secure and trustworthy”. But regulation is something that directly affects everyday lives – from the confidentiality of medical records to the security of financial transactions.

    One recent example which highlights the tension between technological advancement and individual privacy is the ongoing dispute between the UK government and Apple. (The government wants the tech giant to provide access to encrypted user data stored in its cloud service, but Apple says this would be a breach of customers’ privacy.)

    It’s a delicate balance for all concerned. For businesses, particularly global ones, the challenge is about navigating a fragmented regulatory landscape while staying competitive. Governments need to ensure public safety while encouraging innovation and technological progress.

    That progress could be a key part of economic growth. Research suggests that AI is igniting an economic revolution – improving the performance of entire sectors.

    In healthcare for example, AI diagnostics have drastically reduced costs and saved lives. In finance, razor-sharp algorithms cut risks and help businesses to rake in profits.

    Logistics firms have benefited from streamlined supply chains, with delivery times and expenses slashed. In manufacturing, AI-driven automation has cranked up efficiency and cut wasteful errors.

    But as AI systems become ever more deeply embedded, the risks associated with their unchecked development increase.

    Data used in recruitment algorithms for instance, can unintentionally discriminate against certain groups, perpetuating social inequality. Automated credit-scoring systems can exclude people unfairly (and remove accountability).

    Issues like these can erode trust and bring ethical risks.

    A well-designed regulatory framework must mitigate these risks while ensuring that AI remains a tool for economic growth. Over-regulation could slow development and discourage investment, but inadequate oversight may lead to misuse or exploitation.

    International intelligence

    This dilemma is being treated differently across the world. The EU for example, has introduced one of the most comprehensive regulatory frameworks, prioritising transparency and accountability, especially in areas such as healthcare and employment.

    While robust, this approach risks slowing innovation and increasing compliance costs for businesses.

    In contrast, the US has avoided sweeping federal rules, opting instead for self-regulation in specific industries. This has led to rapid AI development, particularly in areas such as autonomous vehicles and financial technology. But it also leaves regulatory gaps and inconsistent oversight.

    AI has huge potential for healthcare.
    frank60/Shutterstock

    China meanwhile uses government-led regulation, prioritising national security and economic growth. This brings major state investment, driving advances in things such as facial recognition and surveillance systems, which are used extensively in train stations, airports and public buildings.

    These varying approaches demonstrate a lack of international agreement about AI. And they also pose significant challenges for businesses operating globally.

    Companies must now comply with multiple, sometimes conflicting AI regulations, leading to increased compliance costs and uncertainty.

    This fragmentation could slow down AI adoption as firms hesitate to invest in applications that could become non-compliant in some countries. A globally coordinated regulatory framework seems increasingly necessary to ensure fairness and promote responsible innovation without excessive constraints.

    Innovation vs regulation

    But again, achieving this kind of framework would not be easy. The impact of regulation on innovation is complex and involves careful trade-offs.

    Transparency, while essential for accountability, could mean sharing new technology, potentially eroding competitive advantages. Strict compliance requirements, crucial in industries such as healthcare and finance, can be counterproductive where rapid development is vital.

    Effective AI regulation should be dynamic, adaptive and globally harmonised, balancing ethical responsibilities with economic ambition. Companies that actively align with ethical AI standards are likely to benefit from improved consumer trust.

    For now, in the absence of global agreement, the UK has chosen a flexible approach, with guidelines set by independent bodies such as the Responsible Technology Adoption Unit. This model aims to attract investment and encourage innovation by offering clarity without overly rigid constraints.

    With a robust research ecosystem, world-class universities and a skilled workforce, the UK has a solid foundation for AI-driven economic growth. Continued investment in research, infrastructure and talent are essential.

    The UK must also stay proactive in shaping international AI standards. For achieving effective AI governance that is safe and trustworthy, will be key to securing its future as an engine of economic and social transformation.

    Jun Du is a member of the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) Economic Advisory Council, and part of BCC Global Britain Challenge Group; the Vice Chair of the Trade and Investment Panel for the International Chambers of Commerce, and advisor to the Midlands Engine Observatory Program Board and the Business Commission West Midlands Advisory Panel. Jun is a member of the Council of Experts of the UKRI-funded Innovation & Research Caucus, and part of the OECD Innovation Review Advisory Group.

    Cher Li is a member of the Council of Experts of the UKRI-funded Innovation & Research Caucus, and government Expert Peer Review Group (PRG). Her recent research projects have been funded by the ESRC and United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

    Xingyi Liu has received funding from the Innovation & Research Caucus for his recent research.

    ref. Regulating AI seems like an impossible task, but ethically and economically, it’s a vital one – https://theconversation.com/regulating-ai-seems-like-an-impossible-task-but-ethically-and-economically-its-a-vital-one-250816

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Two agreements with representatives of the Science and Technology Administration of the High-Tech and Industrial Region of Harbin were signed at the State University of Management

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On May 27, 2025, a delegation from the Science and Technology Administration of the Harbin High-tech and Industrial Zone and the PUE Shanghai Business Incubator Administration visited the National University of Management.

    At the meeting with the management of the State University of Management, two cooperation agreements were signed and vectors for its further development were outlined.

    Rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev: “Dear colleagues, friends, comrades, I am glad to welcome such a representative and serious delegation within the walls of the State University of Management. Our meeting is aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership with the industrial region of Harbin. In the new era, relations between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China are rapidly developing, which was confirmed during the visit to Russia of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping. We are especially pleased that this visit was timed to coincide with the celebration of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, as well as the end of World War II and the victory over militarist Japan. There are many tasks and issues on the agenda. I hope that even if we do not solve them all today, we will outline the directions for these decisions. I am confident that the visit will serve the further development of relations between our countries.”

    Deputy Head of the Harbin High-Tech and Industrial District Committee Wang Hong: “Dear Rector and the SUM team, good morning! It is an honor for us to visit a prestigious university with a long history. Before the visit, we studied your university in terms of experience in training personnel for your country and in cooperation with China. Our countries are close not only geographically, economically, but also culturally. The recent visit of the PRC leaders to Russia was intended to continue the development of these ties. Our visit today has the same goal. Harbin is the largest historical base for training personnel for cooperation with Russia; today, it is home to 23 universities.”

    Next, Comrade Wang Hong outlined the priority areas of cooperation with the National University of Management: 1. Establishing strong ties and organizing regular mutual visits between the parties, as well as integrating educational programs; 2. Scientific cooperation in the field of developing artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial vehicles, biomedicine, new materials and food production; 3. Organizing a student exchange program in the form of courses or summer schools to train competitive personnel.

    At the end of her welcoming speech, Wang Hong invited Vladimir Stroyev and other representatives of the State University of Management to come to Harbin on a return visit.

    Vladimir Vitalyevich accepted the invitation with gratitude, noting that he, as a native of Vladivostok, always dreamed of visiting Harbin and now this dream can come true, since good partners have appeared in the city.

    In a ceremonial atmosphere, the rector signed two cooperation agreements: with the Science and Technology Administration of the High-Tech and Industrial District of Harbin, represented by the Head of the Administration, Wang Di, and with the Administration of the Business Incubator “PuE-Shanghai”, represented by the General Director, Su Jing.

    Director of the Center for Management Development of the Higher School of Business and Technology of the State University of Management, Alexander Narezhnev, spoke about the goals and objectives of the department, educational programs and internships in China. The director proposed developing similar programs and starting cooperation in areas of science that are of interest to partners. In addition, Alexander Narezhnev proposed developing programs to support startups and providing partners with a platform to open their representative office on the territory of the State University of Management.

    Vladimir Filatov, Director of the Center for Management of Engineering Projects at GUU, reported that the Center, under his leadership, is conducting developments in the field of artificial intelligence, drones, computer vision, and the agricultural industry, and also shared his experience of cooperation with the Chinese side – GUU and one of the Shanxi universities submitted a joint application for research with funding from national funds.

    Deputy Head of the Harbin High-Tech and Industrial District Committee Wang Hong said that the district is an economic zone responsible for developing relations with Russia, so there is a special competence center and a bank to ensure financial transfers. To simplify the start of work, partners are offered turnkey services. In this regard, Wang Hong proposed considering the possibility of opening a representative office of the State University of Management in Harbin.

    During the subsequent meeting, the partners discussed the possibilities of cooperation in the areas of MBA and internships, agreed to hold a joint round table and exchanged contact information.

    Vice-Rector of the State University of Management Dmitry Bryukhanov noted that the discussion arouses a keen interest in joint activities, and suggested developing and exchanging specific proposals for work in the field of science and education, and later signing further agreements at the 9th Russian-Chinese EXPO, which will take place on July 7–10 in Yekaterinburg. The distinguished guests agreed with this proposal.

    At the end of the visit to SUM, the delegation from Harbin was given a tour of the university campus.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Security: El Salvador National Charged with Illegal Possession of Firearms

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    TRENTON, N.J. – An El Salvador national was arrested and charged with possessing firearms as an illegal alien, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    Jose Manuel Menjivar Viera, a/k/a Jose Manuel Mejiva, 35, a citizen and national of El Salvador and most recently of Long Branch, New Jersey, was charged by complaint with one count of being an illegal alien in possession of firearms. Viera made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Brendan Day in Trenton federal court and was detained.

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

    On December 11, 2024, at approximately 3:00 a.m., law enforcement officers in Long Branch responded to multiple calls for service regarding gunshots fired in a suburban neighborhood. Shortly after officers arrived, they observed an individual, later identified as Jose Manuel Menjivar Viera, riding a bicycle and carrying a large black bag. Officers followed Viera before he dismounted from the bike and fled into the exterior property of a nearby residence. Officers searched the area where Viera fled and eventually recovered his bicycle and the bag he was carrying. The bag contained two firearms, a semiautomatic rifle and a loaded handgun, firearm magazines, ammunition, and a machete. A short time later, officers discovered Viera hiding in the truck-bed of a pickup truck parked in the driveway next to the residence. Viera was subsequently identified by agents with the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as being an El Salvador national and citizen and without any legal status to be in the United States.

    The alien in possession of a firearm charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

    U.S. Attorney Habba credited deportation officers of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark, under the direction of Field Office Director John Tsoukaris, with the investigation leading to the charges. She also thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly in Newark, the Long Branch Police Department, under the direction of Officer-in-Charge Jorge Silverio, and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago, for their assistance in the investigation.

    The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Garelick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.

    The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

                                                                           ###

    Defense counsel: Benjamin West, Federal Public Defenders

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Local Rapper Sentenced for Illegal Possession of Firearms

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Keynon Frazier, a/k/a “Green Eyez,” 29, of Shreveport, has been sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 78 months followed by 3 years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $25,000 fine.

    Frazier a/k/a “Green Eyez” was found guilty by a jury on January 15, 2025, for Felon in Possession of Firearm. On April 15, 2024, officers with the Shreveport Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle being driven by Frazier in the downtown Shreveport area, which ended with his vehicle crashing into a telephone pole and another vehicle. Officers approached the crashed vehicle and found Frazier, who was the sole occupant and driver of the vehicle. Also, inside the vehicle on the front passenger floorboard, officers found two firearms, a Glock 17 firearm, and a Glock 45 firearm, along with an expended shell casing stuck within the chamber of the Glock 45. In addition, there was a bullet-size hole found in the front driver’s side windshield of the vehicle.

    Officers determined that Frazier had prior felony convictions for aggravated battery and second degree robbery, and he was arrested at the scene and taken into custody. As a convicted felon, Frazier was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. 

               The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Shreveport Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Aaron Crawford and Cheyenne Wilson.          

