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  • MIL-OSI Canada: ASIRT concludes investigations on three files

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SAVE THE DATE: CLUW’s 23rd Biennial Convention in San Diego

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    The Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) is set to host its 23rd Biennial Convention from Nov. 9–11, 2025, in San Diego.

    With the theme “Women of the World, UNITE!”, this convention will bring together union sisters and allies from across the country to address critical issues facing working women. Delegates can expect a dynamic lineup of speakers, informative workshops, and strategy sessions focused on building a stronger, more inclusive labor movement.

    Convention Details:

    Location: Sheraton San Diego Resort, California

    Room Rates:

    • $199 for singles and doubles
    • $249 for quads
    • $299 for triples
      (plus applicable taxes and fees)

    A direct link to book hotel accommodations will be available soon at CLUW.org.

    Attendees will participate in workshops that tackle the challenges and opportunities impacting CLUW members, such as advancing equality, strengthening union power, and organizing.

    You can download the Official Call Letter, registration forms, and additional information about the agenda, convention rules, and resolutions here.

    If you have any questions, please contact IAM Women’s and Young Workers Director Julie Frietchen at jfrietchen@iamaw.org.  

    The post SAVE THE DATE: CLUW’s 23rd Biennial Convention in San Diego appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General’s Office releases report highlighting veterans’ legal support needs statewide

    Source: Washington State News

    SEATTLE — The Washington state Attorney General’s Office of Military and Veteran Legal Assistance (OMVLA) released its Civil Legal Needs Survey report today, summarizing the met and unmet civil (non-criminal) legal needs of Washington’s veterans, service members, and their families.

    The report — based on recent surveys by the office of hundreds of people in need of services and hundreds more service providers — identified the top three civil legal needs statewide for veterans, service members, and their families as:

    • Applying for or appealing denials of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits,
    • Legal problems at the conclusion of employment, and
    • Legal issues with landlords.

    Providers who assist veterans, service members, and their families had concerns about homelessness and housing problems. Washington is among 22 states that experienced an increase in veteran homelessness in 2024.

    “Our office is calling for robust support statewide to help Washington’s veterans, service members, and their families,” said Attorney General Nick Brown, a veteran of the U.S. Army’s Third Infantry Division. “I ask that any veteran or service member who needs civil legal assistance contact my office to see how we can help.”

    Demographic data shows more than half a million veterans live in Washington, along with over 65,000 active-duty service members, 17,565 members of the National Guard and Reserves, and an estimated 2 million family members of veterans and service members. Despite the size of Washington’s military and veteran community and their contributions to the stability and vitality of our state, their legal needs are often going unmet.

    The Legislature in 2017 passed an agency request bill to promote and facilitate access to free civil legal services for Washington’s current and former military service members, creating OMVLA. OMVLA’s current staff members are authorized to recruit and train volunteer attorneys, maintain a registry of available services and volunteers, assess requests for legal assistance, and refer such requests to registered volunteer attorneys and legal aid providers.

    For more information about OMVLA and to request free civil legal help go here.

    The 2025 report on veteran and service member civil legal needs, with full survey results, is here.

    -30-

    Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

    Media Contact:

    Email: press@atg.wa.gov

    Phone: (360) 753-2727

    General contacts: Click here

    Media Resource Guide & Attorney General’s Office FAQ

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Celebration of the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Celebration of the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

    Celebration of the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
    jawerner

    Credentialed media are invited to attend a celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 24 at 10 a.m. at the Hilton Raleigh North Hills, 3415 Wake Forest Road. Leaders from the North Carolina Department of Health and Humans Services will highlight programs, services and investments that are improving the lives of North Carolinians with disabilities.

    The event will include presentations and panel discussions with leaders and people with lived experience on topics ranging from essential services and community access, employment services, assistive technology and the North Carolina Olmstead Plan. Credentialed media are invited to attend and participate in a Q&A session at the conclusion of the presentations. American Sign Language interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services are available at the event.

    What: Celebration of the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

    Who: Chris Egan, Assistant Secretary for Employment and Community Access, NCDHHS

              Kelly Crosbie, Director, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use              Services, NCDHHS

              Deb Goda, Olmstead Director, NCDHHS

              Kenneth Kelty, Writer, Host of  The Waiting Room Podcast

              Brittny Zenere, Director of Operations, Alliance of Disability Advocates

              Kathie Smith, Director, Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities,                   NCDHHS

              Patrick Williams, Peer Specialist, Easterseals PORT Health

              Natalie Flores, Employment Specialist, Easterseals, PORT Health

              Tony Davis, Director, Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, NCDHHS

              John Samuels, Co- Founder and Chief Operating Officer, ABLR

    When: Thursday, July 24

                10 a.m. – noon, with a media Q&A at 11:40 A.M

    Where: Hilton Raleigh North Hills, 

                   3415 Wake Forest Road,  

                   Raleigh, NC 27609 

    Media: Credentialed media interested in attending should RSVP to news@dhhs.nc.gov

    Jul 22, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bapchule Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Stabbing Death

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PHOENIX, Ariz. – Daryl Patrick Johns, 46, of Bapchule, Arizona, a member of the Gila River Indian Community, was sentenced on July 17 by U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to 20 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

    On February 15, 2023, Johns stabbed and killed the victim on the Gila River Indian Community. Johns pleaded guilty on November 1, 2024, to Second Degree Murder.     

    The Gila River Police Department and the FBI Phoenix Indian Country squad conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Raynette Logan, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

    CASE NUMBER:           CR-23-1639-PHX-DLR
    RELEASE NUMBER:    2025-122_Johns

    # # #

    For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
    Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bapchule Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Stabbing Death

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PHOENIX, Ariz. – Daryl Patrick Johns, 46, of Bapchule, Arizona, a member of the Gila River Indian Community, was sentenced on July 17 by U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to 20 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

    On February 15, 2023, Johns stabbed and killed the victim on the Gila River Indian Community. Johns pleaded guilty on November 1, 2024, to Second Degree Murder.     

    The Gila River Police Department and the FBI Phoenix Indian Country squad conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Raynette Logan, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

    CASE NUMBER:           CR-23-1639-PHX-DLR
    RELEASE NUMBER:    2025-122_Johns

    # # #

    For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
    Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Charleroi Staffing Agency Owner Sentenced to Prison and Ordered to Pay More Than $3.6 Million in Restitution for Harboring Illegal Aliens and Failing to Pay Employment Taxes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 30 months of imprisonment and ordered to pay $3,630,479.13 on his convictions of failing to pay employment taxes and harboring individuals who were not legally authorized to be in the United States, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Andy Ha, 28. Ha pleaded guilty to the charges in February of 2025 (read the plea news release here).

    According to information presented to the Court, Ha was the president and owner of the Charleroi staffing agency Prosperity Services, Inc., where Ha employed individuals who were not legally authorized to be in the United States, and paid for such workers to stay in a former hotel. Ha signed false employment tax returns on behalf of the agency, in which Ha reported less than 10% of Prosperity’s employees. Ha and Prosperity failed to pay taxes on the other unreported employees, resulting in a tax loss of at least $3.1 million over the course of a year.

    Assistant United States Attorney William Guappone prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

    Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Ha.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Laredo man sentenced to 63 months for smuggling over 100 illegal aliens in locked trailer

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LAREDO, Texas – A 49-year-old resident of Laredo has been ordered to federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Juan Manuel Aguirre pleaded guilty Feb. 6.

    U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison has now ordered Aguirre to serve 63 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court considered Aguirre’s history of smuggling aliens on multiple occasions and the danger he posed by transporting them in a sealed, locked, dark and unventilated trailer that required authorities to open with a bolt cutter. 

    “Human smuggling is an incredibly dangerous enterprise, and it requires the trafficker to care absolutely nothing about the lives and safety of those they transport,” said Ganjei. “Fortunately, there were no deaths in this case, but the underlying facts indicate that several of those transported had difficulty breathing and feared for their life. The Southern District of Texas will make sure that all human smugglers pay a serious price for their callousness.”

    On Dec. 2, 2024, law enforcement observed several individuals being loading into a white trailer in a warehouse parking lot. Aguirre was the driver of the truck hauling it. After he departed the location, authorities conducted a traffic stop which resulted in the discovery of 101 aliens locked inside the trailer, 13 of whom were children as young as 13 years old.

    Multiple illegal aliens reported they had difficulty breathing and feared for their life due to the conditions in the trailer. They were from the countries of Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba and Honduras.

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

    Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety and Border Patrol conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection, Drug Enforcement Administration and Webb County Sheriff’s Office. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Scott Bowling is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján Secures Nearly $17 Million in Federal Investments for New Mexico in Committee-Passed Appropriations Bills

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced funding secured for New Mexico communities through the Appropriations Committee’s bipartisan passage of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Bill and Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Bill.

    From both appropriations bills, Senator Luján secured $16,820,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for key local projects that will strengthen our national security, boost violence intervention programs, and equip law enforcement with the resources needed to keep New Mexico communities safe.  

    “Across New Mexico, these vital investments will deliver resources to enhance public safety in our communities and upgrade infrastructure at our military bases to boost our military’s readiness and safety,” said Senator Luján. “This funding will equip our brave law enforcement officers with the tools they need to protect New Mexicans, support programs aimed at reducing youth violence and violence in Tribal communities, and reinforce critical infrastructure at our military bases. I’m proud to have fought to secure these investments for our communities, and I’ll continue working to deliver the federal support our families and communities need and deserve.”

    The Committee process is the first step, and the appropriations bills will next be considered by the full U.S. Senate.

    Senator Luján Secured Nearly $17 Million for the Following Local Projects:

    Strengthening New Mexico’s Air Force Bases:

    • $8,100,000 for infrastructure upgrades at Cannon Air Force Base, specifically for ADAL Security Forces Facility. Secured by Senator Luján and Senator Heinrich.
    • $2,000,000 for infrastructure upgrades at Kirtland Air Force Base, specifically for the design for the Wyoming Gate Project. Secured by Senator Luján and Senator Heinrich.
    • $700,000 for infrastructure upgrades at Holloman Air Force Base, specifically for the design for the Holloman High Speed Test Track. Secured by Senator Luján and Senator Heinrich.

    Boosting Public Safety Throughout New Mexico:

    • $1,069,000 for the City of Albuquerque’s Real Time Crime Center for the purchase of law enforcement technology.
    • $1,042,000 for Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office to purchase a new fleet of vehicles.
    • $1,031,000 for the New Mexico Department of Public Safety Police to provide 5G technology in fleet vehicles. Secured by Senator Luján, Senator Heinrich, and Representative Stansbury in the House-companion bill.
    • $1,000,000 for UNM Office of the Medical Investigator DNA processing laboratory to allow for the purchase of equipment for DNA identification. Secured by Senator Luján and Senator Heinrich.
    • $500,000 for Bernalillo Country public safety technology upgrades to address high rates of crime in the Albuquerque metro area. Secured by Senator Luján, Senator Heinrich, and Representative Vasquez in the House-companion bill.
    • $250,000 for the San Juan County Partnership’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program to assist in mitigating individuals with substance use disorder or mental/behavioral health challenges from continuously interacting with law enforcement.

    Funding Violence Intervention and Prevention Programs:

    • $1,0350,000 for the City of Albuquerque’s expansion of school-based violence intervention program to assist at risk students by improving grades and reducing youth violence.
    • $93,000 for the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native women to address challenges in domestic violence and sexual violence in Tribal communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Defence, diaspora and digital: PM Modi’s UK trip to reinforce bilateral agenda

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a two-nation visit from July 23 to 26, starting with the United Kingdom at the invitation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This will be his fourth official visit to the UK, reaffirming the growing depth and breadth of India-UK ties, particularly in defence, innovation, healthcare, education, and diaspora engagement.

