NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Tuberville Joins “America’s Newsroom” to Discuss Kash Patel, Linda McMahon Confirmation Hearings

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville

    “Kash Patel is the Democrats’ worst nightmare”

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined Dana Perino and Bill Hemmer on Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom” to discuss the importance of confirming President Trump’s nominees. Senator Tuberville specifically mentioned Kash Patel’s nomination for Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Linda McMahon’s nomination for Secretary of Education (ED)—who both have hearings today.

    Read excerpts from the interview below or watch on YouTube or Rumble.

    ON LINDA MCMAHON FOR EDUCATION SECRETARY

    HEMMER: “Sir, we could have thrown a dart and picked any one of a number of topics on this. We’ll start with education. You’re close to this. What happens?”

    TUBERVILLE: “Well, I was with President Trump going to the Super Bowl the other day, and he’s adamant that we get our education back because that’s the future for our country. Our young people are our number one commodity, Bill. […] But at the end of the day, we have got to get back to reading, writing, math, civics—teaching our history to our kids, not indoctrinating our kids. And we’re having a hearing today. I was named the Chairman of the Education and the American Family [sub]committee in the HELP [Committee] this past week. I’m looking forward to having hearings and getting our parents back involved in education. My God, we have turned it over to the teachers and the teachers’ unions. It is out of control. We’ve gotta start teaching again.”

    PERINO: “One of your colleagues, Senator Bernie Sanders—there was a rally against Linda McMahon, the nominee to run the Department. He had this to say. [clip from Sen. Sanders at rally] 

    Why don’t they ever have a rally about the dismal test scores that we see across our nation?”

    TUBERVILLE: “Exactly, Dana. And to go back on this, Bernie Sanders has been the chairman of the HELP, the Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee, for the past [two] years. I think we’ve had one education hearing. They care nothing about education. They wanna indoctrinate. So, again, we’ve got to get back to doing commonsense things where we all understand that our kids are so important, more important than anything else that we do.”

    ON DOGE SHRINKING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

    HEMMER: “Sir, this is moving all very quickly. And there might be, you know what Democrats are saying about the cuts, etcetera, and how it’s gonna hurt people in the end. Can you understand how there could be a measure of uncertainty for people watching this? And if you do, how would you reassure them that the government will still be there for them when needed and necessary?”

    TUBERVILLE: “Well, all you gotta do is look at what President Trump said during his campaign. Everything’s gonna be about the American people, about America First, about everything within our borders, not outside our borders. And it all, again, goes back to education, crime, all the things that are going on in our country that we gotta get better. So yes, there’s gonna be some cuts. But one thing about it, Bill and Dana, if we don’t cut federal spending, we will not have the country that you and I had a chance to grow up in because we will go bankrupt, which we almost already are. It will get worse and we will become a socialist country that will depend on handouts that we don’t have money for.”

    ON KASH PATEL FOR FBI DIRECTOR

    PERINO: “Kash Patel is the President’s nominee to lead the FBI. There’s another hearing that’s happening as we speak—that’s just getting started. He should be confirmed by the end of this week for sure. […] This is what he said about the FBI back on January 30th. [clip of Patel] 

    What time this week do you believe he will get confirmed after this hearing today?”

    TUBERVILLE: “Well, it’ll probably be next week—we’ll have his first vote to get him out of out of cloture and go into the debate. […] He’s the Democrats’ worst nightmare because he knows what we all know up here—that it’s been all corrupt. You know, we have to take back our country in terms of the weaponized criminal justice system. We made a good start with Pam Bondi, Tulsi Gabbard, all these people that have been put in place. But at the end of the day, it’s got to be Kash Patel who’s over the country’s head police office. And again, Kash has been involved in all of it. He knows where the bodies are buried. The Democrats are scared to death because when he gets in, which he will, he’s gonna start shaking it all up. We’ve got some good people, but he’s got to take politics out of the FBI, and he’s got to put trust back in the FBI for the American people because right now, it is a total disaster up here on the hill and especially in my state of Alabama.”

    HEMMER: “Senator, we’ll let you get back to work. And apparently, there’s a lot of work to be done. So, thank you for your time, Senator Tommy Tuberville. Thank you.”

    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman, Kennedy, Moran Champion Bill to Protect Veterans’ Second Amendment Rights

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman

    WASHINGTON––U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), John Kennedy (R-LA) and Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS) introduced the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act to ensure veterans do not lose their Second Amendment right to purchase or own firearms when they receive help managing their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits.

    Because of the VA’s interpretation of current law, the VA sends a beneficiary’s name to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) whenever a fiduciary is appointed to help a beneficiary manage his or her VA benefit payments. The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act would prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from transmitting a veteran’s personal information to NICS unless a relevant judicial authority rules that the beneficiary is a danger to himself or others.

    “Veterans must not be required to forfeit the Second Amendment without a careful, constitutional process. Attempting to deprive former servicemembers of firearms for protection or recreation simply because they require assistance managing the benefits they have earned is bureaucracy at its worst. Our legislation would correct this injustice and preserve these law-abiding patriots’ rights,” said Boozman.