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Knife-Wielding Passenger Charged in Random Stabbing on Metro Bus

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – Ankintola Olowofoyeku, 43, of Hyattsville, Maryland, was indicted for threatening to kill two strangers and stabbing one of them on a metro bus in July 2024, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and Chief Michael Anzallo, of the Metro Transit Police Department.

    View copy of indictment here.

                A Superior Court grand jury indicted Olowofoyeku on May 21, 2025, on two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of assault with significant bodily injury while armed, and two counts of felony threats.

                According to the government’s evidence, on July 21, 2024, Olowofoyeku was aboard a 70 route bus, in the vicinity of Georgia Avenue NW and Jefferson Street NW, when he began screaming at two strangers and demanding that they exit the bus. Olowofoyeku threatened to kill the two victims while holding a knife behind his back and forcing the victims to retreat into a corner of the bus. Olowofoyeku struck one of the victims and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, Olowofoyeku stabbed one of the victims in his leg, arm, and hand. Eventually, Olowofoyeku was forced off the bus, where he continued to brandish the knife and threaten to kill. Subsequently, Olowofoyeku fled the area and was arrested on February 7, 2025.

                Trial is scheduled for June 16, 2025, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia before the Honorable Andrea Hertzfeld.

                This case is being investigated by the Metro Transit Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

                It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Dal Lago.

                A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: RCI BANQUE: ISSUANCE OF EUR 500 MILLION FIXED RATE GREEN NOTES MATURING IN JUNE 2030

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PRESS RELEASE 
     
    May 27th, 2025

     

    RCI BANQUE: ISSUANCE OF EUR 500 MILLION FIXED RATE GREEN NOTES MATURING IN JUNE 2030

    RCI Banque, operating under the commercial brand Mobilize Financial Services, announces the issuance of a € 500m 5-year green bond (June-30) bearing a 3.375% coupon.  

    The deal attracted a final order book above 1.8 billion euro coming from around 119 investors. 

    The proceeds from this Green Bond will be used to finance or refinance Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and charging infrastructure.

    The success of this transaction demonstrates investors’ confidence in the financial strength of the company and its contribution to facilitate the transition to electric driving and help tackle climate change.

    Contact

    About Mobilize Financial Services  
    Attentive to the needs of all its customers, Mobilize Financial Services, a subsidiary of Renault Group, creates innovative financial services to build sustainable mobility for all. Mobilize Financial Services, which began operations nearly 100 years ago, is the commercial brand of RCI Banque SA, a French bank specializing in automotive financing and services for customers and networks of Renault Group, and for the brands Nissan and Mitsubishi in several countries.   
    With operations in 35 countries and nearly 4,000 employees, Mobilize Financial Services financed more than 1,3 million contracts (new and used vehicles) in 2024 and sold 3,7 million services. At the end of December 2024, average earning assets stood at 55,9 billion euros of financing and pre-tax earnings at 1,194 million euros.    
    Since 2012, the Group has deployed a deposit-taking business in several countries. At the end of December 2024, net deposits amounted to 30,5 billion euros, or 50 % of the company’s net assets.    
    To find out more about Mobilize Financial Services: www.mobilize-fs.com/  
    Follow us on Twitter: @Mobilize_FS  

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Europe: European monetary policy in times of high uncertainty | Lecture at ZEW – Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research

    Source: Deutsche Bundesbank in English

    Check against delivery.