    Defence cooperation between the two countries spans joint exercises, technological collaboration, and knowledge exchange. The Indian and British armed forces regularly participate in bilateral and multilateral drills. In 2023, the Indian Navy joined Exercise Konkan in the Arabian Sea, while the Indian Air Force took part in Exercise Cobra Warrior at Royal Air Force Waddington. The Indian Army participated in the seventh edition of Exercise Ajeya Warrior held in Salisbury, UK. A major multinational air exercise, Exercise Tarang Shakti, is scheduled for August 2024. These engagements reflect a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing operational synergy and promoting indigenous defence production under India’s Make in India initiative.

    In the area of science and technology, India and the UK have established themselves as close partners, with joint research programmes amounting to $387–516 million (approx. £300–400 million). The India-UK Science and Innovation Council, which convenes biennially, provides the framework for cooperation in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, pandemic preparedness, and quantum science. During the April 2023 SIC meeting in the UK, an MoU was signed for expanded collaboration, including the creation of a new India-UK Net Zero Innovation Virtual Centre focused on industrial decarbonisation. India was also named a partner country in the UK’s International Science Partnership Fund, building upon the Newton-Bhabha Fund legacy.

    Healthcare cooperation saw a pivotal moment during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly with the joint development of the AstraZeneca vaccine by the UK and the Serum Institute of India. In July 2022, both nations signed the India-UK Framework Agreement for collaboration on healthcare workforce, aiming to streamline the recruitment and training of healthcare professionals. As per UK government data from June 2023, 60,533 Indian nationals are working in the National Health Service (NHS), the second-highest after British citizens. Among doctors in the NHS, 18 percent are of Asian origin, including 10,865 Indians. There are 31,992 Indian nurses and 11,499 clinical support staff, reflecting India’s critical contribution to the UK’s healthcare system.

    Education continues to be a key pillar of the bilateral relationship. The number of Indian students enrolling in UK universities has consistently risen since 2015-16, with an estimated 170,000 currently studying in the country. A landmark development under India’s New Education Policy: the University of Southampton’s Gurugram campus was recently inaugurated, becoming the first fully operational foreign university campus in India under UGC regulations. Further boosting collaboration, both nations signed a mutual recognition of academic qualifications MoU in July 2022.

    Mobility and migration are being actively facilitated under the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement signed in May 2021. The Young Professional Scheme, announced in November 2022 by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the G20 Bali Summit, enables 3,000 young graduates between 18 and 30 years of age to live and work in each other’s countries for up to two years.

    The Indian diaspora in the UK remains a cornerstone of bilateral relations. According to the 2021 Census, 1.864 million people of Indian origin reside in the UK, forming 2.6 percent of its population. Of these, 369,000 hold Indian passports. The diaspora has made significant contributions across academia, medicine, science, arts, business, and politics. A report by Grant Thornton and FICCI in 2022 identified over 65,000 Indian diaspora-owned businesses in the UK. Among them, 654 companies with annual revenues exceeding $129,000 (approx. £100,000) together generated $47.5 billion (approx. £36.84 billion) in revenue, paid over $1.29 billion (approx. £1 billion) in corporate taxes, invested more than $2.58 billion (approx. £2 billion) in capital expenditure, and supported over 174,000 jobs.

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Supercharging Clean Energy Will Repair Humankind’s Relationship with Climate, Fuel Economic Growth, Secretary-General Says, Noting $2 Trillion Invested in 2024

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ address on climate action “A Moment of Opportunity:  Supercharging the Clean Energy Age”, in New York today:

    The headlines are dominated by a world in trouble.  By conflict and climate chaos.  By rising human suffering.  By growing geopolitical divides.  But amidst the turmoil, another story is being written.  And its implications will be profound.

    Throughout history, energy has shaped the destiny of humankind — from mastering fire to harnessing steam to splitting the atom.  Now, we are on the cusp of a new era.  Fossil fuels are running out of road.  The sun is rising on a clean energy age.

    Just follow the money.  Two trillion dollars went into clean energy last year — that’s $800 billion more than fossil fuels and up almost 70 per cent in 10 years.  And new data released today from the International Renewable Energy Agency shows that solar — not so long ago four times the cost of fossil fuels — is now 41 per cent cheaper.  Offshore wind — 53 per cent. And over 90 per cent of new renewables worldwide produced electricity for less than the cheapest new fossil fuel alternative.

    This is not just a shift in power.  This is a shift in possibility.  Yes, in repairing our relationship with the climate.  Already, the carbon emissions saved by solar and wind globally are almost equivalent to what the whole European Union produces in a year.

    But this transformation is fundamentally about energy security and people’s security.  It’s about smart economics.  Decent jobs, public health, advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.  And delivering clean and affordable energy to everyone, everywhere.

    Today, we are releasing a special report with the support of UN agencies and partners — the International Energy Agency, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Renewable Energy Agency, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the World Bank.

    The report shows how far we have come in the decade since the Paris Agreement sparked a clean energy revolution.  And it highlights the vast benefits — and actions needed — to accelerate a just transition globally.

    Renewables already nearly match fossil fuels in global installed power capacity.  And that’s just the beginning.  Last year, almost all the new power capacity built came from renewables.  And every continent on Earth added more renewables capacity than fossil fuels.  The clean energy future is no longer a promise.  It’s a fact.  No government.  No industry. No special interest can stop it.

    Of course, the fossil fuel lobby of some fossil fuel companies will try — and we know the lengths to which they will go. But I have never been more confident that they will fail — because we have passed the point of no return.

    For three powerful reasons.  First, market economics.  For decades, emissions and economic growth rose together.  No more.  In many advanced economies, emissions have peaked, but growth continues.

    In 2023 alone, clean energy sectors drove 10 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP) growth.  In India, 5 per cent.  The United States, 6 per cent.  China — a leader in the energy transition — 20 per cent.  And in the European Union, nearly 33 per cent.  And clean energy sector jobs now outnumber fossil fuel jobs — employing almost 35 million people worldwide.

    Even Texas — the heart of the American fossil fuel industry — now leads the United States in renewables.  Why?  Because it makes economic sense.

    And yet fossil fuels still enjoy a 9-to-1 advantage in consumption subsidies globally — a clear market distortion.  Add to that the unaccounted costs of climate damages on people and planet — and the distortion is even greater.

    Countries that cling to fossil fuels are not protecting their economies — they are sabotaging them.  Driving up costs.  Undermining competitiveness.  Locking in stranded assets.  And missing the greatest economic opportunity of the twenty-first century.

    Second — renewables are here to stay because they are the foundation of energy security and sovereignty. Let’s be clear:  The greatest threat to energy security today is in fossil fuels.  They leave economies and people at the mercy of price shocks, supply disruptions and geopolitical turmoil.  Just look at Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  A war in Europe led to a global energy crisis.  Oil and gas prices soared.  Electricity and food bills followed.  In 2022 average households around the world saw energy costs jump 20 per cent.

    Modern and competitive economies need stable, affordable energy. Renewables offer both.  There are no price spikes for sunlight.  No embargoes on wind.  Renewables can put power — literally and figuratively — in the hands of people and governments.  And almost every nation has enough sun, wind, or water to become energy self-sufficient.  Renewables mean real energy security.  Real energy sovereignty.  And real freedom from fossil-fuel volatility.

    The third and final reason why there is no going back on renewables: Easy access.  You can’t build a coal plant in someone’s backyard.  But you can deliver solar panels to the most remote village on Earth.  Solar and wind can be deployed faster, cheaper and more flexibly than fossil fuels ever could.  And while nuclear will be part of the global energy mix, it can never fill the access gaps.

    All of this is a game changer for the hundreds of millions of people still living without electricity — most of them in Africa, a continent bursting with renewable potential. By 2040, Africa could generate 10 times more electricity than it needs — entirely from renewables.

    We are already seeing small-scale and off-grid renewable technologies lighting homes, and powering schools and businesses in remote areas.  And in places like Pakistan for example, people power is fuelling a solar surge — consumers are driving the clean energy boom.

    The energy transition is unstoppable.  But the transition is not yet fast enough or fair enough.  OECD countries and China account for 80 per cent of renewable power capacity installed worldwide.  Brazil and India make up nearly 10 per cent.  Africa — just 1.5 per cent.

    Meanwhile, the climate crisis is laying waste to lives and livelihoods.  Climate disasters in small island States have wiped out over 100 per cent of GDP.  In the United States, they are pushing insurance premiums through the roof.

    And the 1.5-degree limit is in unprecedented peril.  To keep it within reach, we must drastically speed up the reduction of emissions — and the reach of the clean energy transition.  With manufacturing capacity racing, prices plummeting, and COP30 [Thirtieth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change] fast approaching…  This is our moment of opportunity.  We must seize it.  We can do so by taking action in six opportunity areas.

    First — by using new national climate plans to go all-out on the energy transition.  Too often, governments send mixed messages:  Bold renewable targets on one day.  New fossil fuel subsidies and expansions the next.

    The next national climate plans, or NDCs, are due in a matter of months.  They must bring clarity and certainty.  Group of Twenty (G20) countries must lead. They produce 80 per cent of global emissions.  The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities must apply but every country must do more.  Ahead of COP30 in Brazil this November, they must submit new plans.

    I invite leaders to present their new NDCs at an event I will host in September, during General Assembly High-level week.   These must: cover all emissions, across the entire economy; align with the 1.5-degree limit; integrate energy, climate and sustainable development priorities into one coherent vision; and deliver on global promises to double energy efficiency and triple renewables capacity by 2030, and to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels.  These plans must be backed by long-term road maps for a just transition to net-zero energy systems — in line with global net-zero by 2050.

    And they must be underpinned by policies that show that the clean energy future is not just inevitable — but investable.  Policies that create clear regulations and a pipeline of projects.  That enhance public-private partnerships — unlocking capital and innovation.  That put a meaningful price on carbon.  And that end subsidies and international public finance for fossil fuels — as promised.

    Second, this is our moment of opportunity to build the energy systems of the twenty-first century.  The technology is moving ahead.  In just 15 years, the cost of battery storage systems for electricity grids has dropped over 90 per cent.

    But here’s the problem.  Investments in the right infrastructure are not keeping up.  For every dollar invested in renewable power, just 60 cents go to grids and storage.  That ratio should be one-to-one.

    We are building renewable power — but not connecting it fast enough.  There’s three times more renewable energy waiting to be plugged into grids than was added last year.  And fossil fuels still dominate the global total energy mix.

    We must act now and invest in the backbone of a clean energy future:  In modern, flexible and digital grids — including regional integration.  In a massive scale-up of energy storage.  In charging networks — to power the electric vehicle revolution.

    On the other hand, we need energy efficiency but also electrification — across buildings, transport and industry. This is how we unlock the full promise of renewables — and build energy systems that are clean, secure and fit for the future.

    Third, this is our moment of opportunity to meet the world’s surging energy demand sustainably.  More people are plugging in.  More cities are heating up — with soaring demand for cooling.  And more technologies — from AI to digital finance — are devouring electricity.  Governments must aim to meet all new electricity demand with renewables.

    AI can boost efficiency, innovation and resilience in energy systems.  And we must take profit in it.  But it is also energy hungry.  A typical AI data centre eats up as much electricity as 100,000 homes.  The largest ones will soon use 20 times that.  By 2030, data centres could consume as much electricity as all of Japan does today.

    This is not sustainable — unless we make it so.  And the technology sector must be out front.  Today I call on every major tech firm to power all data centres with 100 per cent renewables by 2030.