    “Our veterans should not receive less due process rights than other Americans just because they served our country and asked the federal government for a helping hand. Under the VA’s interpretation of the law, however, unelected bureaucrats punish Louisiana and America’s veterans by forcing them to choose between their Second Amendment rights and getting the help they need as they manage their financial affairs. I’m proud to introduce the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act to stand up for veterans’ constitutional rights by ending this unfair practice,” said Kennedy.

    “Veterans should never be forced to choose between receiving assistance from VA to manage their benefits and their fundamental Second Amendment rights. Our nation should be encouraging veterans to utilize VA services, not discouraging them by denying them due process. The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act makes certain that the rights of those who have served are protected, and that veterans are not penalized for receiving support that they have earned and deserve,” said Moran.

    The legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Steve Daines (R-MT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Jim Banks (R-IN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tim Sheehy (R-MT). 

    Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL-12), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

    The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act is endorsed by the Vietnam Veterans of America, National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, Black Veterans Empowerment Council, Military Order of the Purple Heart, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America, AMAC Action, Turning Point Action, Firearms Regulatory Accountability Coalition, National Disability Rights Network and the National Association for Gun Rights.

    Click here for full text of the legislation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker Opposes RFK, Jr., Nomination to be HHS Secretary

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement:

    “There’s no question that America’s food system is painfully broken. It drives historic levels of suffering and illness. It’s broken for farmers and rural communities; it’s broken for workers; it poisons our environment; it subsidizes unhealthy foods and hurts consumers. It’s a system that seems to hurt everyone except the multinational food companies that control it.

    “It’s also true that our country faces a huge nutrition crisis. In recent decades, we’ve seen an explosion of diet-related diseases, fueled by the world’s biggest food companies that rigged the rules in their favor to maximize profits at the expense of public health. These companies have blocked my efforts to regulate things like toxic pesticides, food chemicals, and ultra-processed foods.

    “I’m always hopeful that we can make progress on these challenges and I will work with whomever wants to join with me and the millions of Americans who are demanding change.

    “However, I will not be voting to confirm Mr. Kennedy. He has championed views on a number of issues that are deeply concerning to me. Furthermore, the Trump administration is flagrantly ignoring the law in its efforts to dismantle vital government programs, from health care to education to national security, while ignoring the burden of rising costs on American families.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Welch on Voting Against Kash Patel: “I’m voting against Mr. Patel because he is clearly an instrument in that effort to continue eroding the precepts of the Constitution on the separation of powers.”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today voted against advancing the nomination of Kash Patel in the Senate Judiciary Committee, President Trump’s nominee to be the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and expressed his opposition:  
    “In my view, the beginning of the Trump Administration is showing a contempt for the Constitution and a lawlessness that is dangerous for the republic [add]…” said Senator Peter Welch. “We, each of us, must be custodians of that constitutional order and our role as the legislature, in it. Tough judgments have to be made. My judgment is that the President is showing absolute contempt for the United States Congress. And the next stop is contempt for the United States Judiciary. I cannot vote for a person who signed onto that agenda.”  
    Watch the Senator’s full remarks below: 

    Read Senator Welch’s remarks as delivered here. 
    During Patel’s confirmation hearing, Senator Welch grilled the nominee about his refusal to acknowledge that President Biden won the 2020 Presidential Election and stressed the importance of combatting any attempt to weaponize the Justice Department and the FBI under the Trump Administration. Earlier this week, Senator Welch reacted to reports that Patel has been personally involved in the Trump Administration’s ongoing efforts to target and fire career FBI agents and officials. Under oath, Mr. Patel told Senator Welch he had no recollection of the purge at the FBI. Senator Welch reacted: 
    “If these reports are true, this is perjury. Under oath, Kash Patel said he had no recollection of any discussions or details about plans to purge career FBI agents—but whistleblowers have revealed that he was not only aware but orchestrating it. Kash Patel’s goal is to wreck the FBI, and my colleagues across the aisle must vote no.”    

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Ricketts Introduces Resolution Honoring the Life and Legacy of Howard Hawks

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)

    February 13, 2025

    February 13, 2025
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE)introduced a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Nebraska community leader Howard Hawks. Ricketts announced the resolution while on a conference call with Nebraska media yesterday:
    “Nebraskans benefitted greatly from Howard Hawks’ leadership and generosity,” Ricketts said. “He was a visionary leader in the business and philanthropic community. He served on the Board of Creighton University and as a University of Nebraska Regent. His historic support for higher education opened countless new doors for Nebraska students. Howard and his wife Rhonda were also great partners and friends during my time as Governor. My resolution will honor his life and legacy.”
    Watch the video HERE.
    The text of the resolution can be found here.

    Print 
    Share 
    Like 
    Tweet 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: BCIT begins $48 million renewal of Burnaby Campus

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    From BCIT News: https://commons.bcit.ca/news/2025/02/south-campus-infrastructure-renewal-scir/

    The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is beginning a major revitalization project on the south side of its Burnaby Campus, which will ultimately enrich the applied educational experience for students and further cultivate a thriving work environment for employees. The BCIT South Campus Infrastructure Renewal project (SCIR) provides a unique opportunity to enhance public spaces, improve accessibility, and create a more vibrant and inclusive campus environment. It will also upgrade aging infrastructure to ensure climate resilience and support sustainability efforts.

