NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: Recidivist child predator, sex offender sentenced to more than 22 years

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    ORLANDO, Fla. – A Florida man was sentenced Feb. 20, 2025, to 22 years and 7 months in federal prison for attempting to entice or induce a minor to engage in sexual activity and committing a felony offense involving a minor when required to register as a sex offender following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Orlando.

    Chad Allen Pease, 49, of Fort Pierce, was found guilty by a federal jury on Nov. 20, 2024.

    “This predator intentionally singled out a child, devised a plan, and executed it with the sole purpose of harming the most vulnerable in our community,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Pezzutti. “HSI investigators, alongside our partners, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, have successfully removed another predator from the streets.”

    According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on Feb. 3, 2024, Pease began communicating with an undercover law enforcement officer whom Pease believed to be the father of a 13-year-old girl. Over the course of the conversation, Pease made plans to meet up with the undercover agent and his “daughter” so that Pease could have sex with the child. Pease drove 18 miles to the meeting location and conducted counter-surveillance before fleeing the scene. Law enforcement identified Pease, reconstructed his activities that evening, and later arrested him at his residence.

    Pease was previously convicted of a sex offense in 2008, after sending explicit photographs and traveling to have sex with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. He has been required to register as a sex offender ever since.

    This case was investigated by ICE Orlando and the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Varadan and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Del Mastro.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn’s Visiting Externships for Students Underrepresented in Medicine (VESUM) and its Students are Thriving

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Dr. Edison Martinez Monegro, 28, hails from San Juan, Puerto Rico where he attended the University of Puerto Rico San Juan Bautista School of Medicine. He is thriving in Connecticut at UConn School of Medicine as he completes his third year of general surgery residency training.

    He credits his residency success thanks to the growing Visiting Externships for Students Underrepresented in Medicine (VESUM) program at UConn School of Medicine and its strong mentorship.

    UConn School of Medicine general surgery resident Dr. Edison Martinez Monegro (Courtesy of Edison).

    He was just the second medical student in the new and growing VESUM program to match in a UConn residency. So far over forty students have visited UConn for externships over the past 8 years and eight have successfully matched to UConn for residency.

    Surgical resident Dr. Edison Martinez Monegro at UConn John Dempsey Hospital (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health Photo).

    The VESUM program was founded and is directed by UConn’s Dr. Linda Barry, a recent recipient of the nation’s highest honor for mentorship from the President of the United States. VESUM is increasing diversity in academic medicine by offering externships to fourth-year medical students from groups underrepresented in medicine. It gives medical students a four-week insider’s view to various medical specialty fields and UConn Health before they choose their residency match.

    “Edison hails from Puerto Rico and has worked diligently to come to UConn and succeed as a surgical resident,” says Barry, professor of Surgery and Public Health Sciences at UConn School of Medicine, associate dean of Office of Multicultural and Community Affairs and associate director of the UConn Health Disparities Institute. “He is the second VESUM student to match and the first student to match for surgery at UConn Health.  Edison truly reflects the community we serve. I know the patients he cares for appreciate his genuine dedication and commitment.”

    Martinez Monegro first learned about the VESUM program as a third-year medical student while at the University of Puerto Rico through an email his dean shared about the UConn summer scholarship rotation opportunity.

    Martinez Monegro in his native Puerto Rico (Photo Courtesy of Edison).

    “I applied to VESUM, and I received a letter from Dr. Barry telling me she wanted to meet with me, and I was accepted. I was super excited!” said Martinez Monegro who had his UConn VESUM externship as a rising fourth year medical student within the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at UConn Health working closely with its faculty such as Chief Dr. Kwame Amankwah and Dr. Mina Boutros. “It was a very good experience. I learned a lot I didn’t know. The UConn rotation allowed for me to have greater exposure to the field of surgery and learn more about UConn too. I also met the residency program director and even the dean of the medical school. Most importantly, I got to see other current UConn residents in action.”

    He adds, “The VESUM program really prepared me for my residency. And, UConn, it just felt right for me. UConn was at the top of my list for my residency. I was excited when I got the call that I matched to UConn for general surgery.”

    “I made the right choice of coming to UConn,” he says heartwarmingly.  “Surgery residency is hard. You want the people around you to help you and make you feel at home. UConn does that. Dr. Barry has been amazing.”

    Puerto Rico, its culture, and its people are very important to Martinez Monegro.

    “Every year there are less and less physicians in Puerto Rico,” stresses Martinez Monegro, who attended as an undergraduate the University of Puerto Rico and its medical school too. “My first goal was to become a doctor to help with that shortage.”

    He was inspired to go into the surgery field also by the shows he saw on TV.

    At his White Coat Ceremony Dr. Martinez Monegro with his parents (Photo Courtesy of Edison).

    “I was always captivated by the surgeries in TV shows. As a senior in high school I shadowed a surgeon for a full day in the OR. Spending the day, tucked into the corner of the OR, I was amazed by it all. I thought I could work here. The OR felt like home. Surgery I realized is what I have to do.”

    Also, he says the Hartford area really does have it all. The Puerto Rican people of Hartford are at the heart of Martinez Monegro’s love of Connecticut too.

    “What I like about my residency at UConn is that we rotate though a mix of academic and community hospitals,” he says about the five area hospitals of UConn John Dempsey Hospital, Hartford Hospital, Connecticut Children’s, St. Francis Hospital, and Hospital of Central Connecticut.  “Hartford’s population is 40 percent Puerto Rican. I want to be able to practice medicine in a place where I can serve my people and speak my language of Spanish while at work.”

    Martinez Monegro believes a VESUM externship rotation experience is a great way to visit and learn more about a medical or surgical field and also UConn Health just like he did.

    “I learned the OR is where I like to be. It’s a long day, but I love learning, the responsibility of caring for our patients, and working with the UConn medical team. I am motivated every day to keep helping patients,” he says.

    UConn resident Dr. Edison Martinez Monegro with his parents in Puerto Rico (Photo Courtesy of Edison).

    He also applauds UConn School of Medicine for its longstanding work of diversifying the future health care workforce.

    “UConn has done an excellent job of diversifying medicine. We have residents of all different backgrounds in our residency programs,” Martinez Monegro. “For example, I speak Spanish, so my colleagues ask me for help translating for their patients sometimes. When I need help, funny enough I first ask my fellow residents to translate for me in their languages ranging from Russian to Arabic.”

    Dr. Edison Martinez Monegro (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health Photo).

    His message to those applying to residency or in the thick of residency: “Enjoy what you do! Try to find new learning opportunities in everything you do!”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Man Sentenced to Over 24 Years in Prison for Running Multiple Dark Web Child Sexual Abuse Websites

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A California man was sentenced today to 24 years and four months in prison for his role in operating four websites dedicated to sharing images of child sexual abuse.

    According to court documents, Louis Donald Mendonsa, 62, of Sacramento, assisted with managing and maintaining four different websites that operated on the dark web from at least December 2021 until his arrest November 2022. Each of these websites were dedicated to advertising, distributing, and exchanging images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. One of the websites allowed members to post images and videos of children as young as infants and toddlers. While using the internet at a local coffee shop, Mendonsa advertised and distributed child sexual abuse images over these websites and assisted others with running the websites. When searched by law enforcement, his electronic devices were found to contain images of child sexual abuse, approximately 6,500 of which depicted identified victims of his conduct.

    Mendonsa pleaded guilty in April 2024 to seven counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

    Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith for the Eastern District of California, and Special Agent in Charge Tatum King of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Francisco made the announcement.

    HSI San Francisco investigated the case, with valuable assistance provided by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, the Sacramento Police Department, and the High Technology Investigative Unit of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).

    CEOS Trial Attorney Kaylynn Foulon and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Sauvageau and Christina McCall for the Eastern District of California prosecuted the case.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Ninepoint Partners Announces Final February 2025 Cash Distribution for Ninepoint Cash Management Fund – ETF Series

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ninepoint Partners LP (“Ninepoint Partners”) today announced the final February 2025 cash distribution for the Ninepoint Cash Management Fund – ETF Series. The record date for the distribution is February 28, 2025. This distribution is payable on March 7, 2025.

    The per-unit final February 2025 distribution is detailed below:

    Ninepoint ETF Series Ticker Cash Distribution per
    unit    		 Notional Distribution
    per unit    		 CUSIP
    Ninepoint Cash
    Management Fund    		 NSAV $0.12085 $0.00000 65443X105


    About Ninepoint Partners

    Based in Toronto, Ninepoint Partners LP is one of Canada’s leading alternative investment management firms overseeing approximately $7 billion in assets under management and institutional contracts. Committed to helping investors explore innovative investment solutions that have the potential to enhance returns and manage portfolio risk, Ninepoint offers a diverse set of alternative strategies spanning Equities, Fixed Income, Alternative Income, Real Assets, F/X and Digital Assets.

    For more information on Ninepoint Partners LP, please visit www.ninepoint.com or for inquiries regarding the offering, please contact us at (416) 943-6707 or (866) 299-9906 or invest@ninepoint.com.