    And — along with other industries — they must use water sustainably in cooling systems.  The future is being built in the cloud.  It must be powered by the sun, the wind and the promise of a better world.

    Fourth, this is the moment of opportunity for a just energy transition. The clean energy that we must deliver must also deliver equity, dignity and opportunity for all.

    That means governments leading a just transition.  With support, education and training — for fossil fuel workers, young people, women, Indigenous Peoples and others — so that they can thrive in the new energy economy.  With stronger social protection — so no one is left behind.  And with international cooperation to help low-income countries that are highly-dependent on fossil fuels and struggling to make the shift.

    But justice doesn’t stop here.  The critical minerals that power the clean energy revolution are often found in countries that have long been exploited.  And today, we see history repeating.  Communities mistreated.  Rights trampled.  Environments trashed.  Nations stuck at the bottom of value chains — while others reap rewards.  And extractive models digging deeper holes of inequality and harm.  This must end.

    Developing countries can play a major role in diversifying sources of supply. The UN Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals has shown the way forward — with a path grounded in human rights, justice and equity.

    Today, I call on governments, businesses and civil society to work with us to deliver its recommendations.  Let’s build a future that is not only green — but just.  Not only fast — but fair.  Not only transformative — but inclusive.

    Fifth, we have a moment of opportunity to use trade and investment to supercharge the energy transition.  Clean energy needs more than ambition.  It needs access — to technologies, materials and manufacturing.

    But these are concentrated in just a few countries.  And global trade is fragmenting.

    Trade policy must support climate policy.  Countries committed to the new energy era must come together to ensure that trade and investment drive it forward.  By building diverse, secure and resilient supply chains.  By cutting tariffs on clean energy goods.  By unlocking investment and trade — including through South-South cooperation. And by modernizing outdated investment treaties — starting with Investor-State Dispute Settlement provisions.

    Today, fossil fuel interests are weaponizing these provisions to delay the transition, particularly in several developing countries.  Reform is urgent.  The race for the new must not be a race for the few.  It must be a relay — shared, inclusive and resilient.  Let’s make trade a tool for transformation.

    Sixth and finally, this is our moment of opportunity to unleash the full force of finance — driving investment to markets with massive potential.  Despite soaring demand and vast renewables potential — developing countries are being locked out of the energy transition.

    Africa is home to 60 per cent of the world’s best solar resources.  But it received just 2 per cent of global clean energy investment last year.  Zoom out, and the picture is just as stark.

    In the last decade, only 1 in every 5 clean energy dollars went to emerging and developing countries outside China.  To keep the 1.5-degree limit alive — and deliver universal energy access – annual clean energy investment in those countries must rise more than fivefold by 2030.

    That demands bold national policies.  And concrete international action to:  Reform the global financial architecture.  Drastically increase the lending capacity of multilateral development banks — making them bigger, bolder and better able to leverage massive amounts of private finance at reasonable costs.  And take effective action on debt relief — and scale up proven tools like debt for climate swaps.

    Today, developing countries pay outlandish sums for both debt and equity financing — in part because of outdated risk models, bias and broken assumptions that boost the cost of capital.  Credit ratings agencies and investors must modernize.

    We need a new approach to risk that reflects:  the promise of clean energy; the rising cost of climate chaos; and the danger of stranded fossil fuel assets.  I urge parties to unite to solve the complex challenges facing some developing countries in the energy transition — such as early retirement of coal plants.

    The fossil fuel age is flailing and failing.  We are in the dawn of a new energy era.  An era where cheap, clean, abundant energy powers a world rich in economic opportunity.  Where nations have the security of energy autonomy.  And the gift of power is a gift for all.

    That world is within reach.  But it won’t happen on its own.  Not fast enough.  Not fair enough.  It is up to us.  We have the tools to power the future for humanity.  Let’s make the most of them.  This is our moment of opportunity.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Reflecting on one year since the Jasper wildfire

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    The Government of Canada stands with Jasperites as work continues to rebuild the beautiful mountain community of Jasper and Jasper National Park

    July 22, 2025 – Jasper, Alberta – PrairiesCan

    One year ago, emergency responders, community members, visitors, friends, and neighbours all banded together to safely evacuate more than 20,000 people from Jasper and Jasper National Park. Those heroic efforts were the beginning of a long road for the community. Within days, multiple wildfires would converge to take the life of a brave firefighter, destroy over 30 per cent of the structures in Jasper, uproot the lives of residents and workers, and leave a lasting impact on the landscape.

    Today, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, joined Jasperites to reflect, to grieve, and to remember. At the commemorative event, Minister Olszewski paid tribute to the tremendous courage, strength, and resiliency that community members have shown over the past year, while also acknowledging the ongoing commitment to collaboration by countless people and organizations to assist Jasper to build back stronger.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Speaker Johnson Commends Selection of Rep. Garbarino to Serve as Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

    Speaker Johnson Commends Selection of Rep. Garbarino to Serve as Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee

    Washington, July 22, 2025

    WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson released the following statement after the House Republican Conference selected Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) to serve as the next Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee following the departure of Rep. Mark Green (R-TN):

    “House Republicans know that Rep. Garbarino will serve as a steady hand at the helm of the House Homeland Security Committee as Congressional Republicans and the Trump Administration continue our work to restore law and order at our borders following four years of neglect and catastrophic failures under the Biden Administration. While we had a superb group of uniquely qualified candidates, Andrew was elected to the position because of his experience as a highly effective legislator at the state and federal level, his ability to build consensus in our Conference, and his impressive work heading the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee. We look forward to moving forward together as one team to continue advancing legislation in the House that keeps our border permanently secured and our country safe.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Speaker Johnson Highlights House Republicans’ Extensive Record of Success During the 119th Congress

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

    WASHINGTON — This morning, at the final weekly House Republican Leadership press conference before the August District Work Period, Speaker Johnson criticized Congressional Democrats for suddenly clamoring for transparency while they spent four years covering up President Biden’s mental decline. The Speaker also addressed how Congressional Republicans have delivered a historic set of wins during President Trump’s first six months back in office.

    Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here.

    On Democrats lying about President Biden’s mental decline:

    366 days ago, President Joe Biden was unceremoniously forced off the Democrat ticket. Everybody knows why. Even after millions of Americans had already cast their primary votes for him, the self-proclaimed party of democracy threw out their nominee, the sitting President of the United States, for his disastrous debate performance. On the debate stage, President Biden revealed to the American people what Democrats in Congress spent four long years trying to hide: that the President of the United States of America was in rapid mental decline and unable to continue serving as the leader of the free world. I’m gonna say that again: the man holding the most powerful office on the face of the earth, who we now know was being propped up by staff and Democrats in Congress, was in rapid mental decline. It was as shocking as it was dangerous, and they all participated in it.

    Nearly every single one of the Democrats who shamelessly attempted to pull the wool over our eyes still holds office today. You ought to be chasing them down in the hallways, asking for their responses on that. We released a 14-minute-long video yesterday with just a small sample of the countless receipts of the Democrats at every level, spinning this fantastical lie to the American people. I encourage every reporter in this room to go watch that. You ought to use the clips, and you ought to go ask them about it. And remember that the same Democrats who lied to us for years are now trying to convince you they stand for transparency. They participated in one of the greatest political scandals in, in all of history and the House Republicans are not going to allow this to be whitewashed from the historical record.

    On House Republicans record of success during the 119th Congress:

    We’ve been hard at work from day one of this Congress, day one of the Trump administration, trying to undo all that damage of the last four years. And we’re laying the foundation for what will make our country safer, stronger, and more prosperous than ever before. The American people gave President Trump a clear mandate to enact his America first agenda, and Republicans answered the call. To date, we’ve enacted 50 of the President’s executive orders, from reigning in bureaucratic waste, fraud, and abuse to passing common sense legislation to delivering our once in a generation legislative victories through the One Big Beautiful Bill. Let me give you a quick summary.

    Americans asked for secure borders and safer communities, and Republicans delivered the largest investment in border security and interior enforcement on record. And with the HALT Fentanyl Act and the Laken Riley Act, were making sure American communities are safe from deadly drugs and illegal aliens that have taken far too many lives. The American people asked us for bigger paychecks and more affordable gas and groceries, and we delivered on that too. We delivered the largest working- and middle-class tax cut in the history of the United States. And we’ve torn down Biden-era regulations like the California EV mandate that was just madness and worked against working families and American energy dominance. The American people demanded fiscal sanity and Republicans delivered again. We passed more than $1.5 trillion in spending cuts so the government can begin to live within its means. Again, all of this is real positive change for American families, the kind that they’re going to directly feel in their bank accounts. They’re going to see it in their neighborhoods, and they’re going to count on it for years to come.

    On the August District Work period:

    This is the last leadership press conference before we enter the August District work period around here. People call it the August recess – it is not that. I know that lots of people in the press corps are going to be able to enjoy some downtime with friends and families and we commend you for that. But House Republicans aren’t going to get to participate in all that stuff because this month of August is not a vacation. This is arguably the most important work month on our calendar. Why? Because our members go home, they connect with their constituents in person. They host roundtables with local businesses and organizations. They meet with community stakeholders and local officials. Really, really important components of the job. And frankly, they need to cut through the false and misleading claims about the One Big Beautiful Bill from the media and the Democrats. As I mentioned, the more people know, the more they greatly favor the bill that we passed, and House Republicans are going to spend the month highlighting how it will positively impact our districts and our communities.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bilirakis, Ruiz, Welch, Tillis, Gillibrand, Murkowski and Klobuchar Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bills to Eliminate Burn Pits and Help Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)

    Washington, D.C.– In a significant step toward enhancing transparency and protecting patient rights within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Congressman Gus Bilirakis has introduced the Written Informed Consent Act. This legislation would require the VA to provide Veterans with clear, written information about the potential side effects of antipsychotics, stimulants, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and narcotics prescribed through the VA healthcare system.  Currently, verbal disclosures or limited written information may accompany these prescriptions. The proposed bill mandates a standardized written consent form outlining potential adverse effects, ensuring Veterans are fully informed before medications in these categories are dispensed.

    “Our Veterans deserve nothing less than complete transparency when it comes to their health and the medications they’re prescribed,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “The Written Informed Consent Act will empower Veterans to make better-informed decisions about their treatment and protect their right to understand the risks involved.”

    The bill comes in response to rising concerns about adverse drug reactions among Veterans, particularly those coping with chronic or complex health conditions that require multiple medications. Supporters argue that requiring written disclosures promotes informed decision-making and helps mitigate the risk of medication-related harm.  Veterans advocacy groups have strongly endorsed the bill, emphasizing the importance of trust, communication, and accountability in VA healthcare.

    “AMVETS proudly supports this legislation to ensure Veterans prescribed high-risk medications are fully informed before starting treatment. Written consent creates a clearer understanding of potential risks and alternatives, and our Veterans deserve that confidence when making decisions about their care,” said AMVETS National Executive Director Joe Chenelly.

    “Informed Signatory Consent is not just a legal checkbox, it’s a moral obligation. Veterans deserve to know exactly what they’re being prescribed, what the risks are, and what the alternatives might be. When we remove informed choice, we increase dependency, confusion, and risk of harm. Giving Veterans real consent is one of the most critical and overlooked tools we have in preventing suicide,” remarked Tim Jensen, Combat Veteran & Chairman of Grunt Style Foundation.