    With a $48 million investment from the Province of British Columbia, this phase of the SCIR project encompasses the first three of five separate zones of the project with construction set to begin in early 2026 and to run until 2029.

    “Our government is committed to investing in B.C. to strengthen and diversify it, and the best way to do that, is by investing in the future workers of the province,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills. “The infrastructure upgrades at BCIT today will create a cutting-edge environment to be the foundation for training and education and foster growth, opportunity, and bigger paychecks for all.”

    “It’s great to see schools like BCIT growing and adapting to meet the diverse needs of their students,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “The updates to the South Campus will enhance the student experience while also providing more staff and visitors with an enriched environment, reflecting our government’s commitment to creating sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities that foster growth and opportunity for all.”

    An initiative that puts people and sustainability at the forefront

    The project involves significant upgrades to critical underground infrastructure in the South Campus area, including electrical, gas, water, sanitary services, and stormwater systems south of Goard Way. These upgrades will enhance climate resilience and prepare the campus for future developments.

    “The South Campus Infrastructure Renewal Project is vital to BCIT’s future – creating a sustainable, interconnected community that enhances education, supports staff and faculty, and fosters industry collaboration,” said Dr. Jeff Zabudsky, BCIT President. “We thank the Province of British Columbia for investing in this transformative initiative that enables BCIT to continue to deliver on its vision of empowering people, shaping BC, and inspiring global progress.”

    Above ground, the campus will see more open spaces, a restored urban greenway, a campus walkway connecting the new Tall Timber Student Housing building to the core of campus, and upgraded wayfinding, bicycle networks, and accessibility throughout public areas. Additionally, the project will support the continued daylighting of Guichon Creek – creating a natural ecological habitat suitable for salmon.

    Notably – this project also marks the retirement of the Energy OASIS site. This highly successful project built by BCIT’s Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team (SMART) includes a large solar panel canopy, control systems, and EV charging. Over its lifespan, OASIS successfully demonstrated how large-scale microgrids can complement and connect to utility networks as well provide resilience when the grid power is not available. The SMART team continues to leverage the learnings of OASIS and looks forward to sharing updates on future projects soon.

    Throughout the revitalization period, the SCIR will function as a Living Lab for students, faculty, researchers, and industry partners. Students, particularly those in Civil Engineering, Ecological Restoration, and Construction Management, will gain hands-on experience through collaboration with industry professionals involved with the project.

    Follow the project and learn more by visiting: https://www.bcit.ca/campus-plan/major-projects/scir/ or by following: https://www.instagram.com/bcitcpf/

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Plan to Audit Utility Company Salaries is Approved

    Source: US State of New York

    Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) has initiated a comprehensive review of utility management compensation following her direction on Tuesday for the Department of Public Service (DPS) to move forward with the audit. This audit follows years of work by DPS to examine utility management structures and seeks to align utility priorities with State objectives, including affordability, reliability, safety, and a cleaner environment. This is part of a comprehensive effort by the Governor to combat rising utility costs and protect consumers, and it builds upon her direction for DPS to reject Con Edison’s rate proposal and her demand that the New York Power Authority suspend its proposed rate increase.

    “New Yorkers deserve fair and transparent utility rates,” Governor Hochul said. “This audit will ensure that utility compensation structures are working for New Yorkers, not rewarding expected behavior. We will hold utilities accountable and ensure their focus is where it should be: delivering reliable, affordable, and high-quality service. At a time when families are facing rising costs, we are taking decisive action to ensure every dollar that customers pay is justified and that utility companies are prioritizing the needs of the people they serve.”

    The audit will focus on compensation for non-union utility management employees statewide and the results will inform future rate cases to protect New Yorkers from unfair rate hikes. Numerous recent management and operations audits of large, investor-owned electric and gas utilities have highlighted meaningful concerns with how utilities administer their programs.

    In a recent audit of Central Hudson, the auditor concluded their bonus structure rewarded financial performance, but only set reliability and service quality metrics at the bare minimum. In the case of NYSEG and RG&E, auditors had to recommend that the companies set performance standards that encourage service improvements. And in other recent audits, including of Con Edison, O&R, and National Grid, auditors found that companies should update their compensation structures to focus on ratepayer-centric goals.

    Commission Chair Rory M. Christian said, “This audit is about accountability. Management compensation is a reflection of a company’s values, and we expect utility values to mirror our own and be focused on providing quality, affordable service to ratepayers.”

    The audit will examine compensation practices at 13 major utilities, including Con Edison, National Grid, Central Hudson, NYSEG, RG&E, and Veolia Water New York. Investor-owned electric and gas utilities have a total of 12.4 million customers in New York State. Findings from the audit will influence future rate cases, providing the PSC with insights into best practices and potential cost-saving measures.

