NewzIntel.com

Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI USA: USGS maps moon for water, supporting NASA mission

    Source: US Geological Survey

    “The USGS and NASA have partnered for over 50 years to leverage space technologies to map the Earth’s resources, and to bring Earth science to bear on space exploration,” said Sarah Ryker, acting USGS director.“As the nation plans to return astronauts to the Moon, the Artemis missions will require resources prohibitive to bring from Earth. Our USGS expertise in assessing resources will help locate ice, which can be purified for drinking, or electrolyzed to make hydrogen and oxygen, key ingredients in rocket fuel.” 

    Since its establishment in 1879, the U.S. Geological Survey has been mapping mineral resources in the U.S. and on Earth, with satellite-based scanning beginning in 1972. Off-planet prospectivity is the latest step in the USGS and NASA’s partnership applying Earth science tools to space. 

    NASA’s planned VIPER, or Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, mission will explore volatile-bearing deposits within the loose surface materials near the Moon’s South Pole, specifically around the Mons Mouton landing site. By locating and characterizing these resources, particularly water ice, the mission could reduce the need to transport such materials from Earth, supporting long-term lunar exploration and future space missions.

    “Contributing to the VIPER Science Team helps the USGS test our methods in new settings, with new types of data. This mission represents a bold leap forward in lunar science, and also advances what we do on Earth,” said Joshua Coyan, lead author of the study and a research geologist with the USGS Mineral Resources Program.

    Mapping lunar resources paves the way for uncovering critical supplies on other planetary bodies. On Earth, the USGS maps energy and water resources; on the Moon and other planets, as on Earth, water is a potential energy resource.

    To support the VIPER mission, the USGS Mineral Resources Program partnered with NASA, the University of Hawai’i, and the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute to develop a new astrogeological prospectivity map with the goal of identifying locations with a high likelihood of containing water-ice deposits around the Lunar South Pole.

    “This is the first time Earth-based geostatistical techniques have been adapted to map potential resources on another celestial body,” said Coyan. “By applying proven terrestrial methods in a new planetary context, we’re showing that the tools used to assess mineral potential on Earth can also help identify strategic exploration targets on the Moon and potentially beyond.”

    Studying these potential water ice deposits may also help to shed light onto the origin and distribution of these lunar volatiles, offering a deeper understanding of the Moon’s geologic and thermal evolution.

    The team found that there are several highly prospective areas near the VIPER landing site. Notable locations include the bases of the Jaci, Masina, and Dawa craters, in addition to several smaller clusters of depressions in the surrounding areas.

    3D Map showing prospectivity of water ice volatiles in the Mons Mouton region (Map by Coyan et al., 2025, USGS Mineral Resources Program).

    The prospectivity map was generated using methodologies for uncovering drilling and mining locations. Remote sensing and geophysical data on the lunar poles are relatively scarce, so the team used a “fuzzy logic” artificial intelligence technique to locate areas with high potential for ice based on factors like shade and slope.

    These techniques were designed to improve as new data is collected during the mission, allowing for near-real time refinement of the locations considered prospective for water ice.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Springfield Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Distribution of Methamphetamine

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

    SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Springfield, Illinois, man Jessie Bates, 38, was sentenced on July 17, 2025, to 17 years in prison, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine.

    At the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence that Bates sold over 50 grams of methamphetamine to an individual and undercover agent. When law enforcement attempted to arrest Bates, he fled at a high rate of speed proceeding the wrong way down a busy on-way road. He then fled to the state of Georgia where he was ultimately arrested. The government also presented evidence that Bates committed the offense while out on bond for a Sangamon County case involving aggravated discharge of a firearm.

    Also at the hearing, U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless found that the Bates was a career offender and eligible for an obstruction of justice enhancement for recklessly creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to another person in the course of fleeing from law enforcement.

    Bates pleaded guilty in March 2025. He remains in the custody of the United States Marshals Service, where he has been since his arrest in January 2024.

    The statutory penalties for distribution of methamphetamine are at least 10 years and up to a life term of imprisonment, , at least five years and up to a life term of supervised release, and up to a $10,000,000 fine.

    “The only thing to be gained from a career as a drug dealer is a prison sentence,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Seberger. “I appreciate the work of the ATF agents who came to central Illinois and went into the field to ensure this was a successful operation. Their work has made our community safer.”

    “This case was a direct result of our Violent Crime Initiative and our strong partnership with the Springfield Police Department,” said ATF Chicago Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon. “Through our targeted and collaborative enforcement efforts,  and with the unwavering support of retired Chief of Police Ken Scarlette, a violent drug trafficker is now off the streets and behind bars.”

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case with assistance from the Springfield Police Department, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Marshals Service. The Illinois State Police provided assistance at sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Seberger represented the government in the prosecution.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Gloucester drug trafficker sentenced to five years in prison for firearms offense

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

    NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Gloucester man was sentenced yesterday to five years in prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    According to court documents, on July 15, 2024, Kyle Jacob Buquor, 26, parked a pickup truck in the area of Market Drive and entered a store. While Buquor was inside the store, a K9 positively alerted for narcotics in the truck as law enforcement conducted an open-air sniff around the vehicle.

    Buquor was detained when he returned to the vehicle. During a probable cause search of the vehicle agents recovered a handgun, three loaded magazines, an empty magazine, 11.5 grams of methamphetamine, and various items indicative of drug trafficking.

    Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Darrell W. Warren, Jr., Gloucester County Sheriff, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Roderick C. Young.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Devon Heath prosecuted the case.

    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.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:24-cr-56.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Weekly Immigration Caseload Dips Below 200 in Western District of Texas

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

    SAN ANTONIO – United States Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas announced today, that federal prosecutors in the district filed 178 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from July 11 through July 17.

    Among the new cases, Edgar Josue Montelongo-Loera was charged in a criminal complaint in Del Rio for trafficking in firearms. On June 12, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, assisting in a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigation, allegedly observed Montelongo-Loera transfer a plastic bag containing seven 9mm pistols to a non-immigrant alien co-conspirator at a parking lot in Eagle Pass. The criminal complaint states that HSI agents followed the co-conspirator to the Eagle Pass Port of Entry, where Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers allegedly located eight firearms concealed inside the vehicle during an inspection. Further investigation by ATF revealed that Montelongo-Loera allegedly purchased one of the pistols at a retail location in San Antonio.

    Also in the Del Rio sector, Mexican national Jose Elias Gavina-Vasquez was arrested on July 14 and charged with illegal re-entry. Gavina-Vasquez has seven prior deportations, and he was most recently deported to Mexico on Feb. 23, 2023. He has a prior felony conviction from June 2022 and a separate conviction for driving while intoxicated from March 2022.

    Mexican national and convicted felon Juan Antonio Torres-Moreno was also arrested and charged with illegal re-entry in Del Rio. Torres-Moreno has three prior removals and a voluntary departure, the last being a deportation in 2019. The 2019 deportation resulted from his second illegal-re-entry conviction. He was sentenced to nine months confinement in that case.

    Sergio Villeda-Hernandez, also a Mexican national, was arrested in Eagle Pass on July 13 and charged with illegal re-entry after he was recently removed from the U.S. on March 18. Villeda-Hernandez is a convicted felon, having been sentenced to just over a year in prison in 2007 for a felony battery, possession of cocaine, and selling cocaine in DeSoto County, Florida.

    In El Paso, Mexican national Mario Humberto Sanchez-Hernandez was found less than a mile and a half west of the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry without immigration documents allowing him to be or remain in the U.S. Sanchez-Hernandez was just removed from the U.S. to Mexico for the third time on June 21 through San Diego and was convicted in October 2024 for driving under the influence in Newark, New Jersey.

    Two brothers were arrested in El Paso, each charged with one count of alien smuggling. U.S. Border Patrol agents conducted an undercover operation that led them to meet Marcos Dominguez, who allegedly believed the agents were transporting two illegal aliens and were in need of a stash house. A criminal complaint affidavit alleges that Marcos exited his vehicle to assist with transferring one of the illegal aliens from the agents’ vehicle to his own. Marcos was then detained for further investigation and agreed to guide the agents to his residence. At the residence, the agents encountered Marcos’s brother, Andres Dominguez, who allegedly admitted that illegal aliens were present inside. Agents located four subjects determined to be illegal aliens. The illegal aliens were arrested and transported to the Ysleta Border Patrol Station. The investigation revealed that Marcos allegedly housed more than 40 illegal aliens at his residence, was paid $200 per day for his smuggling actions, and would split the earnings with his brother Andres, whom he said helped him house and transport the illegal aliens.

    In Austin, the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Fugitive Operations Team (FOT) encountered Honduran national Jimmy Reinel Espinal-Mejia on July 16. Espinal-Mejia was convicted for illegal re-entry in May 2024 after being previously removed in January 2024. For that conviction, he was sentenced to 63 days confinement and removed in July 2024. Six years earlier, in 2018, Espinal-Mejia was convicted for aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury and sentenced to 12 years in prison.

    In Waco, a Mexican national was charged with illegal re-entry on July 17 when Temple Police responded to a vehicle collision in Temple and identified Eloy Hernandez-Ponce as one of the vehicle occupants. ICE identified Hernandez-Ponce as a previously removed alien who was last deported in March 2010 following a felony conviction for intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle in Houston.

