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Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The United Kingdom welcomes the efforts of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to strengthen its role in conflict prevention: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    The United Kingdom welcomes the efforts of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to strengthen its role in conflict prevention: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council open debate on maintaining international peace and security.

    I welcome the opportunity today to discuss the OIC’s important cooperation with the UN on the resolution of conflicts and securing lasting peace and prosperity.

    I will make three points, President.

    First, the United Kingdom welcomes the efforts of the OIC to strengthen its role in conflict prevention, confidence-building, peacekeeping and mediation.

    In particular, we thank OIC members for their invaluable commitment of troops to UN Peacekeeping Operations.

    Effective cooperation and sharing of information between the UN and the OIC is important for developing coherent strategies for conflict prevention to support national prevention efforts.

    Second, the United Kingdom values the role of the OIC and its Member States as a key partner in our shared fight against terrorism and violent extremism. 

    This requires a multi-dimensional approach with the support of all relevant UN agencies, regional organisations, governments and civil society partners. 

    We encourage the UN and the OIC to maintain close coordination to ensure the protection of human rights while countering terrorism. 

    Third, the United Kingdom welcomes its broadening and deepening relationship with the OIC and its members, including this week hosting the OIC’s International Academy of Jurisprudence to strengthen collaboration on key issues and interfaith dialogue.

    We value this collaboration not least because inclusive governance and respect for human rights are fundamental underpinnings of peace and prosperity. And the United Kingdom firmly believes the right to freedom of religion or belief has a crucial role to play in this regard.

    Religious intolerance and persecution fuel instability, impeding both conflict prevention and resolution, as we sadly see in a number of the conflicts on this Council’s agenda.

    That is why the United Kingdom was proud to co-pen Security Council resolution 2686 with the United Arab Emirates in 2023. This was the first time a Security Council resolution had directly addressed the persecution of religious minorities in conflict settings. We remain committed to the full implementation of resolution 2686.

    In conclusion, President, when freedom of religion or belief is respected for all, and interreligious dialogue is promoted, we can build trust and understanding between communities, helping to secure sustainable peace.

    Thank you, President.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: National Guard soldier deployed to South Texas to help secure border convicted of smuggling illegal aliens into US

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A National Guard member deployed to South Texas to help secure the border was convicted of smuggling illegal aliens into the U.S. July 21. Findings of the smuggling were due to the combined investigation efforts of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations Corpus Christi, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of the Inspector General Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility.

    Mario Sandoval, a 27-year-old resident of Houston, was found guilty of conspiring to smuggle illegal aliens at the end of a one-day trial in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

    “Driven exclusively by greed, this individual betrayed the solemn oath he swore to defend when he enlisted in the National Guard,” said HSI Houston Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. “His actions directly undermined the very mission he was deployed to support and put his fellow guard members in danger. Working closely with our partners, we were able to expose his scheme and hold him accountable for this unconscionable betrayal of our nation’s trust.”

    Sandoval was deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border with the Texas National Guard as part of Operation Lonestar. Following release from his orders, Sandoval remained in the Rio Grande Valley and began smuggling illegal aliens into the country in July 2024.

    During his trial, the jury was provided with text messages from Sandoval’s phone expressing that drivers were needed for trips from the Rio Grande Valley to destinations north of the immigration checkpoint. Surveillance showed Sandoval’s location at the immigration checkpoint while he was sending text messages about law enforcement and K-9 patrol presence. The defense attempted to convince the jury no conspiracy existed, and his text messages were out of context. The Jury did not believe those claims and found Sandoval guilty as charged after deliberating for less than an hour.

    “The conduct in this case represents an unthinkable violation of public trust,” said U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “Thousands of brave men and women, military and civilian alike, work tirelessly to keep our border secure. It is truly disheartening that one bad apple chose to betray his fellow soldiers, his fellow citizens, and his country by engaging in human smuggling. I wish to thank the jury for their time and attention to this matter.”

    Sandoval was discharged from the Texas National Guard in October 2024. He is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 22. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Lamont and Ashley Martin prosecuted the case.

    For more news and information on how HSI Houston combats alien smuggling and other transnational criminal activity in Southeast Texas follow us on X at @HSIHouston.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Union Reaches Landmark Tentative Labor Agreement with Boeing Covering 3,200 Defense Workers in St. Louis

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) Negotiators are unanimously recommending a new four-year contract affecting approximately 3,200 highly-skilled IAM Union members at Boeing facilities in St. Louis, St. Charles, Mo., and Mascoutah, Ill.

    The four-year agreement includes improvements throughout the contract, including:

    • Average wage increases of 40% over the life of the agreement 
    • Increases in progression rates
    • Strengthens current medical benefits
    • Increased pension multiplier
    • Overtime improvements
    • Work-life balance

    “Our negotiating committee worked tirelessly to negotiate a deal that represented the concerns of our membership,” said IAM District 837 Directing Business Representative Tom Boelling. “I couldn’t be more proud of the negotiating team and our membership.”

    “This contract puts money in members’ pockets, protects healthcare access, and ensures our members have a voice in future health decisions all while respecting the skill and dedication IAM workers bring to Boeing’s critical defense programs,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant.

    “This agreement reflects the strength of our membership and the power of solidarity,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “From the shop floor to the bargaining table, our members stood united and it paid off.”

    “We made it clear to the company that protecting our members’ futures was non-negotiable,” said IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett. “With stronger pensions, real wage growth, and better work-life balance, we’ve delivered a contract that meets the moment.”

    IAM members assemble and maintain advanced aircraft and weapons systems, including the F-15, F/A-18, and cutting-edge missile and defense technologies. Their work plays a vital role in safeguarding national security and supporting U.S. and allied defense operations.

    The current agreement expires on July 27, 2025 and a contract ratification vote will be held the same day. 

    The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.

    goIAM.org | @IAM_Union

    The post IAM Union Reaches Landmark Tentative Labor Agreement with Boeing Covering 3,200 Defense Workers in St. Louis appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Designations to Appellate Division Courts Announced

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced six designations to the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, in the First and Second Departments. Under New York’s Constitution, the Governor designates Justices of the Appellate Divisions from among the elected Justices of the State Supreme Court. This class is composed of highly skilled jurists who come from diverse personal and professional backgrounds, underscoring Governor Hochul’s commitment to ensuring New York State’s judiciary reflects the wide array of people who call New York home. The slate consists of four designations to the Appellate Division, First Department and two designations to the Appellate Division, Second Department.

    “These designations to the Appellate Division are part of my continued commitment to building a judiciary that embodies the highest standards of legal excellence and reflects the rich diversity of New York,” Governor Hochul said. “Each of these jurists brings a wealth of experience and perspective that will strengthen our courts and help ensure that justice is served fairly and equitably across our state.”

    As Justices of the Appellate Division, First Department:

    Honorable Troy Webber, Associate Justice

    Justice Troy K. Webber was elected to the Civil Court, New York County, in 1993 and assigned to the county of her birth, Bronx County. In 2002, she was elected to the Supreme Court. In 2009, Justice Webber was appointed Acting Surrogate in New York County, where she served for almost 2 years and then returned to Supreme Court, Bronx County. In 2016, Justice Webber was appointed to the Appellate Division, First Department.

    Justice Webber began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in New York County. She then served as a Law Assistant to a State Supreme Court Justice, Assistant New York State Attorney General and Deputy Bureau Chief at the New York City Law Department. Justice Webber was also a litigation associate at a law firm. Justice Webber is a graduate of New York University School of Law, where she serves on the Alumni Board of Directors.

    Justice Webber serves as Co-Chair of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission and is a member of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, the Association of Women Judges, the Judicial Friends, and the New York County Lawyers Association. She serves on the New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics, the Advisory Committee on Criminal Law and Procedure and is a member of the board of directors of JALBCA (Judges and Lawyers Breast Cancer Alert).

    Justice Webber participates in the Scales of Justice Academy, a summer legal educational program for underserved female high school students, as well as the Legal Outreach Program. She mentors students who attend NYU Law School, the City University of New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and Fordham University School of Law and participates in moot court programs sponsored by NYU Law School and New York Law School. Justice Webber is also an adjunct professor in criminal justice at Monroe University.

    Honorable Saliann Scarpulla, Associate Justice

    Justice Saliann Scarpulla is a graduate of Boston University and Brooklyn Law School, cum laude. After law school, Justice Scarpulla clerked for the Hon. Alvin F. Klein in Supreme Court, New York County. When her clerkship concluded, Justice Scarpulla joined Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn as a litigation associate. Justice Scarpulla later moved to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as Senior Counsel in the New York Legal Services Office. From the FDIC Justice Scarpulla became Senior Vice President and Bank Counsel to Hudson United Bank.

    Justice Scarpulla returned to the New York State court system in 1999, as Principal Court Attorney to the Hon. Eileen Bransten. She was then elected to the New York City Civil Court in 2001, appointed to the New York State Supreme Court in 2009, and elected to the Supreme Court in 2012. From 2014 to 2020, Justice Scarpulla sat in the New York County Commercial Division, and she was responsible for all international commercial arbitration matters pending in the State Supreme Court. In 2020, Justice Scarpulla was appointed to the Appellate Division, First Department.

    Justice Scarpulla is a contributing author to the Commercial Litigation in New York State Courts treatise and has authored numerous articles on technology and commercial litigation. She is a frequent lecturer for, among others, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the New York County Lawyers Association, the New York State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Practicing Law Institute, and the New York State Judicial Institute. Justice Scarpulla has received the Louis J. Capozzoli Gavel award and the Thurgood Marshall award from the New York County Lawyers Association, the Rapallo/Scalia award from the Columbian Lawyers Association, and service awards from the National Association of Italian American Women and the New York Women’s Bar Association.

    Justice Scarpulla is active in several New York City and statewide bar associations and is a Business Court Representative to the American Bar Association and Co-Chair of the Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and Intellectual Property subcommittee. She is a member of New York’s Commercial Division Advisory Council, and the Co-Chair of the Council’s Subcommittee on Use of Technology in Commercial Division Cases. Justice Scarpulla also sits on the Chief Judge’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Committee, and, in October 2019, she was appointed for a term to the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board. Justice Scarpulla is a past Co-President and current Board member of Judges and Lawyers Breast Cancer Alert (JALBCA).

    Honorable Shlomo Hagler, Additional Justice

    Hon. Shlomo S. Hagler is the current Presiding Justice of the Appellate Term, First Department. He was appointed to the court in 2021. Justice Hagler began his judicial career in 1999, when he was appointed to New York City Housing Court. In 2003, he was elected to the New York City Civil Court, and in 2008, Justice Hagler was designated an Acting Justice of the Supreme Court, Civil Branch, New York County. As an Acting Justice, he established and presided over an “Innovative Guardianship Part” that combined the authority of the Supreme Court under the Mental Hygiene Law with that of the Housing Court. This initiative aimed to protect and empower vulnerable individuals within the community. In 2012, he was elected to the Supreme Court.

    Justice Hagler earned his undergraduate degree from Yeshiva University in 1988, and a Juris Doctor from the City University of New York Law School in 1991. He started his legal career as an associate at Bartlett, Bartlett & Ziegler, P.C., before serving as Court Attorney to Hon. Martin Shulman, currently an Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, First Department.

    Justice Hagler recently received an award celebrating his 25 years on the bench from the New York County Lawyers Association and in April 2025, received the Benjamin N. Cardozo award from the Jewish Lawyers Guild for excellence in the legal profession. He is also a member of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Lawyers Guild and the Gender Fairness Committee of the Supreme Court, New York County. Justice Hagler has given numerous lectures as a judicial panelist on various legal topics, including protecting tenants with disabilities in housing.

    Honorable Margaret Anne Pui Yee Chan, Additional Justice

    Justice Chan, elected in 2021 to the New York State Supreme Court, serves in the New York County Commercial Division resolving complex business disputes. Before her election, she was an Acting Justice from 2012, handling a wide range of cases from mass torts to constitutional litigation.

    Born in Hong Kong, she immigrated to Canada at age seven and then, at fourteen, to Brooklyn. When she was elected to the New York City Civil Court in 2006, she became the first Asian immigrant woman to become a New York judge. Before ascending to the bench, Justice Chan had an immigration and appellate practice in Manhattan’s Chinatown. Her partner was Benjamin Gim, who co-founded the Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund.

    Justice Chan attended Brooklyn College full time, where she majored in economics while also working full-time. She later attended Touro Law Center on a scholarship and was the managing editor of the Law Review. She then completed five years as a senior court attorney at the Appellate Division, Second Department.

    Justice Chan serves on various court committees, including the Committee on AI and the Courts and Committee on Pattern Jury Instructions (PJI) – Civil. She also served as a Fordham University School of Law adjunct professor from 2018-2024, teaching legal research and writing and the judicial-externship seminar.

    As Justices of the Appellate Division, Second Department:

    Honorable Elena Goldberg Velazquez, Additional Justice

    Justice Elena Goldberg Velazquez was appointed to the Appellate Term, 9th and 10th Judicial Districts, in 2024, where she hears appeals from landlord-tenant court, small claims court, civil court and criminal court. Recently, Justice Goldberg Velazquez was elected as the President of the Latino Judges Association.

    In 2022, Justice Goldberg Velazquez was elected to the New York State Supreme Court, 9th Judicial District. Presently, she is assigned to Westchester County where she has presided over a variety of civil hearings and trials. Since her ascension to Supreme Court, she has also been published in the New York Law Journal. Prior to becoming a Supreme Court Justice, Justice Goldberg Velazquez was a Yonkers City Court Judge, where she handled criminal matters from arraignment to disposition, landlord-tenant matters (both residential and commercial), small claims and civil matters. She also presided over trials and felony hearings. In addition, while in City Court she was appointed as an Acting Family Court Judge presiding over the Integrated Domestic Violence Court.

    Prior to being elected to the bench, Justice Goldberg Velazquez worked at the Supreme Court, Appellate Division First Department for nearly a decade. Prior to working at the Appellate Division, Justice Goldberg Velazquez worked at private law firms handling primarily civil matters.