    Over the last four years, Governor Hochul has prioritized energy affordability by:

    • Affordability policy enhancements to expand eligibility in the Energy Affordability Program and creating the Energy Affordability Guarantee, the first-in-the nation pilot program that ensures low-income New Yorkers participating in the EmPower Plus program never pay more than 6 percent of their incomes on electricity and incentivizes them to fully electrify their homes.
    • Budget appropriations to reduce ratepayer costs of EAP that provides critical utility bill relief to low-income New Yorkers.
    • Providing arrears forgiveness of more than $1 billion.
    • State procurements of renewable generation to offset ratepayer costs of developing new clean generation resources
    • $300 million to create power-ready sites for attracting new businesses through the Promote Opportunity with Electric Readiness for Underdeveloped Properties (POWER UP) Fund.

    Assemblymember Didi Barrett said, “As utility rates continue to soar it is imperative that we take a close look at utility company salaries to ensure our constituents across the state are not shouldering the burden of inflated salaries. I thank Governor Hochul for her focus on energy affordability and the Public Service Commission for their support of this audit.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New I-81 Connect Mobile App Launches

    Source: US State of New York

    Governor Kathy Hochul today announced an exciting addition to the transformative Interstate 81 Viaduct Project’s community engagement toolbox: The launch of the I-81 Connect mobile app. The app builds on the unprecedented community outreach efforts implemented during the project’s planning and environmental phases — which are currently still effective — during construction. The I-81 Connect mobile app incorporates the convenience of 21st century technology into the largest infrastructure project in the New York State Department of Transportation’s history. The app will deliver real-time project updates and travel alerts and allow the Central New York Community to connect with the I-81 Project team directly. A daily tap of the app will enhance everyday life and reduce stress caused by congested commutes, improve traffic flow and increase overall safety.

    “Community engagement does not stop once construction begins,” Governor Hochul said. “The New York State Department of Transportation is building on the robust public outreach that has accompanied every stage of this project, as we step into the future of community engagement with the new I-81 Connect mobile app. Our commitment to ensuring the residents of this community are involved in every aspect of this undertaking will remain strong until the viaduct comes down and the neighborhoods surrounding it are reconnected for good.”

    The I-81 Connect mobile app is a one-stop shop resource that provides users 24/7 access to all aspects of the I-81 Viaduct Project and streamlines communication between the user and NYSDOT. When users navigate to the section titled “Connect with Us” on the app’s home screen, they will be redirected to clickable links that call the I-81 Viaduct Project toll-free hotline or draft an email to the project team. The notification feature on the app provides NYSDOT the ability to send messages about important project information directly to the user’s mobile device. This modernized approach to community engagement cuts out the middleman and allows the public to receive information directly from the source.

    New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “The I-81 Connect mobile app is a game changer and reinforces Governor Hochul’s commitment to providing a safe and reliable transportation network, accessible to all. I-81 Connect brings the community and NYSDOT together through the app, on the phone, or online, decreasing anxiety and sharing information. Today, we raised the bar on community engagement!”

    As the first-ever mobile app to be paired with a NYSDOT infrastructure project, I-81 Connect is linked to the project’s website and provides full access to project renderings, contract updates, information and data associated with the first of its kind Local Hire Initiative, an inquiry form for jobseekers, materials and resources for prospective Disadvantage Business Owners and contractors, archived documents, technical details and more. Downloading the app automatically enables users to receive important project updates and traffic alerts on their mobile devices. Additionally, users can opt-in to receive email notifications.

    The I-81 Connect home screen includes a list of categories to help users find what information they are looking for, quickly and efficiently.

    I-81 Connect is an inclusive communications tool that gives the most vulnerable Central New York communities a seat at the table. Members of the community — whether they live in downtown Syracuse or in surrounding suburban and rural areas — will be able to get real time updates and not rely on word-of-mouth or wait to attend a community event, and instead, will be able to engage with a member of the I-81 Viaduct Project team right from the palm of their hand. The I-81 Viaduct Project’s outreach Centers will continue to be open and available to all New Yorkers interested in the project.

    The I-81 Viaduct Project is part of Governor Hochul’s unprecedented commitment to modernize New York State’s infrastructure and invest in projects that promote connectivity and multi-modal transportation opportunities for communities across the State. The project will take down a 1.4-mile stretch of elevated highway that has divided the City of Syracuse for generations and implement a Community Grid that will reconnect neighborhoods, modernize infrastructure, give motorists multiple options to safely access downtown Syracuse and improve mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists.

    Work on the I-81 Viaduct Project has been in progress for two years, with four of the project’s eight contracts in construction and a fifth contract anticipated to start later this spring. Additionally, final design on phase two of the project has begun. The project’s first two contracts focusing on reconstructing the existing I-81/I-481 northern and southern interchanges into Business Loop 81 and I-81, are anticipated to be substantially complete by the end of this year.

    The I-81 Connect mobile app, powered by GoGov, is available on iPhone and Android devices for free and can be downloaded in the App Store and Google Play.