    These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.

    These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: As Canada’s economy faces serious challenges, the Indigenous economy offers solutions

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Mylon Ollila, PhD Candidate in Indigenous Economic Policy, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT)

    Canada faces economic headwinds due to geopolitical change, including a trade war with its closest economic partner, the United States.

    Canada’s policymakers are searching for new, sustainable sources of economic strength. One such source is already here and is being overlooked: the emerging Indigenous economy. It has the potential to boost Canada’s economy by more than $60 billion a year.

    But Indigenous Peoples are still largely seen as an economic liability to manage instead of an opportunity for growth. It is time for a mindset shift. For it to happen, the federal government should remove unfair economic barriers and invest in closing the employment and income gap.

    Canada’s future depends on Indigenous Peoples

    Economic growth is projected to decline over the coming years for developed nations, with Canada expected to have the lowest GDP of the 38 OECD countries by 2060. As growth stalls, living standards will decline and governments will face increased fiscal pressure.

    Compounding this challenge is Canada’s aging labour force. The number of people aged 65 and over is growing six times faster than the number of children aged 14 and under — those who will be entering the job market in the coming years. This demographic shift places additional pressure on pensions, the health-care system and the economy.



    Read more:
    Enabling better aging: The 4 things seniors need, and the 4 things that need to change

    But these gloomy projections often overlook one of Canada’s comparative advantages: a young Indigenous population, growing at a rate outpacing the non-Indigenous population. While Indigenous Peoples comprise five per cent of Canada’s population, they only contribute 2.4 per cent of the total GDP.

    A BNN Bloomberg feature about the Indigenous economy in Canada.

    If Indigenous Peoples could participate in the economy at the same rate as non-Indigenous Canadians, their GDP contribution could increase from about $55 billion to well over $100 billion annually.

    Despite this potential, Canada has largely failed to invest in Indigenous Peoples and reform the colonial structures that create inequality.

    While some progress has been made, such as the First Nations Fiscal Management Act that offers communities tools to strengthen their economies, progress is still too slow.

    Economic barriers hold back First Nations

    There are two parts to every economy: economic advantages and the institutions that make those advantages actionable. Some institutions lower the costs of doing business and encourage investment, while others do the opposite. Investment naturally flows to places that have both economic advantages and low costs of doing business.

    In Canada, strong property rights lower the costs of doing business and support the finance of business ventures. An efficient tax system creates predictability and allows governments to provide services. Business-grade infrastructure reduces logistical costs. All these institutions work together to support Canada’s economic development.

    In contrast, First Nations communities are constrained by Canadian institutions. The Indian Act limits First Nations’ authority over their own affairs, segregating them from mainstream finance mechanisms. Unclear legal jurisdiction between federal, provincial and Indigenous governments and weak property rights discourage business investments.

    Limited authority and fiscal powers mean First Nations governments cannot provide services at national standards and must depend on other governments.

    Compounding these issues is the fragmented, insufficient and culturally inappropriate nature of federal support systems. First Nations people have economic advantages and an entrepreneurial spirit, but they are burdened with unfair economic barriers, such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to capital and administrative hurdles.

    Investing in Indigenous economies is vital

    In 1997, the Royal Bank of Canada predicted that not investing in Indigenous Peoples would widen the socioeconomic gap. As predicted, this is what happened.

    Canada has consistently chosen to manage poverty instead of investing in growth. While financial support for Indigenous Peoples more than doubled over the last decade, it only resulted in modest improvement in living standards.

    The RoadMap Project, a national initiative led by the First Nations Financial Management Board and other Indigenous organizations, proposes a pathway to economic reconciliation. Investing in the Indigenous economy means supporting Indigenous training, providing access to capital for Indigenous organizations and reforming the institutions that continue to impose systemic barriers.

    Education is one of the most effective ways to reduce poverty, improve health outcomes and drive economic development. The federal government should therefore support training programs designed to meet Indigenous needs.

    Online learning could help remote communities achieve educational goals, but its success depends on major investments in high-speed internet access, which remains lacking in many areas.

    Indigenous organizations are best positioned to understand and respond to local training needs. That is why Indigenous control over revenue transfers and program design must be central to any future investments in education. To support this, the federal government should partner with Indigenous education institutions to develop common goals and values.

    Financing and supporting Indigenous growth

    Indigenous Peoples develop new businesses at nine times the Canadian average, but only receive 0.2 per cent of available credit. Most Indigenous enterprises are small and cannot grow without viable financing options.

    Yet, individual Indigenous entrepreneurs and First Nations governments face challenges securing loans and financial support.

    Internationally, development banks have been used to fill credit gaps when the private sector is unable to meet the needs of emerging economies.

    In Canada, the First Nations Financial Management Board and other Indigenous organizations are calling for a similar solution: the creation of an Indigenous Development Finance Organization. By lending to Indigenous governments and businesses, this finance organization could bridge the gap between the financial markets and the Indigenous economy.

    While investments in capacity and development finance are urgent needs, only the dismantling of economic barriers and increased access to effective institutions can assure Indigenous development.

    Legislation such as the First Nations Fiscal Management Act and the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management can support Indigenous economies through taxation, budgeting, land codes and financial laws. They offer a pathway between the Indian Act framework and self-government, without waiting on lengthy negotiations.

    Growing stronger together

    Canada’s economic future will remain uncertain if short-term solutions keep being prioritized while ignoring the growth potential of the Indigenous economy. Improvements to the status quo are no longer sufficient.

    The federal government must support Indigenous-led initiatives like the RoadMap Project to foster shared growth and prosperity for Indigenous Peoples and all Canadians alike. Investments are needed to narrow the employment and income gap through new supports for capacity, access to capital and institutional reform.

    Mylon Ollila is a Senior Strategist for the First Nations Financial Management Board.

    Hugo Asselin does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. As Canada’s economy faces serious challenges, the Indigenous economy offers solutions – https://theconversation.com/as-canadas-economy-faces-serious-challenges-the-indigenous-economy-offers-solutions-261252

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: More than just a bad date: Navigating harms on LGBTQ+ dating apps

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Christopher Dietzel, Postdoctoral fellow, the DIGS Lab, Concordia University

    It is crucial to think about what you can do promote your safety while using dating apps, and before you click the download button. (Shutterstock)

    Dating apps like Tinder, Bumble and Grindr have become a ubiquitous part of modern dating for young people looking to meet potential partners. However, many Gen Z users are increasingly forgoing dating apps, feeling burnt out by the whole process.



    Read more:
    Why in-person dating is making a comeback — and why Gen Z is struggling with it

    Dating apps have been plagued with concerns about harassment, sexual and gender-based violence, romance scams and other safety issues. These risks are elevated for LGBTQ+ people who can experience hate crimes, physical violence and other harms when using dating apps.

    With anti-LGBTQ+ movements rising in Canada, the United States and around the world, it is important to understand the potential dangers of online dating and how LGBTQ+ people can promote their safety.

    We recently conducted an online survey that looks into LGBTQ+ people’s experiences with dating apps in Canada as part of a research project at Concordia University’s Digital Intimacy, Gender & Sexuality (DIGS) Lab. We analyzed 624 participant responses that reveal the different harms LGBTQ+ users face and the strategies they use to mitigate those harms.

    Dating today can feel like a mix of endless swipes, red flags and shifting expectations. From decoding mixed signals to balancing independence with intimacy, relationships in your 20s and 30s come with unique challenges. Love IRL is the latest series from Quarter Life that explores it all.

    These research-backed articles break down the complexities of modern love to help you build meaningful connections, no matter your relationship status.

    Harms against LGBTQ+ dating app users

    LGBTQ+ dating users can experience a variety of harms, including unwanted sexual advances, harassment, coercion, discrimination and catfishing.

    The most common types of harms that participants experienced were sexual harms (like receiving unsolicited sexual content, sexual harassment and sexual assault), emotional harms (like bullying and threatening behavior) and social harms (like discrimination and exclusion). Sexual harm was more common online and emotional harm was more common in person.

    Many trans and non-binary participants were insulted with slurs and told their identity was not real by other dating app users. Some people they matched with would also verbally attack them or make death threats. Other trans and non-binary participants reported that people were often nice and friendly online, but then would harass them in person.

    Like other studies have found, objectification and fetishization were also common for trans and non-binary users.

    Racialized LGBTQ+ users said people often made racist comments or used slurs against them. Racial stereotyping and fetishizing was also common. For example, one participant said that she received “comments about my body based on my race and implications of what a Black woman could do with her lips.”

    As an example of the discrimination Asian men experience, one participant said “white people tend to fetishize Asian bodies and assume they’re submissive.” Other research has similarly found that racial exclusion and racial fetishization are common on dating apps.

    There were participants who reported being drugged or sexually assaulted when they met someone in person. Unfortunately, many people who use dating apps say that they have experienced sexual violence online or in person.

    Younger LGBTQ+ users reported feeling pressured or coerced into doing sexual acts by older users. For example, one participant said they felt pushed into doing sexual acts they were not comfortable with.

