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Category: Vehicles

  • Death toll rises to 37 after cruise ship capsizes in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Tragedy struck northern Vietnam as a cruise ship carrying dozens of tourists capsized in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh province, following a sudden and severe storm. According to the Vietnam News Agency, the death toll has now risen to 37, with rescue operations still underway.

    The incident occurred on Saturday around 1:30 p.m. local time, when the vessel encountered a powerful storm that swept across the region. By 2:05 p.m., the ship had lost all contact with authorities and subsequently sank beneath the waters of the bay, officials confirmed.

    The cruise boat was carrying 48 passengers at the time — 24 men and 24 women — many of them reportedly young people and children.

    Local media outlet Tien Phong reported that most of the passengers were Vietnamese families visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site from the capital, Hanoi.

    Despite challenging weather conditions and heavy rainfall, rescue teams have managed to pull 11 people from the water alive. However, dozens remain missing, prompting a large-scale rescue effort that is expected to continue through the night.

    Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and has called for a thorough investigation into the accident.

    In a statement, the government emphasised that any violations contributing to the incident would be “strictly handled.”

    Ha Long Bay, famed for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands, is one of Vietnam’s top tourist attractions. In 2019 alone, it welcomed over 4 million visitors, both domestic and international.

    As the search for survivors continues, the nation mourns the lives lost in one of its most iconic natural landmarks.

    —IANS

  • MIL-OSI China: Supply chain expo highlights China’s smarter auto ecosystem

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

    Visitors learn about a product at the booth of Geely Holding Group at the Smart Vehicle Chain area of the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing, capital of China, July 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Every few dozen seconds, a gleaming electric vehicle glides off an automated assembly line in China, where nimble robotic arms perform with ballet-like precision and AI systems orchestrate production with flawless efficiency. This scene may have once been limited to flashy demo clips, but it is now the new reality of China’s booming auto industry.

    China, the world’s largest automobile market, is moving into high gear. What’s powering this transformation is stealing the spotlight at the ongoing third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE).

    “The EV industry in China in the last five years is probably the most surprising (development) to the world,” said Jensen Huang, CEO of U.S. tech giant Nvidia, which supplies in-vehicle chips to Chinese EV makers including Xiaomi, Geely, XPeng and Li Auto, during an interview on the sidelines of the expo.

    In the first half of 2025, new-energy vehicle (NEV) production and sales surpassed 6.9 million units, up more than 40 percent year on year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). Exports soared 75.2 percent during the same period.

    Beyond the impressive statistics lies a deeper revolution. From AI-powered assembly lines and AI-supported driving experiences to a surge in cross-border collaboration, China’s automotive sector is embracing a smarter and more interconnected future.

    “Leveraging the world’s largest auto market, China has developed a dual engine of tech innovation and commercial scale,” said Zhang Yejia of the CCID consulting under China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. “Electric, smart, and connected — new ideas are validated faster here.”

    Unlike traditional trade fairs that primarily focus on goods or services, CISCE introduces an innovative “chain-centric” model that emphasizes end-to-end industrial collaboration. This approach is especially pronounced in the automotive sector, renowned for its lengthy and complex supply chains.

    In the hall showcasing integration of the auto sector, upstream, midstream and downstream companies cluster in adjacent booths, visually demonstrating their interdependence. Even amid the array of products dazzling eager audiences and professional attendees, U.S. EV giant Tesla’s Model Y still garnered much attention.

    This top seller in the competitive Chinese EV market exemplifies how global players are thriving in China’s smarter, more dynamic auto ecosystem. Tesla has achieved a stunning 95 percent localization rate for the components of this model. At its iconic Shanghai Gigafactory, a completed vehicle rolls off the production line every 37 seconds.

    “China possesses the world’s most complete EV industry chain,” said Tao Lin, vice president of Tesla. “Supported by a vast talent pool, China’s strong track record in EV development, advanced manufacturing and AI provides unparalleled support and opportunity. We will continue to deepen our investment here,” Tao said.

    As of June 2025, Tesla has delivered more than 8 million electric vehicles globally, with nearly half of that production coming from its Shanghai Gigafactory.

    Just steps away from the U.S. EV maker’s booth, a gleaming car body from Chinese automaker NIO draws attention — not for its curves, but for the massive robotic arm hovering beside it.

    Suspended from the arm is a lightbox-like 3D deflection camera, which sweeps methodically across the painted surface. Within a minute, a digital 3D model of the vehicle, complete with highlighted paint flaws, appears on a nearby screen.

    The system, known as PaintPro, was developed by Changsha-based Speedbot Robotics and is already in use by several leading Chinese automakers. It fuses AI with 3D vision technology to detect surface defects as small as 0.15 millimeters, setting a new benchmark for precision in automotive quality control.

    “This fusion of AI and vision technology addresses a long-standing industry pain point,” said Ge Junhui, an engineer with the company. “Automotive paints, prized for their high gloss, are notoriously difficult to inspect using traditional machine vision, which often falters under reflective surfaces.”

    As a result, many manufacturers have long relied on manual inspections, a slow, labor-intensive process susceptible to inconsistencies. “Our solution helps automate one of the last strongholds of human-led quality assurance,” Ge added.

    Meanwhile, an increasing number of automakers are bringing AI from behind the scenes to the center stage, turning its capabilities into standout features that consumers can see, feel and experience firsthand.

    One of the notable trendsetters is Guangzhou-based XPeng, which has laid a solid foundation for the AI revolution through its early deployment of AI across many product forms.

    “The next decade of the auto industry will be defined by the convergence of automobiles and AI,” said He Xiaopeng, chairman and CEO of the automaker, earlier this year.

    At the company’s booth at the third CISCE, the spotlight is on its newly launched G7 model, which features its self-developed Turing AI chips and an AR-HUD system co-developed with Huawei. According to the company, these advanced chips will enable the G7 to support Level 3 autonomous driving.

    The model also features an AI-supported chassis that scans road conditions 1,000 times per second and makes adaptive suspension adjustments, supporting early detection up to 200 meters ahead and lane-level bump perception and recording.

    “From intelligent driving and smart cockpit to flying vehicles and AI robots, we see each as a unique scenario powered by the same underlying tech stack,” said He. “I believe AI and energy technology will distinguish us from competitors in the long run.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s AI tech boosts global trade efficiency, facilitates supply chain

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

    A visitor tries a pair of glasses at the booth of TCL in the Digital Technology Chain area of the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing, capital of China, July 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    To provide a quick overview of what its digital technology can do for China’s many small and medium-sized exporters, a Nanjing-based software firm put up nine striking Q&A posters at an ongoing trade fair in Beijing.

    “Where is my product most in-demand overseas?” “How can I ensure my product passes customs compliance?” “Customers want low carbon and what should I do?” “How can I make global supply chain more cost-effective?” — SKYTECH’s AI tools can quickly provide tailored solutions to these questions.

    During discussions about fragile global supply chains at the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), participants noted that China’s AI technology is a source of confidence and a promising avenue for building resilience in global trade.

    Qiu Weiwen, a manager from SKYTECH, demonstrated the intelligent system in front of a large screen. “China has the most complete industrial chain in the world, which makes its export product system rather complex, and that’s why we’ve designed an AI system,” he explained.

    For new energy vehicle products, it is necessary to input the origins of components like tires, bearings, and battery cells. Even small changes in parameters can result in different solutions from the large model.

    “The country where the product is assembled might be different from where its components are produced. We can help you analyze which scenario is more advantageous,” Qiu said.

    Another service from the Nanjing firm in east China supports European Union-bound exporters by automating carbon footprint reporting and carbon tariff calculations. Beyond compliance, SKYTECH further delivers strategic guidance enabling clients to capture revenue opportunities through carbon trading schemes.

    At a CISCE roundtable on Friday, SKYTECH spotlighted a success story. Under its support, Chinese solar-panel maker Trina Solar built a low-carbon, digitally optimized line that slashes the carbon footprint of its modules well below France’s entry threshold, unlocking instant access to the European market.

    In the neighboring booth, tech stars from east China’s Zhejiang Province were unveiling their smart new products, and one of them was NetEase’s AI agent for foreign trade firms.

    The NetEase Foreign Trade Express uses “AI employees” to develop overseas customers, with precise inquiries increasing by 30% The AI can automatically identify target customers with an accuracy rate of over 95%, saving foreign trade companies up to 1.5 working days per week in customer search time.

    Last October, Alibaba International updated its “AI Business Assistant,” enabling real-time optimization of product titles, keywords, images and selling points to drive more online exposure for home-made products for overseas market.

    Veteran Chinese mechanics maker Xu Jingqian recalled a puzzling challenge with his screw compressors: strong website traffic in the United States but poor buyer inquiries on Alibaba.

    As an early adopter of Alibaba’s AI tool launched in 2023, he received targeted recommendations: Add U.S. specifications, showcase product certifications and clarify door-to-door delivery costs. After implementing these changes, Xu saw his sales more than double.

    “AI now auto-translates Chinese small enterprises’ product descriptions into export-ready visuals and listings, making global sales as easy as domestic ones,” said Fan Min, general manager of public affairs at Alibaba 1688, at a CISCE event.