    Justice Goldberg Velazquez is an active member of her community, having founded and served as president of her local neighborhood association. She has served as the President of the Puerto Rican Bar Association, Chair of the Women’s Committee and Chair of the Young Lawyers Committee. She is presently a member of the New York State Bar Association, Hudson Valley Hispanic Bar Association, Puerto Rican Bar Association, New York Women’s Judges Association, Westchester County Bar Association, Westchester Women’s Bar Association and the Yonkers Lawyers Association.

    Justice Goldberg Velazquez is a graduate of CUNY School of Law, where she was the managing editor of the New York City Law Review and now serves on the Board of Visitors. She earned her Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from Syracuse University where she graduated Pi Sigma Alpha. While at Syracuse, Justice Goldberg Velazquez was on the Dean’s List and a member of the nationally ranked Mock Trial Team.

    Justice Goldberg Velazquez resides in Westchester with her husband and two young daughters.

    Honorable Susan Quirk, Additional Justice

    Hon. Susan Quirk was elected to the Civil Court Bench in Brooklyn in 2016, where she served until 2018. She was then assigned to Brooklyn Family Court in 2018 to augment the bench in response to the enactment and implementation of the Raise the Age legislation, where she presided until 2022 when she was elected to the Supreme Court in Brooklyn where she currently presides over all types of criminal matters.

    Prior to becoming a judge, strongly attracted to both public service and the study of law, Judge Quirk began working as a paralegal in 1998 in the Kings County District Attorney’s Office while attending Brooklyn Law School in the evening. She graduated in 2004, receiving the distinction of being awarded the “Cali Excellence for the Future” Award for achieving the highest grade in Trial Advocacy. Upon being admitted to practice in 2005, Judge Quirk continued her career in public service by becoming an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, where she served with distinction until 2013, when she was designated a Court Attorney Referee in Supreme Court, where she continued to serve the public as a Hearing Officer until her election to the bench.

    Active in the legal community, Judge Quirk is a member of the Supreme Court Justices Association of the City of New York; the Puerto Rican Bar Association; the Brooklyn Bar Association; the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association; the Columbian Lawyers Association; the Catholic Lawyers Guild, Kings County Chapter; the Richmond County Bar Association; the Staten Island Women’s Bar Association, where she previously served on the Administrative Board; and the New York City Civil Court Judges Association, where she previously served as the Vice President for Richmond County.

    Judge Quirk is the proud mom of two young daughters, both of whom currently attend her alma mater, St. Joseph Hill Academy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Africa24 Group Signs Groundbreaking Partnership with the Ivorian Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Federation

    Source: APO

    Africa24 Group (https://Africa24TV.com/), the largest media group in Africa and broadcaster of four HD television channels, has signed a landmark partnership agreement with the Ivorian MMA Federation (Mixed Martial Arts) to promote, broadcast, and elevate the profile of MMA in Côte d’Ivoire and across the continent.

    This strategic collaboration aims to spotlight local and regional talent through exclusive reports on athletes, dedicated programming on all MMA competitions, and the promotion of core values of the sport such as discipline, self-improvement, respect, and inclusion.

    Catch exclusive footage now available on replay. (https://apo-opa.co/40WUROL)

    Unrivaled Distribution and Audience Reach for Sports in Africa

    The growth of MMA and sports across Africa represents a key priority for Africa24 Group — creating opportunities for youth, fostering a professional sports ecosystem, and positioning Africa as a global reservoir of emerging talent in one of the world’s fastest-growing disciplines.

    This partnership will further enrich the unique editorial offering of Africa24 Sport, the continent’s first and only 24/7 African sports news and competitions channel.

    “This agreement with the Ivorian MMA Federation is a positive step forward for sports fans across Africa. Africa24 Group is committed to delivering high-quality content through a platform accessible to all. This new milestone should benefit all sports, national and continental federations, and Olympic committees across Africa. It’s about building a shared platform that ensures maximum visibility, unparalleled exposure, and unprecedented reach for every sport on the continent,” said Constant NEMALE, Founder and President of Africa24 Group.

    Through this partnership, Africa24 reinforces its ambition to connect African sports to the world, while actively contributing to the professionalization of MMA in Africa — to the great satisfaction of the Ivorian MMA Federation.

    “Mixed Martial Arts in Côte d’Ivoire is evolving fast. The sport is growing steadily, backed by a strong organizational structure and promising momentum. I believe it has a bright future both in Côte d’Ivoire and across Africa,” said Jackson Parfait TAPÉ, President of the Ivorian MMA Federation.

    “MMA needs greater visibility, not only in Côte d’Ivoire but also globally. This partnership between the Ivorian MMA Federation (FIMMA) and Africa24 Sport is precisely aimed at showcasing a sport that is taking root and expanding in our country,” added Guillaume BEDA, Vice President of the Ivorian MMA Federation.

    As a key partner for sports development in Africa, Africa24 Group is mobilizing all its resources to serve MMA enthusiasts. Throughout the duration of this partnership, Africa24’s channels will broadcast all MMA competitions, with dedicated magazine shows and a team of expert journalists and passionate analysts delivering world-class coverage.

    With Africa24 Group, expect nothing less than exceptional sports entertainment.

    AFRICA24 – Together, Let’s Transform Africa

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AFRICA24 Group.

    Contact:
    Communications Department
    Africa24 Group
    Gaëlle Stella Oyono 
    Email: onana@africa24tv.com
    Tel: +237 694 90 99 88

    Social Media:
    @ africa24tv

    About Africa24:
    Launched in 2009, Africa24 Group is the continent’s leading TV and digital media network. It is the top media brand among decision-makers and senior executives in Africa and beyond. Africa24 operates four HD television channels available 24/7 via major global networks:

    • AFRICA24 TV: The continent’s first French-language news channel
    • AFRICA24 English: The reference English-language African news channel
    • AFRICA24 Sport: The first African sports news and competition channel
    • AFRICA24: The flagship channel for Africa’s creative industries

    Africa24 also operates myafrica24, the first HD streaming platform dedicated to Africa, accessible worldwide on all devices (smartphones, computers, tablets, and smart TVs).

    With global distribution through top operators and platforms (Canal+, Bouygues, Orange, Bell…), Africa24 is available in over 80 million households and boasts a digital community of more than 8 million followers across web and social media. Africa24 is the go-to media platform for global leaders seeking to engage with Africa-related topics.

    https://Africa24TV.com/

    About the Ivorian MMA Federation:
    The Ivorian MMA Federation is responsible for the organization, regulation, and promotion of Mixed Martial Arts in Côte d’Ivoire. The federation supports athletes, upholds sports ethics, and promotes MMA as both an elite sport and a powerful tool for social inclusion.

    Media files

    .

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Strong forestry partnership delivers for people

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    A forest tenure held by Lake Babine Nation is increasing by more than 2,000% through a partnership with the Province and a tenure transfer from West Fraser, marking a significant milestone in growing the Nation’s role in forestry.

    “This is real on-the-ground collaboration that gets things done for Lake Babine Nation, boosts the local economy and delivers for people across B.C.,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “It’s a powerful partnership – one that secures a steady fibre supply for West Fraser and helps produce world-class, made-in-B.C. wood products.”

    Through this partnership, the Lake Babine First Nations Woodland Licence is growing from approximately 5,600 hectares to encompass more than 126,000 hectares of Lake Babine Nation territory, bringing traditional values into forest management practices, over a forested area the size of about 311 Stanley Parks. The area of land available to harvest included in the licence is northeast of Smithers, near the Lake Babine Nation communities of Fort Babine (Wit’at) and Old Fort around the northern half of Lake Babine.

    “As stewards of our lands since time immemorial and still today, Lake Babine Nation has forever recognized the deep responsibility we hold in ensuring our forests are managed with ecological respect and generational sustainability,” said Chief Wilf Adam, Lake Babine Nation. “Forestry is not just an industry; its principles and mechanisms are woven into our identity, our traditions and our vision for the future. With the support of the Province, our new partnership with West Fraser will advance Lake Babine Nation toward prosperous new opportunities, along with the interconnected local economies within our area of influence. It’s a flexible agreement aimed at our great-grandchildren, through the health of our ecology and economy in balance.”

    Expanding Lake Babine Nation’s First Nations Woodland Licence was made possible through a partnership with West Fraser, serving as a model for business-to-business relationships that support long-term sustainability for the forestry sector, economic development for the communities that rely in it and reconciliation with First Nations.

    “I want to congratulate the Lake Babine Nation on what we have been able to build together,” said Sean McLaren, president and CEO, West Fraser. “This achievement would not have been possible without the leadership and the support of government. By recognizing the importance of fibre security and Indigenous partnerships, the Province is helping secure the future of the forest sector in Smithers – for our employees, contractors, local businesses and communities throughout the region.”

    The expanded tenure follows after a collaborative management agreement between Lake Babine Nation and BC Timber Sales, which ensured the continuity of BC Timber Sales operations and enhanced Lake Babine Nation’s stewardship over its territory. Lake Babine Nation established a forestry company called LBN Forestry to oversee its forestry operations. LBN Forestry is generating revenue, creating job opportunities for the community and supplying timber for local mills, together strengthening the local forestry economy.

    This milestone forest licence expansion represents a significant achievement in the implementation of Lake Babine Nation’s Foundation Agreement. The Foundation Agreement was finalized in 2020 and outlined a 20-year vision to implement Lake Babine Nation rights and title, including a vision to hold and manage a minimum of 250,000 cubic metres of forest tenure located on its territory.

    In 2021, the Province set a goal of 20% of the allowable annual cut being held by First Nations. Building upon this announcement, First Nations now hold approximately 20% of the allowable annual cut, through a mix of different types of tenures. The vision government put forward in the modernizing forestry policy intentions paper continues to guide work to evolve forestry policy.

    Quick Facts:

    • Nearly 212,000 cubic metres of allowable annual cut is being added to Lake Babine Nation’s First Nation Woodland Licence, bringing the new total to more than 230,000 cubic metres, or approximately 4,600 truckloads of logs per year.
    • The First Nation Woodland Licence covers approximately 10% of Lake Babine Nation’s territory.
    • The expanded First Nation Woodland Licence includes tenure contributed from West Fraser, building on two previous partnership agreements between the company and Lake Babine Nation.

    Learn More:

    To learn more about Lake Babine Nation, visit:
    https://www.lakebabine.com/

    To learn more about First Nations Woodland Licences, visit:
    https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/forest-tenures/timber-harvesting-rights/first-nations-woodland-licence

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Seven Things to Know About CBO’s Budgetary Treatment of Potential Changes to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were chartered in 1938 and 1970, respectively, as government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) to ensure a stable supply of credit for mortgages nationwide. Government-sponsored enterprises are private companies created by federal law to fulfill a specific purpose. In the case of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, that purpose is to facilitate the flow of funding for home loans by purchasing mortgages from lenders, pooling them into mortgage-backed securities (MBSs), and selling the securities to investors along with a guarantee against most losses from defaults on the underlying loans.

    After operating independently for decades, the two GSEs were placed in federal conservatorships in 2008. Since then, they have been controlled by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and effectively owned by the Department of the Treasury. In January 2025, the FHFA announced that it will seek comments on options to end the GSEs’ conservatorships.

    This report addresses seven key issues that might arise as the Congressional Budget Office estimates the budgetary effects of potential legislation or administrative actions that could result in selling the Treasury’s ownership stake in the GSEs and releasing them from government control. In keeping with its standard practices, CBO assesses the federal budgetary and economic effects of proposed policies but does not make policy recommendations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican Men Charged with Immigration-Related Crimes Following Search Warrants in Navarre

    Source: US FBI

    PENSACOLA, FLORIDA –Crescencio Diaz-Diaz, 36, and Marcelo Perez-Santiz, 33, both of the country of Mexico, have been charged in federal court with illegal reentry of a removed alien. Diaz-Diaz has additionally been charged with possession and use of fraudulent employment authorization documents.  The charges were announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

    Court documents allege that Crescencio Diaz-Diaz reentered the United States illegally after being previously deported in 2020.  He was encountered by federal agents during the execution of federal criminal search warrants at a Navarre business, Emerald Coast Lawns, and an adjacent residence yesterday.  During the search, agents seized a fraudulent permanent resident card (sometimes referred to as a “green card”) and social security card bearing Diaz-Diaz’s name and/or photograph but another person’s identifying information, which Diaz-Diaz allegedly admitted he presented to Emerald Coast Lawns in order to gain employment.

    Separate court documents allege that Marcelo Perez-Santiz reentered the United States illegally after being previously deported on three separate occasions in 2012 and had been found at the business address for Emerald Coast Lawns back in February.  Perez-Santiz was arrested yesterday on a criminal complaint and had an initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho.

    The penalty for illegally reentering the United States after deportation is a maximum of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

    The cases are being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Florida Highway Patrol, United States Marshals Service and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.  The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes.

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

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation by a sworn affiant that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to due process, to include a fair trial, during which it is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

    The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Disrupts Cryptocurrency Investment Fraud and Files Civil Forfeiture Complaint Against $325,000 in Funds Involved in Money Laundering

    Source: US FBI

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – On July 17, 2025, the United States Attorney’s Office obtained a temporary restraining order against the unidentified foreign operators of a fraudulent online cryptocurrency investment platform called “Triangular.” The order resulted in the suspension of online access to two websites used to access the platform.

    The United States also filed a civil forfeiture complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri against more than $325,000 in cryptocurrency seized from two addresses linked to the scam. According to the complaint, the FBI used blockchain analysis and other investigative techniques to determine that the cryptocurrency is connected to the theft and laundering of funds from victims of the Triangular investment fraud scheme.

    The complaint alleges that between July and October 2024, the two cryptocurrency addresses were used to launder millions of dollars in suspected scam proceeds. The complaint further alleges that a victim located in the Western District of Missouri lost more than $16 million to the fake Triangular investment platform.

    The scammers involved in this scheme lured victims through unsolicited messages on social media sites like LinkedIn. Once a relationship formed, the scammers introduced the victims to the fraudulent Triangular platform and made promises of immense investment gain with little to no risk of loss. After the victims made an initial investment through the sophisticated-looking platform, the scammers manipulated the victims’ account to appear to show exponential investment returns and encouraged victims to transfer more cryptocurrency. But when victims tried to withdraw their profit, they were told they needed to pay more in false withdrawal fees or “taxes.” The victims never recovered their money.