    Sextortion is on the rise among youth, and dating apps can facilitate sextortion and romance scams.

    Strategies for staying safe

    If you or someone you know uses dating apps, there are steps you can take to make your experience safer.

    The LGBTQ+ people in our study employed strategies like verifying someone’s identity through video calls or by checking out their social media profiles. When meeting someone in person for the first time, participants would choose to meet in a public space and share their location with family or close friends.

    These are some examples of common strategies, often encouraged by dating app companies, that you can employ to promote your safety.

    Safety is not just the individual’s responsibility, however. Dating app companies need to keep their users safe, and participants from the survey gave suggestions to make dating apps safer. For instance, many recommended better content moderation systems to filter out inappropriate messages and problematic users.

    Participants wanted features to make it easier for marginalized communities to connect and avoid people who harass or discriminate. They also wanted better enforcement and stricter consequences for people who violated an app’s community guidelines, like making it impossible, not just harder, for banned users to get back on the apps.

    Some dating apps have recently implemented new safety features, but many users find their moderation systems inadequate.

    Protecting your privacy

    Dating apps have also been criticized for prioritizing profits over users’ security and well-being. That said, users do not want dating apps to police their every move. Too much moderation can impede authenticity and spontaneity.

    Another thing to think about is how new technology is being incorporated into the apps you use and what that means for your safety and privacy. Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more popular and accessible, and dating app companies are integrating this technology into their platforms to help manage user safety.

    However, AI in online dating raises new concerns about data privacy, content moderation and technological bias — all of which can negatively impact the user experience.

    App terms and conditions are notoriously long and difficult to understand, and most people are unlikely to read them at all.

    However, there is information publicly available to help you understand how your data will be used and stored. There are also features in some apps to help you manage your privacy.

    With evolving technologies and changes in the sociopolitical climate, these safety issues are not going away. In fact, they may become more complicated in the future. It is crucial to think about what you can do promote your safety while using dating apps, both online and in person.

    Christopher Dietzel receives funding from Le Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture (FRQSC).

    André Matar does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. More than just a bad date: Navigating harms on LGBTQ+ dating apps – https://theconversation.com/more-than-just-a-bad-date-navigating-harms-on-lgbtq-dating-apps-252297

    MIL OSI –

  • More than 34 crore jobs created in MSME sector since 2014: Centre

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Over 34 crore people have gained employment through micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) since 2014 via the Udyam and Udyam Assist portals, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi told the Rajya Sabha on Monday.

    Responding to a question in the Upper House, the Minister of MSMEs said there is no shortage of funds or workers in the sector. He also cited examples of traditional workers, such as cobblers, who have received financial support under schemes like the PM Vishwakarma Yojana.

    The government considers MSMEs the backbone of India’s industrial growth and has undertaken a series of measures to strengthen the sector. One major step was the revision of the MSME definition after 14 years, aimed at removing the fear of losing government benefits due to business expansion. The revised definition also makes access to credit easier.

    The number of MSMEs in India has crossed 6 crore, the minister said, adding that lending to the sector has surged from ₹12 lakh crore a decade ago to around ₹30 lakh crore.

    In his Budget speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that the guarantee cover for MSME loans would be doubled to ₹20 crore. The government also plans to roll out customised credit cards with a ₹5 lakh limit to meet working capital needs.

    Meanwhile, NITI Aayog has released a report suggesting systemic reforms in financing, skilling, innovation, and market access to unlock the sector’s full potential. It said MSMEs can become a key driver of sustainable growth through targeted interventions and stronger institutional support.

    Between 2020 and 2024, the share of micro and small enterprises accessing credit through scheduled banks rose from 14% to 20%, while access among medium enterprises increased from 4% to 9%, the report noted.

  • More than 34 crore jobs created in MSME sector since 2014: Centre

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Over 34 crore people have gained employment through micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) since 2014 via the Udyam and Udyam Assist portals, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi told the Rajya Sabha on Monday.

    Responding to a question in the Upper House, the Minister of MSMEs said there is no shortage of funds or workers in the sector. He also cited examples of traditional workers, such as cobblers, who have received financial support under schemes like the PM Vishwakarma Yojana.

    The government considers MSMEs the backbone of India’s industrial growth and has undertaken a series of measures to strengthen the sector. One major step was the revision of the MSME definition after 14 years, aimed at removing the fear of losing government benefits due to business expansion. The revised definition also makes access to credit easier.

    The number of MSMEs in India has crossed 6 crore, the minister said, adding that lending to the sector has surged from ₹12 lakh crore a decade ago to around ₹30 lakh crore.

    In his Budget speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that the guarantee cover for MSME loans would be doubled to ₹20 crore. The government also plans to roll out customised credit cards with a ₹5 lakh limit to meet working capital needs.

    Meanwhile, NITI Aayog has released a report suggesting systemic reforms in financing, skilling, innovation, and market access to unlock the sector’s full potential. It said MSMEs can become a key driver of sustainable growth through targeted interventions and stronger institutional support.

    Between 2020 and 2024, the share of micro and small enterprises accessing credit through scheduled banks rose from 14% to 20%, while access among medium enterprises increased from 4% to 9%, the report noted.

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Conaway, New Jersey Congressional Democrats Condemn Defense Secretary Hegseth’s Decision to Detain Undocumented Immigrants at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Andy Kim (D-NJ), along with U.S. Representatives Herb Conaway Jr., MD (D-NJ-03), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Rob Menendez (D-NJ-08), Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06), Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05)—issued the following statement after Defense Secretary Hegseth announced his plan to use Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst as a detention site for undocumented immigrants:

    “We condemn in the strongest possible terms the decision by the Trump Administration to use Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst as an immigrant detention center. This is an inappropriate use of our national defense system and military resources. Escalating a radical immigration policy that has resulted in the inhumane treatment of undocumented immigrants and unlawful deportation of U.S. citizens, including children, across the country.

    “We call on our Republican colleagues in New Jersey to join us in urging this Administration to immediately reverse this action. Using our country’s military to detain and hold undocumented immigrants jeopardizes military preparedness and paves the way for ICE immigration raids in every New Jersey community. We have the greatest military in the world and using it as a domestic political tool is unacceptable and shameful.”

    To read the letter Congressman Conaway received from Secretary of Defense Hegseth, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Issue Statements After Trump Administration Heeds Demands to Release Funding for Boys and Girls Clubs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, both D-VA, issued the following statements after the Trump Administration heeded their demands that release funding it was illegally withholding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers, including over $23 million for centers throughout Virginia, such as Boys and Girls clubs:

    “It’s about time that the Trump administration finally agreed to release federal funding for these vital community learning centers in Virginia and across the country,” said Warner. “Sadly, the truth of the matter is that these funds should never have been stalled. Holding back these investments put unnecessary strain on schools and families, jeopardizing critical support for children in need. Virginia’s kids deserve better.”

    “I had the chance to meet with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Southwest Virginia earlier this month to hear from them directly about how devastating the Trump Administration’s illegal withholding of critical funding would be for their ability to provide crucial educational programs for kids throughout Virginia,” said Kaine. “I informed my Senate colleagues of these disastrous cuts at a HELP committee hearing on Tuesday and urged Republican leaders to press the Trump Administration to reverse its devastating action. While I am glad to see the Trump Administration complied with our demands to release this funding, it never should have been withheld in the first place. It’s past time for the Administration to release the remaining $85 million it is still actively withholding from Virginia schools.”

    Warner and Kaine have repeatedly battled the Trump Administration over its illegal withholding of already-appropriated federal funding. On July 3, 2025, the senators issued a statement demanding that the Administration promptly release $108 million in funding for Virginia K-12 education—including money for teacher training, after-school programs, and mental health resources—that had already been duly appropriated by Congress. In the following weeks, Kaine met with local officials, parents, and leadership of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia in Vinton, Virginia; and with officials of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in Washington, D.C. In April 2025, Warner and Kaine joined 40 of their congressional colleagues in excoriating the Trump Administration over its illegal funding freeze to Head Start programs on which thousands of families and children in Virginia rely.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Birmingham signs up to West Midlands Growth Plan

    Source: City of Birmingham

    Published: Monday, 21st July 2025

    The West Midlands Growth Plan has been launched by the regional mayor alongside local authority leaders.

    Birmingham City Council leader Cllr John Cotton attended the launch and signed up to the plan that will drive a new era of prosperity in all parts of the region by creating 100,000 good jobs in fast-growing industries, getting tens of thousands of residents into work, improving public transport, and building 120,000 homes.

    The plan also sets out actions to reduce poverty and deprivation and make further progress towards net zero.

    Cllr Cotton said: “This is great news for the people of Birmingham and the wider region. Birmingham is the beating heart of the West Midlands and when we thrive, the whole country thrives.

    “Increasingly, businesses want to invest here and families want to live work here and this growth plan will bring more jobs and skills, better transport and much-needed housing, as well as support our vital net zero ambitions.”

    The Growth Plan will build on new projects and funding secured by the Mayor since he took office.

    This includes hundreds of new social homes, £2.4bn to improve transport, more than £10m of support for local businesses, five million free bus journeys ahead of bringing the network back under public control and a flagship Investment Zone, offering tax breaks and other benefits for companies.