    Open Source

    The introduction of these new products underscores China’s ongoing efforts to sustain the global trade system via digital tools despite increasing uncertainties. Empowered especially by AI technology, the thriving digital trade is emerging as a bright spot in global trade landscape.

    At the five-day expo, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang praised China’s global leadership in AI models, engineering talent and industrial applications. “The supply chain of China is a miracle. It is the largest and most complex in the world, not just about labor, but built on deep technology, AI and software,” said Huang.

    In a dialogue event on Thursday, Huang said China is clever about open-source engineering. “Open source has many global implications. It’s not just helping the Chinese ecosystem; it’s helping ecosystems around the world.”

    China’s open-source AI models like DeepSeek, Kimi and Qwen are powering supply chains across China and the rest of the world. In February, the NetEase Foreign Trade Express fully integrated with DeepSeek.

    China’s digitally deliverable service import and export value in 2024 grew by nearly 40% compared to 2020, as shown by figures released by the country’s Ministry of Commerce.

    Last year, China’s digital economy core industries contributed about 10% of its GDP, while cross-border e-commerce exports grew by 16.9% year on year, according to China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, who organized the CISCE.

    An initiative launched at the expo calls for the digitalization and intelligent upgrading of supply chains, promoting interconnected data across the entire chain to create better conditions for international trade and investment cooperation.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Veteran US pilot keeps memories of ‘Flying Tigers’ alive

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    GUIYANG, July 19 (Xinhua) — Jeffrey Green, a veteran pilot and chairman of the U.S.-China Aviation Heritage Foundation, has dedicated himself for nearly 30 years to preserving the legacy of the Flying Tigers and strengthening the friendship between China and the United States.

    D. Green’s connection with China began when he was invited to make a documentary on the “Flying Tigers” while working as a consultant on combat aviation history for the National Geographic military channel in the United States.

    The Flying Tigers, officially known as the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, was formed in 1941 by American General Claire Lee Chennault. American airmen came to China to help the Chinese people fight the Japanese invaders.

    While losing over 2,000 men, the Flying Tigers pilots shot down over 2,600 Japanese fighters, providing significant assistance in the fight against Japanese aggression.

    In 1995, a group of Flying Tiger veterans invited D. Green to join their delegation to Beijing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. This visit marked his first trip to China.

    After returning to the United States, Green and the veterans, determined to keep the memory of the Flying Tigers alive, founded the U.S.-China Aviation Heritage Foundation in 1998. Since then, the nonprofit organization has been dedicated to studying, promoting, and perpetuating the shared history of U.S.-China wartime cooperation.

    Over the years, the foundation has sponsored nearly 500 veterans and hundreds of their family members and descendants to travel to China. These encounters have produced many emotional and inspiring stories.

    “Every time I learned something that almost no one else knew, I was able to categorize it, creating a kind of library of these thoughts,” Greene said. “But they didn’t have many opportunities to tell their stories. As a result, they just got lost.”

    In 2022, the foundation launched the Flying Tigers Friendship School and Youth Leadership Program to encourage cross-cultural exchanges and pass on the Flying Tigers spirit to younger generations.

    “Young people are the key to intercultural exchanges between our two countries and the hope for the healthy development of China-US relations,” said D. Green.

    To date, nearly 100 high schools and universities in China have applied to participate in the program, signing memorandums of understanding to establish exchange partnerships.

    In a January 2025 letter to Green, former US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns praised the fund’s work, saying it “helps develop people-to-people ties, which are a cornerstone of the US-China bilateral relationship.”

    From Sunday to Thursday, Green led a delegation to Guizhou Province in southwest China to launch the new Flying Tigers Friendship School program and visit historic sites including the 24-Turn Road, which handled more than 2,000 trucks carrying military supplies daily during World War II, and Jiuzhou Airport in Huangping County, which was the Flying Tigers’ base.

    Next year, he plans to bring American students to Guizhou Province to see firsthand the living history of the two countries’ wartime cooperation.

    Now 71, Green has visited China nearly 200 times since the 1990s, bringing veterans, organizing memorial events and building new bridges between the peoples of China and the United States.

    “The Chinese have never forgotten what the Flying Tigers did for them. Eighty years ago, the Chinese and Americans together accomplished something almost impossible, which shows that if we work together, we can win,” said D. Green. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Four people killed and three injured in road accident in Penza region of Russia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    Moscow, July 19 /Xinhua/ — A traffic accident occurred on Saturday morning at the 6th km of the R-207 highway near the village of Bolshaya Yelan in the Penza region of Russia, the press service of the prosecutor’s office of the Penza region reported.

    “As a result of the accident, 4 people died – the driver and passengers of the car, including two children. Another 3 people from the truck were injured – they were hospitalized,” the department said in a statement.

    The prosecutor of the Penza region is working at the scene of the accident. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Four people died in an accident involving a truck and a car in the Kemerovo region of Russia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    Moscow, July 19 (Xinhua) — Four people were killed in a road accident involving a truck and a passenger car in the Prokopyevsk District of Russia’s Kemerovo Region, the regional police department’s press service reported on Saturday.

    It is specified that the accident occurred on the 74th km of the Belovo-Konovalovo-Prokopyevsk highway.

    It has been preliminarily established that the 44-year-old driver of the KamAZ drove into the oncoming traffic lane and collided with a VAZ-2110 vehicle.

    “As a result of the car accident, the 19-year-old driver of the car and his three passengers died at the scene before the ambulance arrived,” the department said in a statement.

    In connection with the incident, the issue of initiating a criminal case under the article on violation of traffic rules and operation of vehicles is being decided. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Improvements in prison conditions long overdue in remote Liet-Nhom

    Source: APO


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    Overcrowded cells, no ablution facilities, a lack of water—these are only some of the challenges that prisoners and officials face in Liet-Nhom Central Prison.

    “We literally do not have a roof over our heads,” says Bedaj Bandak, a prison official, to a visiting team from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

    “We also don’t have running water, so inmates have no choice but to go to the rivers and the lack of toilets and bathrooms makes matters worse,” he adds.

    These alarming conditions not only prevent the incarcerated from having a dignified existence but also pose a strong security risk—with this much movement it’s impossible for the limited number of prison guards to effectively keep their wards in check.

    This lack of 24-hour surveillance poses additional risks to juvenile detainees and women serving their sentences.

    Furthermore, prison cells are overpopulated with more than 20 people sharing a single cell. This, coupled with the lack of toilets and water, has created severe hygiene and sanitation issues, leading most prisoners to spend their time outdoors, separated by nothing but air.

    “We live in constant fear of everything, including getting sick as there is no healthcare available at the prison,” shares one of the female inmates. 

    In case they do get sick, which is unavoidable, they do get taken to the local healthcare facilities but only if there are enough cars and personnel available.

    For its part, UNMISS continues to advocate with state authorities to provide long-overdue support, especially as the rainy season starts bringing with it further health risks such as malaria.

    Precious Chinamasa, a Corrections Officer with the UN Peacekeeping mission on her frequent visits here bears witness to the continuous decline of human rights standards at the facility.

    “Similar conditions prevail in many prisons across South Sudan,” she reveals, visibly moved.

    “It’s heartbreaking to witness these struggles and we’ll continue advocating with authorities to strengthen their support to the prison system. To truly reform and reintegrate into society upon their release, prisoners must be treated humanely and with dignity. There must be a collective push to strengthen infrastructure and prisons management.”

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Malaysia’s close cooperation with China will enhance its ability to meet EV adoption targets: analyst

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 (Xinhua) — Malaysia has significantly accelerated its clean energy development and industrial restructuring in recent years, showing strong momentum in the electric vehicle (EV) sector and deepening cooperation with China in technology and investment in this area, Lee Pei Mei, an analyst with the International Islamic University Malaysia, told Xinhua.

    Malaysia’s shift to EVs has been supported by both domestic policy frameworks and external technology partnerships, she said. In particular, China’s advanced and cost-effective EV technologies have helped develop the country’s EV ecosystem and support its green industrial transformation.

    “China’s global expansion in the EV industry is not limited to just selling vehicles, it also involves the transfer of technological capabilities. Chinese companies are localizing production, investing in research and development and building supply chains, helping Malaysia build a comprehensive EV ecosystem,” Li Pei Mei emphasized.

    She noted that China’s EV sector is known for its vertically integrated value chain, spanning R&D, manufacturing, sales, after-sales service and standard setting. Several leading Chinese companies have already adapted this business model in Malaysia.

    Malaysia’s ambition to become a regional hub for electric vehicle manufacturing is centred on the Automotive High-Tech Valley (AHTV) project in Tanjung Malim, which is expected to attract significant investment and cement the country’s status as a global EV producer.

    Li Pei Mei added that the AHTV project is not limited to being a production site, but also supports the development of local talent in areas such as artificial intelligence, software development and automotive innovation.

    The analyst stressed that Chinese companies also benefit from this partnership and access to the Malaysian market. In her view, the growing middle class and favorable investment environment in Southeast Asia are the main attractions for them. “By expanding into Southeast Asia – especially in business-friendly countries like Malaysia – they gain access to new consumer bases and cost advantages,” she explained.