    1 Certain uncertainty
    Ladies and gentlemen, 
    Thank you very much for your invitation and kind welcome. I am delighted to be with you here in Mannheim today.
    With this series of events, the ZEW has been providing a forum for political, economic and academic exchange for more than three decades now. You have set out your expectations very clearly: Pressing economic policy issues and recent developments are the focus. 
    At present, pressing issues and developments are indeed coming thick and fast. Take, for example, the numerous pivots in trade policy by the US Administration. Sometimes the issues are already outdated before you have even had a chance to address them. In any case, one thing is clear: we have a lot to discuss today. 
    Ladies and gentlemen,
    When the ZEW proposed a topic to me just over two months ago, I had no doubt in my mind: there was no chance that the chosen topic would already be outdated. And why not? As Alan Greenspan, former Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, once said: “Uncertainty is not just an important feature of the monetary policy landscape; it is the defining characteristic of that landscape.”[1]
    Greenspan said this in 2003. The term “the Great Moderation” had just been coined to describe a period of exceptional macroeconomic stability.[2] Uncertainty seemed to be relatively low at that time. Nevertheless, Greenspan stressed the factor of uncertainty. And he is not alone in this. I would imagine that none of you have ever heard a central banker say that uncertainty is currently negligible. 
    From my own experience, I can confirm that, when making monetary policy decisions, we are always faced with uncertainty. It is, after all, in the nature of the matter: the decisions impact a future that cannot be precisely predicted. Dealing with uncertainty is therefore part of the job description of monetary policymakers. What is constantly changing are the causes and degree of uncertainty. And that brings us to the heart of today’s topic: European monetary policy in times of high uncertainty. 
    In my lecture today, I will address three key questions: How should monetary policy deal with uncertainty in general? What are the main causes of uncertainty at present and in the future? How is monetary policy in the euro area navigating the current period of high uncertainty?
    2 Monetary policy under uncertainty
    Let us start with the subject that we have just touched upon: the impact of monetary policy unfolds only gradually. The decisions of today affect the inflation of tomorrow. The gap between decisions and their impact necessitates a forward-looking approach. Or, to put it another way: when we are out in the monetary policy landscape, we are also looking to our more distant surroundings. 
    This means that a core part of preparing for monetary policy meetings is to assess future developments. And, unlike with the weather, for example, the current situation is not entirely clear, either. A broad set of data and diverse economic models are therefore helpful for us. Like a magnifying glass and a pair of binoculars, they make it easier for us to examine our environment as closely as possible. Following on from this, we can differentiate between two types of uncertainty: data uncertainty and model uncertainty.
    Data uncertainty arises because not all of the information is available to obtain a picture of the “true” state of the economy. There are a number of reasons for this: not all of the data that would be of interest are recorded statistically or can be recorded in their entirety. Some data are only available with a considerable time delay. Some are subject to measurement issues, so the data need to be revised later. 
    To give one example: for economic activity in the euro area, Eurostat provides a preliminary flash estimate around four weeks after the end of a quarter. This is based on a very limited dataset, and especially the figures for the third month of the quarter need to be estimated. The actual flash estimate is released two weeks later. But even this does not yet include any details or nominal data. Another two to three weeks later, it is followed by an initial estimate with a more detailed breakdown by components. However, even then, changes should still be expected, and these can sometimes be considerable. 
    This demonstrates how we have only incomplete knowledge of the present in real time. The description and assessment of the current situation are therefore already subject to uncertainty. 
    In addition to this, there is model uncertainty. In order to be able to examine macroeconomic processes, complex realities must be simplified. This simplification is achieved through models. They are confined to a small number of interrelationships that are as relevant as possible. All others are disregarded. In monetary policy, we use models, for example, to predict the development of inflation or to estimate the effects of our monetary policy measures. However, there is plenty of room for discussion on whether the simplifications in each model are always adequate. 
    But even if we were all in agreement on the model framework, other sources of uncertainty still remain. This concerns, for one thing, the parameters. These reflect the assumed strength and dynamics of the relationships within a given model. The parameters are usually estimated on the basis of past observations. The estimation results therefore also depend on the selected investigation period. Furthermore, parameters can evolve over time, for example as a result of structural change. Particularly if this happens abruptly and the structural breaks are not detected immediately, the model results can then be misleading. 
    For another thing, models often make use of variables that cannot be observed directly, such as potential output or natural interest rates. These must themselves be estimated, which entails considerable uncertainty.[3] This also shows how closely data uncertainty and model uncertainty are intertwined.
    To summarise: models arrive at different results due to uncertainties in their structure, parameters and estimation variables, which may lead us to different conclusions. Assessment by experts then often determines the final forecast picture. 
    In practice, data uncertainty and model uncertainty are especially relevant when unexpected events occur. At these times, monetary policymakers’ need for comprehensive information is, of course, particularly great. This is because the appropriate monetary policy response depends on the nature of the unexpected events in question. However, data uncertainty and model uncertainty make it difficult to definitively ascertain the exact nature and magnitude of a shock that is currently taking place. There is a relatively high risk of being wrong. What can monetary policymakers do against this?
    First of all, we draw on many different sources of information to obtain as complete a picture of the current situation as possible. For example, in 2019 and 2020, we at the Bundesbank began to regularly survey households and firms about their assessments and expectations. Since 2020, we have been measuring the activity of the German economy using a weekly index. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, models have been developed that explicitly take gas price shocks into account. 
    In addition, we are continually working on improving our forecast models even further. Artificial intelligence now offers new possibilities, such as capturing non-linear relationships, analysing large sets of data, and automating and accelerating analytical processes. We are intensively examining all of these possibilities at the Bundesbank. And we have already achieved some promising successes in this regard. I will come back to touch upon one specific prototype later on.
    Given the data uncertainty and model uncertainty, we in monetary policy are well advised to pursue a strategy that is as robust as possible. To stick with the image of Alan Greenspan: in the monetary policy landscape, you should best avoid flip-flops. Sturdy footwear is needed here. A robust strategy produces good results under various assumptions and prevents particularly costly mistakes.
    The more uncertain the setting, the greater the risk of policy errors. That is why, when uncertainty is high, monetary policymakers are also in demand as risk managers. We have to consider various scenarios, assess the likelihood that they will materialise as well as their implications, and also weigh up the costs and benefits of different monetary policy paths that lead to the inflation destination. How do these considerations affect our decisions? The short answer is: it depends.
    A gradual approach might make sense when uncertainty is high.[4] It is human nature: when the room you are entering is dark, you do not simply rush in. You proceed slowly, taking small steps. Applying this analogy to monetary policy, the costs of reversing policy following an error could outweigh the costs of acting too late. “Flip-flopping” could itself add to the uncertainty and destabilise expectations. Moreover, abruptly changing direction can precipitate greater volatility in financial markets and pose risks to financial stability. 
    That said, it will not always be the case that cautious monetary policymaking is a good response to high uncertainty. I am talking about situations in which a “wait-and-see” attitude increases the risk that the outcome will be particularly unfavourable. Going back to the dark room I mentioned just now: if the flames are right behind you, you should not edge your way forwards in small steps. A scenario where inflation expectations risk drifting off might be just such a case. Then, a vigorous response would be appropriate to protect yourself from this worst-case scenario. As you can see, it may be necessary to respond swiftly and comprehensively, precisely because uncertainty is high. 
    Clearly, monetary policymakers acting as risk managers would be well advised to take robust control approaches into account when making decisions in particularly uncertain times.[5]
    3 Drivers of uncertainty
    3.1 Trade policy flip-flopping
    Ladies and gentlemen,
    Right now, these considerations are anything but mere theory. And that is due, not least, to the White House. Since the change of administration in the United States, no little uncertainty has been rippling across the Atlantic. The waves caused by US trade policy have been particularly huge. 
    Since April, the United States has been imposing additional tariffs of at least 10 % on all its trading partners. Tariffs that are higher still apply to imports of steel and aluminium as well as to cars and automotive parts. Tit-for-tat tariff hikes by the United States and China drove tariff rates to more than 100 % at times. In mid-May, the two countries agreed to lower them significantly for a time.[6] Even so, the average effective US tariff rate has climbed by more than 13 percentage points in the year to date, reaching its highest level since the 1930s.[7] In addition, there is a risk of tariffs going higher still as of July if bilateral negotiations fail. 
    The shock waves unleashed by US trade policy are not only having an impact via the actual tariff burden. Their unpredictability and the doubts they have raised about US economic and fiscal policy are also leaving a mark, as reflected by the sometimes severe fluctuations in financial markets. The tariff hikes announced on 2 April, for example, caused implied stock market volatility to spike significantly higher. This points to a high degree of uncertainty among market participants – in the United States especially, but also in the euro area.
    Measured in terms of the number of mentions in newspaper articles, trade policy uncertainty peaked this spring.[8] And that is hardly surprising given how many questions this topic is raising: which tariffs will be put into effect, temporarily suspended or withdrawn – and when? What retaliatory measures will follow in each case? To what degree will goods flows in global trade be diverted? What will be the fallout from this? Will action be taken to curb these diversions? And, if so, by whom? You could keep going like this ad infinitum. 
    Even in times when trade policy moves in straight lines, forecasts of the economic impact of upheavals in the tariff regime would be no more than rough approximations. But we are dealing with an almost unpredictable cycle of events: tariffs are threatened, put into force, partially withdrawn, and then threatened again. 
    One example of this is the US tariff policy imposed on the EU. First, on 12 March, the United States imposed general tariffs of 25 % on steel and aluminium. A little time later, additional blanket tariffs of 25 % were imposed on cars and automotive parts as well. On 2 April 2025, President Trump also announced what he called “reciprocal” tariffs for a host of trading partners depending on the bilateral trade deficit and amounting to at least 10 %, and, in the case of the EU, 20 %. But then, with turmoil raging in financial markets, President Trump, on 9 April, suspended the tariffs for 90 days, initially in order to reach “deals”. The minimum 10 % tariff and the additional 25 % tariff on cars, steel and aluminium were left in place, though. On 23 May, President Trump threatened the EU with 50 % tariffs, starting on 1 June – a threat he withdrew two days later. This means that forecasts are based on a footing that is less stable than usual.
    As far as economic growth is concerned, at least the direction of travel seems to be clear: Germany, like the euro area as a whole, is likely to suffer marked losses as a result of US tariff policy. First, the higher tariffs will make European goods less competitive in the US market. This will probably shrink exports to the United States. Second, sluggish economic activity in the United States and other trading-partner countries will dampen demand for products from Europe. Third, the high degree of uncertainty makes longer-term planning more difficult. Enterprises could therefore postpone investment decisions in the hope of quieter times.[9] 
    The Bundesbank has simulated the impact of US tariff policy effective in mid-April, China’s retaliatory measures, and the immediate exchange rate response. The results suggest that economic output in the euro area could be just under half a percentage point lower over the medium term. 
    The direction in which the trade dispute will move inflation in the euro area, however, remains unclear. On the one hand, weaker growth tends to dampen prices. Potential diversion effects resulting from more goods from China in the European market might also leave inflation somewhat lower. On the other hand, any retaliatory tariffs imposed by the EU would fuel inflation. 
    How the exchange rate will evolve going forward remains to be seen. In theory, the expected response to the US tariffs would be a stronger dollar. If anything, this would tend to drive prices higher in the euro area. But things have played out differently so far. In the wake of the tariff discussions, trust in the US dollar has declined, at least temporarily, causing the currency to depreciate markedly since 2 April. In the euro area, this has dampened inflation.
    Thinking beyond day-to-day terms, it is conceivable that longer-term effects will materialise as well. For example, tariffs can have a particularly negative impact on trade in intermediate goods.[10] This is because they shake the calculations upon which global production networks are based. 
    Enterprises have fine-tuned their supply chains to forge highly cost-efficient production structures. However, the trade barriers are putting a spanner in the works of global value chains. Enterprises will have no option but to recalculate their supply chains and tweak some of their relationships with suppliers. They will build up new partnerships and no doubt pay particular attention to strengthening their resilience. This will not happen overnight, especially with political conditions as unsettled as they are right now.[11] In the process, they may well relinquish some of the efficiency gains they have reaped. Over the medium term, this could generally drive up their costs and, as a result, their prices as well.
    3.2 Structural change is progressing
    The reconfiguration of global value chains is working in tandem with other structural changes: among them, first and foremost, climate change and the transition to a climate-neutral economy. The ageing of society is also playing a role, with more people entering retirement and fewer people still in the workforce. And let us not forget digitalisation, which brings with it great opportunities for increased productivity but also considerable change in many professional fields, as well as the risk of giving individual big players more market power.
    All of these factors could influence the inflation environment. It is often unclear in which direction inflation is heading, and it may change over time. Overall, these structural drivers make it difficult to assess medium-term inflation developments.
    3.3 New geopolitical realities
    Alongside structural change and the almost fully unpredictable developments in the tariff dispute, there is a third factor of uncertainty. Old security policy certainties have given way to new geopolitical realities. This is creating new challenges for Europe: we will thus need to invest significantly more in our own security.
    In order to sufficiently bolster our defence capabilities, considerably greater funds are required. There is a strong case against financing such ad hoc needs in the short term solely by rebalancing budgets. The European Commission, for instance, proposes activating the national escape clause in the EU fiscal rules in order to temporarily allow countries greater scope for borrowing.[12] 
    I think this is a justifiable approach. It would allow countries to gradually adjust to higher defence spending. However, it must be clear that this would only be a transitional period. Increased deficits cannot become a permanent state of affairs. A resilient Europe that is capable of action rests on a stable foundation. This includes sound public finances whereby key items are funded in the core budget and through current revenue.
    Overall, there are signs of a more expansionary fiscal policy stance for the euro area. Whether or not greater debt also leads to greater price pressures in the euro area depends on many factors, such as what the additional money is spent on, how quickly it flows out, and how much money flows in from abroad. These uncertainties make it more difficult to forecast developments. In any case, the ECB Governing Council is keeping a close eye on risk. As stated in the account of our April meeting: A boost in defence and infrastructure spending could also lift inflation over the medium term.
    4 Monetary policy stance in the euro area
    The current high level of uncertainty is a slight dampener on the gratification brought about by positive developments: since the beginning of the year, the euro area inflation rate has fallen from 2.5 % to 2.2 % in April. This has finally brought the target within reach. We are on the right path, even if it remains rocky. The core rate has recently risen again. At 4 %, prices for services, in particular, have seen surprisingly steep growth. 
    The ECB Governing Council will continue to steer the monetary policy stance in such a way that the inflation rate stabilises at 2 % over the medium-term. You may now be asking yourselves: What exactly does that mean for the next meeting in June? Will there be another interest rate cut? Pressing as these questions are, I unfortunately cannot answer them today.
    Since July 2022, we on the ECB Governing Council have been following a data-dependent approach, making decisions on a meeting-by-meeting basis. This approach has proved successful when dealing with the heightened uncertainty of recent years, such as during the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the wake of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. We have stayed flexible and have continuously assessed how the incoming data change the medium-term inflation outlook. Here, we supplemented our baseline – which is the most likely outcome – with scenario analyses. This also allowed us to assess the probability of less likely but still conceivable outcomes. 
    Using this approach, I believe that we are well equipped to deal with the current high level of uncertainty, too. As I explained earlier, inflation could be higher or lower than the latest expectations, depending on how the tariff dispute develops as well as other influencing factors like the exchange rate, services prices and fiscal packages. In light of this, it seems to me more advisable than ever to make decisions meeting by meeting on the basis of the latest data. If we had not already been operating so flexibly, we would have had to start doing so now, at the latest. It would be impossible to reliably commit to a specific interest rate path at the current juncture.
    In June, the ECB Governing Council will have a fresh set of data and an up-to-date forecast. These will help us to align the monetary policy stance in a way that will bring us another step closer to our goal. Our destination is clear: we want the inflation rate to reach the target of 2 % soon and to stabilise there on a sustainable basis. Of that, there is no doubt. In doing so, we are thus providing a stable anchor for inflation expectations. 
    Anchored inflation expectations make it easier for monetary policymakers to bring inflation back to target after unexpected events. The successes in the fight against the far too high inflation rates of the past few years were achieved at relatively low economic cost.[13] This was partly attributable to the fact that inflation expectations were better anchored than before. But we cannot rest on our laurels with regard to the future, because the starting position has changed. We no longer have decades of moderate inflation rates behind us. For many people, the experience of such strong price surges was new and dramatic. The memory of this is unlikely to fade quickly.[14]
    Inflation expectations, as well the associated price and wage setting, may now respond more quickly or more strongly to future inflation shocks. We therefore need to be particularly vigilant when it comes to the evolution of inflation expectations. For instance, medium-term inflation expectations amongst euro area households and firms were recently on the rise again. Concerns about rising prices caused by tariff policy are not only on American minds, then. We will keep a close eye on this development.
    Ensuring that inflation expectations are firmly anchored is a permanent task for monetary policymakers. This can be achieved by ensuring that our commitment to stability is highly credible and that our communication is clear.
    To further improve clarity, we have since implemented AI-assisted text analysis methods, too. In this vein, the Bundesbank has developed a novel AI model that can produce detailed and transparent evaluations of monetary policy texts.[15] This allows us to assess, for example, whether certain statements are likely to send the desired signals. After all, we do not want our communication to trigger undesirable market reactions or create additional uncertainty. AI analysis does not replace human expertise. But it can help us to further improve our understanding of monetary policy communication and its impact.
    5 Conclusion
    Ladies and gentlemen, 
    If you are currently wondering whether this speech was generated by AI, or, indeed, if it will ever end, I can assure you that real people were involved in the speech-writing process, and I have now come to my closing remarks. Our AI model is currently used to evaluate texts. Incidentally, this speech was classified as “neutral” in monetary policy terms.
    Alan Greenspan would probably have pushed the model to its limits. His statements were often so cryptic that the media and financial markets took to seeking out other clues: for example, when it came to monetary policy decisions, they looked at the thickness of his briefcase. A slim briefcase was thought to indicate an uneventful meeting without interest rate changes, whilst a bulging briefcase signalled a need for discussion and an adjustment to the policy rate.[16] During his term in office, Mr Greenspan was once asked whether there was any truth to this theory. His answer: “The thickness of my briefcase depended on whether or not I had packed a sandwich.”[17] 
    Unfortunately, not all uncertainties can be so easily erased from the monetary policy landscape. But, as we can see, asking direct questions and talking to each other often contributes to greater clarity. Which makes me all the more excited for our discussion!
    Thank you very much. 
    Footnotes:

    Greenspan, A. (2003), Monetary Policy under Uncertainty, Remarks at a symposium sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 29 August 2003.
    Stock, J. H. and M. W. Watson (2002), Has the Business Cycle Changed and Why?, NBER Working Paper No 9127.
    Nagel, J. (2025), r* in the monetary policy universe: Navigational star or dark matter?, Lecture at the London School of Economics and Political Science, London, 12 February 2025.
    Brainard, W. (1967), Uncertainty and the Effectiveness of Policy, American Economic Review, Vol. 57, No 2, pp. 411‑425.
    Hansen, L. P. and T. J. Sargent (2001), Robust Control and Model Uncertainty, American Economic Review, Vol. 91, No 2.
    See Deutsche Bundesbank (2025), The potential impact of the current trade dispute between the United States and China, Monthly Report, May 2025.
    The Budget Lab at Yale (2025), State of U.S. tariffs: May 12, 2025, Yale University.
    A description of the trade policy uncertainty index can be found in Caldara, D., M. Iacoviello, P. Molligo, A. Prestipino and A. Raffo (2020), The economic effects of trade policy uncertainty, Journal of Monetary Economics, Vol. 109. See also Deutsche Bundesbank (2025), The macroeconomic effects of heightened uncertainty, Monthly Report, May 2025.
    Deutsche Bundesbank (2018), The macroeconomic impact of uncertainty, Monthly Report, October 2018, pp. 49‑64.
    Deutsche Bundesbank (2020), Domestic economic effects of import tariffs with regard to global value chains, Monthly Report, January 2020.
    Bayoumi, T., J. Barkema and D. A. Cerdeiro (2019), The Inflexible Structure of Global Supply Chains, IMF Working Paper, No 19/193.
    See Deutsche Bundesbank (2025), EU fiscal rules: proposed activation of national escape clauses, Monthly Report, May 2025.
    Deutsche Bundesbank (2024), The global disinflation process and its costs, Monthly Report, July 2024.
    D’Acunto, F., U. Malmendier and M. Weber (2022), What Do the Data Tell Us About Inflation Expectations? NBER Working Papers, No 29825, March 2022.
    Deutsche Bundesbank (2025), Monetary policy communication according to artificial intelligence, Monthly Report, March 2025.
    Gavin, W. T. and R. J. Mandal (2000), Inside the briefcase: The art of predicting the Federal Reserve, The Regional Economist, July 2000.
    Alan Greenspan in an interview with “Stern”: “In der Badewanne hatte ich viele gute Ideen”, 30 September 2007. 