    The Mayor has also agreed a new tram line to East Birmingham which has proved pivotal in landing the £3bn Sports Quarter regeneration project by American financier and Birmingham City FC co-owner Tom Wagner.

    Full details can be found on the WMCA website.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada grants $1,859,000 to Just For Laughs Festival

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    Montréal, Quebec, July 21, 2025

    This year, the Just For Laughs Festival is back in Montréal from July 16 to 27 with new diverse programming where festive comic entertainment is front stage!

    Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), along with the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, announced a total of $1,859,000 in funding for the Just For Laughs Festival.

    CED is providing a non-repayable contribution of $1,359,000 under its Quebec Economic Development Program (QEDP) for the 2025 and 2026 editions of the festival. This assistance serves to support the promotion and marketing of the event, in addition to fostering the development of new products.

    For its part, Canadian Heritage is providing $500,000 through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund to support the 2025 edition of the festival. This funding will allow audiences to access rich bilingual programming, including comedy shows of all kinds.

    Quotes

    “The Just For Laughs Festival is one of our metropolis’s flagship events which, on top of generating significant economic impacts, helps to position Montréal as the world capital of festivals. That is why our government is today announcing significant funding to attract festivalgoers from all walks of life and to provide the public with a renewed experience. Congratulations to the entire team! I invite Montréalers and tourists from home and abroad to take advantage of a rich program that illustrates our diversity and cultural vitality!”

    – The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for CED

    “The Just For Laughs Festival is an integral part of Montréal’s cultural life. By showcasing both established artists and emerging talents, this major international event reflects the vitality, creativity and strength of our comedy scene. Our new government is proud to support this festival, which perfectly embodies the richness of our culture. Don’t miss this great opportunity to come together and laugh!”

    – The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages

    Quick facts

    • Montréal’s Just For Laughs Festival is the largest comedy festival in the world, a must-attend event that, every summer, transforms the metropolis into the world capital of laughter. For over 40 years, it has been celebrating humour in all its forms, bringing together renowned artists, rising stars and the next generation of talent in a rich, daring, inclusive program.
    • CED’s Quebec Economic Development Program helps communities seize economic development and diversification opportunities that are promising for the future.
    • The Canada Arts Presentation Fund provides financial assistance to organizations that professionally present arts festivals or performing arts series. It also supports organizations that offer support to arts presenters.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    For more information (media only), please contact:

    Isabella Orozco-Madison
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
    isabella.orozco-madison@ised-isde.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
    514-283-7443
    media@dec-ced.gc.ca

    Hermine Landry
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages
    hermine.landry@pch.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Canadian Heritage
    media@pch.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Planning for end of greyhound racing proceeds

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Planning for the intended ending of greyhound racing in New Zealand is moving forward with animal welfare paramount while also managing the uncertainty for those in the industry, Racing Minister Winston Peters says.

    “We welcome the interim report by the Ministerial Advisory Committee appointed to help plan the intended transition away from greyhound racing in New Zealand.

    “This report sets out a way forward including plans for rehoming the greyhounds currently involved in the sport,” Mr Peters says. 

    In December the Minister announced the Government’s intention to end greyhound racing in New Zealand. An Advisory Committee was appointed to look at the process in detail and make recommendations for how the industry should be wound down. 

    The Committee has been working with representatives of the greyhound racing sector, rehoming agencies, animal welfare groups and government agencies to find practical solutions. 

    The report considers the planning that is underway for the rehoming of dogs, while always recognising this will continue after the intended end of racing on 31 July 2026.  The committee says the current rehoming programme will require reorganization and expansion to achieve finding safe homes for the estimated 1500 dogs remaining when racing is due to end. 

    The Committee also acknowledges the concern of owners and trainers about the financial liability of feeding and caring for dogs once racing ceases. Support is being considered.

    The Committee’s recommendations will be considered by Cabinet before any decisions are taken.

    “We are fully aware of the impact that ending greyhound racing would have on those involved in the industry, and appreciate the feedback owners, trainers and other stakeholders have given the committee. 

    “That is why it is important that we consider everything carefully.

    “The intention is to introduce legislation and members of the industry, and the wider public will get the chance to make submissions to the select committee as part of the process.” 

    The decision to end greyhound racing in New Zealand was made following ongoing concerns about animal welfare and three reviews into the industry which recommended significant change.

    “The imperative to see this through continues with 15 racing greyhounds having to be euthanized so far this season and nearly a further 200 dogs suffering serious injuries keeping them out of racing for weeks and months,” Mr Peters says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Best Summer Week for MTA Since 2019

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) achieved its best summer subway ridership week since 2019, hitting four million subway riders three days in a row in a summer season — a first since the start of the pandemic. On Tuesday, July 15, New York City Transit recorded 4,046,610 subway riders; on Wednesday, July 16, the agency recorded 4,121,751 subway riders; and on Thursday, July 17 saw 4,029,692 riders. This milestone was also achieved during the same week NYC experienced a near-record rainfall on Monday, July 14, and transit crews worked expeditiously to restore service the evening of the storm and through the night to ensure a smooth commute the next day. Moreover, Wednesday’s ridership of 4,121,751 subway riders is a new post-pandemic ridership high for the summer.

    “We’re delivering a transit system that is safer and more reliable, and New Yorkers have responded by riding in record numbers,” Governor Hochul said. “Transit is the lifeblood of New York City, it powers our economy and makes city life possible for millions. When ridership is on the rise, New York is on the rise.”

    The four million mark has now been achieved seven times in three weeks, starting at the end of the school year. The first time the MTA reached four million subway riders in a single day during a summer season since the start of the pandemic was on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, followed by Thursday, June 26, 2025, Wednesday, July 9, 2025, and Thursday, July 10, 2025, and now July 17 through July 19. This milestone comes days after the Governor announced the Authority’s path towards a record-breaking year in ridership and on-time performance.

    This is the first summer NYC students are enjoying expanded benefits from Student OMNY cards distributed last September, which allow use after the conclusion of the school year. Student OMNY cards are valid 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Previously, Student MetroCards limited rides on days when the student’s school was open for class.

    MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “New Yorkers are demonstrating their confidence in the MTA’s faster and more reliable transit, voting with their taps to get around the City this summer. And thanks to Governor Hochul’s investments in state-of-good-repair work, safety, and accessibility, we’re achieving post-pandemic ridership records every week.”

    New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said, “Thanks to the dedication of New York City Transit workers, we’re continuing to see record-breaking ridership on subways and buses this year. And we’re not done yet – with a capital plan that funds new train cars, more accessible stations, and computerized signals that allow for increased speeds and shorter travel times, riders will continue to see improvements both in the short term and well into the future.” 

    On top of the ridership increases, tap-and-go continues to surge in popularity with 75 percent of riders deciding to tap their phones, contactless debit/credit cards, or OMNY cards to pay their fares during the week of July 14, up from 67 percent in March 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Nordhaus, Raines see heroism, partnerships in Central Texas

    Source: United States Air Force

    Headline: Nordhaus, Raines see heroism, partnerships in Central Texas

    Early on July 4, almost 30 inches of rain fell within hours across Central Texas’s Hill Country, surging the Guadalupe River and triggering catastrophic flash flooding. Within hours, Texas National Guard members sprang into action, launching search and rescue operations alongside civil authorities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: AI and other future technologies will be necessary — but not sufficient — for enacting the UN’s Pact for the Future

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Joyeeta Gupta, Professor, Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam

    In September 2024, members of the United Nations adopted the Pact for the Future at the Summit of the Future, held in New York City. The pact, including its two annexes on the Declaration on Future Generations and the Global Digital Compact, builds on multilateral agreements following the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.



    Read more:
    How the United Nations’ Pact for the Future could help heal a fractured world

    The pact commits to “protect the needs and interests of present and future generations through the actions stated in the pact.” These actions address the digital divide, inclusion, digital space that respects human rights and promotes responsible governance of artificial intelligence (AI).

    Additionally, the Declaration on Future Generations includes 10 principles and some actions. The pact also encourages accelerated development of AI, while considering both its positive and negative aspects within a broader aim to protect human rights.

    A 1972 image of the Earth taken during the Apollo 17 mission. Planetary justice means considering human and non-human life, Earth systems and responsible management of resources.
    (NASA)

    Meeting needs

    As the former co-chair of the Earth Commission and current co-chair of the UN 10-member group, I have worked on incorporating justice issues within environmental studies. Along with my colleagues, we recently published an article where we explain how we have developed Earth system boundaries based on the principle of not causing significant harm to others as part of a broader human rights and Earth systems justice approach.

    While the pact acknowledges and builds on the Sustainable Development Goals, it does not adequately take into account the latest science that shows we have crossed many safe and just Earth system boundaries. There’s also a challenge here: if we were to meet everyone’s minimum needs as required by the social Sustainable Development Goals, we will cross boundaries further.

    A human rights approach

    The pact and its annexes make reference to justice, future generations and Africa. Justice is anchored in a human rights approach. The pact only mentions reducing harm in relation to digital platforms and explosive weapons, but this could be strengthened with the addition of the no-harm principle — not causing significant harm to human and non-human others — in other areas such as climate change. Other forms of justice are scarcely accounted for.