    Lee Pei Mei also noted that the right combination of policy support, strategic cooperation and industry alignment has put Malaysia on a solid path to becoming a leader in EVs in the region.

    “This is a classic win-win situation. Malaysia gets technology, jobs and industrial depth. China gets markets and long-term strategic partnerships. Together, both sides are shaping the future of green mobility in Asia,” she concluded. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Death – Tiwi

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force are investigating after 7-year-old child died in Tiwi this afternoon.

    Around 1:55pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that a 7-year-old female was struck by a falling palm tree at an address in Tiwi while playing in the yard.

    Police and St John Ambulance attended the scene, and the victim was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital; however, she was pronounced deceased prior to arrival.

    A 11-year-old male was struck also struck by the palm tree and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

    The incident is not believed to be suspicious.

    Investigations are ongoing and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

    MIL OSI News –

  • Amarnath Yatra proceeds peacefully, over 2.73 lakh pilgrims have had darshan

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The annual Amarnath Yatra continues to progress smoothly, with over 2.73 lakh pilgrims having had darshan at the holy cave shrine in the last 16 days since the pilgrimage began on July 3, officials confirmed.

    On Saturday, a fresh batch of 6,365 pilgrims departed from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two escorted convoys. The first convoy, comprising 92 vehicles, left at 3:25 a.m. with 2,851 pilgrims heading to the Baltal base camp, while the second convoy of 119 vehicles departed at 3:53 a.m., carrying 3,514 yatris to the Pahalgam base camp.

    Rituals associated with the Yatra are also underway. On July 10, the Bhumi Pujan of the Chhari Mubarak-the sacred mace of Lord Shiva-was performed at the Gauri Shankar temple in Pahalgam. The ceremony was led by Mahant Swami Deependra Giri, the custodian of the mace. The Chhari Mubarak was taken from its seat at Dashnami Akhara in Srinagar to Pahalgam and later returned to its original place. It will begin its final journey to the cave shrine on August 4 and reach on August 9, marking the culmination of the Yatra on Shravan Purnima, which also coincides with Raksha Bandhan.

    In the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow—where 26 civilians were killed—authorities have implemented extensive multi-layered security measures. An additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been deployed to strengthen the existing presence of the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police forces.

    Pilgrims can undertake the 38-day Yatra via two routes: the traditional Pahalgam route, a 46 km trek taking four days via Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni; or the shorter Baltal route, involving a 14 km trek that allows a return the same day. However, helicopter services have not been made available this year due to security concerns.

    The cave shrine, located at an altitude of 3,888 metres, houses a naturally formed ice stalagmite, believed by devotees to represent Lord Shiva. The formation is known to wax and wane with the lunar cycle.

    — IANS

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Exclusive: China International Supply Chain Expo is a catalyst for enhancing global supply chain resilience – PwC China

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) — With global supply chains undergoing major restructuring, the ongoing China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) acts as a catalyst for enhancing supply chain resilience, Zhou Xing, head of public affairs at PwC China, told Xinhua on Thursday.

    As the world’s first national-level platform dedicated to supply chains, the expo helps build connections between Chinese and international companies, promote technical coordination and deepen economic cooperation, Zhou Xing said.

    According to her, CISCE provides a highly effective meeting platform and enables companies to align technologies, standards and markets, promoting global collaboration.

    For Chinese companies, the expo provides an opportunity to expand their international presence and directly connect with global supply chain hubs. For multinational companies, it provides an opportunity to gain access to China’s vast market, mature industrial ecosystem, and strong policy support.

    Global supply chains are shifting from a model focused solely on efficiency to one that prioritizes sustainability. Companies are diversifying their supply networks to balance cost and security, turning to regional clusters while maintaining global coordination, Zhou Xing argues.

    According to her, in the context of accelerating digital transformation, technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things are breaking down information barriers, increasing the speed and accuracy of the entire supply chain.

    “Green standards, including carbon tracking and sustainability metrics, are becoming necessary across all industries. Supply chains are evolving from linear models to cross-industry ecosystems, especially in emerging sectors such as the low-altitude economy,” said Zhou Xing.

    “China is playing an increasingly important role in this shift,” she said. “It is no longer just a manufacturing base, but an innovation hub. By integrating digital tools and investing in strategic sectors such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, and biotechnology, China is strengthening its position in global value chains.”

    The government’s commitment to developing new-quality productive forces is also changing corporate strategies. According to her, this policy priority is driving environmental and digital transformation across all industries.

    Zhou Xing expressed confidence that China’s business environment remains very attractive for multinational companies looking to restructure their supply chains.

    The country’s institutional openness, market scale and leadership in green and digital technologies provide a solid foundation for transformation, she added.

    Identifying growth areas such as advanced manufacturing, low-carbon industries and digital and physical integration, Zhou Xing said they are in line with both China’s industrial upgrading goals and global trends, making the country a key destination for supply chains in the future.

    “China offers the space, political stability and innovative momentum that global businesses crave,” she said, adding that “venues like the China International Supply Chain Expo are helping businesses from all sides navigate uncertainty and achieve new growth.” –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China has trained the first teachers for the second Lu Ban Workshop in Kazakhstan

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) — The Tianjin Vocational Institute (TVI) in northern China recently completed training for the first group of teachers who will work at the second Lu Ban Workshop in Kazakhstan, the Tianjin Daily newspaper reported.

    The course participants included 15 teachers from the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (ENU) in Astana, Kazakhstan. During the artificial intelligence (AI) training, which started on June 23, they studied four core disciplines – data mining, machine learning, deep learning, and industrial internet – and also received practical training in AI-related technologies, a collaborative robot, and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

    Last year, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between TPI and ENU on the joint creation of the second Lu Ban Workshop in Kazakhstan, which will focus on AI. The first such institution in this country, founded with the support of TPI and aimed at training specialists in the field of transport and communications, was put into trial operation in 2023.

    As the teacher of this training, TPI teacher Li Guohui said: “We specially designed these training courses aimed at the industrial development of Kazakhstan. In particular, according to the scenarios of UAV technology application in local agricultural activities, the cadets from Kazakhstan not only learned flight control, but also completed a series of practical tasks, including mapping agricultural land.”

    He added that the first batch of training equipment intended for the second Lu Ban Workshop in Kazakhstan had already been delivered to the country, and installation and commissioning work would soon begin.

    Lu Ban Workshop, named after the famous ancient Chinese craftsman Lu Ban, is a brand of international vocational education initiated and promoted by Tianjin City Government.

    To date, China has built 34 Lu Ban Workshops in 30 countries and regions around the world. 10 of them were established in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Pakistan, Cambodia, Egypt and other SCO countries. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Smart mobility tech transforming global supply chains, experts say

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

    A panel titled “Embracing the Era of Comprehensive Intelligent Transportation” is held during the third China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, July 17, 2025. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn]

    Smart mobility technology is transforming global supply chain operations, industry experts said Thursday during a panel titled “Embracing the Era of Comprehensive Intelligent Transportation” at the ongoing third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE).

    Nie Wenhui, vice chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), underscored transportation’s role as the backbone of economic activity and a vital link in global commerce, vital for industrial and supply chain stability. He noted that the integration of emerging industries — including next-generation information technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and new energy — with transportation is reshaping global competitiveness.

    “This year’s CISCE continues to feature an intelligent vehicle exhibition area, which aims to better connect upstream and downstream segments, encourage cooperation between large and small enterprises, and promote collaboration across industry, academia, research and application, both in China and globally,” Nie said.

    David Muls, senior director of the Madrid Registry Division at the World Intellectual Property Organization, said Chinese manufacturers have evolved from technology followers to innovation leaders, particularly in battery technology, connected vehicle systems and manufacturing efficiency.

    He noted that Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers are rapidly expanding into markets across Europe, Southeast Asia, Latin America and beyond. This global footprint reflects not only China’s commercial ambition but also its growing technological confidence, he said. He emphasized that China’s EV sector achievements are a result of global supply chains and international innovation partnerships rather than isolated national efforts.

    Zhou Weidong, president of the CCPIT Machinery Sub-Council, called the expo “not just a showcase platform but also a catalyst for global industrial collaboration.” Looking ahead to fully intelligent transportation, he outlined three crucial areas for deeper international cooperation.

    First, Zhou called for shared global standards, urging countries to dismantle technological barriers and promote mutual recognition in algorithms, vehicle-road coordination agreements and data security. He also called for establishing green supply chain partnerships, encouraging joint efforts in battery recycling and sustainable logistics. Finally, he pointed to China’s county-level markets as an untapped opportunity. These areas, Zhou noted, hold 74% of the country’s motor vehicles but have limited public transportation services. Zhou suggested that connected vehicle technologies could unlock a market worth hundreds of billions of yuan, creating opportunities for global enterprises.

    Habib Turki, chief development officer of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, highlighted motorsports’ role in enhancing global visibility for automotive brands. He said Chinese companies now deliver performance comparable to premium manufacturers like Ferrari and Aston Martin, with motorsports serving as both testing grounds for R&D and channels for building brand recognition.

    The event also featured two expert panels. One examined how AI is reshaping smart transportation supply chains, while the other explored intellectual property’s role in automotive sector expansion.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China pledges efforts to regulate NEV market competition

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

    BEIJING, July 18 — Chinese authorities on Friday held a meeting with new energy vehicle (NEV) industry players on regulating market competition.