    State Senator Rachel May said, “The I-81 Viaduct project is moving along quickly. That means drivers, cyclists and pedestrians need a way to stay up to date with reliable information. This new app will be helpful for road users in Central New York, providing updates on road construction and traffic alerts that will make navigating the project much more manageable. Thank you to Commissioner Dominguez for introducing this innovative app and for your dedication to making the I-81 project a success.”

    Assemblymember Bill Magnarelli said, “The I-81 Viaduct Project significantly impacts the entire Central New York region. The investment reinforces New York State’s commitment to protecting and enhancing our statewide infrastructure, strengthening economic development and our quality of life. The I-81 Connect mobile app will allow the community to stay informed during the construction phases and have real-time information throughout the process.”

    About the Department of Transportation

    It is the mission of the New York State Department of Transportation to provide a safe, reliable, equitable and resilient transportation system that connects communities, enhances quality of life, protects the environment and supports the economic well-being of New York State.
    Lives are on the line; slow down and move over for highway workers!

    For more information, find us on Facebook, follow us on X or Instagram, or visit our website. For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Charges Mexican National for Attempted Bribery of U.S. Border Patrol Agent

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Mexican national faces federal charges for allegedly attempting to bribe a U.S. Border Patrol Agent after being apprehended for illegal re-entry into the United States.

    According to court records, on February 8, 2025, Samuel Mendoza-Torres, 29, was taken into custody along with another individual near the Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station. While being transported to the station, Mendoza-Torres allegedly asked the agent, “Can we fix this?” and offered $400 for his release.

    During a post-arrest interview, Mendoza-Torres admitted to escorting illegal immigrants into the United States from Mexico. He also acknowledged knowing that offering money to the Border Patrol Agent was illegal.

    Mendoza-Torres will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been set. If convicted of the current charges, Mendoza-Torres faces 20 years in prison.

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, and Chief Patrol Agent Walter “Neil” Slosar of the U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector made the announcement today.

    The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau Investigation and the U.S. Border Patrol are investigating this case. Assistant United States Attorney Ry Ellison is prosecuting the case.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Georgia Man Sentenced for Distributing Meth and Heroin

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A man who distributed approximately 40 kilograms of methamphetamine and a kilogram of heroin was sentenced February 11, 2025, to more than 19 years in federal prison.

    Manuel Tomas Gaspar, age 25, from Atlanta, Georgia, received the prison term after an August 30, 2024, guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

    Information at the sentencing hearing showed that, between December 1, 2023, and February 14, 2024, Gaspar traveled between Georgia and Iowa transporting significant quantities of methamphetamine and heroin.  In January 2024, Gaspar delivered 20 kilograms of methamphetamine and one kilogram of heroin to an individual in Cedar Rapids.  On February 14, 2024, Gaspar was arrested after delivering an additional 20 kilograms of methamphetamine to the same individual in Cedar Rapids.  During that time‑period, Gaspar carried a gun to protect large amounts of drug proceeds and he conducted international wire transfers to the Mexico‑based source of supply. 

    Gaspar was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Gaspar was sentenced to 236 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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

    The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hudson and Assistant United States Attorney Dillan Edwards and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the 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 24‑CR‑00029‑CJW.

    Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sioux City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Refusing a Court Order

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A man was sentenced on January 31, 2025, to 24 months imprisonment for contempt of court.

    Joel Perea-Duenas, age 24, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after a July 30, 2024, guilty plea to contempt of court.

    In the evening hours of June 23, 2020, Perea-Duenas was asked to serve as the getaway driver for a drive-by shooting.  He agreed, put on dark clothing, and joined three armed men in a waiting car.  The attackers drove to the home of their intended victim, but seeing law enforcement in the area, aborted their attack.  Perea-Duenas suggested a secondary target, drove to that new target and identified it to his conspirators.  It was a home, occupied by seven people including children.  One of the gunmen repeatedly fired upon the home hitting the house at least eight times.  Perea-Duenas was later caught by police and admitted he knew about the intended shooting before agreeing to drive, admitted knowing there were people, including children, in the targeted home, and he wanted the shooting to occur to in retaliation against a resident of the home and his family. On November 19, 2021, Perea-Duenas pled guilty to two counts of being a drug user in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison.  

    On October 27, 2022, defendant was called as a witness at the federal sentencing of an accomplice.  He was sworn by the district court judge.  When he was questioned under oath, however, he refused to testify because he did not want to testify.  The district court advised him that he did not have a lawful right to refuse to answer the questions.  Nonetheless, Perera-Duenas persisted in his refusal to testify.  The district court continued the sentencing, in part, to give Perea-Duenas time to reconsider his refusal of the district court’s lawful order.  The sentencing resumed on December 8, 2022.  Perera-Duenas again, communicated his refusal to testify.  He was sent back to federal prison to complete his federal sentence for the firearms charge.

    On October 19, 2023, while he was still in federal prison, he was charged with contempt of court.  On November 20, 2023, he was released from federal prison on the gun charges, he was re-arrested and haled back into federal court to answer for his criminal contempt.  On July 30, 2024, he plead guilty.  He was sentenced on January 31, 2025, in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 24 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

    Judge Strand indicated in sentencing Perea-Duenas that this was the only time in his career as a jurist that he had encountered a refusal to testify of this nature and that the crime had to be sanctioned stiffly to ensure others do not follow suit.  