    Commonly referred to as a cryptocurrency confidence scam, fake investment schemes like Triangular cost Americans billions of dollars every year, according to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center’s 2024 Internet Crime Report.

    If you believe you are a victim of a cryptocurrency investment fraud or other cyber-enabled crime, report the fraud to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at https://www.ic3.gov, your local law enforcement agency, and the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov.

    The claims in the United States’ civil complaints are only allegations. The preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for August 6, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes. The case is United States v. John Doe, No. 4:25-cv-00529-BCW.

    This investigation is being handled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Kansas City Field Office. The civil cases are being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Constance. The Department of Justice would like to acknowledge Tether for its assistance in effectuating the transfer of these assets

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Springfield Man Sentenced to Eight Years for Illegally Possessing Firearm

    Source: US FBI

    SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm.

    Joseph Archer III, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to 96 months in federal prison without parole.

    On Oct. 29, 2024, Archer pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    On June 29, 2023, officers with the Springfield Police Department attempted to stop a Toyota Camry that was being driven by Archer. Archer fled from officers, leading them on a vehicle pursuit. During the pursuit Archer crashed into an officer’s vehicle, disabling the police vehicle, and causing the officer to suffer minor injuries. As a result of that crash, Archer briefly lost control of his car before continuing to flee. The pursuit ended when Archer crashed the Camry into an outbuilding. Archer fled the scene of the crash on foot before the officers arrived. When officers searched the Camry, they located a stolen Taurus PT handgun. They also located a box of ammunition, fentanyl, methamphetamine, mail addressed to Archer, and his Missouri Department of Corrections ID in the glove box.

    Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who is convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Archer has prior felony convictions for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

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

    Project Safe Neighborhoods

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jury Convicts Man Who Targeted Metro Air Support Helicopter in St. Louis with Laser

    Source: US FBI

    ST. LOUIS – A jury on Wednesday found a man guilty of a crime for temporarily blinding Metro Air Support pilots with a laser pointer.

    Jurors in U.S. District Court in St. Louis took roughly 20 minutes to convict Joshua J. Johnson, 44, of one felony count of knowingly aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft. The trial started Tuesday afternoon with jury selection.

    Evidence and testimony at the trial showed that shortly before 9:45 p.m. on August 9, 2024, Johnson used a blue laser to target a marked Metro Air Support helicopter that was flying over the Benton Park neighborhood in St. Louis in support of other officers. A St. Louis County Police Department pilot and a St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department pilot were temporarily blinded when blue light flooded the cockpit. As the blue light started to wane, the officers were able to track the beam to the driver’s side of a vehicle below them. The officers then tracked the vehicle as it drove down the street. The driver aimed the laser at the helicopter again. The officers continued to track the vehicle and provided updates to officers on the ground, who stopped the vehicle and arrested the sole occupant – Johnson. After initially denying that he pointed the laser, he later admitted that he was responsible. He also admitted that fact in calls from jail.

    Laser pointers are widely available and range in power. The strongest models can permanently blind air crews. Those who point lasers at aircraft can also be subject to civil penalties of up to $11,000 imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Pilots reported 12,840 laser strikes to the FAA in 2024.

    Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on October 30. The crime carries a potential punishment of up to five years in prison.

    The case was investigated by the FBI, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Metro Air Support Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mohsen Pasha and Derek Wiseman are prosecuting the case.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Admit Stealing Jewelry, Valuables from St. Louis County Homes

    Source: US FBI

    ST. LOUIS – Three men from Florida have admitted stealing jewelry and other valuables worth hundreds of thousands of dollars from homes in St. Louis County, including Ladue and Chesterfield.

    Benjamin Andres Ovalle-Taibo, 33, and Jonathan Vejar-Caro, 33, pleaded guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court in St. Louis. Ovalle-Taibo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit the transportation of stolen goods and Vejar-Caro to one count of transportation of stolen goods.

    Henry Jose Ferreira-Perez, now 21, pleaded guilty to one count of transportation of stolen goods in December and has been sentenced to 14 months in prison.

    All three admitted travelling on June 9, 2023, to St. Louis County, where they scouted possible burglary targets and purchased items to use in home break-ins. That evening Ovalle-Taibo and Vejar-Caro stole luxury items worth more than $330,000 from a home in Ladue, including jewelry, handbags and watches. They drove to Illinois and stayed in an Airbnb before returning to Florida to sell the stolen goods.

    On June 16, 2023, Ovalle-Taibo and Vejar-Caro burglarized a home in unincorporated St. Louis County which was investigated by the Frontenac Police Department. They stole about $128,000 worth of items, primarily jewelry. They next day, they burglarized two homes in Chesterfield, stealing about $188,500 worth of items from one home and $44,000 from the other.

    Ovalle-Taibo and Vejar-Caro are scheduled to be sentenced in October. All three are in the United States illegally and will likely be deported upon their release from prison.

    The case was investigated by the FBI, the Ladue Police Department, the Frontenac Police Department and the Chesterfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gwendolyn Carroll is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM statement on Gaza: 24 July 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    PM statement on Gaza: 24 July 2025

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s statement on Gaza.

    The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible. While the situation has been grave for some time, it has reached new depths and continues to worsen. We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe.

    I will hold an emergency call with E3 partners tomorrow, where we will discuss what we can do urgently to stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need while pulling together all the steps necessary to build a lasting peace. We all agree on the pressing need for Israel to change course and allow the aid that is desperately needed to enter Gaza without delay.

    It is hard to see a hopeful future in such dark times. But I must reiterate my call for all sides to engage in good faith, and at pace, to bring about an immediate ceasefire and for Hamas to unconditionally release all hostages. We strongly support the efforts of the US, Qatar and Egypt to secure this. 

    We are clear that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Nine more Chinese cities accredited as international wetland cities, China maintains world lead in number of wetlands

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE, July 24 (Xinhua) — Nine more Chinese cities were accredited as international wetland cities on Thursday at the opening of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15) in the Zimbabwean resort town of Victoria Falls, bringing the total number of such cities in China to 22, the highest in the world.

    The newly accredited cities include Chongming in Shanghai, Dali in Yunnan Province, Fuzhou in Fujian Province, Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province, Jiujiang in Jiangxi Province, Lhasa in the Xizang Autonomous Region, Suzhou in Jiangsu Province, Wenzhou in Zhejiang Province and Yueyang in Hunan Province. –0–

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

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan expressed their readiness to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BISHKEK, July 24 (Xinhua) — Presidents of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov and Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a telephone conversation on Thursday, during which the sides expressed their readiness to continue deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, the press service of the Kyrgyz president reported.

    As noted in the Telegram channel of the President of Kyrgyzstan, during the conversation, the heads of state discussed current issues of bilateral cooperation and “expressed mutual readiness to further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership based on the principles of good neighborliness, mutual understanding and support.”

    S. Japarov congratulated Sh. Mirziyoyev on his birthday, wishing the President of Uzbekistan “good health, longevity, inexhaustible energy and further success in state activities for the benefit of the development and prosperity of the brotherly Uzbek people.” –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Flood alert measures issued in northern China as heavy rains expected

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) — Several regions in northern China were put on flood alert on Thursday, with weather forecasts predicting heavy rainfall in the coming days.

    The Beijing People’s Government raised the rainfall alert level to yellow, the third-highest in a four-tier system, and launched a citywide flood emergency response.

    The Haihe River Flood and Drought Control Headquarters and Water Resources Committee in neighboring Tianjin Municipality issued Level 4 flood emergency response and emergency protection modes at 3:00 p.m. Moderate to heavy rainfall in the Haihe River basin is expected to cause water levels in the main river and tributaries to rise from July 24 to 26.

    Earlier in the day, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region raised its meteorological emergency response for heavy rainfall from Level 4 to Level 3. Rainfall of over 100 mm and up to 180 mm in some parts of the region is forecast, accompanied by thunderstorms and squalls.

    Northeast China’s Jilin Province issued a Level 4 drought and flood alert at 4 p.m. Heavy rainfall could hit central and western parts of the province, creating an increased risk of flooding and inundation in some cities and several rivers.

    At 3:00 p.m., a Level 4 flood alert was also issued in key cities in Hebei Province, with heavy rain and downpours expected overnight.

    The authorities of the abovementioned regions have instructed the relevant departments to strengthen monitoring and forecasting, issue timely warnings, intensify inspections of dams and reservoirs, and take effective measures to ensure the safety of citizens’ lives and property. The population is advised to remain vigilant in relation to possible secondary disasters caused by extreme weather. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Carbajal Statement on House Passage of Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

    U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) released the statement below following House passage of bipartisan legislation to strengthen, support, and authorize funding through 2029 for the United States Coast Guard and its critical missions to safeguard the nation’s shorelines, facilitate maritime commerce, ensure maritime safety, and more. Carbajal is the top Democrat on the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, which has jurisdiction over the U.S. Coast Guard, including its duties, organization, functions, and powers.

    “Every single day, the Coast Guard goes to work to protect seafarers and beachgoers, and reinforce our national defense. As the top Democrat on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, I’m proud this bipartisan bill is moving forward. The legislation will deliver critical resources for the Coast Guard to carry out its missions, modernize infrastructure and safety systems, and enhance quality of life for our Coasties. Just as importantly, it renews our shared commitment to holding the service accountable for meaningful reforms to root out sexual assault and harassment from its ranks,” said Subcommittee Ranking Member Carbajal.

    The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

    The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 authorizes appropriations for the Service through fiscal year 2029.  These authorizations will support Coast Guard operations and the continued recapitalization of its historically underfunded cutter fleet, aviation assets, shoreside facilities, and IT capabilities. The bill modernizes the Coast Guard’s acquisition process, increases transparency and accountability in the Service’s recapitalization efforts, and opens a pathway to the adoption of next-generation autonomous technologies.

    The bill also creates greater parity with the other armed services, including the establishment of a Secretary of the Coast Guard and stronger protections for members of the Coast Guard from sexual assault and harassment, based on legislation the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee introduced last Congress following the Service’s Operation Fouled Anchor.

    Furthermore, the legislation strengthens U.S.-Build requirements and improves accountability to better ensure a healthy, robust U.S. shipbuilding industry, while also making changes to maritime safety laws, amending requirements for merchant mariner credentials to facilitate an increase in the pool of qualified U.S. merchant mariners, increasing vessel safety, and improving regulatory processes.

    Click here for more information about the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SEED Program Honors More Than 70 Students at Recognition Ceremony

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: SEED Program Honors More Than 70 Students at Recognition Ceremony

    SEED Program Honors More Than 70 Students at Recognition Ceremony
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today, more than 70 high school students from southeastern North Carolina were recognized for successfully completing the SEED (Southeastern Education and Economic Development) Program, a unique career exploration initiative focused on advanced manufacturing and agriculture.

    “Every North Carolinian deserves a chance at success whether or not they want to pursue a traditional four-year degree,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Programs like SEED prepare students for careers in high-demand fields, giving them hands-on experience and industry-valued credentials. Congratulations to these students for their hard work in pursuit of a brighter future.”

    The recognition ceremony, held at the University of Mount Olive, brought together students, educators, industry partners, and community leaders to celebrate the achievements of participants from five area community colleges: Wilson Community College, Lenoir Community College, Wayne Community College, Sampson Community College, and James Sprunt Community College.

    The SEED Program is a registered pre-apprenticeship with ApprenticeshipNC, offering students a structured pathway into high-demand careers through hands-on learning, industry credentials, and exposure to real-world job environments. As a pre-apprenticeship, the program sets students up for success in future apprenticeship opportunities and long-term employment.

    Made possible through generous funding from Smithfield Foods, SEED was created in partnership with the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE), local school districts, community colleges, and regional employers. The program provides high school students with hands-on exposure to high-growth careers and helps build a sustainable talent pipeline for North Carolina’s workforce.

    “Smithfield is committed to investing in the future of agriculture and manufacturing by equipping young people with the skills and experiences they need to thrive,” said Jay Bennett, chief human resources officer for Smithfield Foods. “Through our support of the SEED program, we’re building meaningful partnerships with communities and helping students discover rewarding career paths that strengthen our industry and workforce.”

    “At Wayne Community College, we believe in the power of partnerships to transform lives and communities,” said Dr. Patricia Pfeiffer, President, Wayne Community College. “The SEED Program is a shining example of how education, industry, and public support can come together to create meaningful opportunities for our students. By giving them hands-on experiences and a clear path to future careers, we are not only preparing these young people for success but also strengthening the workforce and economy of eastern North Carolina.”

    Throughout the summer, students engaged in immersive experiences, including classroom instruction, industry tours, and technical simulations. The Advanced Manufacturing Academy was hosted by Wilson, Lenoir, and Wayne community colleges, while Sampson, James Sprunt, and Wayne community colleges led the Agricultural Academy.

    “Smithfield’s support helped bring this vision to life, giving students real-world experience in careers with long-term potential – right here in their home communities,” said Julia Wright, Board Chair of NCBCE. “We’re proud to recognize their dedication and growth through this program.”

    Each student received a certificate of completion during the ceremony, recognizing their commitment to personal growth, technical skill development, and work toward building a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

    SEED also provides financial support, covering stipends, supplies, and transportation to ensure students have the resources they need to succeed. In addition to the summer program, SEED supports career awareness for middle school students and offers professional development for teachers and counselors.

    The SEED program continues to grow, with plans to expand into additional counties and career pathways in the coming years.

    For more information on the SEED program, visit ncbce.org/seed.  

    Jul 24, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Secures $1.53 Million Settlement with One of Nation’s Largest Hospital Systems for Unlawful Training Repayment Agreements with Nurses

    Source: US State of California

    Settlement signals the steadfast commitment of California and its state partners to the robust enforcement of worker and consumer protection laws

    SAN FRANCISCO — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced a settlement with HCA Healthcare, Inc. and Health Trust Workforce Solutions, LLC (together, HCA), resolving allegations that HCA unlawfully required entry-level nurse employees to repay the cost of a mandatory training program if they did not remain employed with the company for two years. HCA is one of the nation’s largest hospital systems and has several hospitals in northern and southern California. Today’s settlement is the result of a years-long investigation by Attorney General Bonta and the attorneys general of Colorado and Nevada, working in partnership with the Biden Administration’s Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The states’ investigation found that HCA violated California employment and consumer protection laws as well as the federal consumer financial protection laws by using training repayment agreement provisions (TRAPs) in nurses’ employment contracts. These TRAPs are a form of employer-driven debt, or debt obligations incurred by individuals through employment arrangements.