    The meeting was held by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the State Administration for Market Regulation. It urged efforts to promote lawful, fair, honest, proper and well-ordered competition in the sector.

    The country will implement measures to monitor product pricing, conduct product conformity inspections, and shorten payment terms for suppliers, according to a statement issued after the meeting.

    Authorities also pledged to fast-track industry standards for NEV power consumption limits and battery recycling safety, which they said would be aligned with the establishment of regular communication channels to solicit suggestions from and address the concerns of NEV manufacturers.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Overnight closures of Highway 99 at Steveston Highway for girder placement

    Highway 99 northbound and southbound will be closed to traffic overnight for up to eight consecutive nights beginning Friday, July 18, 2025, for Steveston Interchange construction.  

    During the closures, vehicles travelling on Highway 99 will be detoured using the on- and off-ramps at Steveston Highway.

    The closures are needed so heavy-lift cranes can lift the main-span concrete girders into place to form part of Phase 2 of the new five-lane Steveston Interchange spanning Highway 99. Each of the 11 main-span girders weighs 50 tonnes and is 35 metres long.   

    To minimize traffic interruptions, work will only take place during the following times:

    • July 18-19: 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
    • July 20-25: 10 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

    As is currently the case, the Steveston Highway northbound loop ramp onto Highway 99 will remain closed, with traffic rerouted to access the north side on-ramp via left turn lanes. East/west travel on Steveston Highway will be maintained for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.

    Existing transit stops will be maintained in all directions. Drivers can expect minor delays and are asked to use caution through the detour.

    The Steveston Interchange Project is on track to be completed in fall 2025.

    For updates, check: https://www.drivebc.ca/

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Humanitarians report more deaths, displacement and desperation in Gaza

    Source: United Nations 2

    “Every day brings more preventable deaths, displacement and desperation,” the agency said in a humanitarian update.

    On Friday, Israeli authorities issued another displacement order, this time for parts of North Gaza.

    OCHA said it continues to receive deeply troubling reports of malnourished children and adults being admitted to hospitals with insufficient resources available to treat them.

    Fuel crisis deepens

    The energy crisis in Gaza is also deepening, despite the resumption of limited fuel imports as the quantities that are entering – while critical for continuity – “remain at lower levels than what we were previously able to extract from dwindling internal reserves, which have now been fully depleted”.

    The situation has forced solid waste collection to be paused in recent days, and additional wells have had to shut down, particularly in Deir Al-Balah.

    “While specific health services, including dialysis, have reduced or shut down, others could go on for a few more days before they too will have to go dark,” OCHA warned.

    “With every day that passes, people have less clean water and healthcare and more sewage flooding ground floors.”

    Since the limited entry of fuel entry supplies resumed on 9 July, the UN has managed to send just over 600,000 litres of diesel to Kerem Shalom. On Thursday,

    it was able to send 35,000 litres of much-needed benzene for the first time.

    OCHA said these volumes are limited because Israel has allowed only 14 trucks over the past week. 

    The agency stressed that to maintain lifesaving operations, hundreds of thousands of litres of fuel are needed every day. The limited fuel currently entering is primarily allocated to health, water and communications services as well as to power vehicles.

    Humanitarian movements curtailed

    Humanitarian movements inside Gaza also continue to be restricted.

    On Thursday, seven out of 13 attempts to coordinate the movement of aid workers and supplies with the Israeli authorities were facilitated.

    Teams were able to retrieve some fuel, collect some water, relocate generators, provide supplies related to hygiene and sanitation and transfer much-needed medical supplies.

    The six remaining attempts were either outright denied or approved initially, but then faced obstacles on the ground.

    End international media ban

    Meanwhile, the head of the UN Palestine refugee agency UNRWA called on Friday for the ban on international media entering Gaza to be lifted.

    “650 days of atrocities against civilians with no international media allowed in,” Philippe Lazzarini wrote in social media post, adding that over 200 Palestinian journalists have been killed during this time.

    “Media ban fuels dis-information campaigns questioning first-hand data and accounts from eyewitnesses and international humanitarian organizations,” he said.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murkowski Helps Advance First Four Spending Bills with Alaska Wins