    United States Attorney Timothy T. Duax said: “refusals to testify, like refusals of court orders generally, strike at the very heart of the American justice system and the rule of law.  As a result, those who disobey lawfully issued court orders risk prosecution and incarceration.”      

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

    The case was investigated by the Sioux City Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.  

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

    The case file number is 23-4026/20-4071.

    Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Charges Isleta Pueblo Man with Unlawfully Possessing a Firearm

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Bosque Farms man has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person as part of an ongoing effort to combat violent crime and protect families in tribal communities through community-focused initiatives.

    According to court documents, on or about July 14, 2024, Warren Chewiwi, 51, an enrolled member of the Isleta Pueblo, possessed a 12-gauge shotgun. Chewiwi is prohibited by law from possessing any firearm because he has two prior felony convictions and four prior convictions for misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence. Chewiwi’s prior convictions span three different New Mexico sovereigns—the federal government, the State of New Mexico, and the Isleta Pueblo.

    Chewiwi will remain in custody pending trial. At sentencing, Chewiwi faces up to 15 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today.

    The Isleta Pueblo Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Katy Man Sentenced to Prison for Striking Border Patrol Agent With Vehicle and Fleeing During Smuggling Attempt

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DEL RIO, Texas – A Katy man was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 18 months in prison for one count of assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers or employees.

    According to court documents, Kevin Dominguez, 26, drove a sedan to the U.S. Border Patrol immigration checkpoint, located on U.S. Highway 57 on Aug. 1, 2023. A USBP canine alerted the agents to the trunk, revealing an individual inside. Upon the USBP agent noticing the individual, Dominguez backed up and struck the agent with the vehicle before fleeing the checkpoint. A high-speed chase ensued and a USBP helicopter observed two occupants exit the vehicle into an open field. One of the individuals was located and confirmed to be an undocumented noncitizen from Honduras.

    Dominguez was indicted in a two-count indictment on Sept. 13, 2023, and was arrested Sept. 14. He pleaded guilty on Jan. 24, 2024.

    U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

    The FBI investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Kass prosecuted the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Graham, Coons, Young, Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Advance Domestic Critical Materials Production

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
    Legislation will cut reliance on China for critical materials essential to our national security, energy, and emerging tech
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, Lindsey Graham, Chris Coons, and Todd Young reintroduced the bipartisan Critical Materials Future Act to establish a pilot program for the Department of Energy to financially support domestic critical material processing projects.
    “American energy independence is a bipartisan goal,” said Hickenlooper. “The U.S. could be a global leader in critical materials, but we need to shore up our domestic supply chains to strengthen our national security. Let’s get to work.”
    “China maintains dominant control over critical mineral processing, which poses significant risks to our national security. It’s important for us to build better and more resilient processing capabilities here at home,” said Graham.
    “Critical minerals are essential to manufacturing the most advanced energy and defense technologies, but the production, processing, and recycling of these materials is dominated by China,” said Coons. “This bipartisan bill will spur the investment we need to regain American control of our critical mineral supply chains.”
    “Our reliance on global supply chains for critical materials poses a significant national security threat, especially as the Chinese Communist Party continues to manipulate this market,” said Young. “Our bill will take innovative steps to identify opportunities for American leadership and investment in critical material projects, strengthen domestic supply chains, and boost our economic and global competitiveness.”
    The U.S. critical minerals list contains 50 minerals – including graphite, nickel, and cobalt – that are essential to our economy, infrastructure, and military capability. Critical minerals are used in smartphones, electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, and more.
    This December, China announced that they would immediately block the export of three critical minerals: gallium, germanium, and antimony to the U.S. China currently controls 90% of the global processing capacity for rare earth elements and over 80% of the processing for other critical minerals like cobalt, gallium, and graphite. Experts have become increasingly concerned with U.S. dependence on China for critical materials, arguing it poses a significant risk to national security.
    The Critical Materials Future Act supports critical material processing projects in the United States by granting the Secretary of Energy the authority and funding to deploy innovative financial mechanisms, such as contracts for differences and advanced market commitments, within this sector.
    The bill also requires the Secretary of Energy to conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of these financial tools on market dynamics and processing projects within the critical materials sector, and to provide recommendations for expanding their use to strengthen America’s processing capabilities.
    In the 119th Congress, Hickenlooper has reintroduced his bipartisan  STRATEGIC Minerals Act to foster critical minerals trade with our international allies, and the bipartisan Unearth Innovation Act to establish a DOE program for critical minerals innovation.
    The Critical Materials Future Act is supported by the Colorado School of Mines, the Bipartisan Policy Center, the National Wildlife Federation, the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, the Key Minerals Forum, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, Employ America, MineTech Ventures, Alta Resource Technologies, the Chamber of Progress, U.S. Critical Minerals, Nyrstar, the Alabama Mobility and Power Center (University of Alabama), South32 Hermosa, Alliance for Mineral Security, South Star Battery Metals Corp, the American Critical Minerals Association, and the Federation of American Scientists. For their statements of support, click HERE.
    Full text of the Critical Materials Future Act is available HERE. A one-pager explanation on this bill is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Tillis Reintroduce Bill to Boost Critical Mineral Innovation, Secure American Leadership