    These include epistemic justice (or how different knowledge systems are included), and data justice (the right to create, control, access, apply and profit from data). Procedural justice — the right to information, decision-making, civic space and courts relating to the allocation of resources and responsibilities — is also vital.

    Other important forms of justice include recognition justice, interspecies, and intragenerational justice. Earth system justice is needed to identify and live within Earth system boundaries and equitably share resources and risks.

    The pact notes that “if we do not change course, we risk tipping into a future of persistent crisis and breakdown,” but it does not make reference to the latest science on planetary boundaries.

    Climate justice

    We argue that implementing the pact requires recognizing how boundaries, foundations and inequality are inextricably are linked together. The Earth Commission argues that safe planetary boundaries are not necessarily just. To minimize significant harm to others, it may be necessary to have more stringent targets.

    For example, 1.5 C is the proposed safe climate boundary for climate change, while 1 C is the proposed just boundary since, at this level, already tens of millions of people are exposed to extreme heat and humidity. Eight safe and just boundaries for climate, water, nutrients, biosphere and aerosols have been identified, seven of which have been crossed.



    Read more:
    What are ‘planetary boundaries’ and why should we care?

    In terms of foundations, theoretically, meeting people’s minimum needs would lead to further crossing these boundaries. We need to recognize that living within safe and just boundaries requires meeting everyone’s minimum needs.

    This requires deploying efficient technologies and redistributing resources to make up the deficit. But governments are reluctant to take this approach, probably because it limits the use of resources and sinks.

    Technological support

    Living within climate boundaries will require a just transition. Globally, if we wish to remain below the safe climate boundary, we will have to completely stop using fossil fuels. Since most remaining fossil fuel reserves are in the developing world, this will put a heavy burden on them. At the same time, climate impacts are considerable, so finance for a just energy transformation is needed.

    While the pact restates the importance of the 2030 agenda in bolstering sustainable development, it lacks a credible mechanism for monitoring whether the national pledges are implemented. This will require strong collaboration among policy, science and the private sector.

    There is a wealth of information in Earth observations from space that can assist in monitoring progress. This information, if made available to researchers and policymakers, can be integrated into national, regional and global environmental risk assessments.

    Digital twins are another technological development that can support these assessments. The European Commission’s Digital Twin of the Ocean, for example, is a virtual model. It integrates diverse ocean data sources and leverages the power of big data, advanced computing and AI to provide real-time insights and scenario simulations under a variety of conditions. Such systems can enhance our ability to cope with environmental challenges.

    As AI is likely to dramatically develop in the few two years, it is critical to be ready to shape and use its potential in a positive way to implement the Pact while reducing its dependence on fossil fuels.

    A ‘cash flow crisis’

    Finally, the pact calls for urgent, predictable and stable funding for the UN and developing countries. This will enable UN bodies to deliver services and administer programs in accordance with international law. The UN Secretariat is facing a severe “cash flow crisis,” as major contributors are paying too late or too little.

    The UN Honour Roll lists member states that have paid membership fees in full: 151 of 193 countries paid in full, but only 51 of them on time in 2024. Among 13 countries with assessed fees of more than US$50 million, only Canada, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Korea, Germany and Italy paid on time.

    With most members paying late, and large ones not paying till later or only partially, this severely constrains the ability of the UN to provide planned, impartial and inclusive services to the global community.

    There is also a need for funding to enable developing countries to adapt and transform. But if such funding comes through loans, this may further exacerbate existing developing country debt: in 2023, developing countries made debt repayments of US$1.4 trillion.

    We need redistribution of resources. Until then, it is critical that new technologies such as AI are deployed to help us return within the boundaries and meet minimum needs without exacerbating climate change through its fossil fuels dependence. The UN plays a critical role in facilitating human, environmental and earthy system justice, but shrinking resources hamper its ability to deliver.

    Joyeeta Gupta receives funding from European Research Council and the Dutch Research Council (NWO).

    – ref. AI and other future technologies will be necessary — but not sufficient — for enacting the UN’s Pact for the Future – https://theconversation.com/ai-and-other-future-technologies-will-be-necessary-but-not-sufficient-for-enacting-the-uns-pact-for-the-future-247511

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: A popular sweetener could be damaging your brain’s defences, says recent study

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Havovi Chichger, Professor, Biomedical Science, Anglia Ruskin University

    Found in everything from protein bars to energy drinks, erythritol has long been considered a safe alternative to sugar. But new research suggests this widely used sweetener may be quietly undermining one of the body’s most crucial protective barriers – with potentially serious consequences for heart health and stroke risk.

    A recent study from the University of Colorado suggests erythritol may damage cells in the blood-brain barrier, the brain’s security system that keeps out harmful substances while letting in nutrients. The findings add troubling new detail to previous observational studies that have linked erythritol consumption to increased rates of heart attack and stroke.

    In the new study, researchers exposed blood-brain barrier cells to levels of erythritol typically found after drinking a soft drink sweetened with the compound. They saw a chain reaction of cell damage that could make the brain more vulnerable to blood clots – a leading cause of stroke.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    Erythritol triggered what scientists call oxidative stress, flooding cells with harmful, highly reactive molecules known as free radicals, while simultaneously reducing the body’s natural antioxidant defences. This double assault damaged the cells’ ability to function properly, and in some cases killed them outright.

    But perhaps more concerning was erythritol’s effect on the blood vessels’ ability to regulate blood flow. Healthy blood vessels act like traffic controllers, widening when organs need more blood – during exercise, for instance – and tightening when less is required. They achieve this delicate balance through two key molecules: nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, and endothelin-1, which constricts them.

    The study found that erythritol disrupted this critical system, reducing nitric oxide production while ramping up endothelin-1. The result would be blood vessels that remain dangerously constricted, potentially starving the brain of oxygen and nutrients. This imbalance is a known warning sign of ischaemic stroke – the type caused by blood clots blocking vessels in the brain.

    Even more alarming, erythritol appeared to sabotage the body’s natural defence against blood clots. Normally, when clots form in blood vessels, cells release a “clot buster” called tissue plasminogen activator that dissolves the blockage before it can cause a stroke. But the sweetener blocked this protective mechanism, potentially leaving clots free to wreak havoc.

    The laboratory findings align with troubling evidence from human studies. Several large-scale observational studies have found that people who regularly consume erythritol face significantly higher risks of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes. One major study tracking thousands of participants found that those with the highest blood levels of erythritol were roughly twice as likely to experience a major cardiac event.

    However, the research does have limitations. The experiments were conducted on isolated cells in laboratory dishes rather than complete blood vessels, which means the cells may not behave exactly as they would in the human body. Scientists acknowledge that more sophisticated testing – using advanced “blood vessel on a chip” systems that better mimic real physiology – will be needed to confirm these effects.

    The findings are particularly significant because erythritol occupies a unique position in the sweetener landscape. Unlike artificial sweeteners such as aspartame or sucralose, erythritol is technically a sugar alcohol – a naturally occurring compound that the body produces in small amounts. This classification helped it avoid inclusion in recent World Health Organization guidelines that discouraged the use of artificial sweeteners for weight control.

    Erythritol has also gained popularity among food manufacturers because it behaves more like sugar than other alternatives. While sucralose is 320 times sweeter than sugar, erythritol provides only about 80% of sugar’s sweetness, making it easier to use in recipes without creating an overpowering taste. It’s now found in thousands of products, especially in many “sugar-free” and “keto-friendly” foods.

    Erythritol can be found in many keto-friendly products, such a protein bars.
    Stockah/Shutterstock.com

    Trade-off

    Regulatory agencies, including the European Food Standards Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration, have approved erythritol as safe for consumption. But the new research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that even “natural” sugar alternatives may carry unexpected health risks.

    For consumers, the findings raise difficult questions about the trade-offs involved in sugar substitution. Sweeteners like erythritol can be valuable tools for weight management and diabetes prevention, helping people reduce calories and control blood sugar spikes. But if regular consumption potentially weakens the brain’s protective barriers and increases cardiovascular risk, the benefits may come at a significant cost.

    The research underscores a broader challenge in nutritional science: understanding the long-term effects of relatively new food additives that have become ubiquitous in the modern diet. While erythritol may help people avoid the immediate harms of excess sugar consumption, its effect on the blood-brain barrier suggests that frequent use could be quietly compromising brain protection over time.

    As scientists continue to investigate these concerning links, consumers may want to reconsider their relationship with this seemingly innocent sweetener – and perhaps question whether any sugar substitute additive is truly without risk.