    “All too often, employer-driven debt forces workers to remain in jobs that they would otherwise leave. That’s not just wrong; it’s illegal under state and federal law. Workers must be able to pursue better pay and better working conditions — not be trapped by debt that their employer makes them take out,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “I’m grateful to my fellow attorneys general in Colorado and Nevada for their partnership. With today’s settlement, we are taking a stand for workers in our states by holding HCA Healthcare accountable — ensuring that all affected nurses are made whole financially, that the company pays a penalty for its wrongdoing, and that the company is subject to strong injunctive terms to deter future misconduct.” 

    “California Nurses Association and our national union, National Nurses United, want to thank Attorney General Bonta for his leadership in addressing this growing trend of employers, such as HCA, using debt repayment contracts to lock nurses and other workers into jobs,” said Sandy Reding, RN and a president of the California Nurses Association. “HCA, the largest for-profit hospital system in the country, has a shameful track record of using predatory stay-or-pay contracts, or Training Repayment Agreement Provisions (TRAPS), which handcuff nurses to our employers through the threat of serious financial consequences or ruin. No nurses and no other workers should be locked into a job under the weight of debt to their employer.”

    “The Attorney General has found that HCA’s StaRN scheme violated the law and exploited new nurses in the process. As the largest hospital system in the US, HCA should strive to make nursing a rewarding career, not punish new nurses by entrapping them in debt,” said Rosanna Mendez, Executive Director, SEIU 121RN. “Attorney General Bonta’s action demonstrates that he strongly supports California’s frontline healthcare workers, even when it means taking on a large and powerful corporation.”

    “The StaRN program put new nurses under HCA’s thumb, harming nurses’ morale at a time when we need them the most,” said Leo Perez, President, SEIU 121RN. “HCA is notorious for prioritizing profit over employee well-being. We are hopeful that this settlement will encourage them to reevaluate those priorities.”

    ”We stand with Attorney General Bonta in sending a clear message: Nurses should never be forced into debt just to launch their careers,” said Charmaine S. Morales, RN, President of United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals. “As advocates who understand the real pressures nurses face, we support this settlement as a powerful step toward holding corporations accountable and protecting the dignity of our profession.”

    As a condition of employment at an HCA hospital, HCA generally requires that entry-level nurse employees complete the Specialty Training Apprenticeship for Registered Nurses (StaRN) Residency Program. The company has advertised StaRN as an avenue for entry-level RNs to get the education and training they need to land their first nursing jobs in an acute-care hospital setting, although StaRN does not provide nurses with education or training necessary for licensure as an RN. Until the Spring of 2023, HCA required that RNs hired through the StaRN program at facilities in several states, including California, sign a TRAP agreement in their new-hire paperwork. The TRAPs purported to require nurses to repay a prorated portion of the StaRN “value” if they did not work for HCA for two years. If a nurse left HCA before the end of the two-year period, then the TRAP loan was typically sent to debt collection.

    HCA imposed TRAPs on nurses who worked at their five hospitals in California: Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose; Regional Medical Center in San Jose; Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks; Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside; and West Hills Hospital & Medical Center in West Hills (no longer under HCA ownership).

    Under California’s settlement, HCA will:

    • Pay approximately $83,000 to provide full restitution to California nurses who made payments on their TRAP debt to HCA.
    • Be prohibited from imposing TRAPs on nurse employees and attempting to collect on the approximately $288,000 in outstanding TRAP debt incurred by California nurses who signed TRAPs with HCA.
    • Pay $1,162,900 in penalties to California. 

    HCA will pay a total of $2,900,000 in penalties under settlements filed in California, Colorado, and Nevada today. 

    Employer-driven debt refers to debt incurred by individuals through employment arrangements. This can include arrangements where an employer provides training, equipment, or supplies to a worker, but requires the worker to reimburse the employer for these expenses if the worker leaves their job before a certain date. Employer-driven debt has grown not only in the healthcare industry but also in the trucking, aviation, and the retail and service industries, among others. However, California workers are protected by state law that restricts the use of employer-driven debt, as Attorney General Bonta highlighted in a legal alert issued in July 2023 and a consumer alert in October 2024. Workers who believe their rights have been violated are encouraged to file a complaint at oag.ca.gov/report. 

    Attorney General Bonta is committed to ensuring California continues its vital work as a pillar of consumer protection enforcement and an outspoken advocate for robust federal protections. The settlement today comes on the heels of the 15th anniversary of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which was enacted in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis to protect consumers from abusive financial services practices. The Dodd-Frank Act also authorizes state attorneys general to enforce its provisions and thereby promote stability, accountability, and transparency in the United States financial system.

    Attorney General Bonta proudly supports Assembly Bill 692 (AB 692, Kalra), co-sponsored by the California Nurses Association, which would prohibit employment contracts that require workers to pay their employers a debt if they leave their job, regardless of whether that worker was fired, laid off, or quit.

    Pending court approval, a copy of the complaint can be found here and the judgment will be available here shortly. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Operation Grayskull Culminates in Lengthy Sentences for Managers of Darkweb Site Dedicated to Sexual Abuse of Children

    Source: US FBI

    Operation Grayskull Eradicated Four Dark Web Child Abuse Sites and Led to the Convictions of 18 Offenders to Date, Who Have Collectively Received More than 300 Years in Prison

    Today, the Justice Department announced the results of Operation Grayskull, a highly successful joint effort between the Department of Justice and the FBI that resulted in the dismantling of four dark web sites dedicated to images and videos containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). To date, the operation has led to the convictions of 18 offenders, including a Minnesota man who was sentenced yesterday to 250 months in prison and lifetime supervised release for his involvement with one of these dark web sites. He was also ordered to pay $23,000 in restitution.

    “Today’s announcement sends a clear warning to those who exploit and abuse children: you will not find safe haven, even on the dark web,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These offenders thought that they could act without consequences, but they were wrong.  Thanks to the relentless determination of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners we have exposed these perpetrators for who they are, eliminated their websites and brought justice to countless victims.”

    “This operation represents one of the most significant strikes ever made against online child exploitation networks,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “We’ve not only dismantled dangerous platforms on the dark web, but we’ve also brought key perpetrators to justice and delivered a powerful message: you cannot hide behind anonymity to harm children.”

    “Yesterday’s sentencing reaffirms our steadfast commitment to protecting our children, the most vulnerable among us, from those who exploit and harm them through the despicable trade in child sexual abuse material,” said U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida. “Thomas Peter Katsampes and his co-conspirators ran some of the darkweb’s most heinous networks, enabling horrific crimes against innocent victims, but Operation Grayskull has shut these sites down and delivered justice. We applaud the FBI and our international partners for their tireless work, and let this be a clear warning: we will relentlessly pursue and prosecute anyone engaged in such atrocities, no matter how they attempt to cover their tracks.”

    Thomas Peter Katsampes, 52, of Eagan, Minnesota, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise and conspiracy to distribute child pornography on Feb. 27. According to court documents, Katsampes joined a dark web site dedicated to CSAM in 2022, advertised and distributed CSAM over the website, including CSAM depicting prepubescent children, and eventually worked his way up to a staff position on the web site, which, among other things, involved moderating the site, enforcing the site’s rules for posting CSAM, and advising the site’s users about how to post CSAM.

    In addition to Katsampes, eight individuals have been convicted and sentenced in the Southern District of Florida for their involvement in running the primary site targeted by Operation Grayskull.

    Defendant Residence Case Status
    Selwyn David Rosenstein Boynton Beach, Florida

    Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography, five counts of advertisement of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.

    Sentenced on Dec. 12, 2022, to 28 years in prison and ordered to pay $80,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
    Matthew Branden Garrell Raleigh, North Carolina

    Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography and conspiracy to distribute child pornography.

    Sentenced on Aug. 1, 2023, to 20 years and 10 months in prison and ordered to pay $158,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
    Robert Preston Boyles Clarksville, Tennessee

    Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography and conspiracy to distribute child pornography.

    Sentenced on Aug. 15, 2023, to 23 years and four months in prison and ordered to pay $7,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
    Gregory Malcolm Good Silver Springs, Nevada

    Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography and conspiracy to distribute child pornography.

    Sentenced on Aug. 22, 2023, to 25 years and 10 months in prison and ordered to pay $93,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
    William Michael Spearman Madison, Alabama

    Pleaded guilty to engaging in a child exploitation enterprise.

    Sentenced on Jan. 23, 2024, to life in prison and ordered to pay $123,400 in restitution to victims of his offense.
    Joseph Addison Martin Tahuya, Washington

    Pleaded guilty to engaging in a child exploitation enterprise.

    Sentenced on April 18, 2024, to 42 years in prison and ordered to pay $174,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
    Joseph Robert Stewart Milton, Washington

    Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography and conspiracy to distribute child pornography.

    Sentenced on April 18, 2024, to 23 years and 9 months in prison and ordered to pay $19,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
    Keith David McIntosh Grand Rapids, Michigan

    Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography and conspiracy to distribute child pornography, both as a person with a prior conviction for possession of child pornography.

    Sentenced on Dec. 19, 2024, to 55 years in prison.

    The website’s leaders advertised and distributed CSAM, promulgated rules for the website, enforced the rules by banning or scolding users who violated them, held staff meetings, recruited members to serve as staff members, recommended users for promotion, edited and deleted user posts, praised individuals for participating in and contributing to the website, kept records of CSAM posts made by individual members, and paid for and maintained the website servers, among other things.

    Operation Grayskull resulted in the dismantling of a total of four sites dedicated to images and videos depicting child sexual abuse. These websites were some of the most egregious on the dark web, and they included sections specifically dedicated to infants and toddlers, as well as depictions of violence, sadism, and torture. The websites also contained detailed advice on how to avoid detection by law enforcement – for example, by using sophisticated technologies.

    In other judicial districts around the country, nine additional individuals have been convicted for their involvement with these websites, including the following:

    • Charles Hand, of Aberdeen, Maryland, was prosecuted in the District of Maryland and was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison;
    • Michael Ibarra, of Wenatchee, Washington, was prosecuted in the Eastern District of Washington and was sentenced to 12 years in prison;
    • Clay Trimble, of Fordyce, Arkansas, was prosecuted in the Eastern District of Arkansas and was sentenced to 18 years in prison;
    • David Craig, of Houston, Texas, was prosecuted in the Southern District of Texas and was sentenced to nine years in prison;
    • Robert Rella of Chesapeake, Virginia, was prosecuted in the Eastern District of Virginia and was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison;
    • Samuel Hicks, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was prosecuted in the Northern District of Indiana and was sentenced to 16 years in prison;
    • Richard Smith of Dallas, Texas, was prosecuted in the Eastern District of Texas and was sentenced to 14 years in prison;
    • Patrick Harrison, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was prosecuted in the Western District of Michigan and was sentenced to five years and ten months in prison.
    • Thomas Gailus, of Webbers Falls, Oklahoma, was prosecuted in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, and his sentencing is pending.

    Two other individuals in the United States died before being charged for their involvement with the websites. The operation also resulted in arrests in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Estonia, Belgium, and South Africa.

    The FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit and Miami Field Office, West Palm Beach Resident Agency investigated the cases.

    Acting Deputy Chief Kyle P. Reynolds and Trial Attorney William G. Clayman of the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Schiller of the Southern District of Florida coordinated the operation and prosecuted the defendants in the Southern District of Florida.

    Substantial assistance for the cases prosected in the Southern District of Florida was provided by FBI Field Offices and Resident Agencies in Huntsville, Alabama; Reno, Nevada; Clarksville, Tennessee; Raleigh, North Carolina; Madison, Wisconsin; Tacoma, Washington; Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Minneapolis, Minnesota; CEOS’s High Technology Investigative Unit; and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern District of Alabama, District of Nevada, Middle District of Tennessee, Eastern District of North Carolina, Western District of Wisconsin, Western District of Washington, Western District of Michigan, and District of Minnesota.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Operation Grayskull Culminates in Lengthy Sentences for Managers of Darkweb Site Dedicated to Sexual Abuse of Children

    Source: US FBI

    Operation Grayskull Eradicated Four Dark Web Child Abuse Sites and Led to the Convictions of 18 Offenders to Date, Who Have Collectively Received More than 300 Years in Prison

    Today, the Justice Department announced the results of Operation Grayskull, a highly successful joint effort between the Department of Justice and the FBI that resulted in the dismantling of four dark web sites dedicated to images and videos containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). To date, the operation has led to the convictions of 18 offenders, including a Minnesota man who was sentenced yesterday to 250 months in prison and lifetime supervised release for his involvement with one of these dark web sites. He was also ordered to pay $23,000 in restitution.

    “Today’s announcement sends a clear warning to those who exploit and abuse children: you will not find safe haven, even on the dark web,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These offenders thought that they could act without consequences, but they were wrong.  Thanks to the relentless determination of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners we have exposed these perpetrators for who they are, eliminated their websites and brought justice to countless victims.”

    “This operation represents one of the most significant strikes ever made against online child exploitation networks,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “We’ve not only dismantled dangerous platforms on the dark web, but we’ve also brought key perpetrators to justice and delivered a powerful message: you cannot hide behind anonymity to harm children.”

    “Yesterday’s sentencing reaffirms our steadfast commitment to protecting our children, the most vulnerable among us, from those who exploit and harm them through the despicable trade in child sexual abuse material,” said U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida. “Thomas Peter Katsampes and his co-conspirators ran some of the darkweb’s most heinous networks, enabling horrific crimes against innocent victims, but Operation Grayskull has shut these sites down and delivered justice. We applaud the FBI and our international partners for their tireless work, and let this be a clear warning: we will relentlessly pursue and prosecute anyone engaged in such atrocities, no matter how they attempt to cover their tracks.”