    “For medications with black box warnings, especially those linked to serious mental health risks, written informed consent is vital,” said Matthew Schwartzman, Director of Legislation and Military Policy for the Reserve Organization of America. “ROA thanks Congressman Bilirakis for championing legislation that ensures members of the uniformed services, veterans, their families, and caregivers are fully informed before beginning treatment. At a time when our nation is facing a growing mental health crisis, often tied to the conditions for which these medications are prescribed, this legislation is a critical step toward supporting resilience, improving outcomes, and protecting those who serve and support our country.“

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Amid GOP Assault on Healthcare, Pressley, Duckworth, DeGette, Schakowsky, Frost, Colleagues Unveil EACH Act, Keep Up Fight for Reproductive Justice

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    Lawmakers File EACH Act to End Hyde Amendment, Lift Unjust Abortion Coverage Restrictions on Medicaid, Other Government Sponsored Plans

    Follows Passage of Big, Ugly Bill that Guts Medicaid, Defunds Planned Parenthood, Further Restricts Healthcare

    Bill Text (PDF) | Floor Speech (YouTube)

    WASHINGTON – Today, as Republicans continue their assault on healthcare, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01), Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Congressman Maxwell Frost (FL-10), and Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI), led their colleagues in reintroducing the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Healthcare (EACH) Act, bold legislation to guarantee abortion coverage—regardless of how a patient gets their health insurance. The lawmakers’ bill follows the enactment of Trump and Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill, which will gut Medicaid, defund Planned Parenthood health centers, and push essential reproductive care further out of reach for millions of people.

    The EACH Act ends the discriminatory Hyde Amendment and lifts unjust abortion coverage restrictions for those who depend on Medicaid and other government-sponsored plans. The bill affirms the fundamental right to abortion care and helps ensure everyone can get the reproductive healthcare they need, regardless of income, insurance, or zip code.

    Rep. Pressley unveiled the bill in a floor speech last night. Full video of that speech is available here.

    “Abortion care is health care, and health care is a human right. With Trump and Republicans advancing a cruel, coordinated assault on our bodily autonomy—gutting Medicaid, defunding Planned Parenthood, and decimating access to care—we must use every tool available to protect and expand reproductive healthcare,” said Congresswoman Pressley, Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus. “The EACH Act would help us do just that. By repealing the racist and discriminatory Hyde Amendment, which has denied necessary care for vulnerable communities for nearly half a century, our bill would help ensure everyone in America can get the reproductive healthcare they need, regardless of income, insurance, or zip code. I’m grateful to Senator Duckworth and our colleagues for their partnership on this critical priority.”

    “Ever since Trump’s far-right Supreme Court majority struck down Roe, Republicans have made it their mission to strip away a woman’s right to reproductive health care—a right they have no place to stand in the way of,” said Senator Duckworth. “As Republicans’ Big, Beautiful Betrayal kicks millions off their health care, we must act to help strengthen access to abortion coverage for low-income Americans, servicemembers and millions more—no matter their zip code. I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation alongside my colleagues so we can do just that.”

    “For nearly 50 years, the Hyde Amendment has been Republicans’ go-to tool for chipping away at abortion rights, denying coverage to the most vulnerable communities,” said Rep. DeGette, Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus. “Now, they’re doubling down with the Big Bad Bill, blocking Medicaid patients from accessing any kind of care, not only abortion care, but also birth control and cancer screenings, at Planned Parenthood. The EACH Act is how we fight back, guaranteeing access to abortion care—no matter your income, your insurance, or your ZIP code”

    “The Hyde Amendment is a racist, discriminatory policy designed to put reproductive and economic freedom out of reach for women of color and low-income women who need an abortion. By restricting Medicaid coverage of abortion, the Hyde Amendment robs those working to make ends meet of the freedom to control their lives and decisions about what is best for their families,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “Keeping the Hyde Amendment in place is yet another way for Trump and the extremists in the GOP to limit peoples’ reproductive freedom. Every person should have the freedom to make their own reproductive health care decisions regardless of their income, race, where they work, what zip code they live in, or how they get their insurance. That is why our bill, the EACH Act, will finally repeal the harmful Hyde Amendment. Abortion is health care and health care is a human right.”

    “Women should be able to get the abortion care they need no matter where they live or how much money they have. But for decades, the Hyde Amendment and similar abortion restrictions have blocked low-income women from getting the health care they need and wrongfully divided abortion care from health care for no other reason than Republican politicians’ extreme anti-choice views,” said Senator Murray. “The EACH Act would get rid of the Hyde Amendment and related abortion coverage bans that endanger the health and lives of women who rely on Medicaid or other government-sponsored health coverage. I will always fight to end Hyde and other unjust policies that allow politicians to interfere with women’s ability to make decisions about their bodies, their lives, and their futures.”

    “As Republicans gut Medicaid, defund Planned Parenthoods nationwide, and continue their onslaught of attacks on our bodily autonomy, the Hyde Amendment and other federal coverage restrictions are discriminatory barriers that continue to prevent access to safe and legal abortion care,” said Senator Hirono. “Everyone deserves access to reproductive health care. By ending the Hyde Amendment and expanding coverage for abortion services, the EACH Act would help guarantee abortion access for all, protecting our reproductive rights and our ability to make decisions about our own bodies.”

    “Everyone should have the freedom to control their own lives and bodies, no matter their income, race, or zip code,” said Nourbese Flint, President of All* Above All. “For too long, restrictions like the Hyde Amendment have robbed people working to make ends meet of their ability to make personal decisions about their health, families, and futures. In a time of escalating attacks on reproductive freedom – and efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, shut down clinics, and restrict care – the EACH act sets a powerful standard and helps to end racist and classist health care restrictions. We are proud to support this visionary bill to expand abortion access and ensure coverage for all.”

    Trump and Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill, which passed Congress earlier this year, will dismantle access to reproductive health care in every state. It will defund Planned Parenthood, block Medicaid reimbursements to health centers, and slash care for millions of people. It would also gut Medicaid, ripping coverage from at least 10 million Americans and cutting off access to essential maternity care, birth control, cancer screenings, and more.

    Text of the EACH Act is available here.

    Joining the lawmakers in introducing the EACH Act are Representatives Alma Adams, Pete Aguilar, Gabe Amo, Yassamin Ansari, Jake Auchincloss, Becca Balint, Nanette Barragán, Joyce Beatty, Wesley Bell, Ami Bera, Don Beyer, Suzanne Bonamici, Shontel Brown, Julia Brownley, Nikki Budzinski, Janelle Bynum, Salud Carbajal, André Carson, Troy Carter, Greg Casar, Ed Case, Sean Casten, Kathy Castor, Joaquin Castro, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Judy Chu, Gil Cisneros, Katherine Clark, Yvette Clarke, Emanuel Cleaver II, Steve Cohen, J. Luis Correa, Angie Craig, Jasmine Crockett, Jason Crow, Sharice Davids, Danny K. Davis, Madeleine Dean, Diana DeGette, Rosa DeLauro, Suzan DelBene, Chris Deluzio, Mark DeSaulnier, Maxine Dexter, Lloyd Doggett, Sarah Elfreth, Veronica Escobar, Adriano Espaillat, Dwight Evans, Shomari Figures, Lizzie Fletcher, Bill Foster, Valerie Foushee, Lois Frankel, Maxwell Frost, John Garamendi, Robert Garcia, Sylvia Garcia, Jesús “Chuy” García, Jared Golden, Dan Goldman, Maggie Goodlander, Josh Gottheimer, Al Green, Jahana Hayes, Jim Himes, Steven Horsford, Val Hoyle, Jared Huffman, Glenn Ivey, Sara Jacobs, Pramila Jayapal, Hank Johnson, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, William R. Keating, Robin Kelly, Tim Kennedy, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Greg Landsman, Rick Larsen, John B. Larson, George Latimer, Susie Lee, Summer L. Lee, Teresa Leger Fernández, Mike Levin, Ted Lieu, Seth Magaziner, John Mannion, Doris Matsui, Lucy McBath, Sarah McBride, April McClain Delaney, Jennifer McClellan, Betty McCollum, Morgan McGarvey, Jim McGovern, Gregory Meeks, Rob Menendez, Grace Meng, Kweisi Mfume, Dave Min, Gwen Moore, Joseph Morelle, Kelly Morrison, Jared Moskowitz, Seth Moulton, Kevin Mullin, Jerry Nadler, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Frank Pallone Jr., Jimmy Panetta, Chris Pappas, Nancy Pelosi, Scott Peters, Brittany Pettersen, Chellie Pingree, Mark Pocan, Mike Quigley, Delia Ramirez, Emily Randall, Jamie Raskin, Luz Rivas, Deborah Ross, Raul Ruiz, Patrick Ryan, Andrea Salinas, Linda T. Sánchez, Mary Gay Scanlon, Jan Schakowsky, Bradley Scott Schneider, Hillary Scholten, Kim Schrier, David Scott, Brad Sherman, Mikie Sherrill, Lateefah Simon, Adam Smith, Eric Sorensen, Darren Soto, Melanie Stansbury, Greg Stanton, Haley Stevens, Marilyn Strickland, Suhas Subramanyam, Eric Swalwell, Emilia Sykes, Mark Takano, Shri Thanedar, Mike Thompson, Dina Titus, Rashida Tlaib, Jill Tokuda, Paul Tonko, Norma Torres, Ritchie Torres, Lori Trahan, Derek T. Tran, Lauren Underwood, Juan Vargas, Gabe Vasquez, Marc Veasey, Nydia M. Velázquez, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, George Whitesides, Nikema Williams, and Frederica Wilson, along with Senators Klobuchar, Warren, Padilla, Merkley, Blumenthal, Rosen, Shaheen, Schiff, Heinrich, Gillibrand, Coons, Cantwell, Van Hollen, Blunt Rochester, Sanders, Gallego, Booker, Smith, Baldwin, Wyden, Welch, Markey, Murphy, Kim, Whitehouse, Fetterman, Cortez Masto, Kelly, and Lujan.

    The EACH Act is endorsed by the following organizations: All* Above All, National Women’s Law Center, Center for Reproductive Rights, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Center for American Progress, Guttmacher Institute, Power to Decide, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, Brigid Alliance, National Network of Abortion Funds, Midwest Access Coalition, Equality California, Silver State Equality, OutCenter Southwest Michigan, Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, National Abortion Federation, Cobalt, Health Not Prisons Collective, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, Families USA, UCSF Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, Center for Biological Diversity, Reproductive Freedom for All, CA LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network, Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Justice and Joy National Collaborative, End Rape On Campus, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Council of Jewish Women, Silver State Hope Fund of Nevada, Above!, The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH), National Council of Jewish Women, American Humanist Association, The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Chicago Abortion Fund, Ibis Reproductive Health, SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, American Atheists, National Health Law Program, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, Advocates for Youth, Courage California, ProgressNow New Mexico, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, EMAA Project, Black Women for Wellness Action Project, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR), Keystone Progress Education Fund, Wyoming Right To Choose, Safe Abortions For Everyone Maine, REPRO Rising Virginia, National Abortion Federation, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA), National Partnership for Women & Families, Catholics for Choice, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR), Families USA, American Civil Liberties Union, Indivisible, Women’s Foundation of Florida, People Power United, Equality California, Abortion Forward, Black Women’s Health Imperative, SiX Action, Population Institute, URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, Pregnancy Justice, Just Solutions, UltraViolet Action, National Women’s Political Caucus, Equal Rights Advocates, Feminist Majority Foundation, Clearinghouse on Women’s Issues, American Association of University Women (AAUW), Interfaith Alliance, and Community Catalyst.

    Last month, in the wake of the third anniversary of the Dobbs decision, Congresswoman Pressley spent the week convening leaders and impacted families, renewing her calls for comprehensive legislation to protect abortion care, and uplifting the experiences of people impacted by cruel abortion bans and denials of essential medical care.

    Congresswoman Pressley has been outspoken in demanding justice for Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old pregnant mother who was declared brain dead in February and was forced to remain on life support due to Georgia’s abortion ban. Rep. Pressley delivered an impassioned floor speech in which she underscored that Adriana’s case is far too common in the unjust history of denying Black women their dignity, humanity, and right to bodily autonomy – and that GOP abortion bans such as Georgia’s deepen this pain and bar critical healthcare freedom. Last week, Rep. Pressley issued a statement after Adriana’s infant son Chance was delivered via emergency Cesarean section and Adriana was taken off life support.

    Throughout her time in Congress, Rep. Pressley has fought persistently to protect fundamental reproductive and sexual healthcare rights. 

    • On the first anniversary of the Dobbs decision, Rep. Pressley introduced the Abortion Justice Act, sweeping, intersectional legislation to address access to abortion care and put forth a comprehensive vision of a just America where abortion care is readily available—without stigma, shame or systemic barriers—for all who seek it, regardless of zip code, immigration status, income, or background.
    • Rep. Pressley is a lead co-sponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), bicameral federal legislation to guarantee equal access to abortion care, everywhere. 
    • Rep. Pressley is also a lead co-sponsor of the EACH Act, bold legislation to repeal the Hyde Amendment and help guarantee abortion coverage—regardless of how a patient gets their health insurance.
    • Shortly before the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, Rep. Pressley led a group of her Black women colleagues in writing to President Biden urging him to declare a public health emergency amid the unprecedented threats to abortion rights nationwide. 
    • Rep. Pressley condemned the Supreme Court’s leaked draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade., and implored the Senate to protect abortion rights and slammed the white supremacist roots of anti-abortion efforts.
    • In October 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on Josseli Barnica, who died on Sept. 3, 2021 after being denied emergency abortion care in Texas as she suffered a miscarriage.
    • In September 2024, in a House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee Hearing, Rep. Pressley highlighted the harmful and deadly impact of abortion bans in America to date, and outlined in detail the shameful circumstances under which Amber Nicole Thurman died after being denied necessary abortion care in Georgia.
    • In June 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Idaho v. United States; Moyle v. United States – the case about whether emergency abortion care is included under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). 
    • In May 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on a Louisiana bill that would classify medication abortion drugs mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled substances. 
    • In April 2024, at a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley played “Fact or Fiction” with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf to emphasize the safety and efficacy of medication abortion drug mifepristone.
    • In August 2023, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on the Fifth Circuit Court decision in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA.
    • In July 2023, Rep. Pressley, alongside Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Rep. Cori Bush (MO-01), and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), reintroduced the Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act, legislation to help people with disabilities—who face discrimination and extra barriers when seeking care—get better access to reproductive healthcare and the informed care they need to control their own reproductive lives.
    • In July 2023, Rep. Pressley applauded the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of over-the-counter birth control.
    • In May 2023, Rep. Pressley applauded the FDA Advisory Committee’s unanimous, 17-0 vote to recommend the approval of the first-ever application for over-the-counter birth control. She and Senator Murray also held a press conference applauding the decision and urging the FDA to approval over-the-counter birth control without delay.
    • In May 2023, Rep. Pressley, along with Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and Ami Bera, MD (CA-06) and Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), reintroduced their bicameral Affordability is Access Act to ensure that once the FDA determines an over-the-counter birth control option to be safe, insurers fully cover over-the-counter birth control without any fees or out-of-pocket costs.
    • In April 2023, Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning the Texas court ruling on mifepristone, and discussed the Texas case in a recent floor speech in which she affirmed medication abortion as routine medical care and access to mifepristone as essential. She later joined Governor Maura Healey, Senator Elizabth Warren (D-MA), and local leaders in announcing action to protect Mifepristone in Massachusetts.
    • In March 2023, Rep. Pressley, along with Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Reps. Schakowsky, Lee, DeGette, Torres and Strickland, reintroduced the Abortion is Healthcare Everywhere Act harmful and discriminatory Helms Amendment and expand abortion access globally.
    • In March 2023, Rep. Pressley and Senator Hirono led their colleagues in reintroducing a bicameral congressional resolution honoring abortion providers and clinic staff. 
    • In March 2023, Rep. Pressley delivered a speech in which she discussed the pending court case in Texas, which aims to restrict access to medication abortion across the entire nation. In her remarks, Rep. Pressley affirmed medication abortion as routine medical care, and accessibility to the abortion pill mifepristone as essential.
    • In September 2021, Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning the Supreme Court’s inaction on SB-8, Texas’ restrictive abortion law. Later that month, she participated in a House Oversight Committee hearing to examine the threat posed by abortion bans and underscored the urgency of the Senate passing the Women’s Health Protection Act. 
    • In April 2021, Rep. Pressley, along with Congresswomen Barbara Lee (CA-13), Diana DeGette (CO-01) and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), led a group of 131 Democratic members in reintroducing the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Act or the EACH Act, which would repeal the Hyde Amendment and ensure that all people, regardless of income, insurance or zip code, can make personal reproductive healthcare decisions without interference from politicians. She re-Introduced the legislation In January 2023.
    • Rep. Pressley has led calls in Congress for the FDA to remove medically unnecessary restrictions on the medication abortion drug mifepristone, and applauded the FDA’s action in January 2023 to allow retail pharmacies to dispense abortion medication pills.
    • As Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus’s Abortion Rights and Access Task Force, Congresswoman Pressley has led the fight to repeal the Hyde Amendments from annual Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bills and in July 2020 published a Medium post on the importance of doing so. She applauded the removal of the Hyde Amendment in President Biden’s FY2022 budget.
    • In May 2020, she led more than 155 Members of Congress in calling on House Democratic leadership to ensure that any future COVID-19 relief packages rejected Republican efforts to use the public health crisis to diminish abortion access.
    • In August 2021, Rep. Pressley, Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney, and Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Diana DeGette and Barbara Lee led more than 70 of their House Democratic colleagues in introducing a resolution in support of equitable, science-based policies governing access to medication abortion care. 
    • In January 2023, Rep. Pressley introduced a resolution to condemn all forms of political violence in the U.S., regardless of its target or intent. That same day, she delivered a powerful speech on the House floor slamming Republicans’ harmful, misleading anti-abortion resolution.
    • In September 2022, Rep. Pressley hosted U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra at the Codman Square Health Center in Dorchester for a convening on their work to address the Black maternal health crisis and the criminalization of abortion care in states across the nation following the harmful U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health. 
    • In May 2019, she led more than 100 colleagues in introducing H.Con.Res.40, a resolution reaffirming the House of Representative’s support for Roe v. Wade.
    • In June 2019, Rep. Pressley introduced H.R. 3296, the Affordability is Access Act, to make oral contraception available without a prescription. 
    • In September 2016, as a member of the Boston City Council, Pressley championed a resolution calling on Congress and President Obama to repeal the Hyde Amendment and reinstate insurance coverage for abortion services.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Seneca Falls Affordable Housing Development Completed

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of Huntington Apartments, a $24 million transformation of the historic 19th-Century Huntington Building in Seneca Falls. Developed by Home Leasing, Huntington Apartments features 53 affordable apartments, including 27 with supportive services for veterans in need of housing in an energy-efficient building. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has financed more than 7,300 affordable homes in the Finger Lakes region. Huntington Apartments continues this effort and complements Governor Hochul’s $25 billion five-year housing plan, which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.

    “The completion of Huntington Apartments is a testament to our commitment to creating vibrant, affordable communities across New York,” Governor Hochul said. “By transforming the historic Huntington Building into 53 energy-efficient homes, including 27 with supportive services for our veterans, we are preserving Seneca Falls’ heritage while addressing our housing crisis. This project, supported by our Downtown Revitalization Initiative and comprehensive housing plan, is a model for how we can build a more affordable and inclusive future for all New Yorkers.”

    The Huntington Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and located adjacent to the Cayuga Seneca Canal, the longtime economic engine of the area. The building acted as an Iroquois Motor Car Company manufacturing plant, housed the Seneca Falls Folding Box Company, and a Chrysler automotive dealership before falling vacant. As part of the project, the building, which was slated for demolition, was preserved and an addition was constructed.

    There are 52 apartments affordable to households earning up to 60 percent of the Area Median Income, with the remaining unit set aside for the development’s superintendent.

    Supportive services and rental subsidies for 27 apartments are provided by Eagle Star Housing and are funded through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative which is administered by the New York State Office of Temporary Disability Assistance. Services provided include case management, transportation services, and connectivity to substance abuse, medical and mental health services.

    Huntington Apartments was designed to meet EPA Energy Star Certified Homes V3.1 program and Enterprise Green Communities 2020 criteria. All apartments utilize ENERGY STAR appliances.

    The redevelopment of Huntington Apartments is part of Seneca Falls’ Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). The town was selected as the Finger Lakes region winner of the $10 million DRI award in Round Four. The DRI serves as a component of the State’s economic development policy by transforming downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers of activity that offer a high quality of life and attract businesses, jobs and economic and housing diversity.

    Huntington Apartments is supported by New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s (HCR) state and federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Programs that will generate more than $12.1 million in equity and $3.7 million in subsidy. The New York State Historic Preservation Office provided $7.1 million in federal and state historic tax credits. The Department of State’s (DOS) Downtown Revitalization Initiative provided $800,000 in support which is being administered by HCR on behalf of DOS. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)provided more than $50,000 from NYSERDA’s High-Rise Multi-Family New Construction program. The Community Preservation Corporation, a nonprofit multifamily finance company, is providing a SONYMA-insured $475,000 permanent loan to support the project.

    New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “We need all the tools in our box to address the housing crisis, including breathing new life into underused sites. Huntington Apartments is revitalizing a historic Seneca Falls landmark and transforming it into 53 affordable, energy-efficient homes, including 27 with supportive services. This project, bolstered by our Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Historic Tax Credits, and Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding, strengthens communities and ensures more New Yorkers have access to safe, affordable homes.”

    New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “Affordable housing is a cornerstone component of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and falls in line with Governor Hochul’s housing plan. The Department of State works hard every day to ensure more New Yorkers are able to benefit from these kinds of housing opportunities. Congratulations to Seneca Falls for their creativity in repurposing an underutilized and vacant space such as the historic Huntington Building.”

    NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “Increasing the energy efficiency of New York’s built environment plays a pivotal role in our progress toward a zero-emission future that includes greater access to clean, modern affordable housing for New Yorkers. NYSERDA is proud to support projects like the new Huntington Apartments in Seneca Falls, which leverage the latest building technologies to transform historic, aging structures into comfortable and healthy living spaces that contribute to the well-being of our communities.”

    New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, “The permanent supportive housing created at Huntington Apartments will provide veterans who have experienced homelessness with safe, affordable apartments in Seneca County they can call home, as well as easy access to the essential services they need to live stable, independent lives in the community. We are pleased to provide ongoing support through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and grateful to Governor Hochul for her unwavering commitment to supporting the well-being of New York’s veterans.”

    New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, “Our historic buildings, which have been anchors in our communities for generations, are real assets as we work together to meet the Governor’s goals to improve affordable housing in New York. The rehabilitation incentive creates opportunities to activate underused spaces, foster community pride of place, and transform housing into homes. We appreciate our partners on this important work and applaud their ongoing efforts.”

    Senator Chuck Schumer said, “Every family in Seneca County deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. I’m proud that the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, that I worked hard to protect and expand, has delivered millions to help develop over 50 new units at Huntington Apartments in Seneca Falls for formerly homeless veterans and vulnerable New Yorkers. These newly redeveloped homes will be energy-efficient and include key support to those veteran residents, including rental subsidies, case management and access to health services. High housing costs are a key driver of inflation so we must build more housing for working people to bring down those high prices. I applaud Governor Hochul’s work increasing access to affordable housing in the Finger Lakes region and across New York, and I will continue working to deliver federal resources to deliver more affordable housing across New York.”

    Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “A safe place to live should be a right, not a privilege. Huntington Apartments creates much-needed affordable housing in the Finger Lakes while supporting our brave veterans, who are far too often forgotten after putting their lives on the line to protect us. In the Senate, I am a fierce advocate for building more state-of-the-art, affordable homes, and I will continue fighting hard for projects that create the housing that our state needs.”

    Seneca County Board of Supervisors Chair Michael Enslow said, “As Chairman of the Seneca County Board of Supervisors, I’m proud to see the Huntington Apartments project come to life — a reflection of our county’s strong commitment to affordable housing and downtown revitalization. By repurposing a historic landmark, we’re not only preserving our heritage but also providing much-needed housing for working families and veterans. We thank Governor Hochul and our state partners for their role in making this vision a reality for Seneca Falls and all of Seneca County.”

    The Community Preservation Corporation Vice President and Mortgage Officer Miriam Zinter said, “The transformation of the Huntington Building is a powerful example of what’s possible when we invest in both our communities and our history. This project preserves a vital piece of Seneca Falls’ heritage while delivering affordable, energy-efficient homes with supportive services for those who need them most. Our sincere thanks to Governor Hochul, Home Leasing, HCR, and all of our partners who have helped support this project that reflects the spirit of revitalization.”

    Home Leasing CEO Megan Houppert said, “Home Leasing is pleased to celebrate the completion of Huntington Apartments to create 53 affordable apartments, including 27 with supportive services for veterans. As one of the Landmark Society’s Five to Revive, the project preserves Seneca Fall’s heritage while creating energy efficient housing solutions. We are grateful to New York State Homes and Community Renewal, the Department of State, the community of Seneca Falls and all our partners who made this project possible.”

    Governor Hochul’s Housing Agenda
    Governor Hochul is dedicated to addressing New York’s housing crisis and making the State more affordable and more livable for all New Yorkers. As part of the FY25 Enacted Budget, the Governor secured a landmark agreement to increase New York’s housing supply through new tax incentives, capital funding, and new protections for renters and homeowners. Building on this commitment, the FY26 Enacted Budget includes more than $1.5 billion in new State funding for housing, a Housing Access Voucher pilot program, and new policies to improve affordability for tenants and homebuyers. These measures complement the Governor’s five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan, included in the FY23 Enacted Budget, to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. More than 60,000 homes have been created or preserved to date.

    The FY25 and FY26 Enacted Budgets also strengthened the Governor’s Pro-Housing Communities Program — which allows certified localities exclusive access to up to $750 million in discretionary State funding. Currently, more than 300 communities have received Pro-Housing certification, including the town of Seneca Falls.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Additional Funding Available for Zero-Emission School Buses

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that an additional $200 million is now available for zero-emission school buses through the third installment of funding from the historic $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022. The funding, distributed through the New York School Bus Incentive Program (NYSBIP), supports the purchase of electric buses, charging infrastructure, and fleet electrification planning as public schools transition to zero-emission technologies that improve air quality and reduce pollution in communities. This investment helps ensure that schoolchildren, drivers, and the communities where they live across New York benefit from clean, quiet, and healthy buses.

    “New York State is leaning into our Environmental Bond Act commitment to provide public schools with the funding and resources to make electric school buses more affordable,” Governor Hochul said. “We are leaving no school behind as we reduce pollution from vehicles so every student can benefit from clean air while building healthier, more sustainable communities for New Yorkers across the state.”

    Administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), NYSBIP provides incentives to eligible school bus fleet operators, including school districts and school bus operators, that purchase zero-emission buses. It also offers charging infrastructure vouchers to help support the installation of Level 2 or DC fast chargers and provides funding to develop fleet electrification plans. This support helps ensure safer, more reliable transportation for students while giving schools the tools they need to make smart, cost-effective upgrades.

    The funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis with incentive amounts covering up to 100 percent of the incremental cost of a new or repowered electric school bus. This helps offset some or all of the difference in purchase price between zero-emission buses and comparable diesel or gasoline buses. All school bus fleet operators in New York State can also qualify for funding for fleet electrification plans, which provide a customized roadmap for electric bus adoption.

    New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “Today is the latest in a series of support that NYSERDA has offered to help make it easier for fleet operators to plan, navigate incentives for bus purchases and install vehicle charging infrastructure. We are excited to help more adopt zero-emission school buses through this additional Environmental Bond Act funding.”

    Program eligibility and rules for charging infrastructure funding are available online through the NYSBIP Implementation Manual. School bus fleet operators do not apply directly for school bus funding. Vehicle dealers apply the funding to the price of buses on their behalf after fleet operators have issued purchase orders. Fleet operators apply directly to NYSERDA for charging vouchers, which support adding charging infrastructure to their depots.

    Larger funding amounts are available for high-need school districts and school districts with significant portions of their population living in disadvantaged communities, as determined by the New York State Climate Justice Working Group criteria. While these districts are defined as priority districts through this program, all school districts can earn increased incentives by removing a gas or diesel bus from operation, purchasing wheelchair accessible buses, or purchasing buses with vehicle to grid capability. All school districts that complete fleet electrification plans also become eligible for higher funding amounts.

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “The continued rollout of zero-emission school buses is critical to improving air quality and protecting the health of students and drivers in communities across the State. Investments through the Bond Act are making the transition to these greener vehicles more affordable for school districts. Under the leadership of Governor Hochul and in coordination with our state agency partners, DEC remains focused on administering Bond Act funding to support this important program and continue momentum to help address climate impacts, reduce harmful emissions, and improve quality of life for New York families.”

    New York State Department of Public Service CEO Rory M. Christian said, “Kudos to Governor Hochul and her team for encouraging further adoption and deployment of zero-emission school buses. This program will help continue our move toward a cleaner environment, which benefits all of us.”

    New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “I thank Governor Hochul for her continued investment in the health of our children and commitment to building healthier communities across the state. Cleaner air means healthier kids, and reducing pollution around schools helps protect them from asthma and other respiratory problems.”

    Modernizing public school transportation with zero-emission buses is a priority for Governor Hochul to ensure the health of New York students. The FY25-26 New York State Budget continued to build momentum for school districts to put electric school buses on the road this year while providing districts with additional flexibility and time to complete their electrification plans and get hands-on experience with this new technology. The new independent range estimate requirement for bus manufacturers will also give school districts greater confidence that the buses will meet specific mileage and route conditions.

    Since NYSBIP’s launch, 88 school districts have applied for funds to purchase 529 buses, which includes 50 priority school districts accounting for 406 buses, and 400 districts are now working with NYSERDA to create Fleet Electrification Plans.

    The Bond Act requires that disadvantaged communities receive no less than 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefit of total Bond Act funds. In line with this goal, NYSERDA aims to ensure that at least 40 percent of the New York School Bus Incentive Program benefits disadvantaged communities. Buses domiciled in priority districts are eligible for higher incentive amounts in support of new zero-emission buses and charging infrastructure.

    New York State provides many resources for school bus fleet operators to transition their fleets to zero-emission buses, including an Electric School Bus Guidebook, a collection of practical user guides that highlight the benefits of electric school buses to make each part of transitioning a bus fleet easy to understand. This is a resource that can inform discussions with schools, New York State agencies, legislators, communities, manufacturers, bus dealers, and utilities to raise awareness on the Bond Act funding available to school districts and to help more communities understand the health and climate benefits that electric buses provide. Fleet operators seeking assistance should contact NYSERDA at [email protected].

    State Senator Kevin Parker said, “The additional $200 million in funding for zero-emission school buses is a bold investment in our children’s health, our environment, and the future of clean energy in New York. By accelerating the transition to electric school buses, we’re not only reducing harmful emissions but also improving air quality and public health in our communities, especially in neighborhoods that have long suffered from high pollution levels. This is a win for clean energy, for equity, and for every New Yorker.”

    State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am pleased that an additional $200 million is now available to school districts to support the transition to zero-emission school buses. New York has been a leader in the fight against climate change, and this funding, provided through the historic Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act approved by New Yorkers, will further our efforts to reduce carbon emissions while alleviating financial burdens for New York schools. I would like to thank Governor Hochul and NYSERDA for their dedication to making New York a cleaner place, and I also extend my gratitude to the voters who approved this Bond Act.”

    State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, New York must remain committed to our environmental goals for a brighter future for New Yorkers, but we also realize that the state has a role to play in making this clean energy transition a reality. Today’s announcement is an important step in the right direction, and proof that we’ll continue to help our public schools, bolster charging infrastructure, and create a cleaner, healthier New York.”

    Assemblymember William Magnarelli said, “The Governor’s investment in zero-emission school buses shows the state’s continued commitment to climate leadership and advancing equitable access to clean transportation. The investment allows for a smooth transition to clean transportation and alleviates the anxiety of how districts will pay for the buses.”

    Assemblymember Michael R. Benedetto said, “I applaud Governor Hochul for making this a priority. This $200 million will help many school districts as they work to make the transition to electric buses. It’s a meaningful step toward cleaner air and healthier communities for our children.”

    Assemblymember Didi Barrett said, “The upfront cost of zero emission school buses has been a significant concern for all of the schools in my Assembly District, and the vast majority of districts across the State. This newly released funding from the 2022 Environmental Bond Act offers welcome financial support for our schools to electrify their bus fleets, bringing us closer to creating cleaner, safer and quieter commutes for our school children while helping us get closer to our ambitious climate goals.”

    Association of School Business Officials Executive Director Brian Cechnicki said, “Continued investments, including this funding, are critical for school districts to meet the state’s zero-emission bus mandate, and we are appreciative of NYSERDA for partnering with districts in this work.”

    New York School Bus Contractors Association President Tommy Smith said, “The New York School Bus Contractors Association is grateful that New York State continues to lead in financing the transition to electric school buses. We are excited about the advancements in battery technology that will further accelerate this initiative and help deliver cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable transportation for our students.”

    Mothers Out Front Distributed Senior Organizer Sarah Smiley said, “It is great news for students, parents, and school districts that more funding is now available for electric school buses, charging infrastructure, and fleet transition planning. We hope more districts leverage the New York School Bus Incentive Program funding so that our children have clean rides to school and we can reduce emissions for a healthier planet.”

    For more than fifty years, NYSERDA has been a trusted and objective resource for New Yorkers, taking on the critical role of energy planning and policy analysis, along with making investments that drive New York toward a more sustainable future. New York State is investing nearly $3 billion in electrifying its transportation sector and rapidly advancing measures that all new passenger cars and trucks sold be zero-emission. There are a range of initiatives to grow access to EVs and improve clean transit for all New Yorkers including EV Make Ready, EVolve NY, Charge Ready NY 2.0, the Drive Clean Rebate, the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program, and the New York State’s climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: California’s economic leadership shines in three recent studies

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jul 22, 2025

    What you need to know: California is cementing its role as a global economic powerhouse — new data highlights the Golden State’s leadership in innovation, business growth, and AI readiness.

    SACRAMENTO – California continues to dominate as an economic leader nationwide. As the fourth largest economy in the world, California is fostering growth in sectors across the board, creating jobs and spurring economic activity.

    “California is where a diverse class of dreamers and doers meet more access to venture capital funding, more Fortune 500 companies, and more business starts than anywhere else in the nation. That is how we regularly punch above our weight in economic success on a global scale.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    According to recent reporting: 

    ➜ Eight California cities ranked among the 25 fastest-growing for trade between businesses, referred to as business-to-business payments growth, since January 2025 – more than any other state. 