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski
    07.18.25
    Washington, DC – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, voted to advance four bills for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) that contain significant investments for Alaska. The four appropriations bills that passed committee are for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (AG); Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon); Commerce, Justice, and Science and Related Agencies (CJS); and Legislative Branch (LEG). All were approved in committee, and will now advance to the Senate floor for consideration.
    “With crucial investments in affordable housing, infrastructure, public safety, and fisheries, we are addressing some of the most pressing challenges faced by Alaskans, and helping the sustainability and future of not only our communities, but our way of life. I am proud to fight for Alaskan priorities and ensure that our state’s needs are met,” said Senator Murkowski.
    HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND SCIENCE (CJS) APPROPRIATIONS BILL
    Supporting NOAA’s Mission in Alaska
    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a vital partner for the state of Alaska, leveraging partnerships at federal, state, local, and Tribal levels. NOAA provides everything from real time weather forecasts to fisheries monitoring, so that our communities are safe and our way of life is sustainable. To that end, Senator Murkowski prioritized ensuring the agency had programmatic support from the CJS Appropriations Bill to further advance their core missions in Alaska.
    One of the largest wins included $75 million for NOAA to recapitalize vessels, so that the fleet can continue to provide state-of-the-art weather forecasts and fisheries monitoring. The budget also included a $1 million increase for the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Regional Observations, which directly supports Alaska’s Ocean Observing System.
    Wins for NOAA Fisheries that will support sustainable seafood harvesting and conserving habitat:
    $10 million increase for Fisheries Surveys to support the historical levels of Alaska trawl surveys and exploring shifting fish stocks
    $3.125 million for the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP), an increase of $250,000. This program was established to develop improved fishing practices and gear technologies in the effort of reducing bycatch.
    $4 million for the Fishery Survey Contingency Fund, which was established through the U.S. Treasury to compensate Alaska fishermen for economic losses.
    $5.5 million increase for Salmon Management Activities, which will be used to support the production of 42 million hatchery fish, to help increase the harvest for Tribal, commercial, and recreational fisheries.
    $41.5 million for the Pacific Salmon Treaty, a $500K increase from last fiscal year. This funding will go towards joint United States/Canada management of salmon fishing to prevent over-fishing and provide for optimum harvest
    $58.4 million for Observers and Training, including $2 million for the North Pacific Observer Program. These programs are essential for the conservation and management of fisheries in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Island, and Gulf of Alaska
    Wins for NOAA Weather & Climate Monitoring Systems
    $5 million increase for the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC). The NDBC is a network of monitoring infrastructure that collects and analyzes real-time data to ensure maritime safety.
    $10 million increase for Analyze, Forecast, and Support – includes language supporting tsunami detection and response systems relevant to Alaska.
    Advancing Connectivity in Alaska
    Senator Murkowski has set herself apart with her focus on broadband infrastructure in Alaska, shepherding record investment to the state through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021. She continues to be a leader in the space, inserting report language in the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program that acknowledges Alaska’s challenges with short construction seasons and logistics, laying the groundwork for future flexibility and support if needed. She also directed the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to consider supplemental funding that would ensure rural and remote Tribal projects are completed.
    Promoting Public Safety in Alaska
    Public safety in Alaska is always foremost on Senator Murkowski’s mind—particularly in our rural communities. She used the CJS bill as a vehicle for direct investment towards advancing that goal. The bill includes an increase in funding for the Tribal Youth Program, which does everything from improvements to the juvenile justice system, invest in alcohol and substance abuse prevention programs, and offer mental health services for Tribal youth. She was able to secure a 5% Tribal Set-Aside in the Crime Victims Fund along with strong report language that supports Tribal flexibility and streamlined access. The Senator also included increased funding for Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction, with language supporting Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) efforts and improved Department of Justice (DOJ) grant coordination for Native communities. Additionally, the bill follows up on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on MMIW with a directive for immediate reporting.
    Alaska faces some of the highest rates of sexual assault per capita of any state, and Senator Murkowski was intent on using the CJS bill to address this crisis. She approved an almost tripling of the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Grants funding, which will support training and resources for forensic examination of sexual assault survivors. The Senator also included report language directing the Office for Victims of Crime/Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to support Alaska-specific Child Advocacy Centers.
    The bill also includes funding increases for Transitional Housing Assistance, Underserved Populations Program, Regional Information Sharing Systems, and Veterans Treatment Courts.
    Investing in Arctic Research
    As the leading expert in Congress on Arctic policy and polar affairs, Senator Murkowski uses her position to advance American priorities in the North. The bill provides $9.1 billion, just $60 million below the last enacted level – preserving support for critical Arctic scientific research despite tight fiscal constraints. Arctic research remains a priority, with the National Science Foundation (NSF) playing a key role in supporting long-term monitoring, infrastructure development, and partnerships with Alaska-based institutions and Indigenous communities.
    In addition to broader programmatic funding to help Alaskans, Murkowski was able to secure investments in this bill that are specific to local 17 Alaska communities or entities, projects that have been requested and prioritized by local governments and organizations:
    Anchorage: $305,000 to support the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in Alaska so they can further advance their mission of catching child sexual predators
    Anchorage: $1.5 million for the University of Alaska Anchorage to acquire specialty equipment that will help propel the institution to be a leader in biotechnological innovation, leveraging Alaska’s Arctic environment
    Bethel: $70,000 for the purchase and installation of a new security system at the Bethel Police Department’s headquarters
    Cordova: $355,000 to update equipment for climate and ecosystem monitoring as part of a ten-year long study of the region
    Fairbanks: $1.5 million to develop drone-borne maritime lidar to count salmon.
    Statewide: $498,000 for the creation and deployment of a Mobile Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) that will provide coordinated care to survivors of sexual assault in rural communities where traditional, stationary services may not be readily available
    Southeast: $500,000 for Sealaska Heritage Institute to develop and implement a sustainable workforce development program to address growth in fisheries and ocean sciences in Southeast Alaska over the next ten years
    Ketchikan: $3 million to upgrade its radio communication system, which has been identified as an essential public safety need in the after-action plan following recent landslides to improve disaster response and community resilience
    Statewide: $2 million for the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation to modernize and revitalize Alaska’s seafood industry by investing in processing innovation, workforce development, and infrastructure improvements.
    Statewide: $2.5 million for the North Pacific Research Board to investigate how ecosystem changes in the Northern Bering Sea influence species of commercial, ecological, and subsistence importance to inform local, state, and federal fisheries management
    Statewide: $1 million to help implement Next Generation 911, which will improve location accuracy and system resiliency for emergency call centers
    Statewide: $500,000 for the Bering Sea Fisherman’s Association to enable Tribes and Tribal organizations to participate as Cooperating Agencies in environmental analysis and management decisions made by federal agencies that affect subsistence resources.
    Statewide: $165,000 for the Alaska Ocean Observing System to purchase an Imaging Flow CytoBots (IFCBs) to continue monitoring for harmful algal blooms.
    Statewide: $1 million for Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center to support Tribes in implementing survivor-centered and trauma-informed programs in Tribal justice systems
    Statewide: $3.5 million for the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (ANDVSA) to support their mission of serving survivors of gender-based violence
    Unalaska: $3.5 million for the Bristol Bay Science and Research Institute to genetically analyze chum salmon from the pollock fishery bycatch in the Bering Sea to determine when and where Western Alaska chum salmon are being caught
    Valdez: $5.5 million to replace obsolete and failed emergency services communication towers and equipment
    HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES (AG) APPROPRIATIONS BILL
    Investments in housing and community development
    Affordable housing remains one of the most pressing challenges facing Alaska and our country. Senator Murkowski was intent on using the AG spending bill to address this challenge, particularly in rural communities where the cost of development remains prohibitively high. She supported $1.715 billion for the Rental Assistance Program, which will help low-income families around the country with for affordable rental housing in rural areas. She was able to secure $25 million for very low-income housing repair grants so that Alaskans can stay in their homes safely.
    Also included in the legislation was $1.25 billion for direct loans to improve critical infrastructure such as public safety buildings and community centers in rural communities.
    Updating Alaska’s clean water and utility infrastructure
    Senator Murkowski has made it her mission to ensure Alaska has the infrastructure to support daily life – no matter what community Alaskans’ call home. She was able to include $65 million for Rural Water and Waste Disposal Grants, and inserted report language that would prioritize Alaska Native communities. She also was able to secure $8 million for the High Energy Cost Grant Program, which assists energy providers in lowering energy costs for families with extremely high per-household energy costs.
    Bolstering food security and agriculture
    Senator Murkowski has been focused on bolstering Alaska’s food security for many years. She was able to secure a number of Alaska-specific wins, including:
    $5 million for Micro-Grants for Food Security, with report language prioritizing eligibility for reindeer herders, greenhouse growers, and hydroponic farmers
    $5 million for Alaska Native-Serving Institutions to promote equal access to education in rural Alaska and provide sustainable food and energy solutions for Alaska Native communities
    $3.5 million for the Geographically Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Transportation Program, helping offset high freight costs for Alaskan producers
    $3 million for the FDPIR 638 Contracting Authority Pilot, with direction for the USDA to allow direct purchases of traditional foods directly from small indigenous producers
    $888.9 million for the Summer Food Service Program, with report language supporting the continued implementation of non-congregate meal service to ensure low-income students can eat while school is out
    $1.826 billion for Agricultural Research Service, with continued funding for research on cover crops and cereal grains for northern climates and permafrost regions
    In addition, the bill includes $80 million for The Emergency Food Assistance Program’s storage and distribution funding to ensure rural food banks can receive supplies; a $3 billion increase for Child Nutrition programs, including School Breakfast and School Lunch programs, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program, as well as a $603 million increase to fully fund Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The bill also directs USDA to work with states, tribes, and local stakeholders to use federal nutrition dollars for the direct purchase of foods from local and regional producers for the various food assistance programs.
    In addition to programmatic funding to help Alaskans, Murkowski was able to secure investments in this bill that are specific for 10 Alaska communities, projects that have been requested and prioritized by local governments and organizations:
    Bethel: $605,000 to establish a permanent Food Bank and Pantry in Bethel
    Eagle: $750,000 for the construction of a fire hall/public safety building for the local fire department and Emergency Medical Services team
    Houston: $1.95 million for the construction of Public Works Facility so preventive maintenance can be performed on equipment
    Kenai: $2.045 million for the installation of telecommunications infrastructure to improve emergency response times and enhance public communications
    Nunapitchuk: $55,000 to develop a Preliminary Investigation Feasibility Report whether the Native Village of Nunapitchuk can pursue a community-wide relocation project in the Nunavakanukakslak Lake-Johnson River Watershed
    Petersburg: $225,000 to purchase emergency response equipment for the local fire department
    Statewide: $4.2 million for Alaska Municipal League to purchase heavy equipment for several communities designed to conduct road improvements and maintain infrastructure in rural Alaska
    Statewide: $750,000 to expand veterinary care in rural Alaska to prevent zoonotic disease outbreaks in communities off the road system
    Whittier: $310,000 for the removal and abatement of asbestos hazards in community housing where 85% of the city’s residents live
    Wrangell: $2.438 million to rehabilitate Wrangell’s Public Safety Building and Emergency Operations Center
    HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES (MILCON) APPROPRIATIONS BILL
    Ensuring Alaska’s military bases are state-of-the-art facilities
    Senator Murkowski is committed to supporting servicemembers in Alaska to ensure they have access to up-to-date resources as they protect and defend our nation, but also bolster their personal well-being as they adapt to life in Alaska. She secured over $400 million in programmatic funding for a Joint Integrated Testing and Training Center (JITTC) at JBER for the Air Force, a base supply complex at JBER for the Air National Guard, and a barracks at Fort Wainwright for the Army.
    Supporting Alaska’s veterans
    Senator Murkowski was able to secure funding for the construction of State Extended Care Facilities and Veterans Cemeteries. She also secured report language directing the VA to focus on benefits eligibility education for veterans who lack a direct road connection to a VA facility. She also secured her annual bill language to allow for care-sharing agreements between Federally Qualified Health Centers in the State of Alaska and Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations which are party to the Alaska Native Health Compact with the Indian Health Service. She made certain that the VA received full funding for mental health programs, telehealth programs, women veteran gender-specific care programs, homelessness programs, and for the Office of Rural Health.
    In addition to programmatic funding, Murkowski was able to secure investments in this bill that are specific for 3 of Alaska military installations, projects that have been requested and prioritized by the Department of Defense:
    JBER: $45 million to complete the runway extension project for the Air Force.
    Eielson Air Force Base: $6.7 million to finish planning and designing of a new permanent party dormitory for the Air Force.
    Fort Wainwright: $7.7 million to begin the planning and designing of a new dining facility for the Army.
    HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH (LEG) APPROPRIATIONS BILL
    Senator Murkowski inserted report language in the Legislative Branch FY26 Appropriations Act that incentivizes the Senate Dining Room and food-service facilities in the Capitol to source domestic seafood products, including wild-caught Alaska salmon.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Relief to Fort Worth Small Businesses, Private Nonprofits and Renters Affected by the Cooper Apartment Complex Fire

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to Fort Worth small businesses, private nonprofits and renters to offset physical and economic losses from the Cooper Apartment Complex Fire occurring June 23. The SBA issued a disaster declaration in response to a request received from Gov. Greg Abbott on July 16.

    The declaration covers the Texas counties of Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Parker, Tarrant and Wise.

    Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

    Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

    Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.

    SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and private nonprofit (PNP)organizations impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits, and 2.813% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    “When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers play a vital role in helping small businesses and their communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “At these centers, SBA specialists assist business owners and residents with disaster loan applications and provide information on the full range of recovery programs available.”

    Beginning July 21, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov.

    The DLOC hours of operation are listed below:

    TARRANT COUNTY
    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    One Safe Place
    First Floor Community Recovery Center
    1100 Hemphill St.
    Fort Worth, TX  76104

    Opens 12 p.m. Monday, July 21
    Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The deadline to return physical damage applications is Sept. 15, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 17, 2026.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Billings man sentenced to 12 years in prison for distributing meth and fentanyl

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BILLINGS – A man who distributed drugs in the Billings area was sentenced today to 144 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

    Shannon Ray Emeline, 45, pleaded guilty in January 2025 to one count of distribution of methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.