    Thomas Peter Katsampes, 52, of Eagan, Minnesota, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise and conspiracy to distribute child pornography on Feb. 27. According to court documents, Katsampes joined a dark web site dedicated to CSAM in 2022, advertised and distributed CSAM over the website, including CSAM depicting prepubescent children, and eventually worked his way up to a staff position on the web site, which, among other things, involved moderating the site, enforcing the site’s rules for posting CSAM, and advising the site’s users about how to post CSAM.

    In addition to Katsampes, eight individuals have been convicted and sentenced in the Southern District of Florida for their involvement in running the primary site targeted by Operation Grayskull.

    Defendant Residence Case Status
    Selwyn David Rosenstein Boynton Beach, Florida

    Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography, five counts of advertisement of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.

    Sentenced on Dec. 12, 2022, to 28 years in prison and ordered to pay $80,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
    Matthew Branden Garrell Raleigh, North Carolina

    Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography and conspiracy to distribute child pornography.

    Sentenced on Aug. 1, 2023, to 20 years and 10 months in prison and ordered to pay $158,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
    Robert Preston Boyles Clarksville, Tennessee

    Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography and conspiracy to distribute child pornography.

    Sentenced on Aug. 15, 2023, to 23 years and four months in prison and ordered to pay $7,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
    Gregory Malcolm Good Silver Springs, Nevada

    Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography and conspiracy to distribute child pornography.

    Sentenced on Aug. 22, 2023, to 25 years and 10 months in prison and ordered to pay $93,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
    William Michael Spearman Madison, Alabama

    Pleaded guilty to engaging in a child exploitation enterprise.

    Sentenced on Jan. 23, 2024, to life in prison and ordered to pay $123,400 in restitution to victims of his offense.
    Joseph Addison Martin Tahuya, Washington

    Pleaded guilty to engaging in a child exploitation enterprise.

    Sentenced on April 18, 2024, to 42 years in prison and ordered to pay $174,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
    Joseph Robert Stewart Milton, Washington

    Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography and conspiracy to distribute child pornography.

    Sentenced on April 18, 2024, to 23 years and 9 months in prison and ordered to pay $19,500 in restitution to victims of his offense.
    Keith David McIntosh Grand Rapids, Michigan

    Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to advertise child pornography and conspiracy to distribute child pornography, both as a person with a prior conviction for possession of child pornography.

    Sentenced on Dec. 19, 2024, to 55 years in prison.

    The website’s leaders advertised and distributed CSAM, promulgated rules for the website, enforced the rules by banning or scolding users who violated them, held staff meetings, recruited members to serve as staff members, recommended users for promotion, edited and deleted user posts, praised individuals for participating in and contributing to the website, kept records of CSAM posts made by individual members, and paid for and maintained the website servers, among other things.

    Operation Grayskull resulted in the dismantling of a total of four sites dedicated to images and videos depicting child sexual abuse. These websites were some of the most egregious on the dark web, and they included sections specifically dedicated to infants and toddlers, as well as depictions of violence, sadism, and torture. The websites also contained detailed advice on how to avoid detection by law enforcement – for example, by using sophisticated technologies.

    In other judicial districts around the country, nine additional individuals have been convicted for their involvement with these websites, including the following:

    • Charles Hand, of Aberdeen, Maryland, was prosecuted in the District of Maryland and was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison;
    • Michael Ibarra, of Wenatchee, Washington, was prosecuted in the Eastern District of Washington and was sentenced to 12 years in prison;
    • Clay Trimble, of Fordyce, Arkansas, was prosecuted in the Eastern District of Arkansas and was sentenced to 18 years in prison;
    • David Craig, of Houston, Texas, was prosecuted in the Southern District of Texas and was sentenced to nine years in prison;
    • Robert Rella of Chesapeake, Virginia, was prosecuted in the Eastern District of Virginia and was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison;
    • Samuel Hicks, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was prosecuted in the Northern District of Indiana and was sentenced to 16 years in prison;
    • Richard Smith of Dallas, Texas, was prosecuted in the Eastern District of Texas and was sentenced to 14 years in prison;
    • Patrick Harrison, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was prosecuted in the Western District of Michigan and was sentenced to five years and ten months in prison.
    • Thomas Gailus, of Webbers Falls, Oklahoma, was prosecuted in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, and his sentencing is pending.

    Two other individuals in the United States died before being charged for their involvement with the websites. The operation also resulted in arrests in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Estonia, Belgium, and South Africa.

    The FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit and Miami Field Office, West Palm Beach Resident Agency investigated the cases.

    Acting Deputy Chief Kyle P. Reynolds and Trial Attorney William G. Clayman of the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Schiller of the Southern District of Florida coordinated the operation and prosecuted the defendants in the Southern District of Florida.

    Substantial assistance for the cases prosected in the Southern District of Florida was provided by FBI Field Offices and Resident Agencies in Huntsville, Alabama; Reno, Nevada; Clarksville, Tennessee; Raleigh, North Carolina; Madison, Wisconsin; Tacoma, Washington; Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Minneapolis, Minnesota; CEOS’s High Technology Investigative Unit; and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern District of Alabama, District of Nevada, Middle District of Tennessee, Eastern District of North Carolina, Western District of Wisconsin, Western District of Washington, Western District of Michigan, and District of Minnesota.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy on Jimmy Graham: “He gave my people in Louisiana a lot of joy at a time they really needed it”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    Watch Kennedy’s comments here.

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) delivered the following remarks on the U.S. Senate floor: 

    “I just want to briefly thank Jimmy Graham. Who’s Jimmy Graham? I know, Mr. President, you know who Jimmy Graham is. He was one of the best tight ends who ever played the game. 

    “Now, he was a New Orleans Saint, I think, for six or seven seasons. He played elsewhere. I looked it up. He played for the Seahawks. He played for the Packers. He played for the Bears, but he was a total beast in the best sense of the word, playing for the New Orleans Saints. And he has retired. 

    “After 13 years in the NFL, Jimmy has decided to retire. He was a big boy—he is a big boy—but he started out as a basketball player. He didn’t play football. He played basketball. And he transformed himself. 

    “The numbers that Jimmy put up are just out of this world. They’re other worldly. He is clearly one of the most prolific pass-catching tight ends in the history of the game.

    “As you know, Mr. President, many tight ends just block. That’s their job. Jimmy not only blocked, but he caught passes. And he caught a bunch of them. He is number seven in NFL history in receptions at 719. He ranks number eight in receiving yards at 8,545. He ranks fourth in touchdowns at 89.

    “When he was with the Saints . . . in six seasons, Jimmy Graham caught 392 passes for 4,791 yards and 55 touchdowns. And he was a tight end. His first job was to block. He also caught a few balls. And he gave my people in Louisiana a lot of joy at a time they really needed it.

    “And I just wanted to thank Mr. Graham for the joy that he brought to anybody and everybody who watched him play football, but especially when he played for the New Orleans Saints. I want to wish him well, and I wanted to end on some good news tonight.”

    Watch Kennedy’s speech here.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Prime Minister Modi meets King Charles III at Sandringham Estate

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on His Majesty King Charles III at Sandringham Estate, the summer residence of the British monarch, during his visit to the United Kingdom.

    During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi conveyed his happiness over the recovery of His Majesty’s health and the resumption of his royal duties. The two leaders held discussions on a range of issues including health, sustainable living, and traditional practices such as Ayurveda and Yoga. Both sides expressed interest in promoting these practices for the benefit of people around the world.

    Bilateral relations between India and the United Kingdom also featured in the talks. The leaders noted that the recent signing of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) would bring new momentum to the partnership. The Prime Minister briefed His Majesty on the progress made by India in the field of renewable energy, with a focus on sustainable development.

    Discussions also covered areas of cooperation on climate change and sustainability, and both leaders reiterated their shared commitment to working together towards a greener future. The two also explored ways to strengthen collaboration within the framework of the Commonwealth.

    Prime Minister Modi thanked His Majesty for joining the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign and presented him with a sapling, which will be planted at Sandringham Estate during the upcoming autumn planting season.

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Fabric Real-Time Intelligence can turn raw signals into actionable insights, without writing complex code

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Fabric Real-Time Intelligence can turn raw signals into actionable insights, without writing complex code

    How Contoso uses MQTT sensors, public weather feeds and Fabric Real-Time Intelligence to monitor smart buildings.

    Jointly authored by Alicia Li and Arindam Chatterjee

    Why Real-Time Stream Processing Matters

    In the age of AI, as organizations embrace intelligent systems and data-driven decision-making, the ability to act on data the moment it arrives is unlocking new levels of agility and insight. From anomaly detection and operational optimization to fraud prevention and personalized experiences, real-time insights are powering the next wave of innovation. For forward-looking businesses, real-time stream processing has become a foundational capability.

    In this post, we’ll explore how Contoso, a smart building operator, uses Microsoft Fabric’s Real-Time Intelligence to build a streaming data platform that connects room sensors, weather feeds, and alerting systems.

    Architecture Overview

    Each Contoso-operated building is equipped with room sensors that stream temperature and occupancy data to an MQTT broker. To enrich this data, Contoso also ingests a public weather feed, enabling correlation between indoor and outdoor conditions. These real-time signals drive smarter energy use, improve occupant comfort, and enable timely responses to environmental changes.

    Figure 1: (End to End Data Platform Architecture)

    As demonstrated in Figure 1., these real-time signals flow through Microsoft Fabric’s Real-Time Intelligence stack — from ingestion to transformation, alerting, and visualization. The architecture includes:

    • Eventstream for ingesting MQTT and weather data.
    • No-code and SQL operators for shaping the data.
    • Data Activator for triggering alerts.
    • Eventhouse for storing and analyzing the time-series data.
    • Real-time Dashboards for monitoring up-to date-trends, anomalies etc.

    In the following sections, we will walk through the implementation of each stage of the architecture.

    Can’t wait to learn more? Check out the full walkthrough demo video.

    Step 1: Ingest Data with Eventstream

    Contoso’s real-time journey begins with data — lots of it. Each building streams temperature and occupancy readings from room sensors to an MQTT broker. To make smarter decisions, Contoso enriches these signals with real-time weather data from Azure Maps, enabling them to correlate indoor conditions with the outdoor environment. This combination helps optimize HVAC usage, detect anomalous readings, anticipate comfort issues, and respond proactively — not reactively.

    Microsoft Fabric’s Real-Time Hub makes this easy. With built-in connectors for MQTT and Azure Maps Weather, Contoso can ingest diverse data streams in just a few clicks.

    Open Real-Time hub and click ‘connect data source’.

    Select MQTT connector and connect

    Create a new connection and fill in the topic name.

    Enter Eventstream Edit mode.

    Select ‘Add Source’ and ‘Connect data sources.

    Select Weather Data connector

    Choose the Location (e.g. London)
    • Enable multiple schema inference feature from the Eventstreams Settings page.
    • Navigate to Data preview on Default Stream:
    • Select Multiple Schema drop down.
    • Each schema is automatically inferred from the incoming data. You can switch to different schemas to review the details.

    Step 2: Process & Transform Streaming Data with No-Code and SQL Operators

    Once data starts to flow into a Fabric Eventstream, the next step is to shape it into a usable format. Raw sensor and weather data often needs filtering, renaming, or enrichment before it’s ready for alerts or dashboards. For Contoso, this means extracting just the fields they care about and re-shaping the data to conform to a common data model e.g. temperatures reported in Celsius instead of Fahrenheit etc.

    Fabric makes this easy with built-in transformation tools. You can use no-code operators for quick filtering and shaping, or switch to SQL for more advanced logic — all within the same Eventstream canvas.

    Click + Add Transformation on the Eventstream canvas (Edit)

    Use visual transformations to select fields, rename columns, and change data types.

    Use SQL | Edit Query to author & test queries

    Send results to a Eventhouse table by connecting the SQL operator with an Eventhouse destination and finishing the Eventhouse configuration.

    Using the steps we covered, Contoso can quickly build and test a complex streaming data pipeline as demonstrated in Figure 2. 

    Figure 2 (Eventstream topology to process MQTT & Weather data)

    Step 3: Act on Streaming Data – Alerts & Real-time Dashboards

    Once the sensor and weather data are ingested, processed and transformed, the next step is to act on it. In some cases, that means triggering real-time alerts when conditions exceed thresholds—like a room temperature rising above 100°F or occupancy crossing 50 people. In others, it means visualizing trends across buildings to support operational decisions. Whether it’s automated responses or human-in-the-loop monitoring, the value of streaming data comes from how quickly and clearly it drives action.

    Fabric Real-Time Intelligence supports both modes of action—event-driven automation with Data Activator and real-time observability using Eventhouse Real-Time Dashboards. With Data Activator, Contoso is able to define alert conditions directly on streaming data and trigger notifications or workflows without writing code. With Eventhouse and Real-Time Dashboards, they can build live dashboards that reflect current conditions across their buildings—in real-time.

    Set Alerts or Trigger Actions by adding Data Activator as a destination for the Eventstream

    Define alert conditions and configure actions (e.g., Teams notifications, Emails, Notebooks)

    Send data to Eventhouse and build a Real-Time Dashboard.

    Use visual queries and enable auto-refresh to keep insights live.

    Conclusion

    Contoso’s journey shows how Fabric Real-Time Intelligence can turn raw signals into actionable insights — without writing complex code or stitching together multiple tools. From ingesting MQTT and weather data to triggering alerts and powering live dashboards, Fabric offers a unified, low-friction path to building intelligent, event-driven applications.

    This approach is not limited to smart buildings; the ingest, transform, act design pattern is applicable in various industries:

    • Manufacturing: Monitor equipment health and trigger maintenance alerts.
    • Retail: Track foot traffic and optimize staffing in real time.
    • Logistics: Combine GPS and weather data to reroute deliveries.
    • Finance: Detect fraud patterns as transactions stream in.

    Whether you’re managing a factory floor, a logistics network, or a digital storefront, the formula is the same: Stream it. Shape it. Act on it.

    Now it’s your turn — explore what’s possible when your streaming data becomes your co-pilot.

    Please refer to the following links for detailed configuration guidance:

    We’d Love Your Feedback!