    Havovi Chichger does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. A popular sweetener could be damaging your brain’s defences, says recent study – https://theconversation.com/a-popular-sweetener-could-be-damaging-your-brains-defences-says-recent-study-261500

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER SECURES $18.5 MILLION AUTHORIZATION FOR FORT DRUM CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN SENATE NATIONAL DEFENSE BILL

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer

    Schumer Secured Authorization In Major Step Forward To Plan & Design New, Expanded Spaces To Store Aircraft And House Soldiers Training At Fort Drum

    Schumer Is Pushing To Deliver $$ For New Aircraft Storage And Training Facilities In Upcoming Funding Bill

    Schumer: A Major Step Closer To Critical Fort Drum Upgrades

    U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer announced a major step forward for future construction projects at Fort Drum in the Senate’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. The senator has secured required the funding authorization, a critical milestone that unlocks the funding process, for the planning and design of an aircraft maintenance hangar addition and an Operational Readiness Training Complex training barracks at Fort Drum, a vital step in unlocking the funding process . These new projects will add space to house Fort Drum’s aircraft and expand housing for soldiers who come to Fort Drum for training. Schumer said this is a priority for Fort Drum and will fight to secure the funding in appropriations.

    “Fort Drum is vital to our national defense and is woven into the very fabric of the North Country, and this funding authorization is a major step towards bringing much-needed construction projects to life. I am proud to announce I just secured the long-desired federal funding authorization of $18.5 million to plan and design expanded space to house Fort Drum’s aircraft and more housing for soldiers who come to Fort Drum for training,” said Senator Schumer. “I will continue to fight tooth and nail to deliver funding in appropriations to get dollars through the door and bring these projects to life for all the hardworking servicemembers at Fort Drum.”

    Schumer said securing this $18.5 million authorization in the Senate is a massive step forward in the push to bring two Fort Drum Construction projects to life. This federal funding authorization would contribute to the planning and design of these construction projects. More information on the projects can be found below:

    1. $9.8 million for Aircraft Maintenance Hangar Addition: This funding would construct a hangar addition to store Fort Drum’s aircraft.
    2. $8.6 million for Operational Readiness Training Complex (ORTC) Transient Training Barracks: Fort Drum is a Regional Collective Training Center to roughly 25,000 soldiers annually, and this funding will help house transient units when they come to Fort Drum for training exercises, as it renovates other barracks. The funding would build two new battalion-sized training barracks with special foundations and ensure there are functioning sewer systems and emergency control systems for the two new barracks.

    Schumer has worked for years to deliver major federal investments to enhance Fort Drum’s capabilities. Schumer fought for years, personally calling the former Army Secretary, Defense Secretary, and Army Chief of Staff to deliver over $27 million in federal funding to construct a new railhead at Fort Drum, a top priority for the base. The senator also delivered over $21 million for a new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Hangar at Fort Drum, and he secured $27 million for Fort Drum in the FY22 omnibus to replace the base’s existing water supply that was vulnerable to multiple forms of contamination, requiring Fort Drum to purchase half of its water supply from a municipal source. Schumer additionally secured nearly $10 million for two major Fort Drum projects in the end-of-year spending package for FY2023.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President appoints new DHET Minister, Deputy Minister

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Monday, July 21, 2025

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has removed Dr Nobuhle Nkabane from the role of Minister of Higher Education and Training and has appointed Buti Manamela as Minister of the portfolio.

    Manamela was until this appointment serving as Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, a role he held from the 6th administration.

    The announcement was made in a statement issued by The Presidency on Monday night.

    “Consequently, President Ramaphosa has in terms of Section 93 (b) of the Constitution appointed Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training. 

    “Dr Dube’s long government leadership experience includes serving as MEC for Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs and Premier of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, amongst other roles,” said the President’s office.

    Section 93 (b) empowers the President to appoint no more than two Deputy Ministers from outside the Assembly. 

    Last month, the President had requested that Nkabane provide him with a detailed report on the decorum and substance of her engagement with Parliament. This followed media commentary on her appearance before the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training on 30 May 2025. 

    READ I Minister requested to provide a report on decorum in Parliament 

    The Minister was seen in a viral video on social media eating while responding to a question from the Chairperson of the Higher Education committee, Tebogo Letsie. 

    President Ramaphosa said at the time that the request for the report was in view of the President’s expectation that Ministers, Deputy Ministers and senior executives in the public sector conduct themselves professionally, transparently and cordially in engaging with Parliament and other accountability institutions. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: Nordhaus, Raines see heroism, partnerships in Central Texas

    Source: United States Spaceforce

    Early on July 4, almost 30 inches of rain fell within hours across Central Texas’s Hill Country, surging the Guadalupe River and triggering catastrophic flash flooding. Within hours, Texas National Guard members sprang into action, launching search and rescue operations alongside civil authorities.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Impressions and experience: how the summer internship of HSE history students went

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University “Higher School of Economics” –

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    July 21

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    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: Indian Vice President Resigns Due to Health Issues

    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

    NEW DELHI, July 21 (Xinhua) — Indian Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday resigned, citing health reasons.

    In his resignation letter to President Draupadi Murmu, J Dhankhar said: “In view of the need to give top priority to my health and to follow medical advice, I hereby tender my resignation as Vice-President of India with immediate effect.”

    J. Dhankhar became the country’s vice president in 2022. –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: Death toll in Gaza exceeds 59,000: health ministry

    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

    GAZA, July 21 (Xinhua) — The number of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since the conflict began on October 7, 2023 has exceeded 59,000, the health authority based in the Palestinian enclave said on Monday.

    The ministry’s press release stated that a total of 59,029 Palestinians have been killed and another 142,135 injured in Israel’s ongoing military operations.

    Since March 18, 8,196 deaths and 30,094 wounded have been recorded, reflecting an escalation in fighting in previous weeks, the report said.

    According to the latest figures, 134 bodies have been delivered to hospitals in the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours. In addition, 1,155 people have been injured to varying degrees of severity as a result of ongoing airstrikes and shelling over the past 24 hours. The ministry warned that the figures could rise as many victims are still under rubble.

    The UN and a number of regional organizations have repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of internationally monitored humanitarian corridors, but efforts to find a sustainable humanitarian solution have so far failed to produce results. –0–

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

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China releases first national standard for school meal services

    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 21 (Xinhua) — China has issued its first national standard for school meal services, which will take effect on Dec. 1 this year, the State Administration for Market Regulation announced Monday.

    The School Food Service Business Management Guidelines regulate the activities of businesses providing food preparation and delivery services to primary and secondary schools and kindergartens.

    There are currently more than 460,000 primary and secondary schools and kindergartens in China, attended by more than 237 million students.

    According to the guidelines, businesses are required to appoint full-time employees responsible for ensuring and checking food safety.

    Businesses are required to purchase key ingredients, including rice, flour and vegetable oil, from designated suppliers and maintain testing records for each batch of raw materials.

    The food preparation process should be integrated into a kitchen monitoring system with online access, and key food processing operations should be openly demonstrated to schools, parents and students. –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 Chinese Foreign Ministry spoke about the Chinese side’s expectations from the 25th meeting of the leaders of China and the EU

    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 21 (Xinhua) — China and the European Union will hold the 25th China-EU leaders’ meeting in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a daily briefing on Monday, during which he also outlined China’s expectations for the upcoming summit and current China-EU relations.

    Guo Jiakun pointed out that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.

    As the diplomat noted, the world is currently undergoing changes at an accelerated pace that have not been seen in a century, the international situation is chaotically transforming, manifestations of unilateralism and bullying are dealing serious blows to international rules and international order, as a result of which humanity once again finds itself at a decisive crossroads.

    The official stressed that it is at this moment that China and the EU, as two major forces promoting multipolarity, two major markets supporting globalization, and two major civilizations advocating diversity, are holding the 25th leaders’ meeting, which will be of great significance and will attract wide attention from the international community.

    “Over the past half century, China-EU relations have gone through many tests and are now steadily moving towards maturity and stability, becoming one of the most influential bilateral relations in the world,” Guo Jiakun said.

    China-EU cooperation, he continued, has yielded fruitful results, provided strong support for the development of both sides, brought tangible benefits to the nearly 2 billion people of China and the EU countries, made an important contribution to world peace and development, and set a model for mutually beneficial cooperation in the era of economic globalization.

    Guo Jiakun noted that over the past 50 years, annual trade turnover between China and the EU has grown from $2.4 billion to $785.8 billion, while mutual investment has increased from near zero to nearly $260 billion. The Chinese diplomat added that bilateral humanitarian exchanges have become increasingly close, and the two sides have established effective cooperation on climate change and other issues.

    “At the same time, China-EU relations are also facing challenges,” Guo Jiakun noted. According to him, some EU officials persistently characterize bilateral relations in terms of “partner-competitor-rival”, inflate private trade and economic issues, and make groundless accusations against China over the Ukraine issue, which creates unnecessary obstacles for China-EU relations.

    The Chinese side believes that over its 50-year history, relations between China and the EU have accumulated sufficient experience and positive energy to withstand any “winds and storms”, difficulties and challenges, the official representative emphasized.

    With the 25th China-EU leaders’ meeting coming up, China-EU relations are at an important stage where they inherit the traditions of the past and open a new path to the future, he said.