    U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.

    The government alleged in court documents that on February 22, 2024, DEA agents arranged for a confidential source to purchase methamphetamine from Emeline. The deal took place in Emeline’s vehicle and the source paid him $2,000 for a quantity of meth.

    In April 2024, agents with the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation searched a residence in Billings, where they located a significant quantity of methamphetamine. They subsequently learned Emeline had purchased the meth and was actively distributing the drugs in Billings.

    On May 1, another confidential source told investigators Emeline was staying at a Billings hotel to meet with a source of supply. Agents surveilled the hotel and located Emeline’s vehicle in the parking lot. They performed a traffic stop, searched the vehicle, and seized a plastic bag containing meth and another bag containing fentanyl.

    Investigators interviewed Emeline, who admitted renting the hotel room to facilitate the purchase of two pounds of meth. Agents subsequently searched the room and found a bag of meth, a bag of fentanyl, and $6,855.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Yerger prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the DEA, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, and Montana Highway Patrol.

    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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Captures Alleged Prairieland Shooter Benjamin Hanil Song in Dallas, Texas

    Source: US FBI

    An intense, weeklong manhunt for Benjamin Hanil Song—an alleged shooter at the Prairieland Detention Center on July 4th—has ended with his arrest by FBI agents in Dallas, Texas, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson.

    Song’s capture marks the fourteenth arrest in the case.  Court documents reflect that Song, a former United States Marine Corps reservist, joined ten others in an organized attack against officers at the Prairieland Detention Center just after 10:30 p.m., Friday, July 4.  Song has been charged by federal complaint with three counts of attempted murder of federal agents and three counts of discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.

    Ten others charged with these offenses in a July 7th complaint include Cameron Arnold, Savanna Batten, Nathan Baumann, Zachary Evetts, Joy Gibson, Bradford Morris, Maricela Rueda, Seth Sikes, Elizabeth Soto, and Ines Soto.  Also on July 7, Daniel Rolando Sanchez Estrada was charged with obstruction of justice for concealing evidence related to the ambush after talking with Rueda, who was in custody at the time.  Two others, John Thomas and Lynette Sharp, were charged on July 14 with accessory after the fact when law enforcement agents determined that they helped Song abscond from the Prairieland area and evade arrest.  

    The complaints allege that group was dressed in black military style clothing.  The group began shooting fireworks towards the detention center, and some sprayed graffiti on vehicles and a guard structure in the parking lot at the facility.  These destructive acts were designed to lure correctional officers outside the facility.  After correctional officers called 911 to report suspicious activity, an Alvarado police officer responded to the scene.  Upon exiting his vehicle, the officer was shot in the neck by a defendant positioned in nearby woods.  Another alleged assailant across the street fired 20 to 30 rounds at unarmed correctional officers who had stepped outside the facility.  

    As alleged in the complaints, Song purchased four of the guns associated with the ambush.  Additionally, defendants communicated using Signal Chat groups to plan the attack and share reconnaissance, including an image of the Prairieland Detention Center that identified the locations of six local police departments.
     

    Ten assailants charged in the July 7th complaint fled from the detention center but were apprehended by additional responding law enforcement officers.  Song, however, was not located by law enforcement officers that night.  As alleged, the location data associated with Song’s cellular telephone indicates that his phone was located within several hundred meters of the Prairieland Detention Center from late in the evening of July 4, 2025, until after dark on July 5, the day after the shooting.

    “After the immediate apprehension of Song’s coconspirators at the scene, the FBI and our federal prosecutors—together with our other law enforcement partners—worked tirelessly around the clock pursuing Song.  Their tremendous efforts culminated in the arrest of this alleged violent criminal today,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson. “Though Song escaped by hiding overnight after the attack, we were confident he would not remain hidden for long.  The fourteen individuals who planned and participated in these heinous acts will be prosecuted, and we expect justice will be swift.”

    “The FBI has worked tirelessly to arrest everyone associated with the shooting at the Prairieland Detention Center. We would like to thank all the entities that publicized this case and assisted in our efforts to successfully locate Benjamin Song,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “His arrest is the result of our determination to protect not only the community, but also our law enforcement partners that were the targets of a coordinated attack. We have said it before, the FBI will not tolerate acts of violence toward law enforcement and will thoroughly investigate anyone that commits these types of offenses.”

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.  If convicted, most of the charged defendants face a minimum penalty of ten years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.  Those defendants charged with obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact face a maximum of ten years and fifteen years in federal prison, respectively.

    The investigation was conducted by the FBI—Dallas, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Office (ICE ERO), ATF, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Alvarado Police Department, and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. 
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE New England investigation lands Trinitarios leader 14 years in prison for racketeering conspiracy

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BOSTON —The former leader of the Lynn Chapter of the Trinitarios was sentenced in Boston federal court on July 16 to RICO conspiracy charges following an investigation by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations New England field office.

    Aaron Diaz Liranzo aka Sosa, 26, was sentenced to 14 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. In March 2025, Diaz Liranzo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy. Diaz Liranzo was arrested and charged in February 2025 at which time he was the Leader of the Lynn Chapter of the Trinitarios.

    Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol, U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley, FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Ted E. Docks, Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker, Massachusetts State Police Col. Geoffrey D. Noble and Lynn Police Chief Christopher P. Redd made the announcement.

    The Trinitarios is a violent criminal enterprise comprising thousands of members across the United States. The group adheres to a Magna Carta, employ an internal hierarchy to organize and execute violence, and have undertaken extensive efforts to maintain the secrecy of the organization and its members.

    In February 2025, federal racketeering charges were unsealed against 22 Trinitarios leaders and members. The charges were the result of a multijurisdictional investigation, which began in the aftermath of four murders and a series of attempted murders and shootings that took place in the Lynn area, allegedly committed by the Trinitarios criminal enterprise and its members.

    From at least 2021 through 2025, Diaz Liranzo served as the “Primera,” or “Number One” of the Lynn Chapter of the Trinitarios. He admitted to participating in a shooting that took place in March 2019 that targeted multiple rival gang members outside a Lynn nightclub. Another gang member, who posed as a woman who needed a ride, lured the victims there. Equipped with a firearm and knowledge of the victims’ vehicle and whereabouts, the defendant traveled to the nightclub and opened fire, discharging at least six rounds. During the incident, Diaz Liranzo shot two of the three victims seated in the car. Both victims suffered life-threatening injuries, but ultimately survived the incident.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office, the Rockingham County District Attorney’s Office and the Andover, Boston, Lawrence, Peabody and Salem Police Departments provided valuable assistance.

    The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 2 MS-13 members sentenced for racketeering following ICE New England, partner investigation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BOSTON — An investigation by ICE Homeland Security Investigations New England alongside its law enforcement partners led to the July 15 sentencing of two members of La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, for their roles in a previously-unsolved murder.

    Jose Vasquez aka Cholo aka Little Crazy, 31, was sentenced to 25 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. In May 2025, Vasquez pleaded guilty to violent crime in aid of racketeering. He was already serving a 212-month prison sentence for a May 2018 federal conviction for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise. In total, Vasquez will serve a total of 37 years for his MS-13-related crimes.

    William Pineda Portillo aka Humilde, 31, a Salvadoran national who was unlawfully residing in Everett, was sentenced to 16 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He is subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. In May 2023, Pineda Portillo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise conspiracy.

    Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent in ChargeMichael J. Krol, U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley, FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Ted E. Docks, Massachusetts State Police Col. Geoffrey D. Noble, Somerville Police Chief Shumeane Benford and Chelsea Police Chief Keith Houghton made the announcement July 17.

    Pineda Portillo and Vazquez were indicted by a federal grand jury along with other MS-13 members in September 2024. Specifically, Pineda Portillo and Vasquez conspired with others to murder a 28-year-old man on Dec. 18, 2010, in Chelsea. That evening, law enforcement responded to a 911 call in the vicinity of the Fifth Street on-ramp to Route 1 in Chelsea. There, they found the victim with approximately 10 stab wounds to his chest and back, along with injuries to his head. The victim was transported to a hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds. A recent reexamination of evidence collected during the initial investigation identified members of MS-13, including Vasquez, as having committed the murder.

    In the week leading up to the incident, Vasquez and other MS-13 members conspired to murder the victim because they believed he belonged to a rival gang. Evidence revealed that on the day of the murder, Pineda Portillo picked up Vasquez, other MS-13 members and the victim in Allston. Driving a vehicle registered to his father, Pineda Portillo took the MS-13 members and the victim to Chelsea, where Vasquez and the other gang members led him to an area under an on-ramp to Route 1. Once in the secluded area under the highway, an MS-13 member hit the victim in the head with a rock and another MS-13 member stabbed him with a machete. During the attack, Vasquez stabbed the victim with a knife. Vasquez’s palm print was identified on the handle of a silver kitchen knife recovered from the murder scene. The victim’s blood was also found on the knife.