    Feel free to reach out via email at askeventstreams@microsoft.com. You can also submit feedback or feature request on Fabric Ideas, and join the conversation with fellow users in the Fabric Community 

    If you haven’t already, check out the video walkthrough for the full experience in action.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Ruiz Introduce Senate Resolution to Honor Community Health Workers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    July 24, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz, MD, D-Calif., today introduced a resolution to recognize the contributions of community health workers and support their work to improve health outcomes in underserved and high-need communities by establishing the week of August 25 to August 29, 2025, as “National Community Health Worker Awareness Week.”

    “Community health workers put in long, tireless hours to make sure people and families living in rural and underserved communities receive quality health care,” Wyden said. “These unsung heroes deserve all the recognition in the world for the work they do to keep America healthy.” 

    “Community health workers play a crucial role in our health care system, connecting individuals with essential services and support right in their neighborhoods. Their commitment to addressing local health needs is fundamental to building stronger, healthier communities,” Ruiz said. “That is why we introduced a resolution to commemorate National Community Health Worker Awareness Week to be celebrated from August 25-29, 2025.”

    Wyden has consistently advocated in the Senate for legislation that supports and expands opportunities for health workers. In December 2024, Wyden introduced a bill that would create apprenticeship programs to address the labor shortage of critical health care workers. In August 2024, he championed legislation to tackle health care worker shortages, especially in rural and underserved communities. In September 2024, he brought forward legislation that would boost funding to labor and delivery units in rural and underserved communities so that patients everywhere could receive quality maternity care from trained professionals.

    “In PIH’s experience across the U.S. and around the world, community health workers are the backbone of effective health systems. Now more than ever, CHWs are vital in helping people—especially those in rural and historically underserved areas—access the care, support, and services they deserve. PIH is proud to support National Community Health Worker Awareness Week and stands in solidarity with the National Association of Community Health Workers. We applaud the recognition of this critical workforce by the resolution’s cosponsors and sponsors, Representative Raul Ruiz and Senator Ron Wyden. We honor the tireless leadership and service of CHWs in protecting and promoting the health of our communities,” said Katie Bollbach, Executive Director at Partners In Health United States (PIH-US).

    “Community Health Workers (CHWs) across the nation continue to demonstrate unwavering commitment to addressing health disparities and supporting the most vulnerable members of their communities. Their resilience, often in the face of limited resources and uncertain funding—highlights the essential role they play in advancing equity, building trust, and expanding access within our public health system. Honoring their impact is not only timely, but also a bold affirmation of our shared values and collective vision for a healthier, more accessible healthcare system,” said Katherine Martinez, Interim Executive Director at the National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW).

    In addition to Wyden, the resolution is led by Representative Raul Ruiz MD, D-Calif. The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., Chris Coons, D-Conn., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Maggie Hirono, D-Hawai’i, Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., and Alex Padilla, D-Calif., alongside Representatives Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., Jennifer McClellan, D-Va., Don Davis, D-N.C., Mark Takano, D-Calif., Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., and Sarah McBride, D-Del.

    Full text of the resolution is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Senator Hassan Joins Bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Canada to Repair Trade Partnership after President Trump’s Reckless Tariffs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joined a bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Canada to discuss ways to repair and rebuild the relationship between the United States and Canada, which has been damaged by President Trump’s reckless tariffs that increase costs for Granite Staters. Senator Hassan visited Canada as part of a delegation with Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). The delegation met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Minister for Canada-U.S. Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc, Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, and Industry Minister Melanie Joly.

    “Canada is New Hampshire’s most important trading partner, and we must continue to find ways to rebuild our partnership amid the uncertainty caused by President Trump’s reckless tariffs,” said Senator Hassan. “Historically, we have had a close security and trade relationship that benefits workers, businesses, and families on both sides of the border, but that relationship is now at risk because of President Trump’s actions. It was great to meet with Prime Minister Carney and other Canadian officials to discuss these critical issues facing our relationship and the ways in which we can work together to move forward. I will continue working to restore stability and trust to this vital partnership that is so important to New Hampshire’s economy and our shared future.”

    Senator Hassan is standing up for Granite State families and speaking out against President Trump’s reckless and haphazard tariffs. Earlier this year, she joined the New Hampshire Congressional delegation in urging President Trump to halt tariffs on Canada that would dramatically increase costs for Granite State families. The wide-reaching effects of these tariffs were further highlighted in April when Senator Hassan met with business owners from a NH-based building materials retailer, who described the higher costs the business is facing due to President Trump’s tariffs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Wide Acclaim for President Trump’s Visionary AI Action Plan

    Source: US Whitehouse

    Yesterday, the White House unveiled the Trump Administration’s transformative strategy to propel the United States into a new era of artificial intelligence dominance. Under President Donald J. Trump’s leadership, this groundbreaking blueprint establishes core tenets to accelerate innovation, fortify essential infrastructure, and assert U.S. leadership in diplomacy and security — cementing our position as the global AI powerhouse.

    As Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang put it: “America’s unique advantage that no country could possibly have is President Trump.”

    The AI Action Plan was immediately hailed across the technology industry:

    AI Innovation Association President Steve Kinard: “President Trump’s AI Action Plan is a bold path to global American leadership. Every American citizen, company, university and institution has a role to play. By prioritizing American workers, free speech, and security, it positions the U.S. to win the AI race and usher in a new era of prosperity and strength. The AI Innovation Association stands ready to support this initiative.”

    Alliance for the Future: “The White House just advanced a more unified national AI strategy. States with clear, effective AI policies will be better positioned for federal support. A strong step toward alignment, innovation, and leadership.”

    Amazon: “Amazon supports & continues to work at the state and federal level to establish consistent standards that promote the secure, responsible development of AI. We look forward to continued collaboration to fully realize AI’s potential in driving economic growth & tech advancement.”

    American Beverage: “We applaud President Trump’s action plan to ensure America’s continued leadership in the global pursuit of artificial intelligence innovation and infrastructure. Maintaining our edge in this technology is important to the growth of American manufacturing and the good-paying jobs manufacturers provide in communities across the country.”

    Chevron Corporation Chairman and CEO Mike Wirth: “President Trump’s American AI Action Plan is a bold and necessary step to ensure the United States leads the next great technological revolution. As I’ve said before, America has triumphed in every industrial era—from steel to energy—and we have the power and leadership to do it again in artificial intelligence. This plan recognizes that AI innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it demands reliable, scalable energy and infrastructure. By streamlining permitting, investing in data centers, and unleashing American energy, the President is laying the foundation for a future where AI strengthens our economy, our national security, and our global leadership. Chevron stands ready to help power this future.”

    American Edge Project CEO Doug Kelly: “President Trump’s AI Action Plan is a giant leap forward in the race to secure American leadership in artificial intelligence. By prioritizing innovation, infrastructure, talent, and global reach, the plan confronts key barriers to American competitiveness, begins to fill long-standing gaps in our national strategy, and helps position the U.S. to beat China in this high-stakes tech race … Time is of the essence: China has had a national plan for global AI leadership since 2017, and is executing it relentlessly with talent, infrastructure, state-backed investment, and international influence. This is our moonshot moment. Now is the time for the country to rally together behind a shared, national mission to win the AI race. The stakes could not be higher.”

    American Innovators Network: “The American Innovators Network (AIN), a national organization representing American Little Tech companies, commends President Trump and his administration for their bold and decisive action to counter China’s growing influence in the global AI landscape. The new guidelines and recommendations unveiled today mark a pivotal moment in securing America’s dominance in this critical technological race, and we are grateful for President Trump’s leadership in prioritizing policies that empower innovation and strengthen our national competitiveness.”

    American Society of Association Executives President and CEO Michelle Mason: “President Trump’s Artificial Intelligence Action Plan strategically positions the United States as a global leader in the development and deployment of AI technology. ASAE applauds the focus on industry-driven training programs that equip workers with the skills they need to be successful in the workforce of tomorrow. ASAE’s members are eager to support efforts to create these training programs, and we encourage continued collaboration between the federal government and the association community.”

    Americans for Prosperity Chief Government Affairs Officer Brent Gardner: “President Trump’s AI Action Plan will ensure America leads the world in innovation, economic freedom, and technological progress. By removing regulatory roadblocks, empowering innovative small business owners, and embracing open-source development, this plan puts the ingenuity of the American people—not bureaucrats—in the driver’s seat of the AI revolution. This move by the White House rightly course-corrects four years of Biden-era efforts to centrally control AI development and stifle American innovation. We applaud the administration’s commitment to protecting free speech and ensuring private-sector breakthroughs aren’t halted by burdensome regulation. It’s now time for Congress to work alongside the administration to codify these efforts in order to create generational change that will enable AI adoption across industries, remove permitting barriers to build infrastructure, and unleash innovation.” 

    Anthropic: “Today, the White House released ‘Winning the Race: America’s AI Action Plan’—a comprehensive strategy to maintain America’s advantage in AI development. We are encouraged by the plan’s focus on accelerating AI infrastructure and federal adoption, as well as strengthening safety testing and security coordination. Many of the plan’s recommendations reflect Anthropic’s response to the Office of Science and Technology Policy’s (OSTP) prior request for information … The alignment between many of our recommendations and the AI Action Plan demonstrates a shared understanding of AI’s transformative potential and the urgent actions needed to sustain American leadership. We look forward to working with the Administration to implement these initiatives while ensuring appropriate attention to catastrophic risks and maintaining strong export controls. Together, we can ensure that powerful AI systems are developed safely in America, by American companies, reflecting American values and interests.”

    Arm: “We commend the Administration’s actions to unleash investment in AI, semiconductors, and the energy to power it. Arm, together with our partners, is working rapidly to bring AI to all forms of computing. Today’s announcements will accelerate AI data center and cloud infrastructure deployment in particular, while advancing plans to promote exports of the U.S. AI stack and ensuring American technology innovation. We look forward to continuing to work with the Administration as it enacts and builds on today’s actions.” 

    Box CEO Aaron Levie: “America’s AI Action Plan is quite strong. It has a clear a mission to win the AI race and accelerate the development and use of AI by removing roadblocks or aiding adoption. Importantly, it focuses on the positive benefits of AI, which we’re all seeing every day.”

    Business Roundtable: “BRT supports the @WhiteHouse AI Action Plan’s efforts to strengthen infrastructure, advance permitting reform, invest in workforce development and develop clear frameworks that empower US businesses to accelerate AI innovation and adoption.”

    Business Software Alliance CEO Victoria Espinel: “The White House AI Action Plan offers a roadmap for the United States’ AI future anchored on the adoption of technology. The Business Software Alliance welcomes ‘America’s AI Action Plan’ for addressing a range of issues including talent and workforce development, infrastructure and data, and AI governance that serve as pillars for successful AI adoption and US competitiveness. BSA appreciates the Action Plan’s commitment to creating the essential conditions for widespread AI adoption. The Action Plan advances key BSA recommendations for AI talent, including developing an AI skills curriculum, improving access to training resources, and leveraging real-time workforce data. It emphasizes the development of critical infrastructure and reliable energy resources necessary to scale AI deployment. The Action Plan also reinforces the roles of the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI) and NIST in the development of standards and evaluation tools, a foundation for both domestic AI governance and in promoting international collaboration on AI. Additionally, the Action Plan streamlines government procurement processes, enabling public-sector agencies to more effectively access and adopt cutting-edge commercial AI solutions.”

    Center for Data Innovation Senior Policy Manager Hodan Omaar: “The AI Action Plan shows the Trump administration is serious about winning the global AI race. It marks a clear evolution from the President’s 2019 AI initiative and reflects just how dramatically the global AI landscape has shifted over the past six years. The plan rightly recognizes that beating China demands a comprehensive effort—unleashing infrastructure to fuel model development, removing regulatory frictions that slow development and deployment, and promoting the export of American AI technology. These steps put the United States on a path not only to benefit from AI today, but to remain the global leader in the future.”

    Connected Nation Chairman and CEO Tom Ferree: “This marks a transformational moment for American innovation. The release of the National AI Action Plan signals to the world that the United States intends not only to compete—but to lead—in the global race for artificial intelligence. We applaud the Trump Administration’s bold and comprehensive strategy, which rightly prioritizes accelerating innovation, unleashing infrastructure investment, and ensuring our nation’s AI capabilities are second to none. Connected Nation enthusiastically supports the plan’s focus on building out data center capacity, fast-tracking permitting, and expanding our skilled workforce. These are critical steps toward positioning the U.S. as the undisputed hub of next-generation computing.”

    Consumer Choice Center Head of Emerging Technology Policy James Czerniawski: “The AI Action Plan is a bold vision for the future of ensuring AI leadership by the Trump administration. The Golden Age of America is made possible when we position our innovators to be as successful as possible, ensuring American consumers can benefit from the AI revolution happening on our shores. The economy of tomorrow starts with the building blocks laid out in this action plan. The provision which reviews rulemaking of the Federal Trade Commission is especially encouraging, quashing legal theories that would complicate or slow American consumers gaining access to AI technologies. This is a world of difference from the hostile regulatory approach of the Biden Administration, and a welcome breath of fresh air for consumers who want cutting-edge tech.”

    Consumer Technology Association CEO Gary Shapiro: “Congratulations to @POTUS and the @WhiteHouse team on an AI Action Plan recognizing the U.S. must win the global AI race. The plan cuts red tape for innovators, boosts AI adoption across sectors, supports a future-focused AI workforce, and advances the American AI tech stack as the foundation for global tech growth.”

    Data Center Coalition President Josh Levi: “The Data Center Coalition thanks President Trump for releasing Winning the AI Race: America’s AI Action Plan—a bold framework to ensure the United States remains the undisputed global leader in artificial intelligence. The administration’s plan recognizes that developing a robust domestic data center industry is vital to promoting U.S. national security, global economic competitiveness, and continued American AI dominance … Today’s announcement is a major step forward, and we look forward to continuing to work with the administration and lawmakers to ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of global innovation and digital resilience.”

    Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell: “Proud to see the White House AI Action Plan accelerating innovation, building home‑grown AI infrastructure, and strengthening America’s security. 🇺🇸 Dell Technologies is all‑in—ready to power U.S. ingenuity, create jobs, and keep us leading the future. 🚀”

    GE Vernova Chief Corporate Officer, Chief Sustainability Officer, and Head of Government Affairs Roger Martella: “It was energizing to see the White House release its action plan today on how the U.S. can make significant strides with leading on #ArtificialIntelligence and #datacenters for the nation and its partners, advancing strategic efforts on a most critical part of the #innovation economy.”