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    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Overnight closures planned for Highway 1 through Fraser Canyon

    Drivers are advised of three overnight closures of Highway 1 between Lytton and Spences Bridge to accommodate construction of the new bridge over the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) railway.

    The closures are necessary to facilitate the placement of girders and concrete panels.

    Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon will be closed in both directions from 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28, Thursday, May 29, and Tuesday, June 3, 2025. During the stoppage, Highway 1 will be closed at the junctures with highways 8 and 12, and vehicles will not be allowed through.

    Checkpoints will be set up at Lytton and Spences Bridge to provide travellers with information about alternative routes. The Ministry of Transportation and Transit will work directly with emergency services to facilitate access through the site during these times.

    The Gladwin area and Nicomen River Road will remain accessible to local traffic. All other traffic will be detoured via Highway 12 and Highway 5, with traffic-control guidance provided through portable message boards in Lillooet and Ashcroft.

    Drivers travelling between the Interior and Lower Mainland can take Highway 3 or Highway 5 as alternative routes.

    For up-to-date information about this closure and road conditions on alternative routes, travellers should monitor the forecast and visit: www.drivebc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Lamont Announces Reopening of East Haddam Swing Bridge Following Major Rehabilitation

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    (HADDAM, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today joined Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto and Congressman Joe Courtney at a news conference to announce the completion of the East Haddam Swing Bridge rehabilitation project.

    The historic, 112-year-old bridge, which carries Route 82 over the Connecticut River between Haddam and East Haddam, has been upgraded with new mechanical and electrical systems, substructure repairs, and roof replacement to enhance structural performance and reliability for the 12,000 vehicles that cross this bridge every day.

    A new sidewalk on the south side of the bridge is connected to newly constructed sidewalks on both sides of the river, offering a safe, accessible crossing for pedestrians and cyclists.

    Administered and overseen by the Connecticut Department of Transportation, this $88.8 million project was funded through a mix of 80% federal and 20% state funds. Construction spanned from September 2022 through May 2025 and was completed on time.

    “The East Haddam Swing Bridge is both a transportation lifeline and a state landmark,” Governor Lamont said. “Thanks to this investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re preserving a key piece of infrastructure for the next generation while making it safer and more accessible for everyone who uses it.”

    “We’re no longer applying a ‘band-aid’ fix. This full rehabilitation ensures the East Haddam Swing Bridge will continue serving Connecticut for many decades to come,” Commissioner Eucalitto said. “We’re grateful to the Haddam and East Haddam communities for their patience and partnership during construction, and we’re proud of the improvements made.”

    “The modernization of the iconic East Haddam Swing Bridge is a stellar example of how federal infrastructure dollars are supposed to work,” Congressman Courtney said. “Thanks to over $70 million from the federal infrastructure law, we were able to deliver a long-overdue, full-scale rehabilitation of a 112-year-old bridge that is safer for both motorists and pedestrians, while retaining its unique design. Congratulations to the Connecticut Department of Transportation and the contractors who swiftly executed this complex project, which will endure for decades to come.”

    Originally built in 1913 by the American Bridge Company, the East Haddam Swing Bridge has now been fully rehabilitated by that same company, bringing the bridge into the 21st century while preserving its historic integrity.

    The East Haddam Swing Bridge consists of four spans, including a moveable swing span that required upgrades to address operational issues identified during inspections. Previous repairs were completed in 1988, 1998, 1999, 2007, and 2016.

    Tuesday’s news conference at Eagles Landing State Park in Haddam was capped by a special appearance from the Riendeau family, whose ancestors brought oxen to the original ribbon cutting for the East Haddam Swing Bridge in June 1913. More than a century later, the family returned to the bridge on Tuesday, this time with a new generation of oxen to help mark the bridge’s reopening.

     

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE investigation results in former child, family services caseworker sentenced to prison for sexually abusing children

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    NEWARK, N.J. — A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation led to the sentencing of a former New Jersey Department of Children and Family Services, Division of Child Protection and Permanency caseworker for the transportation and possession of child sexual abuse material.

    Trent Collier, 58, of Kearny, New Jersey, was sentenced May 22 at the U.S. District Court in Newark to 109 months for one count of possession of child pornography and one count for the transportation of child pornography. He pleaded guilty to these charges on May 21, 2024, following his August 2022 indictment.

    “Collier’s sentencing shows the strength and resolve of HSI and our law enforcement partners in the State of New Jersey to purse justice and uphold our commitment to protect children,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Newark Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “We’ve sworn an oath to protect those who have been victimized by perpetrators like Collier and serve in positions of trust. Instead of caring for New Jersey children, he sexually exploited them for his own perverse pleasure.”

    According to the investigation, on or about Sept. 28, 2021, Collier arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport aboard a flight from the Dominican Republic. Upon his arrival, law enforcement searched Collier’s cellular phone and identified at least two images of child sexual abuse material. In a statement to law enforcement, Collier admitted that he had previously sent child sexual abuse material to at least one other individual via cell phone and that individual sent child sexual abuse material to Collier. A further search of Collier’s cell phone uncovered multiple additional videos of child sexual abuse material, including videos depicting the sexual exploitation of toddlers.

    Collier’s federal sentence will run consecutively to any future state sentencing. He has been remanded to the custody of the State of New Jersey since May 2024.

    HSI Newark also assisted the New Jersey State Police in garnering state charges against Collier in a seven-count indictment with sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, attempted aggravated sexual assault, and official misconduct, based on Collier’s alleged sexually abusive conduct toward the two minor victims. Those charges were announced by the Division of Criminal Justice and NJSP Oct. 3, 2024.

    According to the New Jersey State Attorney General, the investigation by HSI Newark and NJSP revealed that Collier had sexually abused two minors. The first victim was allegedly sexually assaulted while Collier served as the DCPP caseworker for the victim’s family. Collier allegedly verbally and physically threatened the victim that they would be removed from their family if they disclosed the abuse. Several instances of the alleged abuse occurred inside a DCPP office as well as a DCPP vehicle. As to the second victim, it is alleged that Collier leveraged his position as a DCPP caseworker to facilitate the sexual abuse, including use of his DCPP vehicle to facilitate an assault. It is also alleged that Collier offered financial incentives to the second victim to thwart disclosure.

    The state charges and allegations are merely accusations, and they do not constitute proof of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

    In addition to the federal prison term, Collier was sentenced to five years of supervised release.

    HSI is at the forefront of the U.S. government’s efforts to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse through its investigations, victim assistance programs, intelligence and analysis, policy development, and training and awareness programs.

    For any child, parent, guardian of New Jersey, searching for resources and information on how to prevent and combat online child sexual exploitation, go to Know2Protect.gov. If you suspect a child might be a victim, please call the ICE Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Soitec Reports Fourth Quarter Revenue and Full-Year Results of Fiscal Year 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SOITEC REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER REVENUE AND
    FULL-YEAR RESULTS OF FISCAL YEAR 2025

    • Q4’25 revenue reached €327m, stable at constant exchange rates and perimeter compared to Q4’24
    • FY’25 revenue amounted to €891m, down 9% both on a reported basis and at constant exchange rates and perimeter, in line with revised guidance
    • Soitec accelerated diversification confirmed with POI becoming Soitec’s fourth product to generate annual revenue of around $100m or more
    • Robust FY’25 EBITDA1margin2at 33.5%, current EBIT margin at 15.2%
    • Positive FY’25 Free Cash Flow, at €26m, while maintaining strong R&D and industrial investments
    • Q1’26 revenue, impacted by the anticipated phase-out of Imager-SOI, is expected down around 20% year-on-year at constant exchange rates and perimeter (Imager-SOI Q1’25 revenue: $25m)
    • FY’26 Capex cash-out expected around €150m, down from €230m in FY’25
    • Strong technology megatrends and Soitec’s innovative engineered substrates continue to sustain Soitec addressable market growth from ~5m wafers (200mm equivalent) in 2024 to ~12m in 2030
    • Given the current reduced visibility and market uncertainties, the Group withdraws any guidance, whether related to all or part of its activities. This includes the projection of a quite limited growth for FY’26, as well as the medium-term ambition to reach a revenue target of $2bn with an EBITDA margin of approximately 40%. Going forward, the Group will only provide revenue guidance on a quarterly basis

    Bernin (Grenoble), France, May 27th, 2025 – Soitec (Euronext Paris), a world leader in designing and manufacturing innovative semiconductor materials, today announced its revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025 and its full-year results of fiscal year 2025 (ended on March 31st, 2025). The financial statements3 were approved by the Board of Directors during its meeting today.

    Pierre Barnabé, Soitec’s CEO, commented: On the back of strong sales in the fourth quarter, we closed fiscal year 2025 in line with our revised guidance, with a high-single digit decline in full-year revenue. In this context, strict cost management enabled us to deliver a robust EBITDA margin, generate positive free cash flow, and continue investing both in innovation and in our industrial capacity – all while maintaining a very healthy balance sheet.

    In a volatile and uncertain economic environment, we are focusing on parameters within our control to strengthen our fundamentals and accelerate our diversification beyond RF-SOI and beyond Mobile Communications. With the growing adoption of our new products by industry leaders – POI becoming an industry standard for innovative smartphones and Photonics-SOI gaining traction among industry leaders to equip the next generation of AI Datacenters – we have been able to partially offset the ongoing RF-SOI inventory correction and mitigate the impact of the weakness in the automotive industry. While RF-SOI remains by far the first contributor to our revenue, three other products – FD-SOI, Power-SOI and POI – are now each generating around or above 100 million US dollars in revenue.

    This environment however provides limited visibility. We have therefore decided to suspend all previously issued guidance and to only provide revenue guidance on a quarterly basis. We expect Q1’26 to reflect the impact of the Imager-SOI phase out, which we had already anticipated and prepared for. Q1’26 revenue is hence expected to be down around 20% year on year, Imager-SOI contributing 25 million dollars in Q1’25.

    We remain confident in our solid fundamentals and in our ability to accelerate growth as soon as our end markets begin to recover. Our strong technology megatrends – 5G, Energy Efficiency and Artificial Intelligence – and our unique expertise in engineered substrates continue to support the expansion of our Addressable Market from around 5 million wafers (200-mm equivalent) in 2024 to around 12 million in 2030”, added Pierre Barnabé.