    “The Chinese side expects the EU to meet China halfway, view its relations with China from a comprehensive, dialectical and long-term perspective, summarize the experience and lessons of the past 50 years of bilateral relations, follow the trend of the times, live up to the aspirations of the people of both sides and the international community, build consensus, overcome differences and jointly plan cooperation for the next 50 years, so as to jointly create an even better future for the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership,” Guo Jiakun concluded. -0-

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

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Slams USDA Proposal to Share Sensitive Data of SNAP Participants

    Source: US State of California Department of Justice

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta, leading a coalition of 14 attorneys general, slammed the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) demand that states turn over personal and sensitive information about millions of food stamp recipients, as well as its proposal to share that information with other federal agencies for purposes that have nothing to do with ensuring the integrity of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP is a federally-funded, state-administered program providing billions of dollars in food assistance to tens of millions of low-income families across the country. SNAP applicants provide their private information to the states on the understanding, backed by long-standing state and federal laws, that their information will not be used for unrelated purposes. In a letter, Attorney General Bonta and the coalition argue that USDA’s unprecedented actions are unnecessary, inefficient, and unlawful.

    “The Trump Administration continues to wage war on some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, deploying invasive and unlawful tactics in the process to intimidate them from accessing services to which they are lawfully entitled,” said Attorney General Bonta. “No Californian should be faced with the choice of having enough to eat or protecting their fundamental right to privacy. As California Attorney General, I will continue to use every tool in the toolbox to push back against any attempts by this administration to upend the rights of Californians. I urge the Trump Administration to reverse course and abandon its unprecedented proposal to share SNAP data for purposes far beyond ensuring the integrity of this program.”

    Since President Trump re-entered the White House in January, public reports indicate that federal officials are amassing huge databases of personal information on Americans and using that data for undisclosed purposes, including immigration enforcement. The Department of Homeland Security has already obtained troves of personal information from both the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Health and Human Services Agency, including private medical information and other personal details on Medicaid recipients, which California has already challenged in court. USDA’s attempts to collect data from states about SNAP applicants and recipients appear to be the next step in this campaign.  

    In May 2025, USDA made an unprecedented demand that states turn over massive amounts of personal information on all SNAP applicants and recipients, including social security numbers and home addresses, dating back five years. In June, USDA published a “System of Records Notice” stating that it intends to “leverage data-sharing across Federal and State systems to identify and rectify” improper payments, and to share information across the federal government, as directed by one of President Trump’s executive orders. 

    As the attorneys general explain in their comment letter, USDA’s actions are unprecedented, threaten the privacy of millions of families, and ignore long-standing restrictions on the use and redisclosure of SNAP data. What’s more, the proposed collection and sharing of SNAP data is wholly unnecessary and inefficient; SNAP fraud rates are already low, thanks to robust auditing mechanisms that states and the federal government have cooperated on for years. And those mechanisms do not, and have never, required that states turn over sensitive, personally identifying information about millions of Americans without any meaningful restrictions on how that information is used or shared with other agencies.

    The attorneys general also highlight The Paperwork Reduction Act, which seeks to “minimize the cost to the Federal Government of the creation, collection, maintenance, use, dissemination, and disposition of information.” USDA purports to seek data to re-verify the eligibility of SNAP participants, a function that is already subject to other quality control mechanisms and already completed by the states. Although USDA’s Notice claims the agency may share data with law enforcement, it overlooks key limits set by the federal Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. § 552a). USDA’s own rules further restrict SNAP data use to program-related purposes, like prosecuting fraud. The letter defends SNAP enrollees’ reasonable expectation of privacy, urging USDA “not to lose sight of the fact that SNAP exists to fight hunger.”

    In submitting this comment letter, Attorney General Bonta is joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. 

    A copy of the comment letter is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Murray, Colleagues Reintroduce Child Care for Working Families Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    As Republicans deliver fresh tax breaks for billionaires and kick Americans off their health care, Democrats continue their fight to help families find and afford child care

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and over 100 of her Democratic colleagues in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to reintroduce the Child Care for Working Families Act, comprehensive legislation to ensure families across America can find and afford the high-quality child care they need.

    “Working families in Nevada shouldn’t have to choose between quitting their jobs to look after their kids or footing the bill for unaffordable child care,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This legislation would support families and spur economic growth by ensuring that all families across the country can access child care without breaking the bank.”

    As President Trump and Republicans in Congress choose to spend trillions on new tax cuts for billionaires and the biggest corporations, Democrats in Congress are continuing their push to help working people make ends meet. The cost of child care nationwide continues to rise—and far from helping tackle it, President Trump is exacerbating the affordability crisis. The national average cost of child care is now $13,128—a 29% increase since 2020 that outpaces inflation. In Nevada, the average annual cost of childcare is more than average annual cost of housing and more than doubles the cost of in-state college tuition. The crisis costs the U.S. economy over $100 billion each year and costs the Nevada economy over $1 billion each year.

    Specifically, Child Care for Working Families Act will:

    • Make child care affordable for working families by providing more funding to states, localities, and Head Start agencies. No working family will pay more than seven percent of their income on child care.
    • Improve the quality and supply of child care for all children and expand families’ child care options by providing grants to open and run new child care centers for underserved communities.
    • Support higher wages for child care workers.
    • Dramatically expand access to high-quality pre-K. States would receive funding to establish and expand a mixed-delivery system of high-quality preschool programs for 3- and 4-year-olds.
    • Better support Head Start programs by providing the funding necessary to offer full-day, full-year programming and increasing wages for Head Start workers.

    Senator Cortez Masto has consistently supported efforts to lower costs for hardworking Nevadans. She helped pass critical expansions to the Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue plan, and has been fighting to permanently increase this vital relief for working families. Cortez Masto also helped introduce the No Tax on Tips Act to exempt tipped wages from federal income tax. Additionally, Senator Cortez Masto supports raising the federal minimum wage and eliminating the minimum wage gap for tipped workers nationally. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Support Grows for Grassley’s Combating Organized Retail Crime Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – Following a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on organized retail crime, Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) welcomed growing support for his bipartisan Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) from retail industry leaders, law enforcement organizations and hundreds of affected businesses.

    Grassley and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev) introduced the bill to establish a multi-agency response to organized retail crime, enhancing coordination between retail industry representatives and law enforcement. The legislation would also strengthen reporting efforts, create new tools to assist in the investigation and prosecution of retail and supply chain crime, and support efforts to recapture stolen goods and their proceeds.

    The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act currently has 26 bipartisan Senate cosponsors and is endorsed by 38 state attorneys general. Additionally, the legislation has garnered significant support from advocacy groups, including the world’s largest retail trade association, major law enforcement organizations and a coalition of over 260 impacted businesses. Reps. David Joyce (R-Ohio) and Susie Lee (D-Nev.) are leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

    Watch experts and industry leaders discuss the Judiciary Committee’s hearing and the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act below, followed by statements of support from local, state and federal organizations and businesses.

    [embedded content]

    VIDEO

    The National Retail Federation and a coalition of over 260 impacted businesses:

    “We respectfully urge Congress to advance and pass the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 without delay. This bipartisan, commonsense legislation is essential to modernizing our national response to organized retail crime, which threatens not only public safety but also the health and security of America’s supply chains and consumer access to goods. By strengthening coordination, enforcement and prevention, CORCA will help protect American businesses, workers and families. The time to act is now.”

    The National Association of Attorneys General:

    “As Attorneys General of Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois and South Carolina, we are joined by the 34 Attorneys General of the undersigned states to encourage action during the 119th Congress to support our efforts to combat the nationwide organized retail crime epidemic… CORCA would provide the necessary resources at the state and federal level to bring the organizations and individuals behind this nationwide problem to justice.”

    The National Police Association:

    “The [National Police Association] extends its gratitude to Sen. Grassley and Rep. Joyce for introducing the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, a federal bill that would allow the private sector and law enforcement partners at all levels to work in tandem to fight these crime syndicates. The government’s priority is to provide for the safety and welfare of its citizens, and this bill goes a long way in accomplishing this.”

    The American Trucking Association:

    “The trucking industry takes great pride in delivering America’s freight safely and on time; however, the billions of tons of goods transported by trucks from coast to coast have increasingly become a prime target for organized crime rings, including transnational organizations, putting truck drivers at risk and raising costs for consumer. ATA commends this bipartisan group of leaders for addressing this alarming trend and safeguarding our supply chain. By empowering federal agencies to improve cooperation across jurisdictions and ramp up enforcement actions, this bill would strike an effective blow against organized crime.”

    Brenda Neville, President and CEO of the Iowa Motor Truck Association:

    “We commend the Senate Judiciary Committee for shining a spotlight on the growing problem of cargo theft. Chairman Grassley’s legislation is vitally important for Iowa’s trucking industry and the more than 100,000 Iowans who work to keep freight moving safely and efficiently. Cargo theft not only threatens the security of Iowa’s freight—it puts these hardworking men and women at serious risk. We are thankful to Chairman Grassley and the entire committee for their efforts to protect the people and the industry that are vital to Iowa’s economy.”

    Matt Hart, Executive Director of the Illinois Trucking Association:

    “Cargo theft is an epidemic affecting the entire supply chain, and Illinois is at the epicenter of the problem. Our state is among the top three nationally in cargo theft occurrences, and it is critical that Congress pass common-sense legislation that deters these criminal actors and gives law enforcement the tools it needs to combat these sophisticated crimes. On behalf of the nearly 340,000 Illinoisans who work throughout the trucking industry, we call on Senator Durbin to support the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act.”