    Ninepoint Partners LP is the investment manager to the Ninepoint Funds (collectively, the “Funds”). Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, performance fees (if any), and other expenses all may be associated with investing in the Funds. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. Prospective investors who are not resident in Canada should contact their financial advisor to determine whether securities of the Fund may be lawfully sold in their jurisdiction.

    Please note that distribution factors (breakdown between income, capital gains and return of capital) can only be calculated when a fund has reached its year-end. Distribution information should not be relied upon for income tax reporting purposes as this is only a component of total distributions for the year. For accurate distribution amounts for the purpose of filing an income tax return, please refer to the appropriate T3/T5 slips for that particular taxation year. Please refer to the prospectus or offering memorandum of each Fund for details of the Fund’s distribution policy.

    The payment of distributions and distribution breakdown, if applicable, is not guaranteed and may fluctuate. The payment of distributions should not be confused with a Fund’s performance, rate of return, or yield. If distributions paid by the Fund are greater than the performance of the Fund, then an investor’s original investment will shrink. Distributions paid as a result of capital gains realized by a Fund and income and dividends earned by a Fund are taxable in the year they are paid. An investor’s adjusted cost base will be reduced by the amount of any returns of capital. If an investor’s adjusted cost base goes below zero, then capital gains tax will have to be paid on the amount below zero.

    Sales Inquiries:

    Ninepoint Partners LP
    Neil Ross
    416-945-6227
    nross@ninepoint.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins, Bipartisan Group Introduce Bill to Expand Health Care Services in Rural and Underserved Areas

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) reintroduced their bipartisan legislation to increase the number of doctors working in rural and medically underserved areas. The Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act would reauthorize the Conrad 30 programs, which allow international doctors who have completed their residency training in the U.S. to remain in the country under the condition that they practice in areas experiencing physician shortages.
    “The Conrad 30 program allows international physicians who were educated in the United States to remain in our country and practice where there is an unmet need for health care professionals,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan reauthorization would expand access to care in rural and underserved communities, thereby improving health outcomes for more Mainers.”
    Generally, doctors from other countries working in America on J-1 visas are required to return to their home country after their residency has ended for two years before they can apply for another visa or green card. The Conrad 30 program allows doctors to stay in the United States without having to return home if they agree to practice in an underserved area for three years. The “30” refers to the number of doctors per state that can participate in the program.
    This legislation extends the Conrad 30 program for three years, improves the process for obtaining a visa, and allows for the program to be expanded beyond 30 slots if certain thresholds are met, while protecting small states’ slots. The bill also allows the spouses of doctors to work and provides worker protections to prevent the doctors from being mistreated. The legislation also allows physicians who serve in a Veterans Affairs (VA) facility or health professional shortage area for 5 years to get expedited consideration for a green card.
    The legislation has been endorsed by more than 50 organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, the Association of American Medical Colleges, the American Academy of Neurology, the Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment, and Physicians for American Healthcare Access.
    “With the physician workforce crisis showing no signs of abating, the Conrad 30 program remains an important tool to help ensure patients, particularly in rural and underserved communities, continue to have access to physicians. The Conrad 30 program has expanded the physician workforce across all communities, yet it would benefit greatly from the long-term reauthorization and targeted policy improvements outlined in this legislation. Once again, Sens. Klobuchar and Collins have stepped up for patients and physicians, and we applaud them for introducing the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act,” said Bruce A. Scott, M.D., President, American Medical Association.
    “The Conrad 30 program continues to be a vital lifeline for rural and underserved communities facing physician shortages. However, without reforms, recruiting and retaining international medical graduates (IMGs) will become increasingly difficult. This reauthorization strengthens incentives for IMGs and streamlines the waiver process for employers, making it easier to recruit physicians in areas with persistent shortages. These updates will strengthen the U.S. position in the global competition for top medical talent and uphold access to care in underserved areas. Physicians for American Healthcare Access applauds Senators Klobuchar, Collins, Rosen, and Tillis for their leadership on this bipartisan legislation,” said Physicians for American Healthcare Access President Ram Alur, M.D.
    The full text of the bill can be read here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: At Hearing, Warren Warns Republican Cuts to Medicaid Would Harm Millions of Americans Struggling with Opioid Addiction

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    February 27, 2025

    One study found that the health care and criminal justice systems save up to $100,000 over the course of a person’s life when they are treated with medication for opioid addiction. 

    “If Republicans really wanted to save money, they’d be expanding treatment to folks they claim they want to represent here, rather than ripping it away so that we can bankroll tax cuts for billionaires.”

    Video of Exchange (YouTube)

    Washington, D.C. – At a hearing of the Senate Committee on Aging, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) slammed Republican proposals to cut Medicaid, which would harm the millions of Americans struggling with opioid addiction who rely on Medicaid to receive treatment. Medicaid is the single largest payer of substance use disorder services in the entire country. 

    Republicans’ plan would pay for more tax cuts for billionaires by slashing Medicaid funding by over $800 billion.

    Dr. Malik Burnett, Assistant Professor in Addiction Medicine at the University of Maryland Midtown Campus, testified that capping Medicaid funding would limit patients’ options for addiction treatment. It would also reduce access to in-network providers for Medicaid patients as more providers would disenroll from the Medicaid network, denying patients the ability to access treatment close to where they live. 

    Dr. Burnett also testified that receiving opioid addiction treatment allows people to return to work sooner and become productive members of society, ultimately reducing strain on the social safety net. As a result, cutting Medicaid funding would actually force states to spend more. 

    Senator Warren called on Republicans in Congress to deliver real solutions to the constituents they represent instead of pushing for tax cuts for billionaires and large corporations while ripping away people’s health care.

    Transcript: Hearing to Examine Combating the Opioid Epidemic
    U.S. Senate Committee On Aging
    February 26, 2025

    Senator Elizabeth Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you and Ranking Member Gillibrand for holding this hearing today. It’s a really important topic, and I appreciate the care with which you treat this issue. 

    Since 2017, the opioid epidemic has taken the lives of nearly half a million Americans. Their families—and so many more—need Congress to come up with real solutions. For example, I know Chairman Scott and I agree on the need to close a trade loophole that lets China ship fentanyl precursors into the country uninspected, and it’s time to put a stop to that.

    But, as we sit here today, President Trump and Congressional Republicans are working hard to advance budget legislation that would make the opioid epidemic worse, not better. They have proposals to cut over $800 billion from Medicaid, which is the largest single payer of substance use disorder services in the entire country. Why? So they can fund tax cuts for billionaires.

    Let’s be clear about this: slashing Medicaid funding either through per capita caps or back door cuts like work requirements in an area that already has work requirements would mean ripping away health care from millions of vulnerable Americans, including about a million people right now, who are getting treatment for their opioid addiction. 

    Dr. Burnett, you’ve worked on the front lines of the opioid crisis. You have helped countless people overcome addiction. I want to thank you for your work and express my admiration for that, but tell me, in this budget space, what percentage of your patients rely on Medicaid for their treatment?

    Dr. Malik Burnett, Assistant Professor in Addiction Medicine at the University of Maryland Midtown Campus: I would say, currently, about 80% of our patients rely on Medicaid for treatment. 

    Senator Warren: Wow. So, in other words, Medicaid, as I understand it, is not just one option for how people get treatment. It is the backbone of the entire system for treating opioid addiction. Is that fair? 

    Dr. Burnett: That’s a fair comment.

    Senator Warren: All right, and yet, Republicans are talking about gutting that system to the tune of nearly a trillion dollars. So, I’d like to look at just a little deeper level about what those cuts would actually mean for our country’s battle against the opioid crisis. Two of the policies proposed by House Republicans are capping Medicaid payments to states and imposing red tape like additional work requirements. 

    Dr. Burnett, can you just talk for a minute about how those changes would affect access to treatment if they were put into law? 

    Dr. Burnett: Absolutely. I think one, there was a recent Kaiser Family Foundation study that talks about the work requirements issue, and that actually almost 92% of people on Medicaid already are either working or involved in some sort of part-time or full-time work. So, the work requirements situation would just really add a lot of administrative burdens, ultimately resulting in people getting kicked off of Medicaid. 

    Senator Warren: So I just want to make sure we say that again: what proportion of people are now already subject to work requirements?

    Dr. Burnett: 92% 

    Senator Warren: 92%. All right, so adding more work requirements on top of this has what impact?

    Dr. Burnett: It would certainly increase the administrative burdens of keeping people on Medicaid. 

    Senator Warren: That’s right. And what’s the consequence of increasing those administrative burdens? 

    Dr. Burnett: They would lose access to their addiction.

    Senator Warren: That’s right. So, people just can’t get the paperwork filled out. More people fall by the wayside. I think that was the Arkansas experiment, as I recall. 

    Dr. Burnett: That’s correct. 

    Senator Warren: Yeah. But there’s another part to this as well. What about capping the funding?

    Dr. Burnett: Yeah, capping the funding would create two problems. One, it would definitely curtail the amount of choice that patients have relative to the types of addiction treatment that they would have, and then capping the funding would also create a network adequacy problem because more providers would disenroll from accepting patients on Medicaid, so patients would not have the ability to access treatment close to where they live.

    Senator Warren: Yeah, in fact, we don’t have to speculate on what the consequences would be. In states expanding Medicaid treatment for opioid addiction, it increased over four times faster than in states that refused the expansion. Meanwhile, Republican states that imposed so-called work requirements did not actually increase employment, because that was never the point. Instead, opioid overdoses went up and access to treatment actually went down. So look, there is no denying the critical role that Medicaid plays in fighting the opioid epidemic. Cutting that program is not just cruel, it’s totally backwards in what we’re trying to accomplish. 

    Might I ask one more question, Mr. Chairman? Thank you.

    Dr. Burnett, I want to ask about something you’ve done some scholarly work on and you’ve published. You’ve written extensively about the positive effects of investing in treatment and how that ultimately lowers costs down the line, so that if you cut the investments for treatment like cutting Medicaid, the question is, is that really going to save any money? 

    Dr. Burnett: No, I think, as I said in my testimony, people who experience treatment are much faster to return to work, be productive members of society, and ultimately not be a burden on the social safety net. So it would actually be more detrimental to cut Medicaid funding in terms of the amount of expenditure that states and public dollars would be needing to use.

    Senator Warren: So, this treatment gets people back to work, fewer trips to the emergency room?

    Dr. Burnett: Totally.

    Senator Warren: The long-term cost is that we save money by making these investments. One study found that for every patient treated with medication for opioid addiction, the government saves up to $100,000 over the course of that person’s lifetime. Let’s be clear: the budget cuts the Republicans are proposing are not about saving money. If Republicans really wanted to save money, they’d be expanding treatment to folks they claim they want to represent here, rather than ripping it away so that we can bankroll tax cuts for billionaires. 

    Families and communities across this country are counting on us to deliver real solutions to the opioid epidemic, not play politics, and I won’t stop fighting for that. Thank you very much. Thank you all for being here. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Padilla Warns Against Trump’s Push to Install His Personal Lawyers to Top Department of Justice Positions

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    WATCH: Padilla Warns Against Trump’s Push to Install His Personal Lawyers to Top Department of Justice Positions

    WATCH: Padilla calls out DOJ nominees for loyalty to Trump above the Constitution

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, warned against President Trump’s alarming pattern of nominating lawyers who have previously represented him for senior Department of Justice positions, and called the nominees out for refusing to commit to uphold key Constitutional provisions. He voted against advancing Trump’s nominee for U.S. Deputy Attorney General, Todd Blanche, who served as Trump’s personal criminal defense attorney in several cases, including Trump’s New York hush money trial, in which the President was convicted of 34 felony counts.

    Padilla underscored the refusals of Attorney General Pam Bondi and Solicitor General nominee John Sauer to commit to protecting birthright citizenship, which is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. He also highlighted the conflicts of interest Bondi, Blanche, Sauer, and other top officials at the Justice Department have due to their previous representation of Trump — raising concerns about both their independence from Trump and how many officials might need to recuse themselves from important cases.

    In light of these dangerous nominations, Padilla voiced his concerns about eroding public trust in Congress and the Justice system.

    Key Quotes:

    • I can’t recall a time when not just any nominee by any President, but specifically high-ranking positions within the Department of Justice when those nominees would not clearly and strongly respond to the questions that we’ve been asking, about what if you are asked to do something unconstitutional or illegal or unethical? What would you do in that instance?
    • As we zoom out and in the aggregate, it’s not just individual concerns, nominee by nominee by nominee, but collectively speaking, you know, when given so many of these people’s personal history with President Trump, having been his personal lawyer, the concern about true independence and conflict of interest is stronger than ever.
    • There’s so many people now and soon to be at the highest levels of the Department of Justice, we’re at an unprecedented point of where does the conflict stop? Where is the independence, the commitment to the people of the United States and the Constitution? Not fealty to the President of the United States, that not just us as the Senate Judiciary Committee or Congress as a whole, but the American public, they’re losing confidence and faith in this most important of institutions.
    • As we are expressing our concern or even outrage with some of these specific nominees and individual nominees, let’s not lose sight of what’s happening collectively as these nominees are flying through because we’re not hearing any question, any concern from our Republican colleagues in this committee, let alone in the Senate as an entire body, with what’s going on here.

    Video of Senator Padilla’s remarks is available here.

    Footage of his remarks can be downloaded here.

    Senator Padilla has fought to hold Trump’s DOJ nominees accountable. Earlier this month, he questioned Blanche on his personal ties to the President and the Trump Administration’s unlawful firings of more than a dozen Inspectors General. Padilla previously opposed advancing Attorney General Bondi’s nomination after she refused to affirm birthright citizenship, which is constitutionally guaranteed, and declined to disavow the false claim that the 2020 election was stolen during her Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing. He also sounded the alarm on Kash Patel’s reckless nomination to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), delivering remarks ahead of Patel’s confirmation at a press conference outside FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C. and in a speech on the Senate floor. Yesterday, Padilla questioned three of President Trump’s DOJ nominees, raising concerns over Republican DOJ nominees’ apparent willingness to disregard the rule of law and ignore court orders they disagree with. Additionally, Padilla joined Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats last month in demanding answers from Bondi, Blanche, Patel, and other Trump Administration nominees and officials on the removal or reassignment of career law enforcement officials across the DOJ and FBI.

    More information on today’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Help Make College Textbooks More Affordable

    US Senate News:

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

    February 27, 2025

    Washington D.C.— U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he has joined Senate colleagues to introduce legislation designed to help students manage costs by making high quality textbooks easily accessible to students, professors, and the public for free. 

    “With the cost of college attendance skyrocketing, students shouldn’t also have to spend hundreds, or in some cases thousands, of dollars extra to access textbooks that they will use for a few classes,” Wyden said. “Open textbooks will ensure that students get all the essential academic tools they need at their fingertips for free.”

    The legislation, known as the Affordable College Textbook Act, would authorize a competitive grant program to support the creation and expansion of open college textbooks—textbooks that are available under an open license, allowing professors, students, researchers, and others to freely access the materials.

    Textbook costs are one of the most overlooked costs of going to college, but they can be a substantial barrier to pursuing a college education.  According to the College Board, the average student at a four-year public institution of higher education spent $1,290 on college books and supplies during the 2024-2025 academic year.  In a 2020 U.S. PIRG survey, 65 percent of students decided not to buy a textbook because of the cost, and 94 percent of those students were worried it would affect their grade negatively.

    The Affordable College Textbook Act expands and updates provisions from the College Textbook Affordability Act contained in the 2008 Higher Education Opportunity Act.  The provisions aimed to make more information available to students looking to manage college textbook costs. The 2008 law required textbook publishers to disclose to faculty the cost of a textbook to their students, required schools to publish textbook price information in course catalogues when practicable, and required publishers to offer unbundled supplemental materials so that students had choices.  The provisions took effect on July 1, 2010.

    Specifically, the Affordable College Textbook Act would do the following:

    • Authorize a grant program, similar to the Open Textbook Pilot program for which Congress already has appropriated $54 million and saved students more than $250 million.  The grant would support projects at colleges to create and expand the use of open textbooks, with priority for programs that would achieve the highest savings for students;
    • Ensure that any open textbooks or educational materials created using program funds would be free and easily accessible to the public;
    • Require entities who receive funds to complete a report on the effectiveness of the program in achieving savings for students;
    • Improve and update existing requirements for publishers and institutions that provide information on textbook costs, including new disclosure requirements to students on how companies providing digital materials may use student data; and
    • Require the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress with an update on the price trends of college textbooks.

    In addition to Wyden, the legislation was introduced by Senators Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Angus King, I-Maine, and Tina Smith, D-Minn, with U.S. Representative Joe Neguse, D-Colo, introducing companion legislation in the House.

    The Affordable College Textbook Act is supported by SPARC, National Association of College Stores, Student PIRGs, U.S. PIRG, American Federation of Teachers, American Association of Community Colleges, Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs, Association of Community College Trustees, Association of College & Research Libraries, Association of Research Libraries, CAST, Creative Commons, National Education Association, Open Oregon Educational Resources, the Council of Administrators of Special Education, Today’s Students Coalition, UNCF, and Young Invincibles.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Press Feds on Threat of Rising Housing Costs from Plan to Reprivatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

    US Senate News:

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

    February 27, 2025

    Oregon senators: Privatization a giveaway for hedge funds, wealthy investors; could hurt homebuyers

    Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined Senate colleagues to press the Department of Housing and Urban Development on whether its plan to reprivatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will make mortgages more expensive. 

    “During your confirmation process, you repeatedly spoke of the desire to reduce housing costs, a goal we share. However, right out of the gate, you are actively advocating for policy changes that would likely raise housing costs for hard working Americans,” the senators wrote HUD Secretary Scott Turner, who said right after his confirmation that he would act as “quarterback” in the Trump Administration’s plan to reprivatize the multi-trillion dollar companies.

    “Changes to the ownership of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would be a monumental undertaking that would affect our entire housing system and touch the lives of homeowners and renters across the country,” they wrote. “If mismanaged, ending the conservatorships and Treasury’s role with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could make mortgages more expensive, cut off access to mortgage credit, destroy many of the important reforms made over the past 16 years, and compromise our entire housing market and the broader U.S. economy.” 

    The senators also raised concerns that privatization could result in a taxpayer-funded giveaway worth billions for wealthy investors and hedge funds, quoting one investor’s optimism that “Trump and his team will get the job done.” The senators asked Turner to commit to ensuring that any changes to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will not result in higher rents or mortgage costs for Americans while rewarding hedge funds and the wealthy.

    “Our housing finance system is a complex, multi-trillion dollar market that touches the lives of every American family. It is critical that any effort to reprivatize Fannie Mac and Freddie Mac does not result in windfalls for wealthy investors while raising housing costs for American families. We look forward to your prompt and thorough reply on this urgent matter,” wrote the senators.

    The letter was led by U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. In addition to Wyden and Merkley, the letter was also signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Dick Durbin D-Ill., Andy Kim, D-N.J., Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Jack Reed, D-R.I. 

    The full text of the letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner and Boozman Introduce Legislation to Expand Veteran Suicide Prevention Efforts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and John Boozman (R-AR) introduced legislation to renew and expand the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)-administered program that provides essential funding for mental health outreach in veteran communities. The Fox Grant Program was created through a Warner- and Boozman-led bill, passed as part of the broader Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, and it has distributed millions in grants to community and veteran service organizations (VSOs), as well as mental health providers across the country. Without further intervention, the program is scheduled to sunset later this year.

    “Veterans put an enormous amount on the line to serve our nation, and we owe them the best benefits available when they come home – including robust mental health resources,” said Sen. Warner. “For the past several years, the Staff Sergeant Fox Grant Program has played an invaluable role getting organizations already doing life-saving mental health outreach more support, including many incredible organizations in Virginia. We cannot back down on our commitment to preventing suicide in veteran communities – it’s time for us to extend and expand this essential grant program.”

    “Veterans who struggle with mental health have responded well to support provided by those they know and trust,” said Sen. Boozman. “When our former servicemembers have access to assistance within their own communities, from organizations with demonstrated ability to build strong relationships and foster hope, they are less likely to take their own lives. Reauthorizing funding for this life-saving initiative is part of the commitment we made to fulfilling what was promised to our veterans struggling to carry the invisible weight of their mental and physical sacrifice.”

    Suicide is the 12th-leading cause of death for veterans, and the 2nd-leading cause for veterans under 45. Over 131,000 veterans have died by suicide since 2001, withveterans being 72% more likely than the civilian population to die by suicide. Since its original passage, the Fox Grant Program has worked to end this crisis by distributing hundreds of millions in funding to organizations that provide critical, frontline mental health services to veterans. In 2024 alone, Virginia organizations received $4.5 million from these grants. The program honors Veteran Parker Gordon Fox, a veteran and former sniper instructor at the U.S. Army Infantry School at Ft. Benning, GA. SSG Fox died by suicide on July 21, 2020 at the age of 25.

    Specifically, this reauthorization of the Fox Grant Program would:

    • Reauthorize the Fox Grant Program until Sept. 30, 2028.
    • Increase the total authorized funding for the grant program from $174 million to $285 million.
    • Expand the maximum potential award from $750,000 to $1.25 million.
    • Direct the VA to collect additional measures and metrics on performance to better serve veterans.
    • Require annual briefings for VA medical personnel to improve awareness of the program, and coordination with providers.

    The legislation has strong support from Veterans of Foreign Wars and Blue Star Families.

    “The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) strongly supports the bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Warner and Boozman to reauthorize and expand the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program,” said Joy Craig, Associate Director of Service Member Affairs with the VFW’s National Legislative Service. “Veteran suicide remains a national crisis, and increasing the maximum grant amount while improving oversight and coordination will help ensure life-saving resources reach those in need. The VFW has long advocated for community-based solutions, and this legislation strengthens critical partnerships between the VA and local organizations working to prevent suicide. We urge Congress to swiftly pass this bill and reaffirm its commitment to those who have sacrificed for our nation.” 

    “The SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program is a lifeline for Veterans and military families facing the invisible wounds of service,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO, Blue Star Families. “Blue Star Families has seen firsthand the impact of these critical resources—support that saves lives and strengthens communities. This program ensures that Veterans and their loved ones get the help they need before a crisis turns tragic. We are proud to support its reauthorization and urge Congress to continue investing in solutions that honor the service and sacrifice of those who’ve given so much for our country.”   

    Full text of the legislation can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Thune, Malliotakis & Peters Introduce Legislation to Address Student Debt Crisis

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and John Thune (R-SD), alongside U.S. Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11) and Scott Peters (D-CA-50), introduced the Employer Participation in Repayment Act – bipartisan legislation to help Americans tackle their student loan debt by making permanent a provision that allows employers to contribute up to $5,250 tax-free to their employees’ student loans.

    In 2020, Sens. Warner and Thune along with Rep. Peters negotiated the inclusion of a provision in the CARES Act that allowed these contributions temporarily. Later that year, as part of the government spending package, they secured an extension allowing this benefit until January 1, 2026. By making this tax benefit permanent, today’s legislation would provide employees with much-needed relief and employers with a unique and permanent tool to attract and retain talented employees.

    “As the first in my family to graduate from college, I wouldn’t have been able to afford my tuition without the help of student loans,” said Sen. Warner. “Unfortunately as the cost of higher education continues to skyrocket, so has the rate of Americans who turn to student loans to pay for college. Today too many Americans are saddled with tough-to-manage student loan debt, with no end in sight. That’s why I’ve teamed up with Sen. Thune to create an innovative, bipartisan approach to help ease the burden of student loans. By making employer student loan repayments tax-exempt, employers will have a tool to recruit and retain a talented workforce while also helping working Americans manage their financial future.”

    “Incentivizing employers to help repay their employees’ student loans was a common-sense step Congress took to address the high levels of student debt that borrowers face,” said Sen. Thune. “This bill would permanently equip employers with this unique tool to help attract and retain talented employees while protecting American taxpayers from costly burdens. This is a win-win for graduates and their employers, and I hope it will once again garner strong, bipartisan support.”

    “Over the past 20 years, the cost to attend college has risen 45 percent, forcing students to choose between pursuing higher education and taking on tens of thousands of dollars in burdensome student loan debt,” said Rep. Malliotakis. “Our bipartisan legislation enables employers to contribute up to $5,250 per year, tax-free, toward their employees’ student loans—helping those entering the workforce pay down debt faster and build a stronger financial future. This tax incentive will continue to strengthen our workforce, increase our nation’s competitiveness, and provide much-needed economic relief to millions of Americans.”

    “I relied on student loans to get through college when the cost of higher education was much lower than it is today. Now, the collective debt among Americans is $1.7 trillion, which limits our economic growth and the economic prospects of young adults,” said Rep. Peters. “Over the last five years, this program has been a huge success — employers have helped pay off thousands of employees’ loans and it gave employers a tool to compete for the best talent. This public-private collaboration has proven itself as a cost-effective solution to the student debt crisis and it is imperative that we make it permanent.” 

    Americans owe a combined $1.77 trillion dollars in student loan debt, according to the most recent quarterly report from the Federal Reserve. This debt is a significant financial burden that not only influences the way the American workforce saves and spends, but also has a stifling effect on the economy. This legislation would update an existing federal program so that it works better for employees living with the reality of burdensome student loan debt.

    The legislation has support from numerous educational organizations and business groups.

    “The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) is pleased to support bipartisan legislation that would make permanent the expansion of IRC Sec. 127. This expansion to allow student loan repayment assistance should absolutely be a permanent benefit and not expire next year as currently scheduled.  This assistance helps working students, employers, and ultimately the U.S. economy. Section 127 benefits play a critical role in maintaining U.S. competitiveness and preventing the accumulation of student debt by enabling employers to fund the training, development and education of their employees, without imposing tax burdens on those employees for the education they receive.  Employees use these benefits to pursue their educational and career goals and use amounts provided by their employer to either help pay for the cost of tuition or repay student loans,” said Karin Johns, Director of Tax Policy, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

    “The bipartisan and bicameral Employer Participation in Repayment Act will reduce borrowers’ student loan burdens and encourage successful repayment. In turn, it gives employers a permanent tool with which to attract a stable workforce. EFC is proud to endorse this legislation, and we look forward to collaborating with you to advance public policies that appropriately balance the interests of student loan borrowers, employers, and taxpayers,” said Gail daMota, President, Education Finance Council.

    “The U.S. Chamber supports the Employer Participation in Repayment Act because it allows employers voluntarily to provide a valued employee benefit that helps their employees’ financial well-being,” said Chantel Sheaks, Vice President, Retirement Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

    “Candidly has facilitated more than $100M in tax-free Student Loan Employer Contributions to help employees pay down their debt faster, as a workplace benefit, resulting in a whopping 67% reduction in turnover across participating workers. Permanency is crucial to sustaining and scaling this highly efficacious new category of benefit into a new normal,” said Laurel Taylor, CEO, Candidly.

    “Fidelity Investments commends the bipartisan re-introduction of the Employer Participation in Repayment Act. Permanently extending this important incentive is critical to the American workforce’s financial wellness. As a market leader for student debt workplace benefits since 2016, Fidelity has enabled hundreds of employers across a wide range of industries to seamlessly contribute to and ease the student debt burden for their employees. To date, these employers have helped more than 100k employees save more than $500mn and an average of 3-4 years in payments. The growth and popularity of these benefits have accelerated since the introduction of this provision as part of the 2020 CARES Act, and we look forward to working with Congress to enact this legislation permanently into law,” said Jesse Moore, Senior Vice President, Head of Student Debt at Fidelity Investments.

    “We commend Senators Thune and Warner, along with Representatives Malliotakis and Peters, for their leadership in introducing the Employer Participation in Repayment Act. Making the student loan repayment expansion permanent is a critical step toward easing the financial burden on millions of Americans while empowering businesses to attract and retain top talent. This bipartisan, bicameral effort underscores a shared commitment to workforce development, economic growth, and financial well-being for employees nationwide. We urge Congress to pass this legislation and ensure long-term support for student loan repayment benefits,” said Chatrane Birbal, Vice President of Policy and Government Relations at the HR Policy Association. 

    “SHRM strongly supports the reintroduction of the Employer Participation in Repayment Act, a bipartisan bill that would permanently allow employers to assist employees in repaying their student loans. At SHRM, we have long championed policies that empower employers to provide education assistance programs that align with the evolving needs of the workforce. This legislation is key to strengthening the education-to-employment pipeline—ensuring that individuals can pursue and complete their education without being burdened by overwhelming debt, while also helping employers build a skilled and competitive workforce. This legislation provides a commonsense solution that would benefit workers, workplaces, and the economy,” said Emily M. Dickens, Chief of Staff and Head of Government Affairs at the Society for Human Resource Management.

    “We commend the introduction of bipartisan legislation to permanently extend the student loan repayment benefit under Section 127. Supporting efforts by employers to offer education or debt relief to their employees is both economically and fiscally responsible. This bill is a crucial step towards modernizing Section 127 of the tax code, addressing the evolving needs of employees, and ensuring our workforce remains competitive. InStride is dedicated to reducing the burden of student debt and expanding economic opportunities through innovative employer-sponsored education programs. This legislative effort aligns with our mission and helps create a more financially resilient workforce,” said Craig Maloney, CEO, InStride.

    “The National Association of REALTORS ® (NAR) has long supported efforts to ease the burden of student loan debt. The Employer Participation in Repayment Act is a useful tool in easing the weight of student debt. NAR applauds the leadership from Representatives Peters and Malliotakis and Senators Warner and Thune in making this change permanent. This legislation creates a win-win for both employers in search of attracting and maintaining talented workers and employees who will receive relief on their debt, enabling them to save money for important life decisions like purchasing a home,” said National Association of Realtors® President Kevin Sears.

    “Extending the tax exclusion for employer-provided student loan repayment assistance is crucial for today’s U.S. workforce and is 100% aligned with employer perspectives on these benefits,” said Scott Thompson, CEO of Tuition.io. “As the cost of higher education continues to skyrocket, this benefit enables companies to foster a more educated and skilled workforce, while helping their employees cover basic living expenses, a challenge for so many people today. Since Tuition.io started administering contributions in 2016, employers on our platform have helped pay down student loan debt for hundreds of thousands of employees in key sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and technology. We at Tuition.io strongly support making these benefits under Section 127 permanent, as their removal would be a significant setback for both corporations and their employees.”

    “The introduction of this bill is a huge step in the right direction and, when passed, will be a major win for companies, employees, and society at large. Tax-free employer contributions to student loans is a great way to help employees pay back student loans while providing a unique incentive for employees to align with company priorities. As the cost of education has and will likely continue to rise, this benefit will help alleviate the financial stress employees have incurred in order to gain employment. Permanently including employer student loan contributions under tax-free educational assistance will help pave the way for more employers to play a massive role in solving the student debt crisis,” said Mick MackLaverty, CEO of Highway Benefits.

    “We are proud to support this initiative and grateful to Congressmember Peters for his dedication to San Diego’s small businesses,” said Jessica Anderson, Interim President and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. “The Employer Participation in Repayment Act of 2025 will expand the benefits employers can offer by assisting with student debt repayment, in turn helping small businesses attract and retain talent in a competitive workforce. 

    Full text of the legislation can be found here. A summary of the legislation can be found here.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: B.C. will strengthen biofuel industry with Canadian-content requirements

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    The Province is taking action to strengthen British Columbia’s energy resilience and support local biofuel producers, ensuring cleaner transportation fuels and greater energy security for people in B.C.

    “British Columbians deserve a reliable, sustainable and Canadian fuel supply,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “By increasing the Canadian biofuel content in our transportation fuels, we will support local producers, protect jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign energy. This action reflects our commitment to cleaner energy, economic growth and a resilient future for British Columbians.”

    B.C. and Canadian biofuel producers have long felt the impact of the competitive advantage American producers have over Canadian producers because of U.S. subsidies, which have increased under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act.

    To support B.C. and Canadian biofuel producers, protect local jobs throughout the supply chain and strengthen British Columbia’s energy security, the Province is making key amendments to regulations under the Low Carbon Fuels Act that prioritize the inclusion of Canadian biofuels in B.C.’s transportation fuels. This action will stabilize the biofuel market and support B.C. companies such as Tidewater Renewables in Prince George, Parkland in Burnaby and Consolidated Biofuels in Delta.

    “We welcome the Government of B.C.’s changes to the Low Carbon Fuels Act and the commitment to strengthen the Canadian biofuel sector,” said Jeremy Baines, president and CEO, Tidewater Renewables. “This is a good first step in levelling the playing field with imported biofuels that take advantage of overlapping foreign and Canadian policies, and moving toward an economically viable Canadian renewable fuel industry. Tidewater is committed to being a leader in the energy transition, continuing to develop made-in-B.C. energy solutions, creating good-paying jobs in British Columbia and continuing to supply low-carbon fuels, helping British Columbia and Canada meet emission-reduction targets.”

    Effective Jan. 1, 2026, the minimum 5% renewable-fuel requirement for gasoline must be met with eligible renewable fuels produced in Canada. The renewable-fuel requirement for diesel is 4% and will immediately be increased to 8%. Beginning April 1, 2025, the renewable content of diesel fuel must be produced in Canada.

    The Province has been working closely with B.C. biofuel producers and suppliers to develop an approach that supports the entire industry and limits price impacts. This aligns with the Province’s commitment to sustainability and competitiveness, balancing environmental goals with economic development, signalling B.C.’s leadership in advancing a cleaner and more resilient energy future.

    Quotes:

    Dan Treleaven, chief executive officer, Consolidated Biofuels Ltd. –

    “This news is welcome support for local homegrown biofuel producers. Securing and growing local production reduces reliance on imports, while maintaining one of the most progressive carbon-reduction programs in Canada.”

    Mark Zacharias, executive director, Clean Energy Canada –

    “We are pleased to see today’s amendments to the Low Carbon Fuels Regulation. These changes will provide certainty to B.C. and Canadian biofuel producers, while connecting the Canadian biofuel supply chain and supporting the province’s clean-energy economy. In the face of potential U.S. tariffs, these changes will create jobs here in B.C., while doing our part for the climate.”

    Learn More:

    British Columbia’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard:
    https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/electricity-alternative-energy/transportation-energies/renewable-low-carbon-fuels

    A backgrounder follows.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Illegal alien from Mexico sentenced to 27 months in federal prison, following US Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BOISE — Jose Salvador Alcaraz-Curiel, 31, an illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for being a deported alien found in the United States, following a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation, Feb. 24, 2025.

    According to court records, Alcaraz-Curiel was previously removed from the U.S. in October 2018 and September 2020.

    “This conviction underscores the dedication of ICE Homeland Security Investigations special agents in safeguarding our nation’s laws,” said ICE HSI Seattle acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Murphy. “By holding individuals accountable for illegally reentering the United States, we emphasize the vital role of immigration enforcement in protecting the safety and security of our communities. We remain fully committed to enforcing immigration laws to safeguard the American public.”

    After his second removal, Alcaraz-Curiel again reentered the United States illegally and without lawful authority. ICE encountered Alcaraz-Curiel in Canyon County in March 2024. Alcaraz-Curiel has history of state misdemeanor and felony convictions in Idaho, as well as a 2020 federal conviction in the District of Arizona for being a deported alien found in the United States.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott commended the efforts of ICE for their work on this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis J. Zebari prosecuted this case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins Champions Critical SAVE Act Reforms to Protect Election Integrity

    Source: US State of Missouri

     

     

    For Immediate Release:   February 27, 2025

    Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins Champions Critical SAVE Act Reforms to Protect Election Integrity

    JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, CPA, joined a coalition of state election officials in urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to implement significant reforms to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program. In a joint letter sent to the Department, the group outlined a series of vital improvements designed to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of verifying voter eligibility, thereby bolstering the integrity of our nation’s elections.

     

    “The integrity of our elections is non-negotiable. Ensuring that only eligible citizens cast their votes is the cornerstone of our democratic process,” stated Secretary Hoskins. “By modernizing the SAVE system, we can eliminate unnecessary delays and obstacles that currently burden our state election offices.”

     

    The proposed reforms include:

    • Bulk Search Capability: Enabling state officials to verify the citizenship status of multiple individuals simultaneously, significantly reducing processing time and administrative effort.
    • Expanded Use of Identifiers: Allowing the use of additional identifying information—such as date of birth, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license numbers—that is already collected during voter registration.
    • Fee-Free Access: Removing the fees imposed on state election officials for using the SAVE system, ensuring that federal resources are fully leveraged to protect our elections.
    • Clear Operational Guidelines: Establishing unambiguous directives for the use of the SAVE system to eliminate confusion and judicial inconsistencies.
    • Notification of Naturalization Filings: Implementing a mechanism to alert states when individuals applying for naturalization have a history of voter registration, thereby preemptively addressing potential issues.

     

    Secretary Hoskins emphasized that these measures are essential not only for enhancing administrative efficiency but also for upholding the democratic principle that every vote must count.

     

    “Our collective goal is to ensure a secure electoral process that reflects the will of eligible American citizens. The SAVE Act reforms are a critical step in that direction,” he added.

     

    The joint letter and its recommendations mark a proactive effort by state officials across the country to safeguard election integrity. Missouri remains committed to working collaboratively with federal partners to implement these vital reforms.

     

    Final Draft Jt. SoS SAVE Letter.pdf

     

    2025-02-27 OPINION Securing Our Elections – The Imperative for SAVE Act Reforms

     

     

     

    About Secretary of State Denny Hoskins
    Denny Hoskins, CPA, was elected Missouri Secretary of State in November 2024. With a strong background in business and public service, he is committed to improving government efficiency, transparency, and supporting Missouri families.

    The letter and an opinion piece related to reform support has been attached. 

    For more information, please contact: Rachael Dunn, Director of Communications, [email protected].

    — 30 —

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Guatemalan National Indicted for Illegal Reentry

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A Guatemalan national was indicted today for unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation.

    Domingo Valentin Solis-De Leon, 29, was charged with one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Solis-De Leon was arrested on Jan. 28, 2025 in Lynn, Mass. and was subsequently taken into custody by immigration authorities. Solis-De Leon was indicted this morning and will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston later.

    The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant will be subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Global Bodies – IPU to hold a global conference of women parliamentarians in Mexico

    Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

    Thursday, 27 February, Mexico City, Mexico – The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is pleased to announce the Global Conference of Women Parliamentarians From Mexico to the World: Let’s mobilize for gender parity! which will be held in Mexico City from 13 to 16 March 2025. The Conference is being jointly organized by the IPU and the Senate of Mexico.

    The Conference aims to identify successful measures and strategies for advancing gender parity in parliaments, share good practices, and inspire action towards achieving equal participation and power for women in political decision-making.

    Mexico is one of only six countries in the world to have achieved gender equality in parliament. This is largely due to a 2014 constitutional amendment requiring political parties to ensure gender parity in the nomination of candidates.

    In June 2024, Mexico made history by electing its first female President, Ms. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, who will open the Conference.

    IPU leadership will be represented by Dr. Tulia Ackson, President of the IPU, Ms. Cynthia López Castro, Senator of Mexico and President of the IPU Bureau of Women Parliamentarians, and Mr. Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the IPU.

    The Conference will host a series of panel discussions and open debates on critical topics such as strategies to engage men in advancing gender equality, breaking the ceilings for women’s leadership and achieving zero tolerance for violence against women in politics.

    Registration

    Parliaments are invited to send a delegation of up to four members of parliament, including one male MP and at least one young woman MP (under 40) to attend the Conference.

    Register before 1 March: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeG66ZLLHdeBJUezwTutOJbfLzZf8wYZUt-roQ7XxYn0FYIig/viewform?pli=1

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Trump Holds a Press Conference with Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom

    Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)

    The White House

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJSaNSSj_4c

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ricketts, Flood Introduce CRA Legislation to Overturn CFPB’s Regulatory Overreach of Consumer Payment Companies

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and U.S. Representative Mike Flood (R-NE-01) introduced a bicameral Congressional Review Act resolution to overturn the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)’s latest overreach in the digital consumer payment market. The legislation would nullify the CFPB’s burdensome “Defining Larger Participants of a Market for General-Use Digital Consumer Payment Applications” rule, which took effect on January 9, 2025.
    “Following their election loss, the Biden-Harris CFPB rushed an eleventh-hour rule to attack non-bank digital consumer payment applications,” said Senator Ricketts. “This one-size-fits-all solution in search of a problem unnecessarily expands the CFPB’s authority. Our legislation eliminates barriers to innovation, cuts red tape, and supports our job-creators. Thank you, Congressman Flood, for leading this common-sense effort in the House. I urge my colleagues to consider this legislation without delay.”
    “Over the last four years, progressive activists sought to dramatically expand the regulatory authority of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau,” said Representative Flood. “One of the tools they used to achieve their goal was the Larger Participants Rule, which has attempted to leverage the agency’s examination authority to regulate non-bank consumer payments firms. Rolling back this regulation is critical to ensuring that the CFPB doesn’t become a barrier to innovation for job creators across America. Thank you to my colleagues in the House who are joining this effort and to Senator Ricketts for leading on this bicameral effort as well.”
    “Technology helps Americans of all backgrounds manage their financial lives. The CFPB’s rule doesn’t benefit consumers or the market, but it would stifle fintech innovation,” said Carl Holshouser, Executive Vice President of TechNet. “The final rule’s one-size-fits-all approach fails to follow applicable law, does not identify any specific consumer harm, and largely ignores stakeholder comments. Instead, the Bureau casts a wide net to turn itself into a general technology regulator instead of a financial one. TechNet is thankful to Representative Flood and Senator Ricketts for introducing this important resolution and looks forward to Congress rescinding the CFPB’s rule.”
    “The final rule was deeply flawed, failed to define a market or identify specific risks to consumers, and conflated diverse uses and products into a one-size-fits-all approach,” said Penny Lee, President and CEO of the Financial Technology Association. “This was an overreach by the CFPB as payment companies are well-regulated at the state and federal levels. We applaud Senator Pete Ricketts and Congressman Mike Flood in leading the Congressional Review Act process.”
    Bill text can be found here.
    BACKGROUND
    On November 21, 2024, the CFPB finalized a rule entitled “Defining Larger Participants of a Market for a General-Use Digital Consumer Payment Applications”— one of the Biden Administration’s many midnight rulemakings at the end of the year. Effective Jan. 9, 2025, the rule stretches CFPB’s powers to establish new supervision and examination authority over nonbank entities identified as “larger participants” in the general-use digital consumer payment applications market. These entities include payment apps, digital wallets, peer-to-peer payment apps, and other entities. “Larger participants” are entities that facilitate at least 50 million consumer payment transactions annually. Payment apps like Paypal or Venmo are examples.
    Many payment companies are already regulated at the federal and state level. Consumers are having positive experiences in engaging with these services. Despite minimal consumer complaints about payment services—accounting for only 1% of the CFPB’s 1.3 million complaints in 2023—the CFPB chose to layer additional oversight on an already well-regulated industry.
    This one-size-fits-all solution in search of a problem expands CFPB’s authority without properly identifying a specific market it seeks to supervise or the risks within a specific market that pose harm to consumers that existing regulation doesn’t already mitigate. It will layer overreaching, duplicative regulation that could stifle innovation and lead to fewer services and increased costs.
    Further, the cost-benefit analysis supporting the rule is insufficient, unrealistic, and notably underestimates a CFPB exam to cost just $25,001.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Lummis Leads Inaugural Digital Asset Subcommittee Hearing, Lays Foundation for Commonsense Legislative Framework

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis

    February 27, 2025

    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) led the inaugural Digital Assets Subcommittee hearing where witnesses expressed the need for Congress to provide a clear regulatory framework for digital assets to promote growth and maintain our nation’s reputation as a global leader in financial innovation.

    “We have come a long way since I was elected to the Senate in 2020, when many of the members of this body were still trying to wrap their heads around what a bitcoin is, what a stablecoin is, and why the Howey test is important,” said Lummis. “We are on the precipice of finally creating a bipartisan legislative framework for both stablecoins and market structure. I am hopeful that we can get both pieces of legislation to President Trump for his signature this year.”

    Members heard testimony from Lewis Cohen, a partner at Cahill, Gordon & Reindel; Jonathan Jachym, Deputy General Counsel and Global Head of Policy with Kraken Digital Asset Exchange; Jai Massari, Chief Legal Officer at Lightspark and Tim Massad, Research Fellow at Harvard University and former Chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) where they outlined the need for Congress to act swiftly to provide regulatory clarity.

    A full video of her remarks can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Federal government invests in shoreline adaptation and restoration for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    From Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada:
    English: https://www.canada.ca/en/housing-infrastructure-communities/news/2025/02/federal-government-invests-in-shoreline-adaptation-and-restoration-for-the-tsleil-waututh-nation.html  
    French: https://www.canada.ca/fr/logement-infrastructures-collectivites/nouvelles/2025/02/le-gouvernement-federal-investit-dans-ladaptation-et-la-restauration-des-berges-de-la-nation-des-tsleil-waututh.html

    Erosion and flood protection improvements will help preserve the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) shores after a joint investment of more than $10.1 million from the federal government and the Nation.

    This project includes beach replenishment, which will involve concept planning and engineering, site preparation, marine riparian shoreline planting, and the installation of intertidal adaptation features.

    These improvements will protect the shoreline while promoting biodiversity, restoring habitat health, strengthening structural capacity, and improving ecological systems. This project will also increase the Nation’s resilience to climate change, natural disasters, and extreme weather events for years to come.

    Quotes:

    “Thank you to the Tsleil-Waututh Nation for their dedication, innovation, and hard work in restoring and protecting the shoreline from flooding and rising sea levels. Our government is working alongside Indigenous partners to tackle extreme weather, adapt to climate change, and build stronger, more resilient communities. Traditional Indigenous knowledge and experience from those living on this land since time immemorial is critical in fighting climate change and protecting our shared future. That’s why federal programs like this empower local leaders to drive the changes that work best in their communities.”

    – The Honourable Terry Beech, Minister of Citizens’ Services and Member of Parliament for Burnaby North – Seymour

    “These improvements to the Tsleil-Waututh Nation lands will protect the shoreline and marine habitat now and for future generations. The impacts of climate change make it essential that we act now to address potential hazards to make our communities stronger, preserve our natural ecosystems and keep people safe.”

    – The Honourable Kelly Greene, B.C. Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness

    “səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) is grateful for Green Adaptation, Resilience and Disaster Mitigation funding to support our reserve shoreline adaptation and resilience project. This funding will enable us to complete Tsleil-Waututh Nation Reserve shoreline protection, beach nourishment, and restoration works to address longstanding concerns with coastal erosion and flooding, and to strengthen community resilience to climate change. This project is also expected to enhance marine ecological health and biodiversity, protect səlilwətaɬ community lands and cultural sites, and improve community access to the shoreline for stewardship practices and intergenerational knowledge sharing.”

    – Chief Jen Thomas, səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation)

    Quick Facts:

    • The federal government is investing $7,599,914 through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) is contributing $2,533,305 with support from the Government of British Columbia.
    • This stream helps build greener communities by contributing to climate change preparedness, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting renewable technologies.
    • Including today’s announcement, over 150 infrastructure projects under the Green Infrastructure Stream have been announced in British Columbia, with a total federal contribution of more than $610 million and a total provincial contribution of more than $429 million.
    • Under the Investing in Canada Plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
    • Federal funding is conditional on fulfilling all requirements related to consultation with Indigenous groups and environmental assessment obligations.

    Associated Links:

    Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:
    https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html

    Green Infrastructure Stream:
    https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html

    Housing and Infrastructure Project Map:
    https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html

    Strengthened Climate Plan:
    https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html

    For more information (media only), please contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Alan Wilson announces “Triple Crown” State Grand Jury investigation update: Top target pleads guilty and is sentenced to 25 yearsRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina

    (COLUMBIA, SC) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that Jonathan Wesley Cole, aka “Buckshot,” pleaded guilty in the “Triple Crown” investigation on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. 

    Cole pleaded guilty to charges in Kershaw, Sumter, and Richland counties including:  Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy); Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl; Trafficking Marijuana, 10 Pounds or More, But Less Than 100 Pounds; Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More; Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl; Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime, Money Laundering; and Trafficking Marijuana, 10 Pounds or More, But Less Than 100 Pounds. 

    Cole was a top target of the investigation who was supplying other high-level targets with large quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana. Law enforcement learned that Cole would fly to California to obtain drugs and traffic them back to South Carolina in his luggage on commercial flights. On April 30, 2022, law enforcement detained one of Cole’s co-conspirators who had just flown back from California. He had approximately 12 pounds of marijuana in his suitcase and was directed by Cole to take the marijuana to another co-conspirator.

    On June 2, 2022, law enforcement executed a series of search warrants at properties owned or associated with Cole. At Cole’s residence, two vacuum-sealed bags were found buried in the wood line. The bags contained approximately 635 grams of cocaine and 1,437 grams of fentanyl. Only 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be considered a lethal dose, meaning a kilogram of fentanyl could potentially be enough to kill 500,000 people.  Law enforcement also located $27,384 in cash, an assault rifle, body armor-piercing ammunition, and approximately 16 pounds of marijuana. Cole was using an empty barber shop as a front to launder his drug proceeds. 

    Judge Paul Burch sentenced Cole to 25 years in prison.      

    Charges from the Triple Crown investigation are still pending and involve over 50 co-conspirators who are alleged to have been trafficking cocaine, cocaine base, methamphetamine, marijuana, heroin, and fentanyl in Kershaw, Lee, Marlboro, Dillon, Sumter, and Richland Counties. A trial term is scheduled for the week of March 24 in Kershaw County. 

    The case was investigated by the South Carolina State Grand Jury and prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Savanna Goude. The State Grand Jury was assisted in this case by a partnership of the Attorney General’s State Grand Jury Division, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Camden Police Department, Florence County Sheriff’s Office, Dillon County Sheriff’s Office, Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Highway Patrol, Department of Homeland Security, DEA, and FBI.

    Attorney General Wilson stressed that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lee and Roy Introduce HERO Act for 119th Congress

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Utah Mike Lee
    WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Higher Education Reform and Opportunity (HERO) Act, a bill that brings transparency, accountability, and competition to higher education. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) sponsored the HERO Act in the House of Representatives.
    The HERO Act aims to simplify federal student loans by offering a single option and introduces a new financial “skin-in-the-game” requirement for universities. Under this requirement, universities will be rewarded for each Pell Grant graduate but will also be obliged to repay a percentage of the total loans issued, with consideration for loan default rates and the average national unemployment rate.  
    Moreover, the bill empowers states to establish alternative accreditation systems that can accredit any postsecondary institution offering programs applicable to degrees, credentials, or professional certifications. This flexibility allows states to determine clock hour and minimum program length requirements, making short-term workforce development programs and nontraditional educational providers eligible for federal student aid.
    Additionally, the HERO Act mandates higher education institutions participating in federal student loan programs to publish relevant outcome information in an easily accessible format. This transparency provides students with the necessary information to make informed decisions about which institutions to attend.
    “Too often, our bright young minds needlessly face the unfair choice of either drowning in debt or sacrificing their dreams of higher education,” Sen. Lee said. “The HERO Act aims to alleviate the ever-increasing financial burden required of students pursuing their educational goals by capping loans that exacerbate costs. It would transform our educational landscape and allow students to tailor their unique learning journey and gain the skills needed to excel in today’s dynamic economy.”
    “Universities have largely become government-run crony rackets focused on turning students into far-left political activists rather than young adults prepared for success in the workforce,” Congressman Roy said. “Federal involvement has only made this problem worse. The HERO Act is an important first step to fix this and will require institutions of higher education to have some ‘skin in the game’ regarding their students’ outcomes, simplify the federal student loan system, and perhaps most important empower states to establish alternative accreditation systems. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this across the finish line.” 
    For bill text, click HERE.For a two-pager, click HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Shuttered car factories in Australia could be repurposed to make houses faster and cheaper

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ehsan Noroozinejad, Senior Researcher, Urban Transformations Research Centre, Western Sydney University

    studiovin/Shutterstock

    Australia is in the grip of a severe housing shortage. Many people are finding it extremely difficult to find a place to live in the face of rising rents and property price surges. Homelessness is rising sharply. Tent cities are becoming more common.

    The federal government has pledged to encourage the building of about 1.2 million new dwellings over the five years from mid-2024. The problem is, conventional building techniques are unlikely to be able to respond to the scale of demand quickly. Conventional building is expensive and slow. Faster, cheaper construction methods are needed.

    There might be a way to accelerate the build. In recent years, car manufacturers Ford, General Motors and Toyota have shuttered their Australian factories, due to intense global competition.

    Before these factories fell silent, they were home to trained workers, advanced machinery and efficient production systems. In Australia, companies such as Hickory Group are working to turn car factories into house factories. In Japan, Toyota has been making modular housing for decades, by adapting car production line techniques.

    Scaling this approach up in Australia could simultaneously address industrial decline and housing demand.

    Can mothballed car factories really make houses?

    After years of decline, Australia’s car manufacturing industry came to an end in 2017, when Toyota and General Motors’ factories stopped mass production. Ford’s local factories closed a year earlier. It was the end of 70 years of mass production, though companies such as Premcar are still making local versions of overseas cars.

    Thousands of factory workers lost their jobs. But the effect rippled outward, as about 40,000 workers in the supply chain lost their jobs.

    These automobile factories left behind more than just empty structures.

    Most of them have not been demolished. Some still have advanced manufacturing lines. Their former workers with automation and precise engineering training might be working in different fields, such as caravan manufacturing.

    Building a house in a factory has similarities to car manufacturing. Both use modular production, in which individual parts are manufactured and then assembled into a final product.

    That’s not to say this would be easy – there would be regulatory hurdles to overcome and the factories would need an overhaul.

    One tough part is figuring out how to use modern car-building tools (such as robotics) to make components of houses. While building cars and houses share some ideas, they’re not the same.

    Bringing these factories back into production would boost the economies of states such as Victoria.

    States such as South Australia have already started down this path, turning Mitsubishi’s defunct Tonsley Park factory into an innovation precinct hosting modular construction companies such as Fusco Constructions, which will begin operations next year.

    Meanwhile, much work has been done in Australia and overseas to find ways to mass-produce housing using factories.

    Imagine thousands of individual car parts were delivered to your front yard, where workers painstakingly put the car together. This seems crazy. But it’s essentially what we do with houses, especially freestanding ones. Advocates for modern methods of construction have pointed out the inefficiencies of transporting building materials to a site and assembling them there.

    Some large-scale builders are already working to automate more of the home-building process. Besides making houses more cheaply, the benefits include centralising production around a factory, protection from weather delays, and the ability to use industrial robots.

    Car assembly lines guarantee each component is manufactured to exacting specifications. Automobile manufacturing has been transformed by new technologies, including digital twin simulations, robotics and 3D printing. But the building industry has been slower to take these up. If we can bring these technologies to bear on how we make homes, we can accelerate construction, reduce errors and cut prices.

    In fact, we are seeing some car manufacturers moving into home building. Mercedes-Benz, Bugatti, Bentley, Aston Martin and Porsche are all putting their names on high-end homes in some way, while Honda has explored manufacturing smart, low-energy homes.

    Change is coming – but slowly

    Advanced building techniques are not new to Australia. Prefab buildings are already being built on factory lines by companies such as Fleetwood, ATCO Structures and Logistics and Modscape.

    Here, building components are produced in a controlled factory setting before being delivered to the construction site for prompt assembly. Dozens of companies are working in this space. To date, however, most of these buildings will be used as schools, police stations or temporary housing for mining workers.

    Last year, the federal government set up a A$900 million fund as an incentive for state and territory governments to accelerate building approvals and take up prefab techniques. To date, the sector is struggling to scale up due to a lack of infrastructure and too few manufacturers.

    Other countries are further along the path. In Sweden, up to 84% of detached homes are made with prefabricated components, compared with about 15% in Japan and 5% in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.

    One option is to adopt yet more advanced techniques, such as lean manufacturing and automated assembly. Both of these are well established in car-making, and could be used to increase the speed and accuracy of prefab home construction.

    What would it take to make this happen?

    Australia’s housing crisis has been years in the making. To solve it, we may need bold solutions.

    Converting old car factories into affordable home factories could help accelerate our response to the challenge – and reinvigorate industrial precincts.

    It would take work and funding to make this happen. But there are commonalities. Making prefab homes depends on precise, modular production methods that work best when automated. Transitions like these can happen.

    Dr. Ehsan Noroozinejad has received funding from both national and international organisations to support research addressing housing and climate crises. His most recent funding comes from the James Martin Institute for Public Policy. He has received funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

    – ref. Shuttered car factories in Australia could be repurposed to make houses faster and cheaper – https://theconversation.com/shuttered-car-factories-in-australia-could-be-repurposed-to-make-houses-faster-and-cheaper-249709

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Video: VA’s Home Loan Benefit

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

    VA offers a home loan benefit and other housing programs to help you buy, build, repair, retain or adapt
    a home for your own personal occupancy.

    To learn more, visit benefits.va.gov.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hremEhtUyno

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: VA Home Loans Make Homeownership Achievable (30sec PSA)

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

    Achieve your dream of homeownership with a VA home loan—offering zero down payment and support to make the process accessible and rewarding. Hear how one Veteran turned this benefit into a life-changing opportunity.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qT_DMlMKHA

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Disaster Survivor Assistance

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

    Disaster Survivor Assistance teams visit house-to-house and orient survivors on how to register for FEMA assistance in the aftermath of the Los Angeles County wildfires.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10_FToW_R3E

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Stay In Touch with FEMA

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

    If you’ve applied for FEMA assistance, staying in touch is key to getting the help you need. Keeping your information updated ensures there are no delays in processing your request. You may need to update details such as:
    Your current housing situation, phone number, or mailing address.
    The name of someone authorized to speak on your behalf.
    The number of people living in your home.
    Update details about home or property damage.
    Your payment preference.

    The easiest way to update your information is by visiting Disaster Assistance dot gov and logging into your account. No Internet? No problem. Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 and speak to a FEMA specialist if you need help making updates to your case.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ux4dqp2ddQ

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: More Support is Available

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

    Recovery takes a team effort, and FEMA isn’t the only source of help. Many organizations are stepping up to support wildfire survivors.

    LA County 211 can help with food, housing assistance, income, employment and more.

    The American Red Cross can also provide financial assistance. And the Small Business Administration is offering low-interest loans to help survivors rebuild.

    To get a more detailed list of organizations that might be able to help…and to get the latest updates on debris removal, rebuilding, and even school operations, you can visit recovery.LACounty.gov. Don’t wait—take action today!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B90JwbejmM

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Risch, Cloud Introduce Bill to Terminate FEMA Program Funding Luxury Hotels, Services for Illegal Immigrants

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch

    WASHINGTON – Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and U.S. Representative Michael Cloud (R-Texas) today introduced the End FEMA Benefits for Illegal Immigrants Act to stop taxpayer dollars from funding luxury hotels and services for illegal immigrants. 

    “While American citizens recovering from disaster struggle to make ends meet, FEMA has spent billions of dollars on hotel stays, flights, and food for illegal immigrants,” said Risch. “The End FEMA Benefits for Illegal Immigrants Act stops this insanity, reins in FEMA’s wasteful spending, and refocuses the agency on serving American citizens facing disasters.”

    “FEMA exists to serve American citizens in times of crisis, not to bankroll benefits for illegal immigrants,” said Cloud. “With disaster response resources already stretched thin, the last thing FEMA should be doing is funding hotel rooms, flights, and food for those who broke our laws to enter this country. President Trump made it clear that taxpayer money should not be used to encourage illegal immigration. This legislation follows through on that priority and ensures FEMA gets back to its original mission—helping American communities rebuild and recover.”

    The End FEMA Benefits for Illegal Immigrants Act would terminate the Shelter and Services Program (SSP) administered by FEMA. The SSP provides grant funding to non-federal entities that offer support services to illegal immigrants. Since the program launched in Fiscal Year 2023, FEMA has awarded $1.45 billion in SSP grants. This money has been spent on hotel rooms, including housekeeping services, flights, parking, food, and other benefits for illegal immigrants.

    Eliminating the SSP supports President Trump’s January 24, 2025, executive order calling for the full-scale review of FEMA and ensures the agency does not facilitate or incentivize illegal immigration.

    Risch and Cloud are joined by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), and six members of the House of Representatives in cosponsoring the End FEMA Benefits for Illegal Immigrants Act.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Installs Heat Shield on First Private Spacecraft Bound for Venus

    Source: NASA

    Engineers at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley, Bohdan Wesely, right, and Eli Hiss, left, complete a fit check of the two halves of a space capsule that will study the clouds of Venus for signs of life.
    Led by Rocket Lab of Long Beach, California, and their partners at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Rocket Lab’s Venus mission will be the first private mission to the planet.
    NASA’s role is to help the commercial space endeavor succeed by providing expertise in thermal protection of small spacecraft. Invented at Ames, NASA’s Heatshield for Extreme Entry Environment Technology (HEEET) – the brown, textured material covering the bottom of the capsule in this photo – is a woven heat shield designed to protect spacecraft from temperatures up to 4,500 degrees Fahrenheit. The probe will deploy from Rocket Lab’s Photon spacecraft bus, taking measurements as it descends through the planet’s atmosphere.
    Teams at Ames work with private companies, like Rocket Lab, to turn NASA materials into solutions such as the heat shield tailor-made for this spacecraft destined for Venus, supporting growth of the new space economy. NASA’s Small Spacecraft Technology program, part of the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, supported development of the heat shield for Rocket Lab’s Venus mission.

    MIL OSI USA News –