    Fourth quarter FY’25 consolidated revenue

      Q4’25 Q4’24 Q4’25/Q4’24
             
             
    (Euros millions)     change reported chg. at const. exch. rates & perimeter
             
    Mobile Communications 220 222 -1% -2%
    Automotive & Industrial 45 44 +1% 0%
    Edge & Cloud AI 63 70 -11% +2%
             
    Revenue 327 337 -3% -1%

    Soitec revenue reached 327 million Euros in Q4’25, down 3% on a reported basis compared with revenue of 337 million Euros achieved in Q4’24. This reflects a 1% year-on-year decline at constant exchange rates and perimeter, a negative scope4 effect of 3% related to the divestment of Dolphin Design’s businesses, and a positive currency impact of 1%.

    Each one of Soitec’s three divisions recorded an almost stable organic change in revenue in Q4’25 compared to the high base achieved in Q4’24. The slight organic decline in Mobile Communications revenue was partly offset by a small increase in Edge & Cloud AI revenue, while Automotive & Industrial was stable. This is however reflecting different dynamics per product, with further strong traction in POI wafers for smartphone filters and in Photonics-SOI wafers for data centers.

    Mobile Communications

    In the context of a moderately recovering smartphone market and with a progressively improving inventory situation across the supply chain, Mobile Communications revenue reached 220 million Euros in Q4’25, down 2% at constant exchange rates and perimeter year-on-year.

    On RF-SOI wafers, Soitec benefited, as expected, from a usually strong seasonal stock rebuilding at the beginning of the calendar year. Volumes of RF-SOI wafers sold were higher in Q4’25 than in Q4’24, with a slightly negative price / mix effect, thus partly mitigating a significant decrease in 200-mm RF-SOI volumes.

    Sales of POI (Piezoelectric-on-Insulator) wafers dedicated to RF filters continued to grow sequentially from one quarter to another, translating into a sharp year-on-year increase in Q4’25. The adoption of Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) filters on POI continued to accelerate. Ten customers are in volume production, and thirteen others in qualification phase.

    Sales of FD-SOI wafers, the only solution for fully integrated 5G mmWave system-on-chip, have been slightly growing in Q4’25 compared to Q4’24.

    Automotive & Industrial

    Automotive & Industrial revenue reached 45 million Euros in Q4’25, flat at constant exchange rates and perimeter compared to Q4’24, despite the ongoing difficulties of the automotive market.

    After the particularly low level reached in Q3’25, volumes of Power-SOI wafers were significantly higher in Q4’25 than in Q4’24, although with a slightly negative price effect. Sales benefited from customer restocking at the beginning of their calendar year. Despite very low visibility, OEMs were keen to avoid stockouts in the event of a market rebound, but this most likely came at the expense of volumes in H1’26. As the Automotive market recovers, the outlook for Battery Management Systems remains strong and supports Soitec’s product roadmap towards 300-mm, further strengthening its positioning.

    Conversely, after a very strong performance in Q3’25, FD-SOI wafer sales recorded a slight year-on-year decline in Q4’25 compared to Q4’24. Automotive FD-SOI continues to be mostly driven by adoption for microcontrollers, radar and wireless connectivity, delivering superior performance and greater power efficiency compared to other existing technologies.

    Regarding SmartSiCTM, while Soitec initiated a sixth customer qualification process early Q4’25, the slower-than-expected growth of the electric vehicle market, combined with the longer than initially anticipated customers’ qualification cycles confirm the previously mentioned delay in the initially expected wafer production ramp-up.

    Edge & Cloud AI

    Edge & Cloud AI revenue reached 63 million Euros in Q4’25, up 2% at constant exchange rates and perimeter compared to Q4’24. On a reported basis revenue went down 11% as a result of the divestment of Dolphin Design’s businesses.

    Sales of Photonics-SOI wafers recorded another high sequential increase in Q4’25, as Soitec continues to benefit from a strong momentum in Cloud infrastructure investments across the Big Tech and Artificial Intelligence supply chains. On a year-on-year basis, sales were much higher than in Q4’24. As the exponential growth of AI-related computing power capabilities drives the need for more powerful and more energy-efficient data centers, Photonics-SOI has become a standard technology platform for high-speed and high bandwidth optical interconnections in data centers. Photonics-SOI are adopted in pluggable optical transceivers and used for the development of Co-Packaged Optics.

    In Q4’25 sales of FD-SOI wafers were above the level reached in Q3’25 but slightly down year-on-year compared to the high level recorded in Q4’24. This is mainly the consequence of deliveries requests put on hold by a couple of customers. FD-SOI technology is a key enabler for AI-driven consumer and industrial IoT applications due to its unique power efficiency, performance, thermal management and reliability advantages.

    Sales of Imager-SOI wafers for 3D imaging applications tapered off in Q4’25 due to the phase out of this product, as expected.

    FY’25 consolidated revenue

      FY’25 FY’24 FY’25/FY’24
             
    (Euros millions)     change reported chg. at const. exch. rates & perimeter
             
    Mobile Communications 546 611 -11% -12%
    Automotive & Industrial 129 163 -21% -22%
    Edge & Cloud AI 216 204 +6% +11%
             
    Revenue 891 978 -9% -9%

    Consolidated revenue reached 891 million Euros in FY’25, down 9% on a reported basis compared to 978 million Euros in FY’24. This reflects a 9% decline at constant exchange rates and perimeter, in line with Soitec’s latest guidance, a negative scope4 effect of 1% and a slightly positive currency impact of 1%.

    Overall, the sharp increase in sales of Photonics-SOI and POI wafers partly offset the drop in revenue recorded both in RF-SOI and in Power-SOI.

    • Mobile Communications revenue reached 546 million Euros in FY’25, down 11% on a reported basis and down 12% at constant exchange rates and perimeter year-on-year. Revenue was impacted by weaker RF-SOI volumes in connection with further inventory adjustment at customer level, especially in H1’25. RF-SOI performance was partly offset by a strong growth in POI wafer sales throughout the fiscal year and by slightly higher FD-SOI wafer sales. Mobile communications represented 61% of total revenue, almost stable vs FY’24.
    • Automotive & Industrial revenue amounted to 129 million Euros in FY’25, down 21% on a reported basis and down 22% at constant exchange rates and perimeter compared to FY’24. This revenue decline was primarily driven by lower Power-SOI volumes, reflecting weakness in the automotive market. Revenue from SmartSiC™ technology in connection with the initial phase of Soitec’s cooperation agreement with STMicroelectronics have also decreased year-on-year. This was partially offset by higher FD-SOI wafer sales. Automotive & Industrial represented 15% of total revenue against 17% in FY’24.
    • Edge & Cloud AI revenue reached 216 million Euros in FY’25, up 6% on a reported basis and up 11% at constant exchange rates and perimeter compared to FY’24. The organic increase in revenue was driven by higher sales of Photonics-SOI wafers, which benefit from sustained investment in Cloud infrastructure. Sales of FD-SOI went slightly down but remained at a high level, supported by the need for low-power computing devices and edge-AI applications. Imager-SOI sales were almost flat year-on-year despite the phase out of this product from early H2’25 onward. Edge & Cloud AI represented 24% of total revenue against 21% in FY’24.

    EBITDA1margin2maintained at a robust level

    Consolidated income statement (part 1)

    (Euros millions) FY’25 FY’24 % change
           
    Revenue 891 978 -9%
           
           
    Gross profit 286 332 -14%
    As a % of revenue 32.1% 34.0%  
           
    Net research and development expenses (85) (61) +39%
    Selling, general and administrative expenses (65) (63) +4%
           
           
    Current operating income 136 208 -35%
    As a % of revenue 15.2% 21.3%  
           
           
    EBITDA1,5 298 332 -10%
    As a % of revenue 33.5% 34.0%  

    Current operating income went down from 208 million Euros in FY’24 (21.3% of revenue) to 136 million Euros in FY’25 (15.2% of revenue). This reflects the weaker activity recorded in FY’25, but also higher R&D investment and higher depreciation expenses, as Soitec continues to invest to secure its competitiveness.

    • Gross profit reached 286 million Euros, down from 332 million Euros in FY’24. Gross margin declined by 1.9 points to 32.1% of revenue. This was essentially due to the lower sales volumes, of RF-SOI in particular, leading to a lower utilization of some of the industrial capacities, combined with an overall slightly negative price / mix effect. In addition, depreciation costs went up, reflecting the Group’s investment profile. These factors were mitigated by strong discipline in cost management, including lower purchase prices, by some agility in resource allocation between plants, and by higher subsidies.
    • Net R&D expenses increased from 61 million Euros in FY’24 (6.3% of revenue) to 85 million Euros in FY’25 (9.5% of revenue). Gross R&D expenses before capitalization went up 11% to 152°million Euros, as part of Soitec’s innovation strategy aimed at further investing in the next generation of SOI products, in compound semiconductors, as well as in new engineered substrates. In addition, Soitec booked a much lower amount of capitalized development costs in FY’25 (12 million Euros against 31 million Euros in FY’24). This was only partly offset by the recognition of higher R&D subsidies and higher prototype sales.
    • Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses amounted to 65 million Euros in FY’25 (7.3% of revenue), up from 63 million Euros in FY’24. This slight increase is essentially due to non-recurring positive effects on labor costs recorded in FY’24 and higher depreciation expenses, notably related to recent IT investments in cybersecurity. On the other hand, lower share-based compensation and the divestment of Dolphin Design both had positive effects.

    EBITDA1,5 amounted to 298 million Euros in FY’25 compared to 332 million Euros in FY’24. EBITDA1,5 margin2 remained at a robust level, reaching 33.5%, only 50 basis points below the level of 34.0% recorded in FY’24. The combination of a lesser absorption of fixed costs due to lower volumes and higher level of R&D investments was offset by higher non-cash items, notably depreciation and amortization expenses and inventory valuation effects.

    Consolidated income statement (part 2)

    (Euros millions) FY’25 FY’24 % change
           
           
       
    Current operating income 136 208 -35%
           
           
    Other operating income / (expenses) (16) (3)  
           
           
    Operating income 119 205 -42%
           
    Net financial expense (9) (5)  
    Income tax (19) (23)  
           
           
    Net profit from continuing operations 91 178 -49%
           
    Net profit from discontinued operations 1 0  
           
           
    Net profit, Group share 92 178 -48%
           
           
    Basic earnings per share (in €) 2.57 5.00 -49%
           
    Diluted earnings per share (in €) 2.56 4.88 -48%
           
           
    Weighted average number of ordinary shares 35,670,651 35,655,679  
           
    Weighted average number of diluted ordinary shares 35,868,688 37,710,587  

    Other operating expenses amounted to 16 million Euros in FY’25, mainly reflecting a 13 million Euros loss on the divestment of Dolphin Design’s businesses.

    Consequently, the operating income stood at 119 million Euros, down from 205 million Euros in FY’24.

    The net financial result came as an expense of 9 million Euros in FY’25 compared to an expense of 5 million Euros in FY’24. Net financial expenses were 2 million Euros higher than in FY’24, reflecting new financing arrangements, while a net foreign exchange loss of 2 million Euros was recorded in FY’25 against a gain of 1 million Euros in FY’24.

    The income tax expense amounted to 19 million Euros in FY’25, down from 23 million Euros in FY’24. The effective tax rate, however, increased from 11% in FY’24 to 17% in FY’25, as a result of specific one-off items.

    In line with the decline in operating income, the net profit amounted to 92 million Euros in FY’25 (10.3% of revenue), down from 178 million Euros in FY’24 (18.2% of revenue).