    ➜ Three city regions – San Francisco, San Jose and Los Angeles – are among the top 10 in the country when it comes to having everything in place to launch big AI businesses, according to a recent report from Brookings. No other state has more than one region in the top 10.

    ➜ Nearly four times more companies launched their headquarters in California than relocated out of state, according to data from a recent report by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC). 

    When it comes to economic leadership, California leads the nation as:

    Furthering the state’s initiative to support business development, the California Competes Tax Credit this week opened its first application window for the fiscal year. With special consideration given to businesses within the “strengthen” and “accelerate” sector categories as outlined in the California Jobs First Economic Blueprint, California Competes aims to invest in the state’s key economic sectors that will drive innovation and access to good-paying jobs. Learn more and apply here by August 11.

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    Jul 19, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom and Acting Governor Eleni Kounalakis issued the following statement regarding the deaths of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Detectives Joshua Kelley-Eklund, Victor Lemus, and William Osborn:“Detectives Kelley-Eklund,…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: The Legacy of Martyr Ömer Halisdemir Lives on Through Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency’s (TİKA) Turkish Language Class in Somalia

    Source: APO


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    Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) established the “Martyr Ömer Halisdemir Turkish Language Class” at an orphanage in Somalia that houses the children of martyred police officers.

    TİKA launched this meaningful educational project in honor of the children of Somalia’s fallen police officers. Named after July 15 Martyr Ömer Halisdemir, the Turkish language class was inaugurated during a ceremony at an orphanage in the capital, Mogadishu.

    The opening was held as part of the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day commemoration program, organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Mogadishu.

    The ceremony was attended by Somali Minister of Internal Security, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismael (Fartaag); Minister of Defense, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi; Army Commander Brigadier General Sahal Abdullahi Omar; Somali Police Force Commander, Major General Asad Osman Abdullahi; and Türkiye’s Ambassador to Mogadishu, Alper Aktaş. Also in attendance were the ambassadors of Qatar, Sudan, and Kenya, along with the Permanent Representative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to Somalia, Ambassador Mohamed Bamba.

    The “Martyr Ömer Halisdemir Turkish Language Class” aims to honor the national spirit of July 15, preserve the memory of a heroic martyr through education, and provide Somali students with the opportunity to learn Turkish. Turkish language instruction in the classroom will be provided by Yunus Emre Institute, enabling students to become more familiar with the Turkish language and culture and gain an advantage when pursuing educational opportunities in Türkiye.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Union, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), convene a Validation Workshop to Scale Proven Solutions for Foundational Learning in Africa

    Source: APO


    .

    The Validation Workshop on Scalable Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) Practices to End Learning Poverty in Africa was officially opened today. The two-day gathering, held at the African Union Commission (AUC) Headquarters in Addis Ababa from July 22 to 23, 2025, marks a significant step forward in the collective effort to address the continent’s learning crisis and ensure that every child acquires the essential foundational skills they deserve by age 10.

    The workshop brings together technical experts from 25 Member States, along with representatives from the African Union Commission, UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, and other development partners. The goal is to validate the research findings constituting the mapping of scalable good practices for foundational literacy and numeracy across the continent.

    “The continental Foundational Literacy and Numeracy mapping resource we are validating today is an essential step toward reversing this trend. It seeks to gather, synthesise, and spotlight what works—real, evidence-based, scalable practices that have shown success across diverse African contexts. Whether it’s structured pedagogy in Uganda, mother-tongue based instruction in Ethiopia, or targeted instruction by learning level in Zambia, these are not only just case studies, but blueprints with promise for large-scale systemic change”, Prof. Saidou Madougou, Director of the Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI).

    Across West, Central, East, and Southern Africa, an alarming 9 out of 10 children are unable to read and understand a simple sentence by the age of 10. While enrollment in primary and lower secondary education has increased significantly over the last two decades, millions of children attend school without acquiring the foundational skills they need. This persistent learning crisis is more than an educational challenge; it poses a threat to future economic prosperity.

    “This workshop is a significant step in creating a broader pathway of engagement for foundational learning and numeracy between educators, policy makers and practitioners to improve learning outcomes: learning from one another through the cross-fertilisation of successes, and more importantly, taking the lead in adapting scalable solutions and embedding them into national education sector plans, policies, and programmes”, emphasized Dr Laila Gad, UNICEF Representative to the African Union and UNECA

    The outcomes of this workshop will also contribute to the End Learning Poverty for All in Africa Campaign (ELPAf)—a four-year African Union–UNICEF initiative launched in September 2024 during the AU Year of Education. ELPAf aims to end learning poverty in Africa by strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy, which are the cornerstones of all further learning and skill acquisition. Foundational learning holds the most significant promise for overcoming Africa’s education challenges, laying the groundwork for lifelong learning, and empowering African children to thrive as engaged citizens and contributors to their communities and economies.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Eastern youth: “We need representation to trust government institutions”

    Source: APO


    .

    As part of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya’s public consultations with youth on the political process, 21 youth from across the eastern region joined an online consultation on Sunday about the Advisory Committee’s proposals to take Libya to elections. Highlighting their recommendations, they said youth must have representation in government institutions in order to rebuild trust with the executive which has been eroded. 

    “We do not trust any of the current entities. There is a large trust gap among young people and government entities because we do not have any representation,” said one participant from Benghazi.  

    “None of the existing bodies give space for new players,” said another participant from Benghazi. “They do not give space to youth. We need new bodies that represent us.” 

    Others agreed saying that the current institutions have lost the confidence of the people, with many believing they have obstructed elections because those running them wish to stay in power. 

    Many participants suggested that Option 4, which stipulates a Constituent Assembly be selected through a dialogue forum to select an interim government and pave the way for elections, was the most reasonable way forward as it gives citizens a voice. But others advocated for options 1, 2 and 3. Option 1 suggests near simultaneous presidential and legislative elections. Option 2 suggests electing a legislature first to adopt a constitution before conducting presidential elections. Option 3 suggests adopting a constitution prior to any elections.  

    “We have tried options 1 and 2 before and they were unsuccessful,” said a participant from Derna. “It is like the Advisory Committee put forward four options, the first three of which have already been done.” 

    A participant from Benghazi argued: “Option 4 is the best option because there is a constituent assembly, and we can be local observers.” 

    “Simultaneous elections will not work,” said another participant who favoured Option 2.  

    The current political environment is not conducive to linking presidential and legislative elections, as is suggested in the Advisory Committee’s first option, they said.  

    “It is very difficult to have a full electoral track,” said a participant from Benghazi. “We saw what the government did to prevent elections last time. Any new government must be under a constitutional track that elections follow.” 

    The need for political stability was stressed, with participants saying the impact of the ongoing economic and security situation was taking a significant toll.  

    “I don’t accept a unified government in Tripoli when I need development in my area and they are 1,000 kilometres away,” said one participant from Benghazi.  

    Another from Al Marj, said that all the options were ideal, if Libya was a stable country. They suggested that a national dialogue that included everyone—not just 40 to 50 people— and which represented each region would be hard to ignore if it was established. 

    “The country requires political and institutional stability for there to be a future. We must let the people choose, not have us subjected to under-the-table agreements,” said another participant. “There must be real opportunities for women and youth to participate. But there also has to be regional representation. Federalism is a realistic solution to these issues and would save the country from regional separation and ensure a fair distribution of wealth.” 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Portugal Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Strategic Partnership with Morocco

    Source: APO


    .

    The Portuguese Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, praised, on Tuesday in Lisbon, the excellent bilateral ties with the Kingdom of Morocco, reaffirming the mutual will to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries, which represents a stellar cooperation model.

    This position was set out in the Joint Statement signed at the end of his meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita.

    On this occasion, MFA Bourita and his Portuguese peer welcomed the excellent bilateral ties which continue to gain new momentum, strengthened in 2024 by the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the historic Peace and Friendship Agreement signed between the two countries in 1774, and the 30th anniversary of the Friendship, Neighbourhood and Cooperation Treaty, signed in Rabat on May 30, 1994.

    The two ministers stressed the need to work towards implementing the commitments contained in the strategic partnership linking the two countries, endorsed at the 14th session of the High-Level Meeting held in Lisbon in May 2023.

    In this respect, MFA Bourita and Rangel seized the opportunity to underline the economic potential and the means to be deployed to further strengthen cooperation in priority areas, notably green hydrogen, calling for continued joint efforts to install the electricity interconnection project and ensure connectivity, including maritime connectivity, between the two countries.

    The two ministers also welcomed the joint organization by Morocco and Portugal, alongside Spain, of the 2030 Football World Cup, underscoring the momentum that could be unleashed by such a large-scale event in terms of shared prosperity and growth, as well as cultural rapprochement between the two countries.

    Regrading shared objectives and responsibilities, the two leaders undertook to pursue consultations and coordination within international bodies.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Dr. Rania Al-Mashat Discusses with World Bank Regional Director Advancing Multilateral Cooperation to Enhance Economic Development in Egypt

    Source: APO


    .

    H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, held a meeting with Mr. Stephane Guimbert, Regional Director of the World Bank for Egypt, Yemen, and Djibouti, to discuss avenues to strengthen joint cooperation to achieve economic development in Egypt.

    The Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation discussed with the World Bank Regional Director the joint efforts to enhance economic development by leveraging the World Bank’s international expertise and capabilities, emphasizing the importance of the partnership with the World Bank Group as a knowledge partner to the Egyptian government. Where joint work is underway to develop a comprehensive implementation plan to achieve economic development in cooperation with ministries and national entities, aiming to support macroeconomic stability, provide development financing, promote industrial development and trade, mobilize foreign direct investment (FDI), and increase investment in human capital.

    H.E. also highlighted the Ministry’s efforts to implement the national narrative for economic development, which includes several pillars such as the preparation of the National Strategy for Industrial Development, which aims to increase exports, and enhance the value-added of manufacturing industries, and expand the contribution of the green economy to the GDP, as well as on enhancing integration and coherence between the FDI strategy and industrial development, supporting the labor market strategy focused on skills, and promote investment in human capital. She pointed out that this document comes within the framework of the effort to formulate a unified development discourse that reflects the state’s priorities, enhances the consistency of macroeconomic policies, and serves as a common reference for the government, international institutions, and development partners.

    The meeting also discussed updates regarding the World Bank’s portfolio, including the Universal Health Insurance Project, the Sustainable Rural Sanitation Services Program, and the Takaful and Karama Program. Discussions also covered the latest developments in the Upper Egypt Local Development Program and the Cairo-Alexandria Trade Logistics Development Project, which is being implemented in cooperation with the National Railways Authority of Egypt (NRA).

    For his part, Mr. Stephane Guimbert, Regional Director of the World Bank for Egypt, presented an overview of a new global health initiative led by the World Bank, which aims to expand basic health coverage to an additional 1.5 billion people worldwide, focusing on middle- and low-income countries. The idea of Egypt joining as a key participant in this initiative was raised in light of its significant progress in health sector reforms, particularly through the implementation of the Universal Health Insurance system, which is considered one of the largest social protection projects in the region.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Morocco: Portugal Welcomes Atlantic Initiatives Launched by His Majesty (HM) the King in Favor of Africa

    Source: APO


    .

    Portugal, as an Atlantic country, welcomes the Atlantic Initiatives launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in favor of the African continent.

    This position was expressed by the Portuguese Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Paulo Rangel, in a Joint Statement signed following his meeting on Tuesday in Lisbon with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita.