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
    Unearth Innovation Act would create a Department of Energy program to drive responsible domestic critical mineral production, develop our energy workforce
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Thom Tillis reintroduced their bipartisan Unearth Innovation Act to spur American innovation and drive responsible production of domestic critical minerals with less environmental impact.
    “We need critical minerals for our clean energy future and national security, but we can’t rely on China or others for them,” said Hickenlooper. “U.S. research and innovation will set a global example for critical minerals sourcing and help develop our energy workforce of tomorrow.”
    “This legislation promotes innovative technologies that will make mining safer, cleaner, and more efficient,” said Tillis. “By collaborating with agencies and experts, we can create high-quality jobs, enhance safety, and equip the next generation with the skills and training needed to strengthen our critical minerals supply chains.”
    The legislation would establish a Mining and Mineral Innovation Program within the Department of Energy (DOE) to increase research, development, and commercialization of advanced mining, recycling, and processing technologies that would reduce environmental and human impacts.
    The U.S. critical minerals list contains 50 minerals – including graphite, nickel, and cobalt – that are essential to our economy, infrastructure, and military capability. Critical minerals are used in smartphones, electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, and more. Currently, the U.S. is largely dependent on China for importing these minerals, which creates supply chain instability and threats to national security.
    Specifically, the Unearth Innovation Act would:
    Support research and development of technologies for identifying, mining, recycling, and processing minerals and to reclaim, remediate, and reuse existing mines
    Promote responsible mining practices that minimize human and environmental impact
    Engage with communities and consult with tribal nations to support strategies to increase the prosperity of mining communities
    Allow DOE to coordinate with federal agencies on mining safety innovations
    Partner with academic institutions and the mining industry to accelerate new mining technologies and create a pipeline into the critical minerals workforce
    In the 119th Congress, Hickenlooper has reintroduced his bipartisan STRATEGIC Minerals Act to foster critical minerals trade with our international allies and the bipartisan Critical Materials Future Act to establish a pilot program to finance domestic critical minerals production.
    The Unearth Innovation Act is supported by the Colorado School of Mines, the Bipartisan Policy Center, the National Wildlife Federation, the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, SAFE’s Center for Critical Minerals Strategy, the Key Minerals Forum, the Zero Emission Transportation Association, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, Employ America, MineTech Ventures, Alta Resource Technologies, the Chamber of Progress, U.S. Critical Minerals, Nyrstar, the Alabama Mobility and Power Center (University of Alabama), South32 Hermosa, Alliance for Mineral Security, South Star Battery Metals Corp, the American Critical Minerals Association, and the Federation of American Scientists. For their statements of support, click HERE.
    A one-pager explanation of the bill can be found HERE.
    Full text of the bill is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Phil Scott Announces $4.7M in Community Development Block Grants to Benefit 15 Transformative Projects

    Source: US State of Vermont

    Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) today announced $4,764,010 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to benefit 15 projects in 14 communities. Projects include supporting the creation of the regional Orange County Parent Child Center in Randolph, renovating the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi headquarters in Swanton which includes a food pantry that serves the entire region, and increasing home ownership services provided by the Windham and Windsor Housing Trust.

    “These investments are transformational for rural Vermont and will help revitalize communities,” said Governor Phil Scott. “Without this support, many of these projects would not get across the finish line. I want to thank our Congressional delegation for their support of this important program.”

    There is a total of nine of the projects that will receive a CDBG grant:

    • Town of Braintree – Subgrant to Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation to develop property in Randolph to become Orange County Parent Child Center which will accommodate 88 childcare slots, workforce training, education, and other services.
    • Town of Hardwick – Subgrant to Heartbeet Lifesharing, Inc. to hire at least three full-time staff to support three Vermonters living with developmental and/or physical impairment.
    • Town of Randolph – Subgrant to Randolph Area Community Development Corporation for design and rehabilitation of 25 existing affordable housing units and construction of seven at three different properties.
    • Town of Swanton – Subgrant to Maquam Bay of Missisquoi to renovate the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi’s headquarters in Swanton. The building serves all members of the public with cultural and community services, programs and events including the Abenaki Food Pantry, health and wellness workshops, and preservation and enrichment of indigenous cultural knowledge.
    • Town of Bennington – Subgrant to Shires Housing for integration, technical expertise, and coordination necessary for the merger of Shires Housing, Housing Trust of Rutland County, and NeighborWorks of Western Vermont.
    • Town of Fair Haven – Planning feasibility study to determine if a vacant industrial building can be redeveloped so it can again produce HUD approved Manufactured Homes.
    • Town of Hancock – Conduct feasibility study, develop architectural and engineering plans for construction of housing, and conduct an environmental review at 50 Taylor Meadow.
    • Town of Stowe – Subgrant to Downstreet Housing & Community Development to plan for the merger of the Lamoille Housing Partnership and Downstreet Housing and Community Development.
    • Town of West Rutland – Subgrant to NeighborWorks of Western Vermont to fund merger of Housing Trust of Rutland County, NeighborWorks of Western Vermont, and Shires Housing in Bennington.