    Positive Free Cash Flow generation

    Consolidated cash-flows

    (Euros millions) FY’25 FY’24
         
    Continuing operations    
         
    EBITDA1,6 298 332
         
    Inventories (38) (19)
    Trade receivables (30) (94)
    Trade payables (15) (45)
    Other receivables and liabilities 4 17
    Change in working capital requirement (79) (142)
    Tax paid (17) (25)
         
         
    Net cash generated by operating activities 202 165
         
    Net cash used in investing activities (176) (208)
         
         
    Free Cash Flow 26 (43)
         
    New loans and debt repayment (including finance leases), drawing on credit lines (36) (15)
    Financial expenses (14) (12)
    Liquidity contract and other items (1) (7)
         
         
    Net cash used in financing activities (50) (33)
         
    Impact of exchange rate fluctuations 4 (3)
         
    Net change in cash (21) (80)

    The Group generated a positive Free Cash Flow of 26 million Euros in FY’25, which represents a 69 million Euros improvement compared to the 43 million Euros negative Free Cash Flow recorded in FY’24. Despite a lower EBITDA1,5, this strong increase essentially comes as a result of a better change in working capital. It also benefited from lower tax paid and from reduced capital expenditure.

    Change in working capital remained under control with a cash outflow at 79 million Euros in FY’25, compared to a cash outflow of 142 million Euros in FY’24. FY’25 cash outflow is essentially reflecting:

    • a 38 million Euros increase in inventories as a couple of customers requested to put some deliveries on hold while some late changes in product mix also resulted in an increase in bulk material inventories,
    • a 30 million Euros increase in trade receivables, explained by a different customer mix,
      • a 15 million Euros decrease in trade payables.

    The net cash used in investing activities amounted to 176 million Euros in FY’25, compared to 209 million Euros in FY’24. It takes into account financial income from cash investment of 19 million Euros (17 million Euros in FY’24). Including new production equipment under leases (31 million Euros in FY’25 vs. 51 million Euros in FY’24), total cash out related to capital expenditure amounted to 230 million Euros as expected. It compares with 276 million Euros spent in FY’24. Capital expenditure was essentially related to industrial investments, including:

    • additional POI manufacturing tools in Bernin to increase capacity,
    • production capacity for new SOI products (RF-SOI and Photonics-SOI) in Singapore and 300-mm SOI refresh capacity in Bernin,
    • the ongoing extension of Singapore 300-mm facility (for the part already started),
    • completion of the 200-mm SmartSiCTM pilot line in Bernin.

    Capital expenditure also included IT investments as well as investments supporting the Group’s innovation strategy and its environmental policy.

    Net cash used in financing activities amounted to 50 million Euros in FY’25 (33 million Euros in FY’24) essentially reflecting a net decrease in borrowings and related interest paid.

    In total, including a 4 million Euros positive impact of exchange rate fluctuations (3 million Euros negative impact in FY’24), the net cash outflow reached 21 million Euros in FY’25 (80 million Euros in FY’24) resulting in a steady strong cash position of 688 million Euros on March 31st, 2025.

    Strong balance sheet maintained

    Soitec maintained a strong balance sheet as of March 31st, 2025.

    Shareholders’ equity stood at 1.6 billion Euros on March 31st, 2025, up 100 million Euros from March 31st, 2024.

    Financial debt on March 31st, 2025, was slightly up, at 782 million Euros against 747 million Euros on March 31st, 2024. Taking into account the 21 million Euros cash outflow recorded in FY’25, the net debt position6 was kept at a moderate level, at 94 million Euros on March 31st, 2025, up from 39 million Euros on March 31st, 2024.

    FY’26 outlook

    Given the current reduced visibility and market uncertainties, the Group withdraws any guidance, whether related to all or part of its activities. This includes the projection of a quite limited growth for FY’26, as well as the medium-term ambition to reach a revenue target of $2bn with an EBITDA margin of approximately 40%. Going forward, the Group will only provide revenue guidance on a quarterly basis.

    Q1’26 revenue, impacted by the anticipated phase-out of Imager-SOI, is expected down around 20% year-on-year (Imager-SOI Q1’25 revenue: $25m). FY’26 Capex cash-out is expected around €150m, down from €230m in FY’25.

    Operating model at scale

    Soitec continues to pursue its long-term growth strategy, supported by structural trends in its end markets and the accelerated diversification of its product portfolio.

    In this context, Soitec has defined an operating model at scale, representing the financial profile the Group could achieve when operating at a higher volume level. This model reflects the Group’s internal assessment of the efficiencies and profitability enabled by its current industrial and technological platform.

    Based on its market assessment and competitive positioning, Soitec continues to grow its manufacturing capacity, in line with market growth and customer demand. The Group anticipates investing ~€770m to scale its production capacity to enable a $2bn revenue run-rate, which should yield significant operating leverage and cash generation improvement. Given ongoing reduced visibility and market uncertainties, the Group will not guide on a specific timing, which will be influenced by external factors beyond its control.

    This operating model and the associated ambitions and financial information are not guidance and should not be interpreted as a financial objective or forecast. Actual results will depend on market dynamics, customer adoption, and execution.

    Key events of Q4 FY’25

    Divestment of Dolphin Design’s main businesses

    Dolphin Design’s mixed-signal IP activities have been acquired on October 31st, 2024, by Jolt Capital, a private equity firm specializing in European deeptech investments. Dolphin Design’s ASIC activities were sold to NanoXplore, a major player in SoC and FPGA semiconductor design, on December 30th, 2024.

    Dolphin Design, acquired by Soitec in 2018, has long been at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge semiconductor design solutions in mixed-signal IP and ASICs. The sale of Dolphin Design’s two main business activities will support Soitec’s focus on strategic development and growth opportunities in its core advanced semiconductor materials business.

    A 13 million Euros loss on the divestment of Dolphin Design’s businesses was recorded in other operating expenses in FY’25. There will be no further impact on Soitec financial statements from FY’26.

    Soitec contributes to accelerated development of integrated optical connectivity solutions for AI data centers with its silicon photonics SOI technology

    On March 19th, 2025, Soitec welcomed recent industry steps to accelerate development and commercialization of co-packaged optics (CPO) solutions for data centers. The rapidly rising data requirements of AI and high-performance computing (HPC) are driving demand for silicon photonics-based CPO architectures. For data centers, CPO adoption enables energy savings of around 30% compared with current optical transceiver-based solutions. The momentum for widespread CPO adoption is building up. Following the earlier introduction of groundbreaking CPO products and demonstrators by Broadcom, Intel, and Marvell, NVIDIA unveiled its first CPO products, Spectrum-X and Quantum-X. Soitec is at the forefront of the transition from electrical to optical interconnects. CPO components are reliant on specialist silicon-on-insulator (Photonics-SOI) substrates, in which Soitec is a leader. The coming shift to CPO-based data center architectures is a major opportunity for Soitec.

    Soitec joins the SEMI Silicon Photonics industry alliance

    Soitec also announced on March 19th, 2025, that it has joined the SEMI Silicon Photonics Industry Alliance (SEMI SiPhIA), a group of more than 100 semiconductor industry partners, with TSMC and ASE serving as the alliance’s advocates. The alliance’s mission is to drive silicon photonics innovation and applications, advance industry standards, and foster knowledge-sharing, resource integration, and technical exchange. Through its membership, Soitec will contribute to strengthening supply chain partnerships and fostering international collaboration on the deployment of key next-generation technologies, including CPO.

    Soitec confirms its excellence in innovation with progress up 2024 INPI patent ranking

    On March 31st, 2025, Soitec once again demonstrated its excellence in innovation through its rise in the 2024 ranking of patent filers published by the INPI (the French National Institute of Industrial Property). This recognition highlights Soitec’s unwavering commitment to innovation and confirms its central role in the development of disruptive technologies, driven by a global strategy and a network of research centers spread across several continents. With 76 patents filed in France in 2024, compared to 62 the previous year, Soitec confirms its 1st place among the most innovative mid-sized companies, for the second consecutive year, and rises to 22nd place nationally, up three places. With approximately 400 patents filed worldwide each year, Soitec has established itself as an essential technology leader.

    # # #

    FY’25 results will be commented during an analyst and investor meeting in Paris on May 28th, 2025, at 2pm CET. The meeting will be held in English.

    The live webcast will be available on: https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/soitec/20250528_1/

    The investor presentation is available for download on:
    https://www.soitec.com/home/investors/full-year-results-of-fiscal-year-2024—2025

    # # #

    Annual General Meeting

    At its meeting today, the Board of Directors decided to convene the Annual General Meeting of shareholders on July 22nd, 2025. On this occasion, it decided to renew three of the four directors’ terms of office due to expire (Bpifrance Participations, CEA Investissement and Fonds Stratégique de Participations). Regarding Kai Seikku, the latter did not wish to be re-elected.

    Q1’26 revenue

    Q1’26 revenue is due to be published on July 22nd, 2025, after market close.

    # # #

    Disclaimer

    This document is provided by Soitec (the “Company”) for information purposes only.

    The Company’s business operations and financial position are described in the Company’s 2023-2024 Universal Registration Document (which notably includes the Annual Financial Report) which was filed on June 5th, 2024, with the French stock market authority (Autorité des Marchés Financiers, or AMF) under number D.24-0462, as well as in the Company’s 2024-2025 half-year financial report released on November 20th, 2024. The French versions of the 2023-2024 Universal Registration Document and the 2024-2025 half-year financial report, together with English courtesy translations for information purposes of both documents, are available for consultation on the Company’s website (www.soitec.com), in the section Company – Investors – Financial Reports.

    Your attention is drawn to the risk factors described in Chapter 2.1 (Risk factors and controls mechanism) of the Company’s 2023-2024 Universal Registration Document.

    This document contains summary information and should be read in conjunction with the 2023-2024 Universal Registration Document and the 2024-2025 half-year financial report.

    This document contains certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements relate to the Company’s future prospects, developments and strategy and are based on analyses of earnings forecasts and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties as they relate to future events and are dependent on circumstances that may or may not materialize in the future. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of the Company’s future performance. The occurrence of any of the risks described in Chapter 2.1 (Risk factors and controls mechanism) of the 2023-2024 Universal Registration Document may have an impact on these forward-looking statements.

    The Company’s actual financial position, results and cash flows, as well as the trends in the sector in which the Company operates may differ materially from those contained in this document. Furthermore, even if the Company’s financial position, results, cash-flows and the developments in the sector in which the Company operates were to conform to the forward-looking statements contained in this document, such elements cannot be construed as a reliable indication of the Company’s future results or developments.

    The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or make any correction to any forward-looking statement in order to reflect an event or circumstance that may occur after the date of this document.

    This document does not constitute or form part of an offer or a solicitation to purchase, subscribe for, or sell the Company’s securities in any country whatsoever. This document, or any part thereof, shall not form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract, commitment or investment decision.

    Notably, this document does not constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase, subscribe for or to sell securities in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from the registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Company’s shares have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act. Neither the Company nor any other person intends to conduct a public offering of the Company’s securities in the United States.

    # # #

    About Soitec

    Soitec (Euronext – Tech Leaders), a world leader in innovative semiconductor materials, has been developing cutting-edge products delivering both technological performance and energy efficiency for over 30 years. From its global headquarters in France, Soitec is expanding internationally with its unique solutions, and generated sales of 0.9 billion Euros in fiscal year 2024-2025. Soitec occupies a key position in the semiconductor value chain, serving three main strategic markets: Mobile Communications, Automotive and Industrial, and Edge & Cloud AI (previously Smart Devices). The company relies on the talent and diversity of its 2,200 employees, representing 50 different nationalities, working at its sites in Europe, the United States and Asia. Soitec has registered over 4,200 patents.

    Soitec, SmartSiC™ and Smart Cut™ are registered trademarks of Soitec.