    Gecko Robotics: “Gecko Robotics welcomes the AI action plan published by the White House today. The United States must win the global AI race and will only do so by using artificial intelligence to supercharge energy production itself. At the same time, it is critical that we collect and use high-fidelity data to feed AI models, and we remain at the forefront of leading this charge.”

    General Catalyst Institute President Teresa Carlson: “Today, the Trump Administration unveiled their widely-anticipated AI Action Plan. Upon review, I am encouraged by their pro-growth approach that prioritizes American innovation, national security, and federal leadership over bureaucratic barriers. This policy was not crafted in a vacuum. It was part of an inclusive process, where earlier this year the General Catalyst Institute submitted views on behalf of startups as to how best deepen America’s AI leadership through transformative technologies.”

    Heritage Foundation Center for Technology and the Human Person Acting Director Wesley Hodges: “The AI Action Plan is a call for a new industrial renaissance, an ambitious strategy that the Administration should be commended for leading. It charts the course for building significant domestic compute infrastructure—from expanding energy capacity, to constructing data centers and increasing domestic advanced semiconductor manufacturing. At the same time, the plan also emphasizes that American AI technology must be developed free of ideological bias, and ensure working families are benefited and not left behind. We look forward to supporting the administration’s work to align this technology with human flourishing.”

    IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna: “IBM applauds the White House for its bold and timely AI Action Plan, which prioritizes open innovation, strengthens U.S. technological leadership, and proposes a supportive regulatory environment for AI development and deployment. The plan is a critical step towards harnessing AI for sustained economic growth and national competitiveness.”

    Information Technology Industry Council President and CEO Jason Oxman: “President Trump’s AI Action Plan presents a blueprint to usher in a new era of U.S. AI dominance. The administration’s vision takes essential steps to ensure the U.S. can win the global AI race by prioritizing U.S. energy production and infrastructure development to power AI’s growth, promoting U.S. AI leadership internationally by supporting the export of the full stack of American AI technologies to partners and allies, and accelerating adoption of AI across the public and private sectors. Importantly, the President’s Plan includes key directives for agencies and communicates clear U.S. policy objectives that will encourage widespread adoption and fuel U.S. technological and economic competitiveness. As agencies begin implementing the President’s plan, we encourage policymakers to invest in modernizing government technology and to leverage industry’s deep expertise to maintain America’s AI leadership.”

    Internet Works Executive Director Peter Chandler: “As the AI race accelerates globally, it’s encouraging to see policymakers recognize the need for bold investment in innovation, adoption, and infrastructure.  Middle Tech companies, many of whom are deployers and integrators of AI tools, are essential to ensuring that AI benefits reach small businesses, everyday users, and communities across the country. We welcome the Trump Administration’s emphasis on modernizing our digital and energy infrastructure and expanding support for open, responsible AI development and adoption.  To win the AI race, we need policy frameworks that are risk-based and right-sized—supporting trust, safety, and competition across the full tech ecosystem. Internet Works stands ready to partner with leaders at every level to shape an AI future that’s secure, innovative, and built for everyone.”

    Lightspeed Venture Partners Founder Ravi Mhatre: “In AI, you either own the frontier or get commoditized. The AI Action Plan helps ensure that America continues to build by streamlining regulation, identifying opportunities for AI to scale, and getting more energy online. It will help ensure America owns the future of AI while others still try to catch up to what we built yesterday.”

    Lumen Technologies: “Lumen Technologies supports the Administration’s AI Action Plan and its call for a unified framework to accelerate AI innovation and next-generation fiber infrastructure deployment across the U.S. As a leading networking services company building the digital backbone for AI, Lumen is investing heavily to meet the demands of AI-driven enterprises and public-sector modernization and understands the criticality of secure, high-performance networks. We applaud the efforts included in the plan by the FCC, OMB and OSTP that aim to reduce regulatory barriers to innovation, modernize permitting, and streamline the NEPA review process for critical fiber and data center infrastructure. Winning the AI future requires clear, consistent policies that accelerate nationwide deployment of network infrastructure and public-private partnerships that turn this plan into reality. Lumen stands ready to work with federal and state agencies to ensure America leads the AI revolution.”

    Meta Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan: “The AI race is about the future of US economic power & national security. President Trump’s strong leadership on AI will help us keep our foot on the gas. We’re in the middle of a fierce competition with China for AI leadership. The White House’s AI Action Plan is a bold step to create the right regulatory environment for companies like ours to invest in America. @Meta is proud to be investing hundreds of billions of dollars in job-creating infrastructure across the US, including state-of-the-art data centers, creating American jobs in the process.”

    Micron Technology President and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra: “We support the White House’s AI Action Plan, which underscores the strategic importance of U.S. semiconductor manufacturing as critical infrastructure for the global AI economy. Memory is foundational to AI — powering technologies across data centers, automotive, telecommunications, defense, and consumer electronics. As the only U.S.-based memory manufacturer and a technology leader, Micron is investing $200 billion in manufacturing and R&D to create 90,000 American jobs and help ensure U.S. leadership in the AI era through a resilient and secure supply chain.”

    National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons: “Reflecting President Trump’s vision for the United States to lead on artificial intelligence, the White House’s AI Action Plan underscores what manufacturers across the country already know: AI is no longer a future ambition—it is already central to modern manufacturing. For years, manufacturers have been developing and deploying AI-driven technologies—machine vision, digital twins, robotics and more—to make shop floors safer, strengthen supply chains and drive growth.”

    National Association of Realtors EVP and Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn: “We applaud the administration’s release of Winning the AI Race: America’s AI Action Plan, which reinforces the U.S. as a global leader in this transformative technology. It’s especially encouraging to see real estate infrastructure recognized as a cornerstone of America’s future. Housing is essential to economic strength and innovation, and we urge policymakers to apply the plan’s smart permitting strategies to help tackle today’s housing supply crisis.”

    National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors: “The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) applauds President Trump’s newly released AI Action Plan, which outlines a comprehensive and forward-looking approach to federal artificial intelligence (AI) policy. We are particularly encouraged to see several of NAW’s recommendations—submitted during the Administration’s Request for Information process in March—reflected in the plan … NAW looks forward to continuing to work with the Administration to ensure the outcomes from the Action Plan support further AI deployment and adoption across the wholesale distribution industry.”

    National Mining Association President and CEO Rich Nolan: “The administration’s recognition of the importance of existing power plants and prioritization of safeguarding them is clear acknowledgement that the coal fleet is essential to U.S. AI leadership. For the U.S. to guide and shape the AI revolution – and seize this tremendous opportunity – we need a grid and energy resources capable of shouldering the enormous new electricity demand now on our doorstep. Prioritizing the ongoing operation of essential coal plants – with the capacity to meet increased demand – combined with reforming our power markets around the goal of grid stability articulated in this action plan puts us firmly on the path for success.”

    NetChoice Director of Policy Patrick Hedger: “NetChoice applauds the White House’s AI Action Plan overall and is encouraged to see the focus on red tape reduction and investment in America’s future. From unleashing energy to embracing regulatory humility and ensuring our AI systems are adopted around the world, we look forward to working with the President to usher in the Golden Age of American innovation. The difference between the Trump administration and Biden’s is effectively night and day. The Biden administration did everything it could to command and control the fledgling but critical sector. That is a failed model, evident in the lack of a serious tech sector of any kind in the European Union and its tendency to rush to regulate anything that moves. The Trump AI Action Plan, by contrast, is focused on asking where the government can help the private sector, but otherwise, get out of the way.”

    Oil and Gas Workers Association: “President Trump’s EO for rapid buildout of data centers means more demand for reliable, affordable natural gas. Demand = Drilling … Drilling = Jobs … Thank you, @POTUS!”

    Palantir: “AI is the birthright of the country that harnessed the atom and put a man on the moon. With today’s AI Action Plan, the Trump Administration has written the source code for the next American century. Palantir is proud to support it.”

    QTS Co-CEO Tag Greason: “The Trump Administration’s AI Action Plan will advance efforts to ensure the United States maintains leadership in AI, including both technology development and critical digital infrastructure. As the digital infrastructure leader, QTS is focused on responsibly and sustainably building the future of our country and economy. We continue to listen and engage with the communities we call home with a steadfast commitment to providing job opportunities, fostering economic growth, working with local suppliers, and operating as trusted neighbors. This historic action and investment will directly benefit communities where we are developing data centers for AI.”

    Salesforce Inc. President and Chief Legal Officer Sabastian Niles: “We welcome the Administration’s strong emphasis on AI adoption, workforce readiness, and government modernization in today’s AI Action Plan. Trusted AI will be a cornerstone of national competitiveness, security, and continued American innovation.  Salesforce is committed to helping the public and private sectors harness its full potential.”

    Siemens USA President and CEO Barbara Humpton: “Excited to join business leaders today for the launch of The White House’s #AIActionPlan boosting American leadership in #AI and innovation to greater heights. Every day, Siemens USA is using #IndustrialAI to revitalize U.S. #manufacturing, build critical #infrastructure, and expand what’s humanly possible for American workers. We’re creating a new industrial tech sector that combines the real and digital worlds, thanks to Industrial AI, digital twins, software-defined automation, and more. Of course, no company can truly lead in AI without a solid foundation of trust. That’s why I was so pleased to see a framework for accelerating innovation while maintaining security included in the AI Action Plan. By focusing on secure infrastructure, industrial R&D, digital transformation, and workforce development, we can help manufacturers of all sizes join the next AI-driven industrial revolution. It’s an exciting time for Industrial AI, and I can’t wait to see where Siemens, our customers, and our partners will go next with this industry-changing technology.”

    Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council President and CEO Karen Kerrigan: “America’s AI future is a powerful and positive one that expands opportunities and unlocks new possibilities and industries. U.S. entrepreneurs are the driving force behind AI innovation, and small business owners are already benefitting from transformative AI tools. The possibilities and opportunities are boundless, but the U.S. must continue to lead and win the AI race. ‘America’s AI Action Plan’ lays out a strategy to make that happen. The plan embraces America’s innovative potential and addresses the incentives and hurdles to fully harness innovation, including the human and physical infrastructure required to cement U.S. leadership. SBE Council congratulates President Trump and the White House team for developing an extraordinary AI Action Plan, and we look forward to working with the Administration and Congress on its implementation.”

    Society for Human Resource Management: “The President’s plan is not just about technology—but about people. The emphasis is on a worker-first approach that addresses American competitiveness in an AI-driven workforce. The plan reflects a fundamental truth that SHRM has long championed: technology alone does not move the workplace forward—people do.”

    Software & Information Industry Association SVP for Global Public Policy Paul Lekas: “The AI Action Plan represents a meaningful strategy to support innovation and security, strengthen U.S. competitiveness, and ensure the benefits of AI are broadly shared. This plan provides the roadmap to cement the United States as the global leader in AI by supporting innovation and security, strengthening U.S. competitiveness, and ensuring the benefits of AI are broadly shared. We’re especially encouraged by the plan’s focus on workforce development and AI literacy as core elements of AI infrastructure. These are key components for building trust and ensuring all communities can participate in and benefit from AI’s potential.”

    Special Competitive Studies Project President Ylli Bajraktari: “Building on the foundational work of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI), SCSP has consistently advocated for a comprehensive national strategy to secure America’s technological future. This AI Action Plan provides a critical component for winning the techno-economic competition of the 21st century. It correctly identifies that our national security and economic prosperity, as well as America’s global leadership position, are now intertwined with leadership in AI. We are committed to helping transform this strategic vision into enduring national policy.”

    TechNet CEO Linda Moore: “TechNet strongly supports the administration’s AI Action Plan and is especially grateful for their willingness to work with industry to establish best practices. This policy framework takes critical steps towards developing a strong domestic workforce, building critical AI infrastructure, launching public-private partnerships, removing regulatory barriers to innovation, strengthening the domestic AI stack, and enhancing U.S. global AI diplomacy. The AI Action Plan makes clear that countering Chinese influence and securing America’s leadership in the AI race are top priorities for the United States. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the administration on policies that advance AI innovation while safeguarding the public interest and ensuring America’s global AI dominance.”

    The James Madison Institute Director of National Strategy Edward Longe: “Trump’s AI action plan isn’t just federal policy—it’s a blueprint state lawmakers should follow immediately to root out the regulatory creep that’s strangling AI, even in red states.”

    U.S. Chamber of Commerce EVP and Chief Policy Officer Neil Bradley: “We applaud President Trump and his administration for issuing the AI Action Plan to strengthen U.S. global leadership in artificial intelligence. This forward-looking plan takes steps to accelerate innovation by fixing a regulatory landscape hobbled by conflicting state-level laws and activist-driven overreach, streamlining permitting for critical AI infrastructure, ensuring reliable and affordable energy for consumers and businesses, and advancing U.S. leadership in AI diplomacy. These proposed actions will position the United States to tackle our most pressing challenges and lead the global AI race by setting the gold standard for the development and deployment of responsible, transformative technologies. America is counting on this crucial technology to propel economic growth for all sectors, from small business to energy and health care, and the AI Action Plan presents a roadmap to unlock AI’s full potential. We will work with the administration to help implement this plan and foster a competitive, open, and innovation-driven AI ecosystem.”

    USTelecom President and CEO Jonathan Spalter: “The Trump Administration’s AI action plan is a turbo boost for American innovation. From clearing regulatory roadblocks to reforming outdated permitting to doubling down on security, this is the kind of bold leadership we need to win the AI race. But even the best-engineered AI needs a track built for speed—and that’s where fiber comes in. Fiber broadband is the fast lane for America’s AI future: powerful, secure, scalable, and built to go the distance, whether you’re in a big city or a heartland town. Broadband providers are tuned up, fully fueled, and ready to work with the Administration to help America stay a lap ahead in the competition for AI leadership.”