    An undercover recording obtained approximately six weeks after the murder captured one MS-13 member acknowledging his participation in the murder and other gang members disciplining him for leaving Massachusetts after the murder without the gang’s permission.

    Pineda Portillo fled to El Salvador before investigators could interview him about his role in the murder. On or about April 29, 2015, after Pineda Portillo returned to the U.S., he arranged to sell a firearm loaded with eight rounds of ammunition to a cooperating witness in exchange for money.

    On or about June 1, 2015, Pineda Portillo conspired to murder an MS-13 member he incorrectly believed had been arrested and was cooperating with law enforcement. Specifically, in a conversation recorded by law enforcement, Pineda Portillo said, among other things: “I want that son of a bitch killed, man … You will see, homeboy! We are going to do a complete thing to that son of a bitch, dude.”

    Pineda Portillo was originally indicted in 2017. Shortly before the indictment was returned, he was deported to El Salvador. Approximately five years later, on May 10, 2022, Pineda Portillo was arrested as he tried to return to the U.S, illegally crossing the border into Texas from Mexico.

    According to court documents, after being arrested at the border, Pineda Portillo admitted that he was a member of MS-13. A fingerprint analysis indicated there was a warrant for his arrest. Pineda Portillo was then returned to the District of Massachusetts, where he remained in custody.

    ATF Boston, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office provided valuable assistance in this case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Robbers who vandalized ATMs so they could steal cash when repair technicians opened the machines, arrested in Mississippi

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Seattle – Two Texas men made initial appearances Thursday July 17, 2025, in U.S. District Court in Seattle charged with conspiracy to commit robbery for their scheme to steal from banks by assaulting and threatening ATM technicians, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Ahmon Hogg, 22, of Humble Texas and Seth Coles-Body, 23, of Houston, were identified as part of a robbery ring operating across the country. The men would allegedly disable ATM machines with a glue-like substance and when the technician showed up to fix the machine, they would threaten the technician to give them the cash containers, called cassettes, from the ATM.

    In December 2024, the pair allegedly were part of a gang that disabled ATMs on December 23 and 24, when the machines would be loaded with cash for the Christmas holiday. The coconspirators disabled a Bank of America ATM in Renton with a glue-like substance that caused the card reader to stop functioning. After the technician arrived and began repairing the machine, he was forcibly confronted by two men who brandished a screwdriver and demanded he open the machine and provide them with the cash cassettes. The technician did not open the machine and after a scuffle the technician was able to escape. Bank surveillance video did capture images of the robber’s vehicle and clothing. The men were wearing masks.

    The next day in Vancouver, Washington a technician was sent to repair a Bank of America ATM on SE Mill Plain Boulevard. Again, a glue-like substance had been used to disable the card reader. The technician noticed the cash dispenser was also jammed. As she started repairs, two men ran up and shoved her out of the way and grabbed five cash cassettes filled with currency. The men fled in a car that matched one seen the previous day in connection with the attempted robbery in Renton. Some of the clothing worn by the suspects was also a match for the Renton attempted robbery.

    Authorities also learned that a Bank of America ATM was disabled that same day in Battleground Washington, not far from Vancouver.

    While the investigations were ongoing in Washington, Hogg and Coles-Body were identified in connection to ATM tampering cases on January 3, 2025, in the Phoenix, Arizona area. ATMs for Bank of America and Wells Fargo had been tampered with – a card covered in glue had been inserted into the machines. The FBI set up surveillance on the ATMs and ultimately spotted a car that bank images connected to the tampering. The car and its occupants appeared to be waiting for a technician to arrive at the ATM. Law enforcement stopped the car and was able to identify Hogg and Coles-Body. They were released from custody.

    On March 7, 2025, a technician at a Bank of America in Redmond, Washington, reported he had been robbed. He was working on a machine where once again the card reader was disabled by a glue-like substance. Once the machine was open, two robbers ran up and stole cash canisters filled with money from the machine. Five of the canisters were later recovered, damaged, on the shoulder of highway 520.  A few days later, Coles-Body was stopped by U.S. Border Patrol attempting to travel into Mexico by Greyhound bus with approximately $209,000 in cash. The cash was seized, and Coles-Body was released.

    A criminal complaint and warrant for arrest were sworn on July 2, 2025. The men were arrested in a traffic stop in Mississippi, with stolen firearms found in their car. They made an initial appearance in Jackson Mississippi federal court on July 3, 2025, and the Magistrate Judge ordered the Marshal Service to transport them to Seattle.

    Conspiracy to commit robbery is punishable by up to five years in prison.

    The charges contained in the criminal complaint are only allegations.  A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Columbia River Organized Crime Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda McDowell.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tri-Cities Registered Sex Offender Facing Federal Charges for Assaulting ICE Agents

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Richland, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Stephanie Van Marter announced that Victor Martin Lara-Lopez, age 41, has been charged by complaint with two counts of Assault on a Federal Officer. Lara-Lopez made his initial appearance in federal court on July 17, 2025.

    According to court documents and information presented in court, on the morning of June 13, 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Deportation Officers attempted to detain Lara-Lopez on an Administrative Warrant for Arrest of an Alien. The officers spotted Lara-Lopez driving his F-350 truck in Pasco, Washington.

    The officers, driving two separate vehicles, activated the emergency lights on their vehicles, parked in front of and behind Lara-Lopez, then approached the driver side window. Both officers were wearing ICE-issued ballistic vests with “POLICE” patches on the front and back.

    The officers instructed Lara Lopez to roll down the window. Lara-Lopez only rolled the window halfway down and refused a request to turn off the vehicle or give his name or identification to the officers.

    Lara-Lopez then attempted to roll up the window. One of officers stepped on the vehicle’s running board and attempted to keep the window down. Lara-Lopez took the vehicle out of park and started to back up. Both officers struggled with Lara-Lopez through the half-closed window in an attempt to gain control of Lara-Lopez and the vehicle.

    After reversing a short distance, Lara-Lopez put the vehicle in drive and began to drive forward. Both ICE agents jumped backward to avoid being crushed between the F-350 and the agent’s parked vehicle. Lara-Lopez drove up on the sidewalk, struck the agent’s vehicle, then sped off. Both agents remained at the scene and did not pursue Lara-Lopez.

    One of the ICE agents had bruises on their arm from the altercation. The other agent experienced pain and loss of mobility in their left shoulder.

    Later that day, a federal complaint and arrest warrant were obtained for Lara-Lopez.  Federal law enforcement authorities sought, but were unable to locate, Lara-Lopez for approximately one month.  During this time, a Washington State Department of Corrections warrant was also issued for Lara-Lopez after he failed to report to his Community Corrections Officer.  Lara-Lopez was under supervision by the Washington State DOC due to a conviction from 2022 for Child Molestation in the Second Degree with the Aggravating Circumstance of Position of Trust for which Lara-Lopez was sentenced to 36 months of imprisonment to be followed by 36 months of supervision.  Lara-Lopez was also sentenced to a number of conditions, to include a prohibition on contact with minors.

    On July 15, 2025, Law enforcement identified the same F-350 driven by Lara-Lopez on June 13th, driving on Highway 12 between Walla Walla and Pasco, Washington. Officers stopped the truck and the driver, a female, and a juvenile exited the vehicle. Lara-Lopez was also in the vehicle, but refused to exit until he was advised that K9 unit had been called to respond to the scene.  Lara-Lopez then exited from the passenger door of the truck and was arrested by law enforcement.

    “Every day, law enforcement officers in this district go to work to protect our community.  Often, they must contact individuals with serious criminal histories who do not want to be apprehended and present a danger to our community. It is not uncommon for law enforcement to be assaulted in the course of doing the job, which is not lawful and should never be acceptable,” stated Acting United States Attorney Stephanie Van Marter. “My office will continue to hold those accountable who use violence in attempt to avoid arrest.”

    This case was investigated by the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laurel J. Holland.

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

    4:25-mj-07126-ACE

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jury Finds Defendant Guilty in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy and Weapons Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that a jury found Nathan James Meek of Colorado Springs guilty of one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

    According to evidence presented at trial, Meek sold large quantities of narcotics in the Colorado Springs area, including methamphetamine and fentanyl. He was arrested on January 18, 2024, and investigators recovered a cellphone, a firearm, 10 fentanyl pills, 6.2 grams of methamphetamine, and over $3,000 in cash from his person and vehicle. Officers obtained a search warrant for Meek’s apartment and recovered 2,202 grams of methamphetamine, 131 grams of fentanyl, 80 grams of cocaine, 698 grams of marijuana, and three firearms. Meek’s cellphone contained records of drug-related communications dating from January 1, 2024, through the time of his arrest.

    The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Colorado Springs Police Department.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Garreth Winstead and Daniel McIntyre.

    Case Number:  24-cr-00082-RMR-1

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese authorities have promised to take measures to regulate the NEV market

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) — Chinese authorities on Friday held a meeting with representatives of the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry to regulate market competition in the sector.

    The meeting was hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China, the National Development and Reform Commission and the State Administration for Market Regulation. Participants called for efforts to promote legal, fair, honest, reasonable and orderly competition in the NEV sector.

    A statement released following the event said authorities would advance work on monitoring product prices, supervising and checking product uniformity, and reducing payment terms for suppliers.

    The authorities also promised to speed up the implementation of standards on NEV energy consumption limits and battery reuse safety, and to establish a mechanism for exchanges and consultations with industry enterprises to actively listen to the problems, suggestions, requests and appeals of NEV manufacturers. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Smithfield Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Over 150 Improvised Explosive Devices and an Unregistered Short Barrel Rifle

    Source: US FBI

    NORFOLK, Va. – A Smithfield man pled guilty today to possession of an unregistered short barrel rifle and possession of an unregistered destructive device.

    According to court documents, on July 31, 2021, Brad Kenneth Spafford, 36, was admitted to an emergency room with a completely amputated right thumb, partially amputated right middle and index fingers, hearing loss, and scalp lacerations. Spafford falsely told the hospital his injuries were caused by fireworks. An investigation later revealed that Spafford’s injuries resulted from his misfire of a launcher at a family member’s rural property where Spafford routinely detonated explosives he made.

    On Dec. 17, 2024, law enforcement arrested Spafford for possession of an unregistered short barrel rifle. Immediately following Spafford’s arrest, law enforcement searched his Smithfield property and vehicles. Agents recovered an unregistered short barrel rifle and ammunition compatible with the rifle. Agents also found approximately 155 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that appeared to be homemade pipe bombs. Some of the IEDs had handwritten identification on them, including “lethal” and “concussion.”

    Among the IEDs analyzed were propellant capabilities consistent with use in a launcher and IEDs capable of causing property damage, personal injury, or death. Investigators also recovered bomb-making equipment, along with riot gear, Tannerite, two empty grenade canisters, an improvised mine, precursor chemicals for explosive materials, and numerous rounds of homemade ammunition.

    Spafford is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 18 and faces up to 10 years in prison for each charge. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Dominique Evans, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert J. Krask accepted the plea.

    The Suffolk Police Department, Norfolk Bomb Squad, Virginia State Police, Isle of Wight County Fire Rescue, and Isle of Wight Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation, with continued support from the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Norfolk.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebecca Gantt and Luke Bresnahan are prosecuting the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-3.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Defendants Sentenced to Combined 24 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Carjacking

    Source: US FBI

    CLEVELAND – The last of three defendants involved in a 2021 carjacking and kidnapping was sentenced this week. Anton Woodley, 22, Cashaun Woodley, 24, and Lavontay Johnson, 23, all of Cleveland, each previously pleaded guilty to carjacking after they used firearms to drive an individual around the city so they could steal his money and take his motor vehicle by force.

    Court documents show that on Dec. 12, 2021, a male victim visiting downtown Cleveland met two women who suggested they visit a nearby apartment building. After arriving, one of the women contacted the defendants to tell them about the man she had just met. She then worked out a plan to help them rob him. The Woodley brothers and Johnson traveled to the apartment and waited outside for the male victim to exit the building. When the victim appeared and walked out to his vehicle, the Woodley brothers and Johnson ambushed him at gunpoint. They pressed a pistol up against the back of his head and ordered him into the backseat of his car. The defendants abducted the victim and entered the car, with the Woodley brothers flanking the victim with guns while Johnson drove away.

    With a gun pressed into his side, the defendants demanded money from the victim. They forced him to transfer several hundred dollars out of his accounts and disclose his financial information on his cellphone. After some time driving around the east side of Cleveland, they released the victim on East 80th Street and then sped away in his vehicle.

    The victim’s car was recovered later that month when Garfield Heights police chased Johnson. As he fled the stolen vehicle on foot, officers found a Glock 23, 40 caliber pistol in Johnson’s flight path.

    U.S. District Court Judge Pamela A. Barker imposed the following sentences:

    • Anton Woodley was sentenced July 15, 2025, to 78 months (6.5 years) in prison, followed by three years of supervised release after imprisonment.
    • Lavontay Johnson was sentenced March 13, 2025, to 120 months (10 years) in prison, followed by three years of supervised release after imprisonment.
    • Cashaun Woodley was sentenced Dec. 19, 2024, to 100 months (8.3 years) in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. 

    Each defendant was ordered to pay $1,240 in restitution. This investigation was conducted by the FBI Cleveland Division, Cleveland Division of Police, and the Garfield Heights Police Department.

    Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Joines prosecuted the case for the Northern District of Ohio.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Choctaw County Trio Sentenced For Roles In 2020 Double Homicide

    Source: US FBI

    MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that three Fort Towson, Oklahoma co-conspirators in a 2020 double homicide were sentenced in federal district court.

    Ashlie Nicole Rose Martin, age 22, was sentenced to 456 months in prison for one count of Conspiracy to Commit Murder.

    Chad Jon’Dale Voyles, age 23, was sentenced to 420 months in prison for one count of Murder in Indian Country.

    Bryson Noel Miller, age 19, was sentenced to 300 months in prison for one count of Murder in Indian Country.

    The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the Choctaw County Sheriff’s Office.

    According to investigators, on December 22, 2020, Martin, then age 17, recruited Voyles, age 18, and Miller, age 15, to murder her parents.  That evening, Martin let Voyles and Miller into her house through a rear window.  Miller and Voyles found Martin’s mother sleeping on a couch and beat her to death.  All three assisted in burying her in a shallow grave in the backyard.  After the murder of Martin’s mother, the co-conspirators cleaned up and disposed of evidence of the murder.

    Over the next few hours, Martin attempted to arrange plans to flee, while Voyles and Miller awaited the arrival of Martin’s father at Martin’s residence.  When Martin’s father arrived, Voyles ambushed him and fired at him with a compound bow and field-tipped arrow.  Voyles missed, leading to a struggle with the father.  Ultimately, Miller intervened and struck the father in the head with a dumbbell.  Once incapacitated, Voyles and Miller doused the man in gasoline and set him and the house on fire.

    The crimes occurred in Choctaw County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

    “In December 2020, two lives were tragically cut short, and the entire community of Fort Towson was gripped by fear and disbelief,” said FBI Oklahoma City Acting Special Agent in Charge Joe Ogden.  “The ruthless violence displayed by all three defendants in this case undoubtedly proves they belong behind prison walls.  The efforts of the FBI and our law enforcement partners have guaranteed they will each feel the full weight of the federal justice system.”

    “The defendants’ actions were brutal and horrifying,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson.  “Although nothing can erase the effects of these crimes or ease these families’ agony, the sentences imposed remove three very dangerous people from our community for a very long time.”

    The Honorable David C. Joseph, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, sitting by appointment, presided over the hearing.  The defendants will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve non-paroleable sentences of incarceration.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin D. Traster represented the United States.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Coach and Missouri Middle School Teacher Sentenced for Coercing, Enticing, and Sexually Abusing a Minor Child

    Source: US FBI

    TULSA, Okla. – A former coach and middle school teacher was sentenced today for six counts related to child exploitation and sexual abuse of a minor child, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. 

    U.S. District Judge Sara E. Hill sentenced Ronald Dale Sanders, 57, of Belton, Missouri, for Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct, Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country, Abusive Sexual Contact with a Minor in Indian Country, Tampering with Evidence by Corrupt Persuasion, Coercion and Enticement of a Minor, and Production of Child Pornography.

    Judge Hill ordered Sanders to serve 360 months’ imprisonment, followed by lifetime supervision. Upon his release, Sanders will also be required to register as a sex offender.

    “Sanders is a dangerous child predator and every parent’s worst nightmare,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “His career in teaching and coaching put him in a position to manipulate and exploit a minor child and their family to fulfill his sexual desires.”

    “As a teacher, the defendant held a position of trust in the eyes of his victim and the community. He violated that trust by exploiting a former student for his own sexual gratification,” said FBI Oklahoma City Acting Special Agent in Charge Joe Ogden. “There is no place in our society for predators like Ronald Sanders, and the FBI will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to ensure they face justice.”

    On several occasions between August 2023 and October 2023, Sanders admitted to driving from Missouri to Oklahoma to engage in sexual acts with a 14-year-old. Court records show that Sanders began messaging with a former 6th-grade student through social media. The messages quickly turned into inappropriate sexual conversations, and he coerced the minor child to send him sexually explicit photos. Sanders manipulated the minor child into believing that they were in a relationship and to delete messages or deny their relationship if anyone asked. He purchased gifts for the minor child, including lingerie and a ring with Sanders’ initials on it.

    Court records show that Sanders’ employment career included teaching special education, middle school education, and coaching boys’ and girls’ teams. He used that background to insert himself into the minor child’s life by claiming he was a tutor and befriending the child’s family, attending school football games, and visiting the minor child during school. In October, one of the minor child’s parents caught Sanders outside their house late at night. When the parent attempted to confront Sanders, he hit their vehicle and sped off. The parent followed Sanders and called 911.

    Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol pulled over Sanders. He had alcohol and sex toys inside his vehicle. The investigation revealed that Sanders was blatant in his pursuit of the minor child and that he had 1,000’s of messages with the minor child that contained sexually explicit material.

    Sanders will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

    The FBI, the Miami Police Department, the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol investigated the case. Miami Public Schools played a significant role in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alicia Hockenbury and Valeria Luster prosecuted the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

    MIL Security OSI –