    For more information: https://www.soitec.com/en/ and follow us on X: @Soitec_Official

    # # #

    # # #

    Financial information and consolidated financial statements in appendix include:

    – Consolidated revenue per quarter

    – FY’25 consolidated income statement

    – Balance sheet at March 31st, 2025

    – FY’25 consolidated cashflows

    Consolidated revenue per quarter

    Quarterly revenue Q1’24 Q2’24 Q3’24 Q4’24 Q1’25 Q2’25 Q3’25 Q4’25   FY’24 FY’25
    (Euros millions)                      
    Mobile Communications 89   169   130   222 48   124   154   220   611 546  
    Automotive & Industrial 37 38 44 44 26 33 25 45   163 129
    Edge & Cloud AI 31 37 65 70 46 61 47 63   204 216
                           
    Revenue 157   245   240   337 121   217   226   327   978   891  
    Change in quarterly revenue Q1’25/Q1’24 Q2’25/Q2’24 Q3’25/Q3’24 Q4’25/Q4’24   FY’25/FY’24
    (vs. previous year) Reported
    change
    Organic change1 Reported
    change
    Organic change1 Reported
    change
    Organic change1 Reported
    change
    Organic change1   Reported
    Change
    Organic change1
                           
    Mobile Communications -45% -46% -27% -25% +18% +11% -1% -2%   -11% -12%
    Automotive & Industrial -29% -31% -13% -11% -43% -47% +1% 0%   -21% -22%
    Edge & Cloud AI +49% +47% +62% +66% -28% -30% -11% +2%   +6% +11%
                           
    Revenue -23% -24% -11% -9% -6% -10% -3% -1%   -9% -9%

    1         At constant exchange rates and comparable scope of consolidation:

    • there was no scope effect in Q1’25 and Q2’25 vs. Q1’24 and Q2’24
    • in Q3’25 there is a negative scope effect related to the divestment of Dolphin Design’s mixed signal IP activities (completed on October 31st, 2024)
    • in Q4’25, in addition to Dolphin Design’s mixed signal IP activities, the negative scope effect also includes the divestment of Dolphin Design’s ASIC activities (completed on December 30th, 2024).

    Consolidated financial statements for FY’25

    As previously reported, Soitec’s refocus on Electronics operations decided in January 2015 was nearly completed on March 31st, 2016. Consequently, the FY’25 residual income and expenses relating to Solar and Other activities are reported under ‘Net result from discontinued operations’, below the ‘Operating income’ line, meaning that down to the line ‘Net result after tax from continuing operations’, the consolidated income statement fully and exclusively reflects the Electronics activity as well as the Group’s corporate functions expenses. This was already the case in FY’24 financial statements.

    Consolidated income statement

      FY’25 FY’24
    (Euros millions) (ended

    March 31st, 2025)

    (ended

    March 31st, 2024)

    Revenue 891 978
    Cost of sales (605) (646)
         
    Gross profit 286 332
    Research and development expenses (85) (61)
    General, sales and administrative expenses (65) (63)
    Current operating income 136 208
    Other operating expenses (16) (3)
    Operating income 119 205
    Financial income 19 21
    Financial expenses (28) (25)
    Net financial expense (9) (5)
    Profit before tax 110 201
    Income tax (19) (23)
    Net profit from continuing operations 91 178
    Net profit from discontinued operations 1 0
    Consolidated net profit 92 178
    Net profit, Group share 92 178
    Basic earnings per share (in €) 2.57 5.00
    Diluted earnings per share (in €) 2.56 4.88
    Weighted average number of ordinary shares 35,670,651 35,655,679
    Weighted average number of diluted ordinary shares 35,868,688 37,710,587

    Balance sheet

    Assets March 31st, 2025 March 31st, 2024
    (Euros millions)    
         
    Non-current assets    
    Intangible assets 130 156
    Property, plant and equipment 1,003 913
    Non-current financial assets 30 19
    Other non-current assets 73 70
    Deferred tax assets 59 62
    Total non-current assets 1,295 1,220
         
    Current assets    
    Inventories 231 209
    Trade receivables 463 448
    Other current assets 124 101
    Current financial assets 7 7
    Cash and cash equivalents 688 708
    Total current assets 1,512 1,472
         
    Total assets 2,807 2,692
    Equity and liabilities March 31st, 2025 March 31st, 2024
    (Euros millions)    
         
    Equity    
    Share capital 71 71
    Share premium 228 228
    Reserves and retained earnings 1,280 1,180
    Other reserves 15 15
    Equity-Group share 1,595 1,495
    Total equity 1,595 1,495
         
    Non-current liabilities    
    Non-current financial debt 375 669
    Provisions and other non-current liabilities 94 79
    Total non-current liabilities 469 748
         
    Current liabilities    
    Current financial debt 406 78
    Trade payables 153 169
    Provisions and other current liabilities 185 202
         
    Total current liabilities 743 449
         
    Total equity and liabilities 2,807 2,692

    Consolidated cash flows

      FY’25 FY’24
    (Euros millions) (ended
    March 31st, 2025)
    (ended
    March 31st, 2024)
    Consolidated net profit 92 178
    of which continuing operations 91 178
    Depreciation and amortization expense 140 126
    Provision expense/(reversals), net 6 4
    Provisions expense / (reversals) for retirement benefit obligations, net 0 0
    (Gains)/losses on disposals of assets 15 0
    Income tax 19 23
    Net financial expense 9 5
    Share-based payments 11 14
    Other non-cash items 7 (17)
    Non-cash items related to discontinued operations (1) (1)
    EBITDA1 298 332
    of which continuing operations 298 332
    Inventories (38) (19)
    Trade receivables (30) (94)
    Trade payables (15) (45)
    Other receivables and payables 4 17
    Income tax paid (17) (25)
    Changes in working capital requirement and income tax paid related to discontinued operations (0) (0)
    Change in working capital requirement and income tax paid (96) (167)
    of which continuing operations (96) (167)
    Net cash generated by operating activities 201 165
    of which continuing operations 202 166
      FY’25 FY’24
    (Euros millions) (ended
    March 31st, 2025)
    (ended
    March 31st, 2024)
    Net cash generated by operating activities 201 165
    of which continuing operations 202 166
    Purchases of intangible assets (27) (48)
    Purchases of property, plant and equipment (172) (177)
    Interest received 19 17
    Disposals/(acquisitions) of financial assets 4 (1)
    Divestment flows related to discontinued operations 1 0
    Net cash used in investing activities (1) (176) (208)
    of which continuing operations (1) (176) (209)
    Loans and drawdowns on credit lines 45 55
    Repayment of borrowings and lease liabilities (81) (70)
    Interest paid (14) (12)
    Liquidity agreement (8)
    Change in interest in subsidiaries without change of control (1) (0)
    Other financing flows 2
    Financing flows related to discontinued operations (0) (0)
    Net cash used in financing activities (50) (33)
    of which continuing operations (50) (33)
    Effects of exchange rate fluctuations 4 (3)
    Net change in cash (21) (80)
    of which continuing operations (21) (80)
    Cash at beginning of the period 708 788
    Cash at end of the period 688 708

    (1) Net cash used in investing activities is net of leases and interest received. Total cash out related to capital expenditure amounted to 230 million Euros in FY’25 compared to 276 million Euros in FY’24.


    1 The EBITDA represents operating income before depreciation, amortization, impairment of non-current assets, non-cash items relating to share-based payments, provisions for impairment of current assets and for contingencies and expenses, and disposals gains and losses. EBITDA is not a financial indicator defined by IFRS and may not be comparable to EBITDA as reported by other groups. It represents additional information and should not be considered as a substitute for operating income or net cash generated by operating activities.

    2 EBITDA margin = EBITDA from continuing operations / Revenue.

    3 Audit procedures were completed and the audit report is in the process of being issued.

    4 The scope effect is related to the divestment of Dolphin Design’s mixed-signal IP activities (completed on October 31st, 2024) and that of Dolphin Design’s ASIC activities (completed on December 30th, 2024)

    5 EBITDA from continuing operations.
    6 Financial debt less cash and cash equivalents

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Since the beginning of 2025, over 3 thousand freight trains have passed through the Alashankou border crossing

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    URUMQI, May 27 (Xinhua) — More than 3,000 crossings of China-Europe/Central Asia freight trains have been recorded at the Alashankou railway checkpoint on the China-Kazakhstan border since the beginning of 2025 as of May 26, according to the railway department of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

    According to the checkpoint data, during the current year, the average daily volume of freight train crossings through Alashankou was maintained at over 21, with the maximum value being 30.

    Currently, 123 freight routes between China and Europe/Central Asia pass through Alashankou, reaching Germany, Poland and 19 other countries. They carry more than 200 types of goods, including new energy vehicles, mechanical components, electronic products and daily necessities.

    There are two railway checkpoints in Xinjiang, Alashankou and Khorgos. As the Belt and Road Initiative is being implemented in depth, Xinjiang has been steadily increasing the capacity of goods to pass through the checkpoints, with the aim of turning the autonomous region into a “golden transport corridor” in Eurasia and a springboard for China’s westward-oriented opening-up. Currently, Xinjiang’s railway checkpoints account for more than half of the train entries and exits recorded nationwide in China-Europe/Central Asia cross-border railway freight traffic. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fall River — RCMP investigates hit and run in Fall River

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment is investigating a hit and run that occurred in Fall River.

    On May 23, at approximately 10 p.m., RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment, fire services, and EHS, responded to a report of a collision near the 1400 block of Fall River Rd. RCMP officers learned that a Dodge Ram was travelling on the roadway when it collided with a dirt bike travelling in the same direction.

    Two of the three youth dirt bike riders suffered serious injuries and were transported to hospital by EHS. The third rider was uninjured.

    RCMP officers located a Dodge Ram, believed to be the vehicle involved in the collision, at a nearby gas station. The male driver displayed signs of impairment and provided a roadside breath sample into an approved screening device. The results indicated that he was not impaired by alcohol.

    Officers then demanded that the 45-year-old man from Fletchers Lake perform a standard field sobriety test. When he refused, the man was arrested for Refusal to Comply with a Demand. He resisted and assaulted an officer during the arrest.

    During a search of the man, baggies containing a white substance were located and seized.

    The man was later released. He will appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court at a later date to face charges of Refusal to Comply with a Demand, Assaulting a Peace Officer, and Resisting Arrest.

    The collision investigation continues.

    File #: 25-72611, 25-72649

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Elizabeth City Man Sentenced to 78 Months in Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Quantity of Fentanyl

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RALEIGH, N.C. – An Elizabeth City man was sentenced Thursday to 6.5 years in prison after he ran from law enforcement during a traffic stop and was found in possession of 29.66 grams of fentanyl. Rashawn M. Baum, 29, pled guilty to Possession With the Intent to Distribute a Quantity of a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl on February 27, 2025.

    According to court records, officers with the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement and Elizabeth City Police Department observed Baum driving erratically at a high rate of speed.  When officers tried to initiate a traffic stop, Baum sped off.  After a short pursuit, Baum collided with two separate cars before coming to a stop near a local family restaurant.  Baum and one of the passengers in the car attempted to flee on foot but were caught quickly.

    In Baum’s vehicle, law enforcement found a green Crown Royal bag on the driver’s side floorboard. It contained a plastic bag and ten bindles containing various quantities of a white substance. Tests of that substance confirmed it to be approximately an ounce of fentanyl.  Law enforcement also recovered a .357 semi-automatic pistol from the scene.

    U.S. District Court Judge James C. Dever, III, imposed the sentence and stated that “fentanyl is destroying thousands of lives.” Judge Dever explained the sentence was, in part, because the defendant would rather poison members of his community than seek legitimate employment. The 78-month sentence will commence after Baum finishes an unrelated state sentence in 2031.