    Workday VP of Corporate Affairs Chandler Morse: “Workday has long advocated for federal action that drives critical AI innovation and builds trust. The Administration’s AI Action Plan, announced today, seeks to avoid excessive regulatory hurdles, elevate human potential through targeted and timely reskilling, and accelerate AI adoption at the federal level. This sends a strong message to federal agencies, the U.S. economy, and global stakeholders on the benefits of driving AI competitiveness.”

    xAI: “Today’s announcement by the White House is a positive step toward removing regulatory barriers and enabling even faster innovation for the benefit of Americans and for humanity as a whole. We are pleased to see the White House prioritize AI innovation.”

    Zoom Chief Global Affairs Officer Josh Kallmer: “Just got back from an inspiring day where I had the opportunity to be part of the conversation around the President’s #AI Action Plan. It was energizing to see so many leaders across industries coming together to talk about the future of AI in the U.S.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pressley, Jackson, Advocates Defend DEI, Affirm Commitment to an Equitable, Inclusive America

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

    Six Months into Trump Admin, Pressley Reintroduces Bill to Codify Equity, Improve Government Services for Underserved Communities

    Bill Text | Press Conference Video

    WASHINGTON – As the nation marks six months of the Trump Administration, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Congressman Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Chair of the Congressional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Caucus, and their colleagues are affirming their unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives amid Donald Trump’s attacks and continuing to advance an affirmative, equitable vision for communities of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.

    Congresswoman Pressley was joined by Maya Wiley, President and CEO, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Marc Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League, Juan Proaño, CEO, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and Rob Weissman, Co-President, Public Citizen, at a Capitol Hill press conference yesterday to discuss their broader fight to defend diversity amidst the Trump Administration’s harmful and unprecedented onslaught on DEI. The full video from their press conference is available here.

    “Donald Trump’s first six months in office have been a precise, intentional assault on people of color, as well as our LGBTQIA+ siblings, folks with disabilities, and other marginalized people. Despite this, we’re more resolved than ever in our commitment to a more just, equitable, and diverse America,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “I’m proud to join my colleagues and movement partners in making plain that we will not be silenced and we will not stand by as Donald Trump and extremist Republicans resegregate America and continue rolling back our hard-earned civil rights. We must work to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion is the law of the land. That is why the Equity in Government Act is deeply necessary and will aide our efforts by helping to ensure the federal government works for all people.”

    “Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just policies—they are essential commitments to fairness and opportunity for all,” said Congressman Jackson, Co-Chair of the Congressional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Caucus. “The escalating rollback of DEI protections is a direct attack on the rights and futures of Black, brown, Veterans, and disabled Americans. We will not accept the reckless undoing of progress won through generations of struggle. I stand with my colleagues and communities across this country to defend DEI, because every person in America deserves the dignity to thrive. This fight is about justice, about truth, and about building a nation where no one is left behind.”

    “In a time when others seek to divide and exclude, this bill is a beacon of hope for Latino communities who have long been left behind. Ensuring equity in government isn’t just a box to check — it’s a lifeline for the more than 60 million Latinos in our country,” said Juan Proaño, CEO of LULAC. “By making diversity, equity, and inclusion the law of the land, this policy will uplift our families and ensure our voices are heard in every federal agency. LULAC is proud to stand with Congresswoman Pressley, Congressman Jackson, and their colleagues on this bold, affirmative vision for America, because an inclusive America is a stronger America for us all.”

    “The Leadership Conference supports the Equity in Government Act because federal agencies are required by civil rights laws and principles to make sure they are serving all communities fairly,” said Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. “Regardless of your race, ZIP code, or bank account, we need the government to make sure we are getting the health care, education, and other services we all need. We are witnessing cuts that harm a Latino child who attends Head Start or a student with disabilities who relies on educational supports in schools, in addition to the elimination of grants that address health disparities of people of color — all because they are part of advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. This bill ensures agencies have to collect data, listen to communities, and have dedicated teams focused on serving everyone equitably. Democracy is more than just a promise — it’s an obligation to enact and enforce civil rights. We will not go back to a time when this country didn’t care about all of us. We continue to fight for a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible future for all our people.”

    “The National Urban League’s 2025 State of Black America report, ‘A State of Emergency: Civil Rights, Democracy, and Progress Under Attack’ lays bare a deliberate, coordinated campaign to reverse decades of progress,” National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial said. “In the last six months, federal departments protecting civil rights have been defunded, voting protections rolled back, and diversity programs criminalized. Far-right actors have weaponized the term ‘woke’ to attack equity, inclusion, and even historical truth. The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice has been twisted into a tool of political retaliation. The National Urban League is proud to stand with Congresswoman Pressley and all our allies to meet this moment of crisis.”

    “Every American should be appalled by the racist, sexist and ableist policies of this administration, which aim to exacerbate social and economic inequality. Every American should also understand that these policies are not only unjust, they make America weaker. Rollbacks in consumer protection, environmental protection, civil liberties and more – carried out under the cloak of “anti-DEI” policies – leave every American more vulnerable to abuses and the country itself far weaker. That’s why America needs Rep. Ayanna Pressley’s leadership and passage of the Equity in Governance Act.” – Rob Weissman, Public Citizen Co-President

    “Inclusive America is a non-profit and bipartisan organization that works to ensure the government is as diverse as the American people. With this reasoning, our team worked with Rep. Pressley to push the Equity in Government Act which is a critical step towards a broader reform of civil rights and equal opportunity.” — Inclusive America Advocacy Team

    As part of her fight to defend diversity, Congresswoman Pressley is introducing the Equity in Government Act, legislation to advance equity and support for underserved communities through the federal government. The bill would codify key ideas from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Executive Orders 13985 and 14091 —which Donald Trump revoked on his first day in office —to ensure that federal agencies continue their work to promote equal opportunity for all, including people of color, women, rural communities, individuals with disabilities, and others that have been systemically excluded from participating fully in economic, social, and civic life.

    Full text of the Equity in Government Act is available here.

    On his first day in office, President Biden signed Executive Order (EO) 13985, launching a historic, whole-of-government effort to advance equity by requiring federal agencies to identify and address barriers to serving underserved communities. In 2023, he followed with EO 14091, which expanded this work by establishing agency equity teams, a White House steering committee, and annual equity action plans to embed equity in federal planning.

    This progress was long overdue. In 2021, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) found that most federal agencies lacked the demographic data necessary to identify barriers to equity in their programs and services – let alone develop serious plans to eliminate them. Yet, on his very first day in office, Trump dismantled these equity-focused efforts, underscoring the need for statutory protections.

    The Equity in Government Act codifies several key ideas from the Biden EOs and ensures that agencies continue this work for years to come – regardless of who occupies the White House. Specifically, it would:

    • Require agencies include at least one goal relating to improving the equitable provision of services when they submit Agency Strategic Plans and Agency Performance Plans;
    • Require agencies to consult with community organizations and other stakeholders as they develop and revise their strategic plans and work towards their performance goals;
    • Permanently authorize the Federal Chief Data Officer Council, which works to improve the quality, use, and management of data for evidence-based government operations, and ensuring that the Council’s work facilitates fair and equitable outcomes;
    • Establish an Equity Subcommittee of the existing Performance Improvement Council, which would serve as an interagency working group to facilitate the development and sharing of guidance, data, and best practices for providing government services fairly, and would be required to solicit input directly from those receiving such services; and
    • Establish statutory requirements for an Agency Equity Advisory Team within each federal agency, led by the agency’s Performance Improvement Officer and with representation from key internal agency offices.

    Co-sponsors of the Equity in Government Act include Representatives Alma Adams, Joyce Beatty, Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., Shontel M. Brown, André Carson, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Yvette D. Clarke, James Clyburn, Danny K. Davis, Cleo Fields, Valerie Foushee, Maxwell Frost, Robert Garcia, Sylvia R. Garcia, Steven Horsford, Jonathan  L. Jackson, Pramila Jayapal, Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr., Robin L. Kelly, Timothy M. Kennedy, Summer L. Lee, Stephen Lynch, LaMonica McIver, Kweisi Mfume, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Delia Ramirez, Jamie Raskin, Lateefah Simon, Darren Soto, Melanie Stansbury, Shri Thanedar, Rashida Tlaib, Nydia Velazquez, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Nikema Williams.

    The bill is endorsed by the following organizations: AAPI Victory Alliance, ACLU, African American Policy Forum, American Oversight, Common Cause, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Inclusive America, Interfaith Alliance, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), National Action Network, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, National Urban League, National Black Justice Collective, Popular Democracy, Public Citizen, and SEIU.

    In April 2022, Rep. Pressley joined Administration officials at a White House event to announce the executive orders, which followed calls from Congresswoman Pressley and then-House Oversight Committee Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney for robust data collection, assessment tools, and stakeholder engagement to ensure the success of the initiative. Video of the event is available here.

    Rep. Pressley has consistently advocated for race-conscious policies to help close the racial wealth gap in America, uplift Black, brown, and other marginalized communities, and transform the criminal legal system to center the dignity, humanity, and equality of everyone who calls America home —especially during the second Trump Administration.

    On January 22, 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement slamming the Trump Administration’s harmful executive actions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), including the placement of DEI employees on leave ahead of their eventual layoffs.

    In February, during Black History Month, Rep. Pressley and Senator Cory Booker reintroduced H.R. 40, legislation to establish a federal commission to examine the lasting legacy of slavery and develop reparations proposals for African American descendants of enslaved people.

    In May, she and Senator Paul Tonko led 69 of their colleagues on a letter to the Inspector General of the Smithsonian Institution demanding an investigation of the impact of Donald Trump’s harmful Executive Order attacking Smithsonian museums – namely, the American Art Museum, the American Women’s History Museum, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture – attempting to erase histories of marginalized communities.

    Earlier this year, Rep. Pressley delivered a floor speech slamming Trump’s attack on Smithsonian museums and affirming that Black history is American history.

    Congresswoman Pressley and Senator Booker are the lead co-sponsors of the American Opportunity Accounts Act—also known as Baby Bonds—legislation that would create a federally-funded savings account for every American child in order to make economic opportunity a birthright for every child and help close the racial wealth gap.

    Congresswoman Pressley is the lead sponsor of the People’s Justice Guarantee (PJG) – her comprehensive, decarceration-focused resolution that outlines a framework for a fair, equitable and just legal system. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Baird Applauds Secretary Rollins and USDA for Reorganization Efforts and Moving Operations to Indiana

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

    Congressman Baird Applauds Secretary Rollins and USDA for Reorganization Efforts and Moving Operations to Indiana

    Washington, July 24, 2025

    Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) applauded U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s announcement on reorganizing the department to better align with its mission of supporting American agriculture by moving a portion of USDA’s operations to Indianapolis, IN.

    “For far too long, our federal agencies in Washington, D.C., have made decisions affecting millions of Americans with no connection to the people they serve,” said Congressman Baird. “The bloated bureaucracy in the swamp has grown, while the services our federal agencies provide have not improved, all at taxpayers’ expense. I am proud that the USDA has chosen to make better use of taxpayer funds through this reorganization and relocate a portion of the agency to the great State of Indiana. Our state truly is the crossroads of America, and with our thriving and diverse agricultural industries, Secretary Rollins made an excellent decision in choosing to relocate USDA closer to our farmers. Indiana boasts of its diverse agricultural products and exports and is one of the top agricultural states in our country. With our excellent land-grant universities and their extensions, Indiana is also a leader in research and development, making our state uniquely poised to provide our farmers with access to cutting-edge innovations and technologies. I thank Secretary Rollins for her outstanding leadership at USDA and for her continued commitment to prioritizing our great American farmers and producers.”

    “We are thrilled to see the responsiveness of Secretary Rollins and the administration to support farmers and ranchers by moving government closer to farmers and ranchers. A big win for Indiana and Midwest farmers in particular,” said Scott Beck, President of Beck’s Hybrids.
     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Maric Announces Changes to the University’s Senior Leadership Team

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Dear Colleagues,

    I’m writing to let you know about two changes on our senior leadership team.

    First, Jeffrey Geoghegan, who has served as Executive Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer for both UConn and UConn Health since 2022, will be returning to UConn Health full-time as its CFO.

    Under the leadership of Dr. Agwunobi, UConn Health continues to move forward with its important plans for strategic clinical growth in the years ahead. Due to the enormity and complexity of this process, on top of the normal work of managing UConn Health’s budget year-to-year, we agreed that Jeff’s exclusive focus must be on UConn Health during this critical time, rather than on overseeing the finances of the entire institution.

    Prior to his current appointment, Jeff previously served as CFO of UConn Health beginning in 2013.

    I want to thank Jeff for his excellent and exceptionally hard work over the last three years as he has helped guide our University through multiple budget cycles and in planning for our fiscal future.

    Related, I have appointed Reka Wrynn as Interim Vice President for Finance for UConn. In this expanded role, Reka will continue to lead the development and management of the operating and capital budgets for Storrs and the regional campuses, as well as oversee mandatory institutional data reporting and analysis. In addition, her portfolio will now include oversight of the Financial Operations and Controller’s Division and the Procurement Office.

    Reka has been at UConn since 1999 and has served as Associate Vice President for Budget, Planning and Institutional Research since 2022. I want to thank Reka for her continued service to UConn and her willingness to step into this interim role.

    We will soon be launching a search for Executive Vice President for Operations and CFO for the Storrs and regional campuses. The membership of the search committee is below.

    Nathan Fuerst (Search Chair), Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment, UConn
    Jeff Geoghegan, CFO, UConn Health
    Amy Yancey, President and CEO, UConn Foundation
    David Benedict, Director of Athletics, UConn
    Phil Hunt, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the President
    Eric Kruger, Vice President for Facility Services and University Planning, UConn
    Daniel Schwartz, Vice Provost for Academic Operations, UConn
    Janel Simpson, Chief Administrative Officer, UConn Health
    Reka Wrynn, Interim Vice President for Finance, UConn
    Margaret Feeney, Executive Director of Strategic Planning & Initiatives, UConn
    Lindsay DiStefano, Associate Vice President for Research Development, UConn/UConn Health
    Robert Day, Chair, Senate Executive Committee, University Senate, UConn
    Rachel Rubin, Executive Secretary to the Board of Trustees, UConn

    We will be assisted in the search by the firm Russell Reynolds Associates.

    Sincerely,
    Radenka Maric
    UConn President

    MIL OSI USA News –