    In this Joint Statement, Portugal, as an Atlantic country, thus welcomed the Atlantic Initiatives launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in support of the African continent, notably the Initiative of the Atlantic African States Process, the Royal International Initiative to facilitate access of Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean, and the Nigeria-Morocco Atlantic African Gas Pipeline Project.

    Rangel also praised the role of the Kingdom of Morocco as a driver of development and a provider of stability in the region and across Africa. In this regard, he commended the reforms undertaken by the Kingdom under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

    The Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Portugal emphasized their positive and constructive roles in maintaining stability, security, and peace in their respective regions. They also reaffirmed their commitment to these principles, as well as to the peaceful resolution of conflicts and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of States, the Joint statement adds.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, paid an official visit to Portugal at the invitation of the Portuguese Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Paulo Rangel.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Supporting Jasper through recovery: Premier Smith

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tonko, Huizenga Introduce Legislation to Expand Mental Health Care for Seniors

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)

    WASHINGTON, DC—Representatives Paul D. Tonko (D-NY-20) and Bill Huizenga (R-MI-4) today reintroduced the Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act, bipartisan legislation that would improve care for millions of America’s seniors by permanently repealing the Medicare 190-day lifetime limit for inpatient psychiatric care. No such limit exists for any other Medicare inpatient health care service.

    “Mental illness should be treated like any other illness, but stigma continues to limit equal, quality care — too often with dire consequences,” Congressman Tonko said. “Currently, Medicare feeds into this longstanding prejudice, setting an arbitrary cap unique to mental health care that limits treatment and provides gaps in care for seniors. We’re reintroducing our Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act to remove this unjust 190-day limit. I urge my colleagues to join us in standing up for seniors and ensuring they are supported with the quality care they need and deserve.”

    “Mental health policies must be modernized to answer the growing needs of the 21st century,” Congressman Huizenga said. “I am proud to help lead on this issue with bipartisan legislation to modernize Medicare policies and bring them in line with the higher standards used by the State of Michigan and private sector. Hopefully this bipartisan bill can help provide a roadmap for additional mental health reforms and challenges Congress must address.”

    Today, despite the enactment of the landmark Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, Medicare continues to discriminate against seniors with mental illnesses. The 190-day limit in care disproportionately harms individuals who receive Medicare coverage earlier in life due to disability. The vast majority of private health insurance has already removed this antiquated limit. MedPac, an independent congressional agency that advises on Medicare, released a March 2025 report recommending that Congress eliminate this limit.

    This legislation is supported by more than three dozen organizations, including: AARP, Acadia Healthcare, Addiction Policy Forum, The Alliance for Rights and Recovery, American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work, American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, The American Group Psychotherapy Association, American Hospital Association, American Mental Health Counselors Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association Services, Community Catalyst, The Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy, & Action, The Global Alliance for Behavioral Health & Social Justice, IC&RC, Inseparable, The Kennedy Forum, Legal Action Center, Mental Health America, MHANYS, NAMI, National Association for Behavioral Healthcare, The National Association for Rural Mental Health (NARMH), the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD), The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Agency Directors (NASADAD), National Behavioral Health Association of Providers, National Black Harm Reduction Network (NBHRN), National Board for Certified Counselors & Affiliates, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, National Health Care for the Homeless Council, The National League for Nursing, Psychotherapy Action Network (PsiAN), Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative, Treatment Communities of America, Addiction Professionals of North Carolina, California Consortium of Addiction Programs & Professionals

    A fact-sheet of the bill can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Allen Announces August Community Office Hours

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

    Today, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) announced members of his staff will host Community Office Hours across Georgia’s 12th District during the month of August.

    During these events, members of Congressman Allen’s staff will be available to assist constituents with a variety of federal issues, including help navigating various federal agencies such as FEMA, Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Medicare, and others. Community Office Hours are a quarterly resource provided by Congressman Allen’s staff designed to serve constituents closer to home. Congressman Allen himself will not be in attendance.

    After the announcement, Congressman Allen issued the following statement:

    “I invite anyone seeking help with a federal issue to take advantage of the one-on-one services my office provides. If you need assistance dealing with a federal agency, our dedicated caseworkers stand ready to help you. Please visit my team during Community Office Hours next month or contact one of our district offices for more information.”

    See below for a list of Community Office Hours dates, times, and locations by county (excluding counties in which Congressman Allen has a permanent office):

    Burke County

    WHEN: Tuesday, August 19th from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

    WHERE: County Commission Boardroom, Burke County Courthouse

    111 E. 6th Street

    Waynesboro, GA 30830

    Candler County

    WHEN: Tuesday, August 5th from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

    WHERE: Metter City Hall

    49 S. Rountree Street

    Metter, GA 30439

    Columbia County

    WHEN: Wednesday, August 27th from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM

    WHERE: Grovetown City Hall

    103 Old Wrightsboro Road

    Grovetown, GA 30813

    Effingham County

    WHEN: Friday, August 15th from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

    WHERE: Effingham County Board of Commissioners

    804 S. Laurel Street

    Springfield, GA 31329

    Emanuel County

    WHEN: Monday, August 4th from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

    WHERE: Swainsboro-Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce

    102 S. Main Street

    Swainsboro, GA 30401

    Evans County

    WHEN: Tuesday, August 5th from 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

    WHERE: Claxton City Hall

    206 W. Railroad Street

    Claxton, Georgia 30417

    Glascock County

    WHEN: Tuesday, August 19th from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

    WHERE: Family Connections & Communities in School

    370 W. Main Street

    Gibson, GA 30810

    Jefferson County

    WHEN: Tuesday, August 19th from 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM

    WHERE: Community Club House

    101 McNair Street

    Wrens, GA 30833

    Jenkins County

    WHEN: Monday, August 4th from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

    WHERE: Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce

    548 Cotton Avenue

    Millen, GA 30442

    Johnson County

    WHEN: Monday, August 11th from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

    WHERE: Wrightsville City Hall

    8647 S. Marcus Street

    Wrightsville, GA 31096

    Lincoln County

    WHEN: Wednesday, August 27th from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

    WHERE: Lincoln County Courthouse

    210 Humphrey Street

    Lincolnton, GA 30817

    McDuffie County

    WHEN: Wednesday, August 6th from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

    WHERE: Thomson-McDuffie Administrative Building

    210 Railroad Street

    Thomson, GA 30824

    Montgomery County

    WHEN: Monday, August 4th from 10:45 AM – 12:15 PM

    WHERE: Montgomery County Courthouse

    400 S. Railroad Avenue

    Mount Vernon, GA 30445

    Screven County

    WHEN: Monday, August 4th from 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

    WHERE: Screven County Courthouse, Commission Boardroom

    216 Mims Road

    Sylvania, GA 30467

    Tattnall County

    WHEN: Tuesday, August 5th from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

    WHERE: Glennville Welcome Center/Chamber of Commerce

    136 S. Veterans Boulevard

    Glennville, GA 30427

    Treutlen County

    WHEN: Monday, August 4th from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

    WHERE: Treutlen County Commissioners’ Office

    1830 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive

    Soperton, GA 30457

    Warren County

    WHEN: Wednesday, August 6th from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

    WHERE: Warren County Chamber of Commerce

    46 Norwood Street

    Warrenton, GA 30828

    Washington County

    WHEN: Thursday, August 21st from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

    WHERE: Sandersville City Hall

    141 W. Haynes Street

    Sandersville, GA 31082

    Wheeler County

    WHEN: Monday, August 4th from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

    WHERE: Alamo City Hall

    7 W. Main Street

    Alamo, GA 30411

    Wilkes County

    WHEN: Tuesday, August 26th from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

    WHERE: Washington Wilkes Chamber of Commerce

    26 West Square

    Washington, GA 30673

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: United States Unseals Civil Action Filed Against Approximately $2M in Digital Currency Involved in Hamas Fundraising

    Source: US Justice – Antitrust Division

    Headline: United States Unseals Civil Action Filed Against Approximately $2M in Digital Currency Involved in Hamas Fundraising

    The Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia today announced the unsealing of a civil forfeiture action against approximately $2 million dollars in digital currency held by Tether Limited (Tether) and Binance Holdings LTD (Binance) accounts connected with Buy Cash Money and Money Transfer Company (BuyCash), a Gaza-based money transfer business that was involved in financially supporting Hamas – a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) – as well as its agents and collaborators.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Materials Science and Engineering Department Leaders Transition

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Dean JC Zhao of the University of Connecticut (UConn) College of Engineering is pleased to announce a transition in leadership for the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE). 

    Zhao has appointed Professor Avinash Dongare as interim MSE department head, replacing current department head Professor Bryan Huey who will depart the UConn College of Engineering to join Purdue University as its next head of the School of Materials Engineering. Huey will start at Purdue on Aug. 15.

    Avinash Dongare has been selected as the new interim MSE department head.

    “I am pleased to appoint Professor Avinash Dongare as the interim head of our MSE Department at UConn,” says Zhao. “He is a nationally respected researcher and a dedicated educator whose leadership and collaborative approach will help guide the department during this important transition.” 

    Dongare earned his doctorate (2008) in MSE from the University of Virginia. He joined UConn in 2012 as an assistant professor in MSE and was recently promoted to a full professorship in 2023. He also holds joint appointments as a professor in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Manufacturing Engineering and the Department of Physics. In addition, Dongare has been the director of graduate studies within the MSE department since 2020.   

    Dongare was recently elected as a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2024) and the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (2024). He is recognized as one of the world’s top 2% of scientists (2024). He is also the recipient of the Early CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation (2015), and the National Academies NRC Research Associateship Award from the US Army Research Office (2007).  

    Dongare’s research includes the development and application of advanced computational techniques across scales to predict the behavior of materials under extreme environments. He has authored 100+ peer-reviewed publications and proceedings. His research has totaled nearly $20 million in externally funded grants and contracts across a diverse array of sponsors (NSF, DOE, DOD, & industry). He also served as an editor for the Journal of Materials Science (2018 to 2022) and is active member in materials and mechanics communities (TMS, MRS, ASME, SES, and APS).  

    “It is an honor to serve as the interim department head and to help lead the community that I have been a part of for over a decade,” says Dongare. “I have been nurtured in this department and genuinely value the collegial and supportive culture that it offers. The department has continued to rise in rankings over the last decade – thanks to the inspirational leadership of Pamir Alpay and Bryan Huey. I am committed to working closely with our faculty, staff, and students to continue moving forward in materials research and education under Dean Zhao.” 

    Bryan Huey has been selected as Purdue University’s new head of materials engineering.

    Huey joined UConn Engineering in 2004 and rose through the ranks from assistant professor to full professor. He has served as the department’s head since 2017.

    He saw the growth of the department in those years, with their faculty overseeing $50 million in active research (as of fall 2024). The UConn MSE department is ranked 34th nationwide in the U.S. News & World Report rankings, and is in the top 20 among public institutions. Also in fall 2024, Huey and fellow faculty, staff and students celebrated moving into the new 200,000-square-foot Science One building, which also houses the Institute of Materials Science. 

    “I want to humbly thank Professor Bryan Huey for his outstanding leadership over the past seven years, and for many years serving the department beforehand,” Zhao says. “His commitment to research excellence, student success, and departmental growth has left an enduring legacy at UConn Engineering. We wish him continued success at Purdue.” 

    Before arriving at UConn, Huey earned three degrees in MSE: his bachelor’s in 1993 from Stanford University and his master’s (1996) and doctorate (1999) from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a Fellow of the American Ceramic Society and a member of the Materials Research Society’s Strategic Agility Council. Huey is also the past chair of the University Materials Council, the nationwide association of MSE department heads. 

    MIL OSI USA News –