    Elizabeth City Chief of Police Eddie Graham echoed the District Court and stated that “drugs ruin people’s lives, break up families, and have a disastrous effect on our community.” Chief Graham asserted that such conduct “will no longer be tolerated.”

    Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, and Elizabeth City Police Department investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phil Aubart and Logan Liles prosecuted the case.

    Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.5:24-CR-182.

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    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “It’s a great joy to be able to discuss your scientific ideas with interested people.”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    Created in Nizhny Novgorod campus of HSE International Laboratory of Dynamic Systems and Applications conducts deep theoretical research and applied studies, including the study of ocean waves, solar corona reconnections, volcanic phenomena and ship stability. Its scientists, who have won more than 20 significant scientific grants over the past 5 years, actively collaborate with Russian and foreign colleagues from China, Spain, the USA, Great Britain, Brazil and other countries. The Vyshka.Glavnoe news service spoke with its head, Professor Olga Pochinka, about the work of the laboratory.

    — When was the laboratory created?

    — Let’s start with 2014, when colleagues from the Mathematics Department of the Moscow HSE suggested creating a department on the Nizhny Novgorod campus, and we were fired up by the idea. Together with five colleagues, we moved from the Nizhny Novgorod State University to the HSE in Nizhny Novgorod, and in 2015 we opened the first intake of undergraduate students for the Mathematics educational program, a total of eight people.

    Then the recruitment began to expand, and I began inviting people from UNN. We worked as research fellows at the Laboratory of Theory and Practice of Decision Support and simultaneously taught students.

    In 2017, we separated into the Laboratory of Topological Methods of Dynamics, and in 2019, we won a mega-grant from the Government, and this was the only mega-grant in fundamental mathematics won in the Nizhny Novgorod region in the entire history of projects. Our leading scientist Dmitry Turaev is also a former Nizhny Novgorod resident, now a professor at the British Imperial College, a renowned specialist in the field of dynamic systems.

    The laboratory began to grow rapidly, and in parallel with the increase in scientific work, we also expanded our educational areas: we created a postgraduate program, a master’s program, and this year we are opening a new bachelor’s program in applied mathematics.

    — Tell us about the priority areas of the laboratory’s work.

    — Initially, our laboratory was created primarily as a center for fundamental scientific research. Mathematics is a self-sufficient science, and there are always people who are interested in learning its own laws. An equally important activity is to explain how these laws work in practice. Recently, the laboratory team has noticeably expanded with researchers actively engaged in applied developments.

    — What applied areas would you highlight?

    — We have problems that come from physics. For example, we studied the effects of reconnection in the solar corona. From the point of view of deep mathematical theory, we explained the mechanism of solar flares. If we imagine the surface of the Sun as a two-dimensional sphere, then the magnetic charges on the surface create domes that change their location depending on the configuration of the charges. When the domes collide, so-called separators appear, visually manifesting themselves in the occurrence of a solar flare. The mechanisms of dome reconnection were explained using the bifurcation of the birth of a heteroclinic curve, widely known in the theory of dynamic systems.

    We also managed to explain the pattern recognition algorithm by the existence of an energy function in a dynamic system. In general, tasks related to the construction of such functions are very important. All dynamic systems are largely dissipative, that is, they lose energy over time. We managed to establish the relationship between the energy function and the dynamics of the system. That is, a scientist, even without knowing the system, can measure the indicators of its energy function and say a lot about the dynamics of the system.

    These are just the applications I have worked with personally. But there are many employees in the lab developing other applied areas.

    Efim Pelinovsky and his student Ekaterina Didenkulova conducted a theoretical analysis of internal waves that arise in the ocean during an explosive eruption of an underwater volcano. They calculated the characteristics of the wave field for different ratios between the radius of the explosion source and the depth of the basin. And they showed that the field of internal waves has the form of frequency-modulated groups, of which the head group has the maximum amplitude. The wave of maximum height in this train arrives significantly later than the weak head wave, which makes it possible to prepare for the approach of dangerous waves.

    Ioann Melnikov studies the dynamics of waves in both linear and nonlinear weakly dispersive models. In his work with shallow water equations, there is an interesting question about finding non-reflective bottom profiles, due to which a wave can propagate freely over large distances (with conservation of energy), which is important for applications. Together with Efim Pelinovsky, he obtained a countable family of limited bottom profiles and a continuous family in the form of underwater slides. Research into weakly nonlinear and weakly dispersive models (described by Korteweg-de Vries type equations) is also aimed at finding and studying waves that propagate with a constant speed and unchanged shape (in particular, soliton solutions). In this way, a classification of soliton solution shapes was obtained in the generalized Korteweg-de Vries equation, and now the question arises of how this classification can change with a different account of nonlinearity and dispersion.

    Fedor Peplin studies computational fluid dynamics, motion dynamics and stability of high-speed vessels. New criteria for the stability of hovercraft have been obtained. A model of the dynamics of an hovercraft with flexible skegs has been constructed, allowing for the design of amphibious vehicles for use in hard-to-reach regions. Issues related to the damping of various types of high-speed vessels have been studied. Work is currently underway to obtain new, more precise criteria for the stability of promising amphibious vehicles, taking into account the design features and operating conditions of the vehicles. Methods for modeling the dynamics of flexible pneumatic structures in a fluid flow are also being developed.

    — There are several scientific groups within the laboratory, conducting research in different directions. How did you manage to unite them?

    — The forming direction is dynamic systems, but almost all phenomena in the world fall under the definition of “dynamic systems”. Thus, Natalia Stankevich uses them for research in biology and medicine, and Alexey Kazakov is engaged in numerical calculation for specific systems of differential equations describing such phenomena as turbulence, Celtic stone, Chaplygin’s top, etc.

    Under the umbrella of dynamic systems in the laboratory, specialists in such fundamental mathematical areas as algebra, geometry, topology, function theory, etc., which are not directly related to dynamic systems, also feel great. There is a very strong group of physicists involved in fluid mechanics. Often, such scientific symbiosis brings unexpected results at the junction of research areas.

    — How do you attract such diverse specialists?

    — As a rule, a young or established scientist appears in the laboratory as a participant in some won grant or project. The laboratory management does everything possible to create comfortable conditions for the employees, welcoming any creative initiative. People appreciate this and in most cases remain in the team after the end of the project, some even move to Nizhny Novgorod for permanent residence.

    Another source of promising researchers is educational activity. Since the laboratory serves several educational programs, the range of which is expanding every year, the number of professors and teachers naturally increases. Due to the presence of a scientific department, teachers have a smaller workload than in their previous places of work. The newly arrived employees are happy to devote their free time to scientific research.

    The main source of influx of personnel, of course, are students of our program “Fundamental and Applied Mathematics”.

    We try not only to attract students to scientific research, but also to track their emerging interest in a timely manner. We offer to work as an intern, some come in the first year of the bachelor’s degree. We involve them in active scientific life, grants, schools, conferences. The overwhelming majority stay in the laboratory, and this is a huge driving force

    We have now reached a staff of 60 employees, almost like a small research institute.

    — How important do you consider mentoring and personal example to be in science?

    — Extremely important. Specifically for our team, we managed to ensure the continuity of generations. In our laboratory, we have employees who are over 75–80 years old, very experienced scientists, some of whom studied with Academician Alexander Andronov, his closest associates and students. There are not so many middle-aged scientists (like me), but we managed to show young people scientists with a high academic culture, such as my scientific supervisor Vyacheslav Grines and his colleagues from the school of nonlinear oscillations.

    Let me remind you that the scientific school of nonlinear oscillations was created in Gorky (now Nizhny Novgorod) by young scientists who moved to the then closed city, headed by the future academician Alexander Andronov. A physicist by profession, he sought to describe mathematical models of physical processes and phenomena, to translate them into mathematical language. He created the radiophysics department at Gorky University, then the Institute of Applied Mathematics and Cybernetics was organized, and a scientific school was formed, known in the world as the school of dynamic systems.

    — How do you manage to find resources for research?

    — We constantly apply for grants and development programs — for established researchers, young people, external and internal to HSE. Over the past 5 years, we have won 21 grants — that’s a lot for a relatively small team. Thanks to young and experienced colleagues who go through the very labor-intensive application process. In general, the main rule of an ambitious team is to never stop at what has been achieved. Even if it seems that today you already have everything you wanted, you must constantly set new goals for yourself.

    — How was the international academic cooperation project formed and how does it work?

    — The project with Shanghai Tongji University is a joint Russian-Chinese grant, it began in 2024 and is designed for three years. The project mainly involves fundamental research in the qualitative theory of dynamic systems. We met the Chinese co-director of the project, Bin Yu, back in 2010 in France, where we worked together with world-class dynamist Christian Bonatti. To date, we have already written several joint articles.

    International scientific cooperation, exchange of ideas is always great. Our young employees went to China, and everyone really liked the atmosphere at the partner university. It is a great joy to have the opportunity to discuss your scientific ideas with interested people.

    — Do the laboratory and its staff work outside the university, implementing the educational function of HSE?

    — The annual international conference “Topological Methods in Dynamics” has been gathering like-minded scientists from all over the world within the walls of the Nizhny Novgorod HSE for 9 years now.

    This year we are holding another scientific conference dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Nizhny Novgorod Mathematical Society, of which I am currently the president.

    For 6 years now, every March we have been holding a school for students called “Mathematical Spring”, inviting different lecturers and speakers, and judging by the students’ feedback, this is a very interesting format for them.

    For the second year in a row, we are organizing a student school at the Sirius Mathematical Center together with colleagues from Moscow State University and Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.

    A good initiative was the holding of the All-Russian review of students’ diploma works, which will be held for the fifth time this year.

    In June-July we hold a thematic shift for schoolchildren called “Intellectual”. The children are immersed in mathematics, including applied mathematics, computer science, and artificial intelligence. It has been held for the tenth time, in recent years – in the “Salut” camp in the Nizhny Novgorod region.

    Throughout the school year, we have a “Mathematical Academy”, where schoolchildren gain their first experience working with scientific research. Our scientists generously share interesting tasks with young talents, and under their guidance, students annually become winners of the “Scientific Society of Students” research paper competition.

    I would like to emphasize once again that all this would be impossible without our youth with their energy and enthusiasm. It is great that we have them and that there are more and more of them.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Las Vegas Man Indicted for Multiple Armed Carjackings

    Source: US FBI

    LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man made his initial court appearance Tuesday before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts for allegedly committing multiple violent armed carjackings.

    According to allegations contained in the indictment, on March 24, 2025, Aerion Warmsley brandished a Taurus 9mm firearm and stole a Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 from a victim by force, violence, and intimidation. The victim suffered a fractured nose. Then, on March 27, 2025, Warmsley brandished the 9mm firearm and stole a Mercedes-Benz GL450 from a victim by force, violence, and intimidation. While fleeing from law enforcement, he struck two pedestrians with the vehicle resulting in serious bodily injury to the victims. One victim suffered a brain bleed and multiple fractures, and the second victim suffered multiple fractures. On the same day, Warmsley brandished the 9mm firearm and stole a Kia Sorrento from a victim by force, violence, and intimidation.

    Warmsley is charged with two counts of carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury, three counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of carjacking. A jury trial has been scheduled for July 14, 2025, before United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro.

    If convicted, Warmsley faces the maximum statutory penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division made the announcement.

    This case was investigated by the FBI, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, North Las Vegas Police Department, Henderson Police Department, and the Clark County School District Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Edward Penetar is prosecuting the case.

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

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    MIL Security OSI