    Eric Sauer, CEO of the California Trucking Association:

    “Cargo theft is an issue impacting the entire supply nation across the country, but nowhere is it more acute than in California. Without this much-needed legislation, sophisticated criminal organizations will continue to operate with impunity at a great cost to consumers, highway safety, and the hardworking men and women throughout our industry. Senator Padilla’s support of the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act means law enforcement has the tools it needs to prosecute these criminal actors.”

    The Association of American Railroads:

    “Organized criminal operations continue to evolve and escalate their targeted attacks against our nation’s supply chain and retailers. This alarming trend affects every industry – including the nation’s largest railroads, which experienced a 40 percent spike in cargo theft last year. Disrupting these organized crime networks requires a unified, federally-led response. Chairman Grassley and Rep. Joyce’s bipartisan legislation provides the strategic framework necessary to disrupt these criminal networks and safeguard our supply chain.”

    The Retail Industry Leaders Association:

    “Organized criminal enterprises are endangering communities across the country through brazen and violent criminal acts that put retail employees and customers in harm’s way. Whether stealing mass quantities of products from retail stores or hijacking consumer goods throughout the supply chain, these gangs are wreaking havoc. And these criminal rings use the profits from retail theft to support larger illicit activities such as human trafficking, gun smuggling, narcotics, and terrorism. In order to expose and prosecute these sophisticated criminal rings, we need federal, state and local law enforcement to be coordinated, which is exactly what CORCA will do.”

    The International Council of Shopping Centers:

    “Across the United States, communities small and large are facing an unprecedented number of [organized retail crime] incidents. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act would provide the necessary resources to bring the people and organizations behind this nationwide problem to justice by establishing formal coordination between law enforcement and the private sector. We applaud Senators Grassley and Cortez Masto, and Representatives Joyce, Lee and Titus, for reintroducing the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act. We believe the bill represents a huge step in the right direction towards addressing this growing issue.”

    The Intermodal Association of North America:

    “The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act offers commonsense solutions to identify and deter organized crime throughout the supply chain by enhancing legal frameworks, improving enforcement capabilities, and fostering collaboration across relevant federal, state and local agencies. The legislation will strengthen the U.S. economy by enhancing supply chain efficiency, penalizing dangerous crime groups and protecting American workers and consumers.”

    The National Insurance Crime Bureau:

    “On behalf of the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), I write to express our strong support of S. 1404, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025. As a leader in the fight against insurance fraud and crime, NICB urges the Committee to take up and advance this bipartisan measure, which will deter retail and cargo theft that harms American consumers and job creators; finances organized, transnational criminal networks; and increases costs for all.”

    The Home Depot:

    “The Home Depot strongly supports CORCA, and we are pleased to see that the Senate bill has over 20 bipartisan cosponsors. The bill would create the Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center, bringing together federal, state and local law enforcement and private sector experts to share information and collaborate on strategies to keep our stores, customers, and associates safe and secure. The bill would allow us to expand upon the progress made at the local and state levels and address cases that reach certain thresholds or cross state lines.”

    Ulta Beauty, Inc.:

    “We support CORCA’s goal to establish a coordinated federal approach to fighting these crimes. By enabling real-time data sharing and cross-jurisdictional collaboration between federal, state and local authorities, CORCA would empower law enforcement to pursue and prosecute [organized retail crime] offenders more effectively, deterring future activity and protecting retail workers and consumers. We believe this bill represents a meaningful and necessary step toward a safer, more secure retail environment, and we respectfully urge Congress to advance its passage.”

    Donna Lemm, Chief Strategy Officer, IMC Logistics:

    “It is imperative that action is taken at the federal, state, and local levels to confront and neutralize this growing threat. The trucking industry and our supply chain partners need more cooperation and interagency information-sharing, as well as a more robust investigative and prosecutorial posture, to tackle these challenges head-on. For those reasons, we are proud to support and endorse the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, a bill that will provide the tools and resources necessary to facilitate that unified response.”

    Scott McBride, Chief Global Asset Protection Officer, American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.:

    “As a professional dedicated to protecting customers and associates, I implore all members of the Congress to work together to ensure that the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act urgently becomes the law of the land. This critical legislation will help us stop these senseless crimes in our communities.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Bipartisan Colleagues Take Aim at Social Media Drug Trafficking

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) in reintroducing the Cooper Davis and Devin Norring Act.

    The bipartisan legislation would require social media companies and communication service providers to take an active role in reporting the illegal sale and distribution of drugs on their platforms. This additional data would assist state and local law enforcement in combating online drug trafficking, as well as prosecuting those who prey on America’s youth.

    “Fentanyl overdoses claim the lives of tens-of-thousands of Americans each year, many of whom suffered accidental poisonings after taking deadly pills marketed on social media platforms,” Grassley said. “After successfully passing the HALT Fentanyl Act into law, Senate Republicans are continuing to advance legislation to combat America’s fentanyl crisis and save lives. Congress must hold Big Tech accountable for its ongoing role in the illicit drug trade.”

    “For four years, Joe Biden’s reckless open borders allowed fentanyl to flood our communities, creating a crisis in every state. We still lose a Kansan a day to fentanyl poisoning,” Marshall said. “Cooper Davis was a bright young man from Johnson County who tragically died from a pill laced with fentanyl purchased on the social media platform: Snapchat. The Cooper Davis and Devin Norring Act requires social media platforms to report any drug activity on their platform to law enforcement. We will not rest in our fight until no Kansan loses their life to fentanyl poisoning.”

    The Cooper Davis and Devin Norring Act is cosponsored by Sens. Todd Young (R-Ind.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).

    The legislation is endorsed by the families of Cooper Davis and Devin Norring, as well as the National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Directors Association, Partnership for Safe Medicine, the U.S. Deputy Sherriff’s Association, The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies, Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse, the Community Anti-Drug Coalition Association, the Alexander Neville Foundation, the National Fraternal Order of Police and the Kansas Sheriffs Association.

    “Our family continues to be extremely grateful for Senator Marshall and his colleagues’ dedication to this legislation. We are both honored and saddened to have another name, Devin Norring, added to this bill,” said Libby Davis, Mother of Cooper Davis. “However, the harsh reality is that there are thousands of other teenagers’ names that could be added to this bill because they, too, lost their lives in this same tragic way. Each with a story demonstrating that this can happen to ANY FAMILY. We, as parents and grandparents, do so many things to keep our kids safe, from baby gates, car seats, and seatbelts, to bike helmets, sunscreen, and vaccinations. This is no different. We need our legislators to come together and get this bipartisan bill across the finish line so that countless children can be saved, theirs being no exception.”

    “Our family & the Devin J. Norring Foundation wholeheartedly support the Cooper Davis & Devin Norring Act – legislation that serves as a critical step toward protecting families from the deadly threat of fentanyl sold through social media,” said the family of Devin J. Norring and the Devin J. Norring Foundation. “This bill honors the lives of Cooper and Devin by holding tech companies accountable and giving law enforcement the tools they need to respond to this crisis. No parent should have to search for answers in a system that shields predators. It’s time for truth, transparency, and action.”

    Download bill text HERE.

    Background:

    The Cooper Davis and Devin Norring Act is named after two young men who tragically lost their lives to fentanyl poisoning after purchasing counterfeit pills from social media.

    Cooper Davis, from Johnson County, Kansas, lost his life after taking half a fake pill that contained a lethal dose of fentanyl. The pill was allegedly purchased from a Missouri drug dealer on the social media platform Snapchat. Following his passing, Cooper’s family launched the non-profit ‘Keepin’ Clean for Coop’ to save lives, raise awareness and educate students and families on the dangers of counterfeit pills.

    Devin Norring was a 19-year-old from Hastings, Minnesota, who lost his life to fentanyl poisoning in 2020. In his honor, his family started the Devin J. Norring Foundation to raise awareness about the dangers of fake pills and other illicit substances.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley Applauds CMS Effort to Crack Down on Duplicative Medicaid Enrollment That’s Costing Taxpayers Billions

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is applauding an announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that the agency will stop duplicative enrollment in government health programs, which could save taxpayers approximately $14 billion a year.

    CMS found that an average of 1.2 million Americans were enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP in two or more states for each month in 2024. CMS also found an average of 1.6 million people were enrolled in both Medicaid/CHIP and a subsidized Exchange plan each month.

    “I’m glad to see CMS crack down on the billions in waste, fraud and abuse that I’ve long been calling out. It’s unacceptable that taxpayers have continued to foot the bill for this expensive fraud. CMS’s actions build on Republicans’ successful work in the One Big Beautiful Bill to enact critical measures to strengthen health care, all while curbing fraud,” Grassley said.

    Background:

    Earlier this month, Grassley pressed CMS to look into Obamacare fraud after receiving information that built on independent reports of widespread fraud. Last year, Grassley pushed for answers from top leaders in the Biden administration regarding their efforts to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in the ACA marketplace.

    During Dr. Mehmet Oz’ confirmation hearing, Grassley spoke about his concerns regarding billions in improper payments and the need for CMS to provide timely and complete responses to congressional oversight.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –