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Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI and SSA OIG Charge Decades-Long Fugitive with Fraud Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A fugitive wanted for over four decades on attempted first-degree murder charges was apprehended in Weed, New Mexico, on February 19, 2025, following an investigation that uncovered his decades-long use of a deceased man’s identity to evade authorities and fraudulently obtain government benefits.

    According to court documents, Stephen Craig Campbell, 76, allegedly assumed the identity of Walter Lee Coffman, who died in 1975 at the age of 22. Coffman had graduated from the University of Arkansas just two months before his death. University records showed Campbell attended the same institution during that period, where both he and Coffman pursued engineering degrees, suggesting a likely connection between the two.

    It is alleged that Campbell first applied for a passport under Coffman’s name in 1984 and renewed it multiple times, always providing a photograph of himself and his current address.

    Campbell also obtained a replacement Social Security card in Coffman’s name in 1995, using an Oklahoma driver’s license in Coffman’s name.

    In approximately 2003, Campbell relocated to Weed, New Mexico where he allegedly purchased property in Coffman’s name. Campbell continued renewing the fraudulent passport under Coffman’s name in 2005 and 2015. Each time, he submitted an updated photograph and listed his current address in Weed, New Mexico.

    The scheme began to unravel when, in September 2019, Campbell visited the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department in Cloudcroft, presenting fraudulent documents to renew his driver’s license. He submitted a previously issued New Mexico driver’s license with his photograph bearing the name “Walter L Coffman,” Coffman’s birthdate, and a Weed, New Mexico address. Campbell also provided a Social Security card and a U.S. passport, both in Coffman’s name.

    After a renewed New Mexico license was issued to Campbell under Coffman’s name, agents from the National Passport Center’s Fraud Prevention Unit discovered Coffman’s death and the suspected decades-long fraudulent use of his identity.

    The resulting investigation revealed that Campbell allegedly applied for and was awarded Social Security Title II Retirement Insurance Benefits under Coffman’s identity. As a result of the alleged scheme, Campbell is suspected of receiving approximately $140,000 in U.S. government funds administered by the Social Security Administration in Coffman’s name.

    Investigators uncovered that Campbell was arrested in Wyoming in 1982 for attempted first degree murder. He allegedly planted an explosive device at the doorstep of his estranged wife’s boyfriend. When his wife opened the toolbox containing the bomb, it exploded, causing her to lose a finger and suffer other injuries. The blast also set fire to the residence and a neighboring unit. Campbell was reportedly released on bond in 1983 but failed to appear in court, resulting in an active warrant for Attempted First Degree Murder.

    On February 14, 2025, authorities obtained warrants to arrest Campbell for and search the 44-acre property in Weed, New Mexico registered under Coffman’s name. The arrest operation involved a coordinated effort by multiple law enforcement agencies.

    During the arrest, Campbell allegedly greeted law enforcement armed with a scoped rifle, positioning himself in an elevated, partially concealed spot.

    After repeated orders and the deployment of flashbangs, Campbell emerged from the wood line and was detained. When recovered, the rifle was loaded with high-powered ammunition capable of piercing standard body armor and ready to fire, with the scope caps flipped open, the selector lever set to fire, and a round chambered.

    After Campbell‘s arrest, agents fingerprinted him, confirming his true identity and fugitive status, including the active attempted first-degree murder warrant from Wyoming. Prior to his arrest, Campbell had remained on the United States Marshals Most Wanted List for over four decades.

    A subsequent search of the property yielded 57 firearms and large quantities of ammunition. As a fugitive, Campbell is prohibited from possessing firearms.

    Campbell was charged by criminal complaint with misuse of a passport and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been set. If convicted of the current charge, Campbell faces up to 10 years in prison.

    Law enforcement officials are conducting a thorough review of evidence collected during the execution of a search warrant at the subject’s residence. Based on these findings, investigators are evaluating the possibility of additional charges.

    Following Campbell’s arrest, the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office in Green River, Wyoming, notified the U.S. Marshals and requested a detainer be placed on him in connection with the pending attempted first-degree murder charges.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin, Special Agent in Charge of the SSA OIG Jason Albers and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    This case was co-investigated by the Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office and the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General. It was originally initiated by the Diplomatic Security’s El Paso Resident Office and the National Passport Center’s Fraud Prevention Unit. Enforcement assistance was provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, as well as the Otero County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Clara Nevarez Cobos.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: We should care more about emerging infectious diseases, and the tools we need to fight them

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Idowu Olawoye, Postdoctoral Associate, Microbiology & Immunology, Western University

    A patient undergoing infusion therapy. Treatment failure can happen when a disease adapts to become resistant to antibiotics. (Unsplash/Olga Kononenko)

    Throughout human history, disease outbreaks have emerged and re-emerged. What’s different now is that with global travel, outbreaks can move quickly among and between populations.

    A familiar example would be the COVID-19 pandemic and how it disrupted the world as we know it today. During this period, a lot of technological advancements were achieved during a short time such as vaccine roll-out and also tracking of variants globally.

    Since this pandemic, we have been constantly reminded of the threat that emerging infectious diseases pose, as well as new strains of existing microbes, and even infections that may eventually become untreatable. This should also serve as a constant reminder of the need to continue developing the tools and technology to fight them.

    Infectious disease outbreaks since COVID-19

    In 2022, shortly after the worst of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic had passed, the world was rocked by another infectious disease outbreak, which was soon classified as a public health emergency of international concern.

    The culprit was mpox, then known as the monkeypox virus.

    Unlike SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, this was not a novel virus but had been identified in laboratory monkeys in Denmark as far back as 1958. The first human cases were documented in 1970 among children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

    Since then, there have been multiple reported outbreaks of mpox, the majority of them limited to Africa. This includes a 2022 global outbreak that caused about 250 deaths, representing a fatality rate of 0.2 per cent.

    An ongoing outbreak started in 2023 in Central Africa, claiming about 900 lives with a fatality rate of five per cent.

    According to the World Health Organization, the two most recent mpox outbreaks were primarily driven by sexual transmission or body contact. There is currently no treatment approved by the FDA for mpox.

    In early 2024, an avian influenza outbreak resurfaced in the United States when the viral infection that typically affects birds was detected in dairy cows for the first time. It has since spread to about 973 cattle in 17 states, and there have been about 70 human cases among people associated with farm animals.

    Recently, a respiratory outbreak known as hMPV has been overwhelming hospitals in Northern China, with children, adolescents and senior citizens being at most risk. The origin of this outbreak is not yet known.

    Untreatable sexually transmitted infection

    Microscopic image of the bacteria that causes gonorrhea.
    (NIAID), CC BY

    Gonorrhoea is a widely known sexually transmitted infection (STI). Approximately 80 million people were infected by this bacterium in 2020. Though most cases remain treatable, an untreatable form of gonorrhoea is becoming more prevalent, threatening victims with infertility or even cancer.

    Treatment failure can happen when a disease adapts to become resistant to antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance has significant implications for global health, including massive financial implications for health care.

    An emerging STI threat

    Other, uncommon but difficult to treat STIs are emerging. One is called Mycoplasma genitalium, the causative agent for non-gonococcal urethritis — a typically painful infection of the tube that carries urine from the bladder.



    Read more:
    Antimicrobial resistance now hits lower-income countries the hardest, but superbugs are a global threat we must all fight

    With symptoms similar to gonorrhoea, it can lead to infertility, increased susceptibility to HIV, failed pregnancy, cancer of the cervix and more. Yet, it is often misdiagnosed due to it being understudied and its complexity.

    This understudied bacterium is naturally resistant to many antibiotics due to its unique structure, making it notoriously difficult to treat.

    The WHO works to control the spread of gonorrhoea infections that are resistant to antibiotics through surveillance. My own research is adopting a similar strategy for M. genitalium, by using genomic surveillance to improve our knowledge of the infection and the improved ability to detect antibiotic resistance.

    What is genomic surveillance?

    Genomic surveillance uses next-generation sequencing technology to identify specific strains of pathogens circulating during an outbreak. This can also determine what genetic characteristics makes some strains more aggressive than others.

    This technique was used effectively during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and helped identify variants quickly.

    Genomic surveillance can help us understand what we are facing, allowing us to tackle emerging threats more quickly and efficiently. It can help us develop sensitive, rapid diagnostic tools to detect drug resistance, especially for bacteria that are difficult to study in the lab, such as Mycoplasma genitalium, which is an extremely slow-growing and challenging bacteria.

    With the continuing emergence of untreatable infections and new disease outbreaks, genomic sequencing can help meet emerging threats even in regions that lack adequate infrastructure where these tend to occur frequently.

    This can be achieved through implementing affordable, user friendly diagnostic tools or developing effective vaccines for endemic regions. An example is the COVID-19 self-test kit that can be used at home. This is one of the key areas my research is also trying to accomplish: improving diagnostics in health care and making them accessible.

    Pathogens are constantly evolving to become resistant to treatment in the perpetual battle between humans and infectious diseases.

    To get the upper hand, we need to continue developing technology, including rapid and sensitive tools for identifying resistant bacteria and innovative methods for halting the spread of untreatable infections before they become serious pandemics.

    Idowu Olawoye receives funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Western Research at the University of Western Ontario.

    – ref. We should care more about emerging infectious diseases, and the tools we need to fight them – https://theconversation.com/we-should-care-more-about-emerging-infectious-diseases-and-the-tools-we-need-to-fight-them-248427

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Alberta’s oil and gas wells threaten people’s health, but there are disparities in who is most at risk

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Martin Lavoie, Senior Scientist and Data Analyst, St. Francis Xavier University

    Around 13 per cent of Albertans live within 1.5 kilometres of an active oil or gas well. Given the link between oil and gas production and ill health, this leaves a significant proportion of the province’s population at risk.

    But certain groups may be at a disproportionately greater risk, according to recent research our team published. Our study revealed stark socioeconomic disparities in those at the greatest risk of health problems due to their proximity to an oil or gas well — with Indigenous people and those who were less educated most affected.

    The link between oil and gas production, air pollution and human health is well documented. Oil and gas production emits numerous pollutants into the air we breathe. These pollutants are associated with poor cardiovascular and respiratory health.

    But while numerous studies have been published on the link between proximity to oil and gas producers and ill health, this data has mainly come from the United States — the world’s leading oil and gas producer. Relatively little research on this topic has been done in Canada. This is what our recent research sought to do.

    Alberta residents

    The study examined Alberta — the province which in 2023 was responsible for 80 per cent of Canada’s oil, and 61 per cent of its gas production. We analyzed multiple datasets including census, health, emissions and oil and gas activity data. This allowed our lab to create the first spatial understanding of oil and gas air pollution in Alberta.

    This also made it possible to identify the sociodemographic characteristics of those living nearest the pollution’s source, alongside their experiences with cardiovascular or respiratory health issues.

    The study found that over 360,000 Albertans live within one kilometre of an active oil or gas well. Nearly half a million people live within 1.5 kilometres of one. These are significant numbers considering the province only has around four million residents.

    Albertans living within one or 1.5 kilometres of an active oil and gas well are more likely to be rural residents (10 per cent), people with less formal education (20 per cent) and Indigenous people (21 per cent).

    Our findings align with previous studies which have shown that people with similar sociodemographic characteristics are more likely to experience worse health outcomes compared to the general population.

    Unnervingly, our study also found that those living within at least 1.5 kilometres of an oil or gas well faced an estimated nine to 21 per cent higher risk of experiencing cardiovascular or respiratory issues due to their proximity. The closer a person lived to an oil or gas well, the greater their risk.

    Although we adjusted our findings for age and sex, there was no information available in the datasets we used on other factors which may have affected the results, such as lifestyle habits or pre-existing health conditions. It will be important for more research to be conducted on this topic which takes these factors into account.

    Health risks

    Our findings align with other published studies on the topic which have found a link between health issues and proximity to oil and gas producers.

    Notably, much of the oil and gas workforce are located in rural areas near production facilities. This may explain why our study found rural residents were more likely to experience health issues from oil and gas wells.

    Our findings also align with research from the U.S. on this topic. For comparison, a 2022 study found nearly 18 million U.S. residents live within 1.6 kilometres of an active oil and gas well, with some states such as West Virginia and Oklahoma seeing over 50 per cent of their total population in this proximity. Research has also found similar socioeconomic disparities in exposure to oil and gas wells in the U.S. as our study did.

    Our study highlights the need for more research on this topic, especially since it has been suggested that oil and gas emissions are often underestimated. It’s possible that even more people are impacted than our study determined.

    It will also be important for studies to investigate the effects of specific oil and gas pollutants (such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds) on health. Currently in Alberta, regulations on the minimum distance between residents and oil and gas wells primarily focus on hydrogen sulphide levels.

    Overlooking other relevant air pollutants may mean that minimum setbacks from pollution sources may be insufficient, especially given the impacts our study showed in those residing within 1.5 kilometres of an oil or gas well.

    Nearly 100 countries produce oil and gas. Air emissions from this sector represent an urgent global problem. Targeted actions such as stricter policies for air emissions, as well as health risk assessments when building developments, are necessary to protect people living in these regions.

    David Risk receives funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council

    Martin Lavoie and Matthew Rygus do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Alberta’s oil and gas wells threaten people’s health, but there are disparities in who is most at risk – https://theconversation.com/albertas-oil-and-gas-wells-threaten-peoples-health-but-there-are-disparities-in-who-is-most-at-risk-249637

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Big corporations are getting away with catastrophic air pollution – putting Canadians at risk

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By David R Boyd, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights & environment and Associate Professor of Law, Policy and Sustainability, University of British Columbia

    Penalties imposed on corporate polluters in Canada are often extremely lenient. (Dennis MacDonald/ Shutterstock)

    Millions of kilograms of toxic pollutants, over 17,000 deaths annually and environmental laws that aren’t being diligently enforced. This is the troubling picture that emerged when we, a group of environmental researchers, investigated trends in air pollution enforcement in Canada.

    Federal and provincial governments share responsibility for regulating air pollution. However, environmental laws and regulations are only useful if they’re properly enforced. Our research shows Canada needs to take greater action in enforcing the widely endorsed “polluter pays” principle for air pollution. According to this principle, those who produce pollution should pay for cleaning up any environmental damage.

    We built a publicly-available dataset in Canada of air pollution enforcement actions. We scoured all available sources, creating a database of more than 2,200 enforcement actions that took place between 2000 and 2020 from eight provinces as well as the federal government. This helped us identify patterns in the way air pollution laws were being enforced.

    Broken rules

    One of the disappointing patterns we saw is that the majority of enforcement actions in our dataset — 63 per cent — were against individuals for offences such as illegal campfires. Meanwhile, only one-third of enforcement actions were brought against companies — including those that had dumped vast volumes of toxic substances into Canada’s air, or caused catastrophic emissions offences (such as the Toronto Sunrise Propane explosion).

    Even in the uncommon cases where rules were enforced against large corporations, the penalties imposed were extremely lenient. These penalties amounted to barely a slap on the wrist for repeat industrial polluters.

    For example, the mining corporation Rio Tinto was fined $150,000 in Québec for breaking air pollution laws in 2013. This fine equated to only 0.00023 per cent of the company’s annual revenue. To put this into perspective, if a Canadian family earning the average income of $62,900 after taxes was given a 0.00023 per cent fine, this would equate to $14.47.

    It’s not surprising, then, that this company would go on to violate air pollution laws again less than one month later. They also violated these laws again in 2016 and 2019.

    Even the relatively small fine of $150,000 is well above the median fine for industrial air polluters. According to our study, fines ranged from $2,500 to $10,000 for most types of offences — including excess emissions or violating an environmental standard. This is less than some people would be fined for driving with a suspended licence. These fines are less than one per cent of the maximum penalties permitted by law for environmental offences — which range up to $12 million.

    Another concerning pattern our study revealed is that some large industrial polluters are repeat offenders. While government policies indicate there should be increasingly strict enforcement applied in these cases, this doesn’t appear to be the general practice. Instead, chronic law-breakers tended to receive multiple warning letters — not increasingly large fines or prosecutions.

    For instance, over the last five years, four provincial orders were reportedly issued against INEOS — one of the world’s largest chemical production companies. These orders were issued so the company would address its benzene emissions. This toxic chemical is linked with cancer.

    Following federal and provincial orders to reduce benzene emissions in 2024, INEOS decided to close the offending facility. The company was never fined for its toxic pollution.

    Enforcement actions don’t seem to be taking into account the way human and environmental health are jeopardized by industrial air pollution. Vulnerable or marginalized groups who live near large industrial facilities are particularly at risk of harm.

    We found that on average, businesses were generally fined less for committing an actual pollution violation — such as illegally dumping large quantities of contaminants into the air — than they were for failing to notify an enforcement agency that they’d committed a violation.

    Improving environmental enforcement

    Canadian enforcement agencies are failing to properly hold high-risk offenders and repeat offenders to account.

    But positive change is possible. Going forward, there are three key actions enforcement agencies should take:

    • Increased penalties: Polluters should pay for their pollution. The consequences of breaking the law should be proportional to the risks to public health and the environment. Substantial mandatory minimum fines should replace the current practice of warning letters and grossly inadequate tickets or fines.

    • Transparency: The public should have access to environmental information through standardized data on air pollution violations. This information should include who committed the violation, the details and location of what occurred and what was done about it. Ideally, the federal government would co-ordinate and publish all environmental enforcement data from across provinces the same way it publishes a national inventory of industrial pollutant releases.

    • Focus on high-risk offenses: The focus of enforcement actions should be on high-risk offenders, such as super-polluters (businesses that produce disproportionate volumes of air pollution relative to their competitors), repeat offenders and inter-provincial offenders.

    By properly enforcing environmental regulations, Canada can protect the public from the perils of poor air quality. This would also be a vital step towards realizing everyone’s right to a healthy environment — a right that was recently recognized in an amendment to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

    This story was co-authored by Claire Ewing, Senior Climate Action Specialist, who completed her Master’s of Science in Resources, Environment and Sustainability at the University of British Columbia in 2021.

    David R Boyd receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    Amanda Giang receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and Environment and Climate Change Canada.

    – ref. Big corporations are getting away with catastrophic air pollution – putting Canadians at risk – https://theconversation.com/big-corporations-are-getting-away-with-catastrophic-air-pollution-putting-canadians-at-risk-250013

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Buying Canadian’ is an opportunity to reflect on the ethics of consumerism

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Michael Walschots, Postdoctoral Fellow, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz

    Ever since Donald Trump threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all imports from Canada, everyday citizens have retaliated by pledging to “Buy Canadian.” Even though the tariffs were later postponed, the damage was already done.

    The Buy Canadian movement is broad: people are not only buying more Canadian goods, they are also altering their travels plans and attempting to watch more Canadian-made films and TV.

    Local businesses have reported an increase in traffic, Air Canada has said it will decrease the number of flights to U.S. destinations and there are now apps and a website to help citizens find Canadian products.

    This new movement offers us the opportunity to reflect on the ethics of our consumption practices more generally, especially when consumers co-ordinate their purchasing on a national scale. As consumers, we all have a responsibility to use our buying power in an ethically conscious way.

    A CBC News report on how consumers are using apps to help them buy Canadian products.

    Boycotts and buycotts

    Most of us as consumers decide what to buy based on the price and quality of goods. But our values play a role in our decision-making: what we buy and where we buy it is influenced by our beliefs. Last year, for instance, many Canadians boycotted Loblaws on the grounds that it was price gouging amid inflation.

    A boycott is just one way of altering our habits based on our values. Another way is a “buycott”; that is, intentionally buying products from companies we feel align with our values. The Buy Canadian movement itself is best described as a buycott, but for many, it’s also a boycott of American-made goods.

    The reasons behind consumers choices are essential here. For example, we might avoid buying certain cosmetics because we are opposed to animal testing. Or we might vote with our forks and eat at farm-to-table restaurants to combat climate change.

    Our choices are often complex and motivated by many concerns: I might buy eggs from my local farmers market not only because I want to support local businesses, but also to encourage the fair treatment of animals and express my frustration with high prices at chain stores.

    Social change and co-ordinated consuming

    One of the most important reasons behind many of our consuming practices is social change: we want to change the way others, and we as a society, behave. Consuming for social change is particularly effective when it is done by a co-ordinated group that shares certain values.

    Consider the practice of buying fair trade coffee: by means of proper certification and product labelling, consumers give coffee companies an economic incentive to treat farmers more equitably.

    This is a huge power that consumers have. But with great power comes great responsibility, so when we make co-ordinated consuming efforts, we need to think about how to do so responsibly.

    Not all co-ordinated consuming efforts are ethically permissible. Consider a reprehensible but particularly relevant example: in the 1930s, initiatives developed to encourage consumers not to buy Jewish products in Germany, other European countries and the U.S. Such a practice was wrong not only because it was motivated by hatred, but also because it deprived a group of citizens of their freedom of religion.

    Another more recent example concerns the Christian American Family Association which boycotted Walt Disney, Ford and other businesses because of their support of same-sex couples. This boycott was wrong not only because it was motivated by discriminatory beliefs, but also because it did not representative how many other people feel.

    The moral here is that social change should not only be influenced by well-co-ordinated groups, because the loudest voices are not the only ones, nor are they necessarily the right ones.

    Ethical boycotting

    How do we make sure that our co-ordinated consuming efforts are ethical? Philosophy professor Waheed Hussain argued that when we act as a co-ordinated group seeking to achieve social change, we should treat our consuming choices as “proto-legislative” — that is, as if they could become legislation.

    This is because our efforts in this context are no longer aimed at merely satisfying our self-interest, but the common good, and so the standards should be higher. We should act in ways that are appropriately representative and that do not deprive our fellow citizens of their freedoms. Furthermore, Hussain argued that the reasons behind our consumption practices should be public and subject to scrutiny by our fellow citizens.

    When we seek to effect social change across national boundaries, it has been argued that we should not impose our ideals of social change on foreign citizens. In this case our choices are subject to additional constraints. We should respect the values of the target country, for instance, and use our purchasing power in ways that help local workers and communities there.

    What this all means for the Buy Canadian movement is a complex question. For instance, it might mean that a boycott of American products should not include some states like Kentucky, whose governor has openly opposed the tariffs. But at the very least, it’s an opportunity for us to reflect on the immense power we have as consumers, as well as the responsibilities that go along with it.

    Michael Walschots receives funding from the German Research Foundation. In the past he has received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the German Academic Exchange Service

    – ref. ‘Buying Canadian’ is an opportunity to reflect on the ethics of consumerism – https://theconversation.com/buying-canadian-is-an-opportunity-to-reflect-on-the-ethics-of-consumerism-249830

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Canada is one step closer to high-speed rail, but many hurdles remain

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Ryan M. Katz-Rosene, Associate Professor, School of Political Studies, with Cross-Appointment to Geography, Environment and Geomatics, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

    Canada is the only G7 country without a high-speed rail line, yet not for lack of trying. Over the last half century, numerous high-speed rail projects have been proposed, studied and even approved by political leaders. The obstacles to actually getting them built have proven insurmountable thus far.

    Proponents of high-speed rail had much to celebrate earlier this month when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Alto, a high-speed train line that will connect Québec City and Toronto, with stops in Trois-Rivières, Laval, Montréal, Ottawa and Peterborough.

    After a lengthy tender process, the $3.9 billion six-year contract was awarded to the Cadence consortium, which comprises Air Canada, CDPQ Infra, AtkinsRéalis, Keolis, SYSTRA and SNCF Voyageurs. The consortium will work with the federal government to bring the proposed high-speed rail line to fruition.

    Yet, while this announcement is a milestone, multiple political and economic hurdles must be cleared for this project to ever see the light of day.

    Politically uncertain future

    Four main challenges stand between Trudeau’s announcement and the first high-speed journey. The first is the current political context. With an election on the horizon, the project’s fate could hinge on which party forms the next government.

    Trudeau announced the project less than a month before the pre-determined end to his tenure as prime minister, and it remains unclear who will be Canada’s next, how long their term will last or which party (or coalition) will form the next government.

    Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre currently leads the polls, and although his party has expressed support for high-speed rail infrastructure, it also has called for a major scaling back of government spending.

    History could very well repeat itself if Poilievre comes to power and cancels the project — just as Ontario Premier Doug Ford paused funding and halted plans for the high-speed rail project his Liberal predecessor, Kathleen Wynne, had announced upon taking office.

    The federal Conservatives have already criticized the recent high-speed rail announcement. In contrast, Mark Carney, who is currently the frontrunner for the Liberal Party’s leadership, has expressed support for high-speed rail, but he has also made comments about the need to reduce spending.

    The cost factor

    Beyond political risk, the second major challenge is cost. Canadian governments have, on multiple occasions, engaged in commercial feasibility studies of high-speed rail projects, only to abandon plans once a clearer sense of the price tag emerged.

    The recent announcement involves a $3.9 billion federal commitment — but this funding is only for the next design phase of the project. This phase includes route planning, station location identification, environmental assessments and consultation with Indigenous communities.

    At the end of this multi-year phase, there should be a plan in place, but there will still not be any actual material infrastructure built or rail equipment purchased.

    The actual costs of construction and physical asset procurement remain uncertain, with estimates ranging from $80 to $120 billion. Considering the cost of other high-speed rail projects around the world, a 1,000 kilometre high-speed rail line would likely cost tens of billions of dollars.

    Regional politics and fairness

    The third obstacle lies in inter-provincial and regional politics. Large-scale infrastructure projects in Canada have faced resistance from provinces that feel excluded, and this high-speed rail initiative is no exception.

    One study on the political economy of Canadian high-speed rail identified inter-provincial and regional politics as a central challenge for a costly Québec-Ontario project such as this one.

    Ottawa risks being accused of funnelling billions of taxpayer dollars into a massive infrastructure project that only directly benefits two of Canada’s provinces. This could create friction with the Western provinces, the Prairies, the Maritime provinces and the Northern territories, whose leaders and residents may ask what they might get in return.

    An additional challenge is the perception that the project is a Trudeau-era legacy initiative. Some may see the investment as another example of “Laurentian elites” disproportionately benefiting from the nation’s resource wealth — a long-standing narrative used to critique inter-provincial economic disparities.

    Time and execution

    Finally — though not exhaustively — time itself could prove to be a hurdle. The current co-development phase of the project is expected to last up to five years, after which additional funds and decisions will be required before the build phase can begin.

    Even if the project goes ahead, large-scale infrastructure projects are notoriously prone to delays and cost overruns. There is a well-known saying in megaproject development: projects like this tend to be “over budget, over time, over and over again.”

    This raises concerns that Alto could face serious delays or even failure, as the proposed plan needs to sustain not only the next five years of inter-provincial and federal politics, but also the subsequent build phase.

    A cautionary example is California’s high-speed rail line, which originally intended to link San Francisco and Los Angeles by 2020 at a cost of US$33 billion. Today, only a portion of the infrastructure has been built, cost estimates now exceed US$128 billion, neither major city is yet connected and there is no clear completion date in sight.

    Possibility of transformation

    The Alto project marks a significant step toward Canada joining the ranks of nations with high-speed rail. However, political and economic realities serve as a reminder that many obstacles have yet to be overcome before that vision becomes reality.

    If done right, this project could usher in a new era of 21st-century sustainable transport infrastructure in Canada.

    If done wrong, the project will rack up costs, sow political division and waste taxpayers’ dollars. How domestic political economic realities evolve in the coming months and year will have a significant bearing on whether this is the high-speed rail plan that finally breaks through.

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

    – ref. Canada is one step closer to high-speed rail, but many hurdles remain – https://theconversation.com/canada-is-one-step-closer-to-high-speed-rail-but-many-hurdles-remain-250384

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján Statement on Confirmation of Jamieson Greer as Trade Representative

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, issued the following statement after voting against Jamieson Greer to serve as the U.S. Trade Representative:
    “In the first month of the Trump administration, the President attacked our nation’s allies and closest trading partners. New Mexicans and Americans across the country deserve a Trade Representative that will help lower costs, not one that will add fuel to the President’s trade war and raise costs for American families.
    “During Mr. Greer’s nomination hearing, I questioned him on the negative impacts President Trump’s trade war would have on New Mexico businesses and families. Mr. Greer could not guarantee that New Mexicans would not face negative impacts and that showed me all I needed to know: Mr. Greer will pursue the President’s trade war at the expense of American families.
    “I am committed to lowering costs for New Mexicans and trade policies that help our small businesses grow and succeed. As a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, I will hold the administration accountable for needlessly igniting trade wars that raise prices, threaten American industries and jobs, and hurt New Mexicans’ bottom lines.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ohio Company Pleads Guilty in Worker Death Case

    Source: US State of California

    A Delaware corporation with a manufacturing facility in Ohio pleaded guilty today in federal court in the Southern District of Ohio to a charge of willfully violating an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rule. The criminal charge is related to an incident where an employee was killed when a pneumatic door closed on his head.

    Fabcon Precast LLC (Fabcon) operates several facilities in the United States, including one in Grove City, Ohio, that manufactures precast concrete panels. At Fabcon, employees known as batch operators were responsible for the operation and cleaning of the facility’s only concrete mixer. Concrete was discharged from the bottom of the mixer through a pneumatic door. By design, the mixer had an exhaust valve that released the pneumatic energy powering the discharge door, rendering it inoperable. Some months prior to June 6, 2020, the handle that operated the valve broke off and was not replaced.

    On June 6, 2020, Zachary Ledbetter, 20, a batch operator since January 2020, was on duty when the discharge door failed to close after releasing a batch of concrete. Because the valve was broken, Ledbetter could not perform the proper procedure to make the door safe to work around. When he attempted to free the door it closed on his head, trapping him. Eventually, Ledbetter was freed and transported to a hospital where he died five days later.

    Federal law makes it a class B misdemeanor to willfully fail to follow an OSHA safety standard, where the failure causes the death of an employee. The class B misdemeanor is the only federal criminal charge covering such workplace safety violations.

    Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Norris for the Southern District of Ohio, and Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Megan Howell of the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, Great Lakes Region, made the announcement.

    The Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General investigated the case.

    Senior Trial Attorney and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Cullman, of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and for the Southern District of Ohio respectively, prosecuted the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: The National Governors Association Dinner and Reception, February 22, 2025

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

    “It was an honor to host our distinguished governors at the White House. Together, we embraced a moment of unity, forging a path toward a brighter future for all.” –First Lady Melania Trump

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LKf-pfOe9w

    MIL OSI Video –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Relief to Kentucky Businesses, Nonprofits and Residents Affected by February Storms

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    WASHINGTON – In response to a Presidential disaster declaration issued Feb. 24, 2025, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans for Kentucky businesses, nonprofits, and residents affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides occurring Feb. 14.  

    Under this declaration, the primary counties of Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Harlan, Knott, Lee, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry and Pike are eligible for both Physical damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA EIDLs: Bell, Estill, Jackson, Johnson, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Leslie, Magoffin, Powell and Wolfe, as well as Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee and Wise in Virginia; and Mingo and Wayne in West Virginia.

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

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

    Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage.    

    SBA’s EIDL program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs that suffered financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

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

    Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for PNPs, and 2.563% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms, based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    Beginning Thursday, Feb. 27, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Perry County to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their application. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov. The BRC hours of operation are listed below:

    Business Recovery Center (BRC) 
    Perry County

    Hazard Community and Technical College Jolly Classroom Center

    1 Community College Drive

    Hazard, Kentucky 41701

    Opening:  Thursday, Feb. 27, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    Hours: Monday – Friday – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    Closed: Sunday

    Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.

    With the changes to FEMA’s Sequence of Delivery, survivors are now encouraged to simultaneously apply for FEMA grants and the SBA low-interest disaster loan assistance to fully recover.  FEMA grants are intended to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid by insurance or other sources. The SBA disaster loan program is designed for your long-term recovery, to make you whole and get you back to your pre-disaster condition.  

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

    The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is April 25, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Nov. 24, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Guatemalan Citizen Indicted for Illegal Re-Entry into U.S.

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A citizen of Guatemala has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of illegal re-entry of a removed alien, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    The one-count Indictment named Anastacio Hernandez-Us, 46, as the sole defendant.

    According to the Indictment, on February 7, 2025, Hernandez-Us was found in western Pennsylvania after having been removed from the United States in September 2010.

    The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to two years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

    Assistant United States Attorney Kelly M. Locher is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

    U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

    An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Mavenir and OXIO Powering the Next Generation of MVNOs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RICHARDSON, Texas, Feb. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mavenir, the cloud-native network infrastructure provider building the future of networks, today announced that it has been selected by OXIO, a leading Telecom-as-a-Service (TaaS) company, for Packet Core, IMS and next generation messaging solutions to support borderless MVNOs and embedded connectivity use cases on a global scale.

    Mavenir has deployed a packet core that enables 4G and 5G user connectivity with an open, cloud-native, container-based solution, accompanied by Mavenir’s messaging platforms enabling revenue growth from valuable A2P and B2C segments. Mavenir’s MAVcore® functions are implemented as microservices running in containers, using open APIs to integrate with 3rd party platforms and observability frameworks. This allows network operators to roll-out services faster, increase efficiency, and reduce downtime.

    OXIO’s cloud-native, programmable TaaS platform helps businesses to build and launch mobile services quickly and without limitations. Mavenir will help OXIO customers deliver and monetize a full suite of connectivity and messaging services.

    This is Mavenir’s first deal with OXIO and signals the intention to expand into further markets across the Americas with the mission to deploy worldwide. Mavenir’s products are deployed over the Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cloud enabling OXIO for flexible, fast and cost-efficient multi-countries deployment.

    Adil Belihomji, Chief Technology Officer at OXIO, added: “We are a cloud-native platform, and we share that approach with Mavenir. The quality and flexibility of their services across Packet Core, IMS and Messaging will ensure a best-in-class experience for our customers as they launch new telecom services worldwide.”

    Antonio Correa, Senior RVP Southern Europe, Caribbean & Latin America at Mavenir, said: “OXIO is a true innovator, and a driver of real change in the telecom industry. This first deal with OXIO will demonstrate the value that we can bring to their offering – and our cloud-native approach enables Mavenir solutions to be replicated in any geographies with rapid go-to-market times.”

    About Mavenir
    Mavenir is building the future of networks today with cloud-native, AI-enabled solutions which are green by design, empowering operators to realize the benefits of 5G and achieve intelligent, automated, programmable networks. As the pioneer of Open RAN and a proven industry disruptor, Mavenir’s award-winning solutions are delivering automation and monetization across mobile networks globally, accelerating software network transformation for 300+ Communications Service Providers in over 120 countries, which serve more than 50% of the world’s subscribers. For more information, please visit www.mavenir.com

    Meet Mavenir at Mobile World Congress 2024, Barcelona, Mar 3-6, 2025.
    To explore Mavenir’s latest innovations and learn more about how Mavenir is delivering the Future of Networks – Today, visit us in Hall 2 (Stand 2H60) at #MWC25.

    About OXIO
    OXIO is building the global network of the future as the first telecom-as-a-service (TaaS) platform, founded Our technology-first approach to telecom unlocks innovation and possibility while delivering actionable insights for customer-obsessed companies competing in a data-driven world. OXIO is headquartered in New York with offices in Mexico City and Montreal. For more information, visit oxio.com. To learn more about current openings, visit oxio.com/careers/.

    Mavenir PR Contact:
    Emmanuela Spiteri
    PR@mavenir.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley Opening Statement on DOJ Nominees John Sauer, Harmeet Dhillon and Aaron Reitz

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    Opening Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa
    Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee
    Wednesday, February 26, 2025
    Good morning. I’d like to welcome everyone to this hearing to consider the nominations of John Sauer to serve as the Solicitor General, Harmeet Dhillon to serve as the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division and Aaron Reitz to serve as Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy.
    Before I turn to my opening statement, I’ll explain how we’re going to proceed today.
    I’ll give my opening remarks, and then I’ll invite Ranking Member Durbin to give opening remarks. Then, I’ll call on Senators Lee, Cruz, Hawley and Schmitt to introduce the nominees. After that, the nominees will have a chance to give an opening statement to the Committee. 
    Following the statements from the nominees, we’ll proceed to a single, five-minute round of questions. I ask Members to do their best to adhere to these time limits, so that we can proceed efficiently with the hearing.
    With that, I’ll turn to my opening remarks.
    Our three nominees have been tapped to serve in important roles in the Department of Justice. Congratulations on your nominations. If confirmed, your work will impact the lives of millions of Americans.
    Each of you has impressive qualifications, and we’re looking forward to hearing from you. I’d like to thank your family and friends for coming today. I know they’re all very proud of you.
    I’ve said many times that the Department of Justice is at an inflection point. Over the last four years, public trust in the Department has declined, and many Americans feel like the justice system doesn’t work for them.
    If confirmed, we expect you to work with Attorney General Pam Bondi to fulfill her promise to turn things around.
    Mr. Sauer, you’re particularly well suited to serve as the nation’s chief appellate lawyer. You started your career clerking for Justice Scalia, one of the legal giants of our time. Justice Scalia spent his life teaching lawyers to faithfully interpret the law and Constitution according to its original meaning. I’ve no doubt that you learned this lesson well.
    After clerking and a stint in private practice, you left D.C. behind to go home and serve as an Assistant United States Attorney in Missouri. You worked diligently to prosecute criminals and to keep your community safe. 
    In 2017, you joined the Missouri Attorney General’s Office as the Solicitor General, where you served under two members of this Committee, Senator Hawley and Senator Schmitt.  Serving as a state’s chief appellate officer during the COVID pandemic and across two presidential administrations undoubtedly prepared you for the role you will walk into if you are confirmed. 
    There’s a lot of work to be done defending our nation’s laws, and I know you’re prepared to take it on.
    Ms. Dhillon, you’re one of the nation’s foremost experts on civil rights. Your journey started a long way from here, when your family immigrated from India. You went to Dartmouth at the tender age of 16, and then went to law school at the University of Virginia.
    Throughout your career, you’ve never shied away from unpopular but just causes. You served as the Director of an ACLU chapter after 9/11, a group many on my side are often skeptical of. You also started your own law firm and founded a non-profit. You’ve litigated some of the most important cases on free speech, religious liberty, voting rights and discrimination.
    Discrimination is wrong. Our Constitution and our civil rights laws do not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, as the Supreme Court recently made clear in the Students for Fair Admissions cases.
    Unfortunately, the Biden administration not only allowed discrimination to take place, but openly encouraged it. Under the name of “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” the Biden administration imposed a nationwide regime of discrimination, and the Civil Rights Division completely failed to enforce our nation’s laws. President Trump has put an end to this and, if confirmed, I trust that you’ll work to help him execute on his promise.
    Americans don’t pick winners and losers based on the color of their skin, their sex or the name of their God.
    Ms. Dhillon, you’ve fought for everyone to be treated equally. You fought against colleges shutting down free speech for political reasons, against states restricting freedom of worship and against big tech companies engaged in censorship. You’ve won many victories defending freedom and our constitutional rights. If confirmed, we’ll need your continued leadership to protect the civil rights of all Americans.
    Our side of the aisle doesn’t spend much time talking about people’s personal characteristics. We care about character and merit. But in addition to your qualifications, your background makes you particularly suited to return the Justice Department to its proper role of enforcing our civil rights laws and ending discrimination.
    You’re an immigrant, a religious minority, a woman, a business owner, a civil rights leader, an accomplished lawyer, and, I’ve learned, an excellent knitter. You’re an example of what is great about America.
    Mr. Reitz, you have an impressive and dedicated career of service to our country. You attended college at Texas A&M University on an ROTC Scholarship and honorably served our country as a United States Marine, including a tour in Afghanistan.
    Upon your return from Afghanistan, you attended law school at the University of Texas, where you excelled.
    After a time in private practice, you decided to serve your country again. You clerked for the now-Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court. Then you ran for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives and campaigned on issues that you believed in. You continued gaining legal experience during this time in private practice.
    You eventually joined the Office of the Attorney General of Texas as Deputy Attorney General for Legal Strategy. In that role, you were involved in some of the office’s most impactful litigation during the Biden administration. You fought to secure the border, hold Big Tech accountable, protect the integrity of the ballot box and promote conservative social values.
    Today, you continue to serve Texas and your country as a member of Senator Cruz’s staff. You are currently his Chief of Staff, and I think I won’t offend my colleague when I say that this is no easy job. This is particularly true because you continue to serve in the Marine Corps Reserve, where you actively drill with your unit and hold the rank of Major. Your relentless work ethic and love of country are obvious.
    In short, the three nominees before us have impressive careers and life stories. I look forward to hearing from them today.
    With that, I’ll turn to Ranking Member Durbin for his opening remarks.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 02/26/2025 Blackburn, Schatz Introduce Bill to Strengthen U.S.-Taiwan Partnership, Safeguard U.S. from Communist China’s Security Threats

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) introduced the Taiwan Travel and Tourism Coordination Act to keep Americans safer by establishing robust security screenings for those traveling to the U.S. from Asia, open new markets for American industry, and strengthen the economic partnership between the U.S. and Taiwan:  
    “Not only does the Chinese Communist Party present a threat to Taiwan, but Communist China’s campaign for global dominance also presents a clear threat to U.S. interests,” said Senator Blackburn. “We need to secure our homeland by requiring Customs and Border Protection officers to inspect those who are traveling to the U.S. from airports in Asia, and the Taiwan Travel and Tourism Coordination Act would move us one step closer to achieving enhanced security at foreign airports. This legislation would also help identify opportunities to strengthen our economic partnership with Taiwan and increase collaboration between our two countries.”
    “Taiwan is a key partner in the Indo-Pacific, and boosting our ties strengthens both Taiwan and the United States. This bill would help unlock more economic opportunities for the people of Taiwan, Hawai‘i, and our entire country,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
    BACKGROUND
    Taiwan is the United States’ vital trading partner and ally in the Indo-Pacific region and is increasingly under threat from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). To combat this threat to our interests, we must assist our allies in stabilizing their economies and growing their national industries.
    Travel and tourism play a crucial role in a nation’s economic security, yet this sector in Taiwan faces pressure and coercion from the CCP. With strategic efforts proposed in this bill, the United States and Taiwan can turn these challenges into opportunities to strengthen our relations and our tourism industries.
    The CCP’s campaign for global dominance presents a clear threat to both Taiwan and U.S. interests as well. To secure our homeland, we must establish “pre-clearance” facilities in Asia. Pre-clearance is the strategic stationing of Customs and Border Protection personnel at designated foreign airports to inspect travelers prior to boarding U.S.-bound flights, and it is incredibly important to enhance security, increase collaboration, and streamline travel. Notably, there is no pre-clearance facility in Asia, despite there being an annual average of over 4 million travelers from the continent.
    TAIWAN TRAVEL AND TOURISM COORDINATION ACT
    Specifically, the Taiwan Travel and Tourism Coordination Act would require the federal government to:
    Identify opportunities for enhanced travel between the U.S. and Taiwan;
    Facilitate events and coordination between the travel and tourism industry partners in the United States and Taiwan;
    Coordinate with Taiwan and other agencies on the safety and security of international visitors both at home and abroad; and
    Conduct a feasibility study on establishing a pre-clearance facility in Taiwan. 
    Click here for bill text.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Getting to the ‘heart’ of precision medicine

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Many assume that Travis Hinson, M.D. of UConn Health/JAX is a surgeon, someone who spends his days repairing defects and abnormalities of the human heart. In a way, they’re not entirely wrong.

    As a clinical cardiologist and scientist specializing in inherited cardiovascular diseases, Hinson operates at the molecular level. Instead of surgical tools, he employs what he calls “molecular scissors” — cutting-edge genetic techniques that go beyond identifying mutations linked to heart failure, enabling their repair. His ultimate goal is to develop targeted treatments tailored to each patient’s unique genetic makeup.

    “My work is about fixing genetic problems early, so surgery is never needed,” he explained.

    Hinson holds a joint faculty appointment as an associate professor at The Jackson Laboratory and serves UConn School of Medicine as the Jim Calhoun Endowed Associate Professor of Cardiology and Genetics at UConn Health and its Calhoun Cardiology Center. When he’s not seeing patients, he’s in his JAX laboratory, using mouse and human stem cell models to unravel the genetic mechanisms behind heart failure.

    His research embodies the core promise of precision medicine: developing customized therapies with higher success rates and fewer side effects than traditional treatments.

    From engineer to physician
     Growing up in Louisiana, Hinson was surrounded by mentors who worked as engineers in the petroleum industry. He initially followed in their footsteps, launching his early career as a chemical engineering intern at DuPont. There, he helped produce chemicals that contributed to cleaner energy and safer construction materials. However, he soon realized that he wanted to do more than just produce these materials at scale — he wanted to help discover them.

    Driven by this curiosity, Hinson pivoted to medicine where potential discoveries could more directly impact human health, earning his medical degree from Harvard University. Yet his engineering mindset remains central to his approach to human health.

    “I think about practicality,” he said. “An engineer might discover a chemical that makes paint safer or a car run cleaner. What if I could make a discovery that helps people live longer and feel better?”

    That question fuels his research into gene-based treatments for heart failure, a condition affecting more than seven million Americans and the leading cause of death among adults.

    Dr. Travis Hinson speaking with a patient at the Calhoun Cardiology Center at UConn Health (Photo by JAX/Cloe Poisson).

    A personal approach to saving lives
     Hinson’s work in the clinic continues to affirm his commitment to transforming human health. Some of his most rewarding experiences have involved using genetics to “solve the puzzle” of complex medical cases that had stumped other doctors. In one instance, his team identified a genetic mutation responsible for dilated cardiomyopathy within a large extended family. This discovery enabled them to screen and proactively treat multiple family members — many of whom had no symptoms yet — potentially saving their lives.

    “It started with one patient and one discovery, but it ended up impacting hundreds of people across the country,” he said.

    Looking ahead: The future of precision medicine
     At JAX, Hinson is excited to continue developing targeted therapies for heart failure, aiming to correct the genetic mutations underlying the disease. He hopes to soon advance these therapies to first-in-human trials at UConn and is eager to build a team of like-minded researchers and clinicians dedicated to making a difference.

    His work could also have broader implications, extending beyond heart failure to other diseases affecting organs like the brain, liver and lungs, which share similar genetic and pathological features.

    “It’s thrilling to identify a problem before a patient even knows they have it,” he said. “And even more rewarding to offer them a treatment that could save their life.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Access to Health Care in Rural and Medically Underserved Areas

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar
    The legislation would allow international doctors trained in the United States to remain in the country if they practice in underserved areas 
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Susan Collins (R-ME), 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 allows 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. Companion legislation in the House of Representatives was reintroduced by Representatives David Valadeo (R-CA), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Robert Garcia (D-CA).
    “Rural and other medically underserved areas do not have adequate access to health care or doctors. Over the last 15 years, the Conrad 30 program has brought more than 15,000 physicians to underserved areas, filling a critical need,” said Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan legislation would allow these doctors to remain in the areas they serve and continue to bring more doctors to rural areas, improving health care for families across the nation while retaining talent trained and educated here in the United States.”
    “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 Collins. “This bipartisan reauthorization would expand access to care in rural and underserved communities, thereby improving health outcomes for more Mainers.”
    “Far too many communities in Nevada lack access to medical care, an issue that is especially dire in our rural and underserved areas. In fact, every county in Nevada is experiencing a shortage of medical professionals,” said Rosen. “This bipartisan legislation will help to address the physician shortage by allowing international doctors to stay and work in the U.S. following their residencies, helping to increase the number of doctors available to provide care.”
    “Too many rural areas in North Carolina and across the country lack the health care workforce needed to provide quality and timely care,” said Tillis. “This bipartisan legislation will allow American-trained doctors to help fill those gaps so we can expand access to critical health care in medically underserved and health professional shortage areas.”
    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.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: King, Moran Bill Fights Housing Shortage by Encouraging Homeowners to Expand, Build Properties

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) are introducing bipartisan legislation to make it easier for rural workers to live in the communities they serve, as well as address the housing shortage across the nation. The Farmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Act would expand the existing Housing Preservation Grants (HPG) program so rural home owners can create more housing on their property — such as an attached apartment unit or a small home nearby — to be available for rent. Currently, HPGs are underutilized and receive limited funding that only covers small costs and repairs. This legislation would enhance the program for rural housing creation by increasing its funding and expanding eligibility for homeowners who want to participate.
    The housing crisis has risen dramatically in recent years. A 2023 study found that Maine is now short more than 80,000 homes, in both urban and rural communities. The study also found Maine faces serious challenges including historic underproduction, aging housing stock, future need, lack of affordability, workforce decrease and a high demand for seasonal homes. The Farmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Act would make it easier for Maine people in rural areas to access housing in the communities where they work.
    “Communities all across Maine and the nation are facing a serious housing shortage,” said Senator Angus King. “Unfortunately, one law we can’t repeal in Congress is the law of supply and demand. And right now our rural communities, in particular, are up against a short supply problem coupled with serious demand — leaving many people without a place to live that is affordable or close to their community. It’s a pleasure to work with Senator Moran of Kansas — who knows all too well the challenges rural communities face — on the Farmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Act. This bipartisan, commonsense effort is another step toward combating the housing crisis and ensuring Maine people can live where they work. By making it more affordable for folks to renovate their homes, or build news one, we can help offset the rural housing shortage.”
    “There is a high demand for rural housing across Kansas, and it’s important that our housing programs offer creative solutions to address this issue,” said Senator Moran. “Modernizing the Housing Preservation Grants program will help create new avenues for renovating and constructing homes in smaller communities across the country.”
    Specifically, the Farmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Act would:
    Allow recipients to use HPG money to construct additional housing units either within or outside their home.
    Authorize funding for the nationwide program at $200,000,000.
    Offer grants of up to $100,000 to low-or medium-income recipients.
    Require the original home to be 25 years or older.
    Established a required landlord education program to help homeowners learn how to oversee rental housing.
    Create a five-year ownership and occupancy requirement upon completion to prevent homeowners from flipping their property at increased values and prevent developers from taking advantage of the program.
    Senator King has long been committed to ensuring Maine people across the state can access safe and affordable housing, as well as working with his colleagues on creative solutions to combat the housing shortage. He recently introduced the bipartisan Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act to create nearly two million new affordable homes across the country — including thousands in Maine. He also worked with his Republican colleagues to improve affordability of rural homes and farms through the Access to Credit for our Rural Economy (ACRE) Act of 2023. Additionally, he has worked to expand affordable workforce housing on Mount Desert Island to support the economic development surrounding Acadia National Park. Last year, he co-sponsored bipartisan legislation to expand affordable housing availability in Maine through redevelopment of historic buildings. He also introduced the bipartisan HELPER Act to unlock home ownership for first responders and teachers, and introduced the Manufactured Housing Community Sustainability Act to encourage manufactured home park owners interested in selling their properties to sell to residents rather than developers.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council, B.C. and Canada advance reconciliation with statement

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    From Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/crown-indigenous-relations-northern-affairs/news/2025/02/history-made-as-eitkenist-i-sewalnonet-sci-a-joint-statement-by-the-wsanec-chiefs-of-tsartlip-tseycum-first-nations-the-minister-of-crown-indigenou.html

    The Government of Canada, the province of British Columbia, and the Tsartlip and Tseycum First Nations – have signed the ŦE,ITḴEN,IST I SȽEW̱ÁL,NOṈET SĆȺ,Í, a joint statement that’s name translates to ‘Moving Forward and Speaking the Truth and Peace of Mind at Last’.

    The Joint Statement is the first time Canada and British Columbia have formally recognized that the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation – which includes but is not limited to the Tsartlip and Tseycum First Nations – is the beneficiary of and successor to the North Saanich and South Saanich Treaties of 1852.

    It acknowledges there are differing perspectives, a written and oral version of the North and South Saanich Treaties, and that a lack of government recognition and understanding of W̱SÁNEĆ’s oral history and W̱SÁNEĆ’s view of the spirit and intent of the North Saanich and South Saanich Treaties resulted in negative impacts. This statement is a first step on the path to healing, lasting reconciliation, and renewal.

    Quotes:

    “Today’s joint statement is a long overdue acknowledgment of W̱SÁNEĆ oral history and sacred rights and obligations to the territory we have lived on since time immemorial. By working to understand the Treaties through the lens of W̱SÁNEĆ worldview, B.C. and Canada are at last taking meaningful first steps to true reconciliation, paving the way for new opportunities and a better quality of life for our families and future generations.”

    – Chief Don Tom, Tsartlip First Nation

    “Today marks an important step forward in our shared journey of truth-telling and reconciliation. In signing this Joint Statement, we are laying the foundation for a better relationship with the Crown, one based in recognition. In the past, our communities have faced difficulties having the Crown recognize us as beneficiaries of the North and South Saanich Treaties and this has prevented progress and growth. This Joint Statement sets that right. It means that we will not face that fundamental issue anymore, and we can get on with the reconciliation work we all need to be doing, building a better future for our children and all future generations of W̱SÁNEĆ.”

    – Chief Tanya Jimmy, Tseycum First Nation

    “This co-developed Joint Statement with the Tsartlip and Tseycum First Nations and the Government of B.C. is a historic milestone in our shared journey toward reconciliation. Through this Statement we have set the stage for meaningful discussions and collaborative work to reconcile differing views, build understanding, and achieve shared solutions together that are based on respect for rights and true partnership. This has been years in the making and fulfills the promise that the First Nations have been waiting to be fulfilled for generations.”

    – The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

    “This statement is the result of a unique collaboration between the Tsartlip and Tseycum First Nations, B.C. and Canada that recognizes the special treaty relationship created by the North Saanich and South Treaties of 1852. Acknowledging our histories and honouring the spirit and intent of these treaties will help us work together for a stronger and better future for the W̱SÁNEĆ and all British Columbians.”

    – The Honourable Christine Boyle, B.C. Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

    Learn More:

    The Agreement is available here: wsanec_joint_statement_2025-02-25.pdf

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE, FBI arrest illegally present criminal alien in Coachella, Calif.

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    LOS ANGELES — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, arrested Isidro Jimenez, 51, a national of Mexico and illegal alien with criminal convictions, in Coachella, California, Feb. 24 as part of a targeted enforcement action.

    Jimenez entered the U.S. at an unknown location or date without being admitted by an immigration official. He was convicted by the Superior Court of California, County of Riverside, Aug. 18, 1994, for possession of a controlled substance for sale. The defunct Immigration and Naturalization Service arrested Jimenez and removed him to Mexico after an immigration judge ordered him removed March 28, 1995. Jimenez re-entered the U.S. at an unknown location or date without being admitted by an immigration officer.

    The Superior Court of California, County of Riverside, convicted Jimenez for inflicting corporal injury to a spouse June 4, 1998, following his illegal re-entry into the U.S. Additional convictions by the same court include DUI on Sept. 11, 2007, and assault with a deadly weapon on Feb. 16, 2013.

    Jimenez will remain in custody pending removal proceedings.

    Members of the public can report crimes and/or suspicious activity by dialing 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in your community on X at @EROLosAngeles.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boilermakers promote union workforce at 2025 PowerGen expo

    Source: US International Brotherhood of Boilermakers

    The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers promoted the union workforce in February in its fourth sponsorship of PowerGen. The event is an annual information and networking conference attended by 7,500 power generation professionals representing some of the world’s most prominent employers and contractors in the industry. 

    The Boilermakers sponsorship of the 2025 event in Dallas included a highly visible booth in the exhibit hall to showcase Boilermaker expertise. The goal of the union’s presence at PowerGen is to secure work opportunities across the U.S. and Canada. 

    Boilermaker representatives engaged with industry pros at the booth, highlighting what sets Boilermakers apart—from rigging, welding and mechanical aptitude to the union’s reputation for getting jobs done right the first time and delivering with excellence.

    Industry events like PowerGen serve as key networking opportunities, said Johnny Baca, Director of the M.O.R.E. Work Investment Fund. In some cases, the events reconnect the union with former Boilermakers who now run contracting firms, equipment companies and major energy projects. 

    “These relationships create valuable pathways to put Boilermakers to work across the evolving power sector,” he said. “The Boilermaker alumni network is a powerful tool that must be consistently leveraged to ensure the next generation of Boilermaker hands get their fair share of opportunities.”

    Beyond staffing the exhibit hall booth, Boilermaker representatives attended critical discussions offered at the event, including new trends in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), union job growth and the future of power generation. Key topics included carbon capture, coal, natural gas, geothermal and the resurgence of nuclear energy—all of which present major opportunities for Boilermaker man-hours.

    “As data centers and AI-driven energy demands surge, the Boilermakers are positioned at the forefront of emerging energy technologies,” Baca said. “Whether it’s traditional power generation, renewable expansion or advanced industrial applications, the battle never stops to ensure union Boilermakers are on site to lead the way.”

    The Boilermakers union began as a PowerGen sponsor in 2018. PowerGen describes itself as the “premier networking and business hub for power generation professionals and solution providers…bringing together power producers, utilities, EPCs, consultants, OEMs, and large-scale energy users.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Felon Sentenced for Possessing Firearms and Transporting Stolen Vehicle

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A man with fifteen prior felony convictions who used a stolen motorcycle to drive from Minnesota to Iowa and broke into a Winneshiek County home to steal firearms and other items was sentenced February 24, 2025, to more than seven years in federal prison.

    Steven Michael Current, age 58, from Canton, Minnesota, received the prison term after an October 15, 2024, guilty plea to one count of possession of firearms as a felon and one count of interstate transportation of a stolen motor vehicle.

    In a plea agreement, Current admitted that he had fifteen prior felony convictions, and on September 26, 2022, he broke into a rural Winneshiek County home and stole eight firearms.  Current also admitted that he drove a stolen 2004 Harley Davidson Motorcycle from Canton, Minnesota, to the burglary scene in Iowa on September 26, 2022.  This motorcycle was stolen from a home in Rochester, Minnesota, on June 9, 2022.  Current admitted that, during the burglary, he dropped two unscratched Minnesota lottery tickets from his pocket.  Current was identified by images captured on a home camera system, and by images from the Minnesota store where Current purchased the lottery tickets.

    Current was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Current was sentenced to 87 months’ imprisonment and was ordered to make $500 in restitution to the original owner of the motorcycle and $6,031.31 to the insurance company that paid for the loss of the vehicle.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

    Current is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick J. Reinert and investigated by Winneshiek County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Office, Fillmore County, Minnesota, Sheriff’s Office, and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  

    Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

    The case file number is 23-CR-02050.

    Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Check Fraudster Sentenced to Federal Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Memphis, TN – Kenyata Wilson, 36, of Memphis, has been sentenced to federal prison for leading a check fraud ring in Memphis from 2022 to 2023.  Reagan Fondren, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today.

    According to information presented in court, between May 2022 and February 2023, Wilson obtained stolen checks and deposited them into the bank accounts of his co-conspirators.  His co-conspirators would transfer most of the funds back to Wilson and retain a small portion as their payment. Wilson was seen in surveillance footage at different ATM locations in Memphis depositing the stolen checks into an account used to receive the stolen funds. Wilson was responsible for passing over $42,000 in stolen checks.

    On November 18, 2024, Wilson pled guilty before United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and eleven counts of bank fraud.  He was sentenced on February 20, 2025 to 24 months in federal prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Nashville Field Office, Memphis Resident Agency.

    Acting United States Attorney Fondren thanked Assistant United States Attorney William Bateman, who prosecuted this case on behalf of the government, and the law enforcement partners who assisted in the investigation of the case.

    ###

    For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: H.J. Res. 35, a joint resolution providing for Congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions”

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    H.J. Res. 35 would disapprove a final rule published by the Environmental Protection Agency in November 2024 that implemented a requirement in the 2022 reconciliation act (Public Law 117-169). The rule detailed how the agency would collect fees from certain energy-related facilities whose methane emissions exceed a threshold specified by law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis, The Department of Natural Resources, Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program invests $8.4 million in 19 New Wildfire Mitigation Projects

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER – Today, Governor Polis and the Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today $8.4 million through the Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program (COSWAP), which accelerates forest restoration and wildfire risk reduction through targeted projects that protect communities, watersheds and critical infrastructure. 

    This round includes 14 Workforce Development Grants to treat 1,045 acres of forested land and train over 150 wildfire mitigation individuals, and five Landscape Resilience Investments in partnership with the Colorado Water Conservation Board’s Wildfire Ready Watersheds program to strategically support wildfire risk reduction and critical water infrastructure protection in high priority watersheds in targeted counties including in Garfield, Grand, Boulder, Jackson and Montezuma. 

    “Here in Colorado, no matter what happens in Washington DC, we are aggressively expanding fire prevention strategies that work, and that includes the Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program. This critical funding supports wildfire mitigation efforts across the state and helps Coloradans gain skills, and earn hands-on experience to become the next generation of well-equipped Colorado foresters,” said Governor Polis. 

    “This year, I am pleased we are able to provide significant new funding for on the ground hand crews and training and significant landscape scale projects to a wider range of Colorado communities for forest mitigation and watershed protection work,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Dan Gibbs. “Our COSWAP program rose up out of the devastating 2020 wildfire season and I am proud of the growth and innovation the program has shown. It provides essential on the ground funding to help protect lives, property and critical infrastructure while helping our communities become more resilient in the face of larger, more complex wildfires.” 

    COSWAP’s Workforce Development Grant is designed to reduce wildfire risk through entry-level training opportunities and hands-on experience. The mission of this program is strengthened by COSWAP’s partners at the Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA) and Department of Corrections’ State Wildland Inmate Fire Teams (DOC SWIFT) who offer the next generation of land stewards the skills, experience and career exposure to succeed in wildfire mitigation and forestry. Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera has been a leader in securing investments for CYCA and creating avenues so AmeriCorps members can gain skills to help better lead mitigation efforts in Colorado. 

    In this round of Workforce Development Grants, CYCA crews including Larimer County Conservation Corps, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, Mile High Youth Corps and Southwest Conservation Corps received awards to complete six wildfire mitigation projects. Similarly, the DOC SWIFT crews will work on three projects. The remaining five workforce development awards will go towards training individuals in basic wildland firefighting and chainsaw operations. 

    “COSWAP is a transformational program in Colorado. Not only does it protect the lives and livelihoods of millions of Coloradans, it also unites people through service to their communities. This investment will develop the next generation of wildland firefighters, provide a pathway to the next chapter of service for the women and men of the National Guard, and bring a sense of purpose and accomplishment to conservation corps members. It represents the best of government, allocating resources to proven, impactful solutions,” said Scott Segerstrom, Executive Director, Colorado Youth Corps Association. 

    “The Pueblo Fire Department has obtained this grant funding every year since 2022, and it has had a significant positive effect on the spread of fire in those areas. The City of Pueblo cannot express how much we appreciate being awarded this grant for three years in a row continuing into 2025 and how much it increases the safety of our citizens,” said Deputy Fire Chief Kieth Novak from the City of Pueblo Fire Department. “The COSWAP grant has benefited the City of Pueblo, working with the Pueblo Fire Department and the City of Pueblo Parks Department, to mitigate wildland fire risks along the north Fountain River as well as multiple areas of the Arkansas River through the City of Pueblo by clearing areas along the rivers of underbrush, trees and other plants to make the area more accessible when there is a fire, as well as decreasing the possibility of fire spread by creating fire breaks and ground clearing. The work these crews do has significantly decreased the hazard risk associated with fire spread to homes around the rivers.” 

    This year, the Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program is proud to support Serve Colorado and Colorado National Guard in their pilot project working with the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. Although this project is located outside of COSWAP’s Strategic Focus Areas, it was a unique opportunity to leverage two service-oriented entities that provide workforce development for their members as well as wildfire mitigation benefits for the community. 

    “Members of the Colorado National Guard make up a population that are dedicated to serving their state and nation. By partnering with AmeriCorps to develop workforce pathways for National Guard personnel into the public sector, we as a nation receive substantial returns on our investments from multiple levels of government. Through this program, our part-time service members receive financial stability – building our military readiness-, our communities benefit from the military training those service members have already received, and our military forces benefit from well rounded service members who are able to bring the skills they’ve gained in AmeriCorps to the warfight. This partnership is a perfect example of government efficiency and maximizes the return on investment for American tax dollars, all while ensuring our local communities and service members are more prepared for whatever the future throws at them,” said Major General Laura Clellan. 

    COSWAP’s Landscape Resilience Investments focus on large-scale, cross-boundary fuels reduction projects. This year, COSWAP launched a special release of this funding opportunity in partnership with the Colorado Water Conservation Board’s Wildfire Ready Watersheds program. 

    Through this special release, awardees will implement wildfire risk reduction projects that protect critical water infrastructure within high priority watersheds. COSWAP distributed $4,850,000 between the City of Boulder, City of Fort Collins, City of Glenwood Springs, Grand Fire Protection District and Mancos Conservation District to treat a combined 1,313 acres over the next three years. 

    All five recipients of the Landscape Resilience Investment are also developing a Wildfire Ready Action Plan to assess the potential impacts of wildfire on community infrastructure, and advance a framework for their community to plan and implement mitigation strategies to minimize these impacts before wildfires occur. 

    “The Wildfire Ready Watersheds program is designed to help communities understand and mitigate the risks that post-wildfire hazards, e.g. floods and debris flows, pose to their lives, property, water supplies, and other infrastructure. By integrating this work with COSWAP’s Landscape Resilience Investments, we’re ensuring that wildfire mitigation efforts not only protect homes and infrastructure but also safeguard the watersheds that sustain our communities,” said Chris Sturm, Watershed Program Director, Colorado Water Conservation Board. “These grants set our partners up for success by combining strategic planning with on-the-ground action, helping Colorado build more resilient landscapes and water systems before the next wildfire strikes.” 

    COSWAP’s special release leverages a vital partnership to integrate both forest and watershed health. For example, the City of Glenwood Springs and Grand Fire Protection District projects are both located in high wildfire risk areas as well as high priority watersheds that drain into the Colorado River. Ultimately, supporting projects that integrate forest and watershed health will promote long-term ecological resilience. 

    Through Senate Bill 21-258, COSWAP has invested $25.4 million into its Landscape Resilience Investment program, as well as $13.8 million towards its Workforce Development program. COSWAP releases Workforce Development Grant opportunities every year, while Landscape Resilience Investments are typically every other year, with about $5 million available annually. To see a full list of Workforce Development and Landscape Resilience Investment grants please see the Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program website. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson backs Trump executive order ending federal funding for gender transitions for kidsRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina

    (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today he’s joined a 23-state coalition filing a friend-of-the-court brief supporting President Trump’s Executive Order, Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation. 

    “South Carolina stands with President Trump to protect our children from irreversible medical procedures driven more by politics than science,” said Attorney General Wilson. “The evidence is clear: WPATH’s so-called ‘Standards of Care’ are not the gold standard they claim to be. They were crafted to push a legal and political agenda, not to reflect sound medical practice. We cannot allow federal funds to support turning our children into guinea pigs for the Left’s political agenda.”  

    This order prohibits the use of federal dollars going towards gender transitioning procedures for minors, a policy now being challenged in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The brief supported by South Carolina urges the court to uphold the executive order by rejecting claims that rely on flawed and politically charged medical guidelines from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). 

    The amicus brief argues that WPATH’s Standards of Care Version 8 lacks scientific integrity. Key points include: 

    • WPATH tailored its guidelines to advance political and legal goals, including influencing lawsuits, rather than adhering to evidence-based medicine.
    • Political pressure, notably from former Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel Levine and the American Academy of Pediatrics, led WPATH to alter treatment recommendations, such as removing age minimums for procedures, without scientific justification.
    • WPATH failed to manage conflicts of interest among its authors, suppressed systematic evidence reviews showing little support for pediatric interventions, and misused the GRADE framework to issue strong recommendations despite weak evidence.

    The coalition includes attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Arizona legislative leaders. 

    Attorney General Wilson and his counterparts urge the court to deny the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction, affirming the executive order as a necessary protection for America’s youth. 

    The full brief is available for review here.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sens. Moran, Padilla, Hirono, Lankford Introduce Bill to Promote Wildfire Mitigation Through Wildlife Grazing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas – Jerry Moran
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) introduced legislation to promote research on how grazing can support wildfire mitigation, fuels reduction and post-fire recovery.
    Several states have implemented pilot programs in which animals like goats and cattle, called “ungulates,” have grazed on prescribed areas of land containing highly flammable grasses and shrubs to mitigate fire risk. These pilot efforts have successfully reduced vegetation that can fuel rapid fire growth. However, limited scientific research has been conducted on optimal grazing land management techniques that also protect against other environmental harms.
    To address this critical research gap, the Wildfire Resilience Through Grazing Research Act would add the “Grazing for Wildfire Mitigation Initiative” to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s High-Priority Research List.
    “Using grazing as a way to reduce wildfires is both beneficial to our ranchers and important to eliminating the grasses that accelerate fires on the prairie,” said Sen. Moran. “Kansans have faced devastating wildfires in recent years and understand the importance of proactively working to keep our land healthy and free of undergrowth that can make these fires worse.”
    “As devastating wildfires pose increasingly severe threats to our communities, we need to explore out-of-the-box approaches to blunt these disasters,” said Sen. Padilla. “Grazing animals like goats and cattle have been successfully used to reduce the hazardous brush that fuels wildfires. Expanding our understanding of novel grazing strategies can make it a cost-effective tool to save lives and protect homes.”
    “As the people of Lahaina continue to recover from the devastating wildfires in 2023, we recognize just how necessary it is to pre-emptively reduce wildfire risk,” said Sen. Hirono. “As wildfires occur with increasing frequency across the country, this legislation is a crucial step to help strengthen community resilience by studying the implementation of grazing as a strategy for reducing vegetation that can fuel wildfires. I’m glad to join my colleagues in introducing this important bill to help prevent wildfires and protect our communities.” This legislation is supported by the Kansas Livestock Association.
    “The Nature Conservancy welcomes this bill as a jump start for the utilization of grazing as a tool for wildfire risk reduction,” said Whitney Forman-Cook, Senior Policy Advisor for Forests and Fire at The Nature Conservancy. “In our Roadmap for Wildfire Resilience, we recommend federal land management agencies research and implement new strategies for forest and rangeland fuels reduction treatments at landscape scales. Targeted grazing satisfies that call for a new, cost-effective approach to promoting both drought and wildfire resilience while maintaining rangeland health.”
    The Wildfire Resilience Through Grazing Research Act would:

    Support research and development of grazing land management techniques for wildfire mitigation and recovery by driving research at land-grant colleges and universities like the Kansas State University, University of California system, University of Hawai?i at M?noa and Oklahoma State University.
    Promote the dissemination of information on these wildlife grazing land management techniques to public and private landowners, land managers and livestock owners, including land management activities that protect against negative environmental impacts and improve soil health.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Dundee Corporation Continues To Advance Its Strategic Plan and Announces Proposed Sale of Its Interest in Android Industries

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Feb. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dundee Corporation (TSX: DC.A) (the “Corporation” or “Dundee”) is pleased to announce that the ownership group of Android Industries, L.L.C. (“Android”) have agreed to sell their interest in Android. The Corporation holds a 20% interest in Android, a private company and leading high technology-enabled assembler and sequencer of complex assemblies for the automotive industry.

    As a result of this transaction, Dundee anticipates receiving cash proceeds of approximately C$24.5 million at closing, with an incremental C$6.9 million payable contingent upon the release of all escrows. “The sale of our 20% interest in Android Industries represents a significant milestone for Dundee as we rationalize what remains of our non-core legacy asset portfolio which is a key strategic initiative as we recycle our capital into our core mining business,” said Jonathan Goodman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dundee Corporation. “I would like to extend my congratulations to the team for their exceptional effort in getting this deal moved toward the finish line.  This divesture underscores the Corporation’s commitment to optimizing its asset portfolio and delivering value to shareholders.  We remain focused on executing on our strategic objectives and pursuing growth within the mining sector.”

    The transaction is subject to satisfying customary closing conditions and obtaining necessary regulatory approvals and is expected to close on or around the end of the first quarter of 2025.

    ABOUT DUNDEE CORPORATION:

    Dundee Corporation is a public Canadian independent holding company, listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “DC.A”. Through its operating subsidiaries, Dundee Corporation is an active investor focused on delivering long-term, sustainable value as a trusted partner in the mining sector with more than 30 years of experience making accretive mining investments.

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

    This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects Dundee Corporation’s current expectations regarding future events. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Dundee Corporation’s control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Annual Information Form of Dundee Corporation and subsequent filings made with securities commissions in Canada. Dundee Corporation does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

    Investor and Media Relations
    T: (416) 864-3584
    E: ir@dundeecorporation.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Trump Hosts First Cabinet Meeting, Feb. 26, 2025

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

    The White House

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMpL4Hze__4

    MIL OSI Video –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Pamela Bondi Urges States to Comply with Federal Law by Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Today, Attorney General Pamela Bondi issued letters to officials in California, Maine, and Minnesota warning them to comply with federal antidiscrimination laws that require them to keep men out of women’s sports.

    “This Department of Justice will defend women and does not tolerate state officials who ignore federal law,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We will leverage every legal option necessary to ensure state compliance with federal law and President Trump’s executive order protecting women’s sports.”

    As President Trump’s recent executive order on this subject explains, allowing men and boys to compete in women’s and girls’ sports “is demeaning, unfair, and dangerous to women and girls.” The practice is also illegal under federal law: it denies women and girls the equal opportunity to participate and excel in competitive sports, in violation of Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK sets out biodiversity commitments to protect nature

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UK sets out biodiversity commitments to protect nature

    Commitments set out during conference as COP16 negotiations resume in Rome on delivering global nature goals

    The UK has today (Wednesday 26 February) outlined its commitment to the implementation of UN COP15 biodiversity framework by publishing its National Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan (NBSAP) – showing how we intend to meet all the global targets and goals . 

    The resumed session of the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Rome, Italy, will focus on unresolved items from Calì, Colombia in October 2024, including an international strategy to mobilise finance for nature and the mechanism to review global progress against the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

    A partnership between Defra, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, the NBSAP commits the UK to achieving all 23 of the Global Biodiversity Framework targets at home and outlines how its four countries will work together to fully implement each of these, including commitments to:

    • Expand protected areas to at least 30% of the land and seas
    • Reduce pollution from all sources to levels that are not harmful to biodiversity
    • Enhance biodiversity and sustainability in agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, and forestry
    • Ensure sustainable, safe and legal harvesting and trade of wild species 

    The NBSAP draws on commitments made by the UK, its Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies – which make a significant contribution to global biodiversity – to summarise our collective ambition to work together to address biodiversity loss.

    Achieving these goals to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 will be part of the global pathway towards a world living in harmony with nature by 2050.

    Nature Minister Mary Creagh said:

    “The UK continues to drive progress on nature protection and restoration both at home and across the world.  

    “It’s never been more important to tackle the nature and climate crises, and that’s why we will continue to press for concerted action to ensure full implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework.

    “There is more work to do with our international partners, and the UK will be at the forefront of negotiations in Rome.”

    Ruth Davis, the UK’s Special Representative for Nature, said:

    “We need urgent action to address the nature crisis and that means working to halt biodiversity loss both internationally and at home.

    “The launch of the NBSAP is a signal of the UK’s commitment to match international co-operation on nature with domestic activity to protect and enhance our natural world.

    “We will continue to play our part in achieving our international nature targets, while working with other nations to make a difference across the globe.”

    Natural England Chair Tony Juniper said:

    “Nature underpins our economy, health and security. We rely on ecosystems for food, water and air, for resilience in the face of climate change and in sustaining our physical and psychological wellbeing.

    ”Just five years remain for us to meet the ambitious but critical Global Biodiversity targets agreed by world leaders at COP15. It is crucial that we ramp up action and work together to protect and restore our natural environment, including for the benefit of future generations. 

    “The Plan published today sets out how international commitments will translate into action on the ground across the UK and we look forward to working with government and our many partners to deliver what’s needed to recover nature.”

    The Plan published today sets out how international commitments will translate into action on the ground, so that we can deliver the changes needed to recover nature.”

    The UK is also supporting other countries to ensure that this global agreement is implemented, including by sharing technical and scientific expertise with partners all around the world, and supporting work to halt and reverse nature loss across the globe.

    The Government is committed to protecting and restoring nature, and has launched a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement plan so that we can now meet our domestic and international targets and re-establish the UK as an international leader on the environment, as part of the Plan for Change.

    We will honour the UK’s international commitments to deliver 30by30 – protecting 30% of the UK’s land and sea by 2030 – to ensure that at least 30% of the Earth’s land and ocean is being effectively conserved and managed by 2030, and to playing our part in achieving the global 30by30 target adopted at the UN Biodiversity Summit COP15 in December 2022. 

    Additional information:

    • Blueprint for halting and reversing biodiversity loss: the UK’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for 2030, jointly published by Defra, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, summarises the UK’s response to the GBF to drive action at UK level to change the global picture.

    • In December 2022, 196 Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity came together to agree the GBF, which consists of four goals and 23 targets, with the overall mission of halting and reversing biodiversity loss globally by 2030 to put nature on a path to recovery for the benefit of people and planet,

    • The UK will also support other countries to deliver the National Biodiversity Strategy, from sharing technical and scientific expertise with partners all around the world, to supporting work to halt and reverse nature loss across the globe.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 26 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 27, 2025
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