    Click here for a full list of awards.

    Six other projects which received CDBG funding in the past are awarded CDBG Enhancement grants in this round. For more details about these latest awards and previous CDBG grants, please visit the DHCD website.

    CDBG is funded by U.S. Housing and Urban Development and administered by the Vermont Community Development Program at DHCD. Seventy percent of CDBG funds must primarily benefit low- and moderate-income households. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: INTERPOL WASHINGTON AND CANADA SIGN HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP TO COMBAT TREN DE ARAGUA

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Lyon, France — INTERPOL Washington Director Jeffrey A. Grimming and National Central Bureau Ottawa Director Marie-Josee Homsy have signed a historic Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) to strengthen cross-border law enforcement collaboration against Tren de Aragua (TdA), one of the world’s most dangerous transnational criminal organizations. Exploiting recent migration patterns, TdA has expanded its presence in North America and is now in cities and communities across both countries. This landmark agreement enhances the ability of INTERPOL Washington and NCB Ottawa to combat TdA through robust information sharing, coordinated law enforcement support, and strengthened border security efforts.

    “Today, we have taken a great leap forward in our fight to eradicate TdA in the United States,” said Director Grimming. “By bringing our combined law enforcement resources to bear, the United States and Canada have ensured that TdA will find no safe harbor in either of our nations. Together, as partners, we will work in lockstep to disrupt and dismantle TdA and remove their violent criminal operatives from our communities.”

    “Tackling Transnational Criminal Organizations like TdA requires transnational cooperation,” said Director Homsy. “These groups threaten security and stability across the Americas. This signing is an example of the strong collaboration that takes place between Canadian and American authorities every day – as well as the power and reach of INTERPOL capabilities. By working together, we can dismantle criminal networks, protect our communities, and reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law.”

    According to the MOC, both countries have agreed to take concrete actions within the INTERPOL framework to improve police coordination, information sharing, and operational support against TdA in the United States and Canada. This includes enhancing the timely and secure exchange of criminal intelligence, operational data, and best practices regarding efforts against TdA; coordinating joint investigations and activities targeting TdA; and strengthening mechanisms to detect, prevent, and respond to illicit cross-border TdA activities.

    This agreement was signed during Director Grimming’s participation in the INTERPOL Heads of National Central Bureaus Conference in Lyon, France. In addition to the signing, INTERPOL Washington engaged in high-level bilateral and multilateral meetings with key partners in the fight against TdA. Director Grimming also delivered a keynote presentation on U.S. efforts to dismantle TdA, sharing strategies and best practices with law enforcement leaders from over 140 countries.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Progress and lessons learned on the road to 2030 climate goals

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Progress and lessons learned on the road to 2030 climate goals

    2025 is a notable year in the world’s continued efforts toward a more sustainable future. It marks the five-year countdown to 2030, the end of the timeline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 2025 will also be the 30th convening of the UN Climate Change Conference—also known as COP30—and it is taking place in Brazil, both a symbolically and strategically important nation in the world’s fight against climate change and environmental degradation.   

    It is also a notable year for Microsoft. In addition to celebrating the 50th anniversary of our company’s founding, it is the midpoint of our own sustainability journey. In 2020 we announced our ambitions to be carbon negative, water positive, and zero waste by 2030, all while protecting ecosystems. We have made tremendous progress over the past five years, and we are proud of what we’ve accomplished. We’ve also learned lessons along the way, lessons that constantly inform and shape our path toward 2030 and beyond.  

    The goals that we set in 2020 reflected what we believed we needed to do in order to help push the world toward a net-zero economy. I joined Microsoft on this journey two years ago—becoming our Chief Sustainability Officer in January 2023—and I continue to be impressed by the work of employees across the company in their relentless pursuit of these goals.  

    • In June 2020, we announced our largest power PPA to date at the time—a 500MW PPA with Sol Systems. Today, we are one of the largest carbon-free energy buyers in the world, with a 34-gigawatt (GW) contracted renewable energy portfolio across 24 countries to date. We are bringing more carbon-free electricity onto the grids where we operate, and we continue to advocate for the expansion of clean energy solutions around the world. 
    • A key component of our water positive goal is to replenish more water than we consume across our global operations. We’ve grown our replenishment portfolio to 90 projects in over 40 locations around the world.  
    • On our journey to become zero waste, we’re finding opportunities to keep electronics in circulation. The repairability of our current portfolio of Surface devices has evolved significantly from our first field-repairable product in 2019. This is also true of Xbox, which recently announced how they’re working to expand the number of ways players can get support to repair their consoles and accessories.  
    • We exceeded our land protection goal, with 15,849 acres of protected land and surpassed our initial target of 11,000 acres by more than 40%. 

    This is only a snapshot of the real progress we’ve made over the last 5 years. We have a longstanding commitment to sustainability, and our experience shows us that the investments and innovations we’ve focused on are good for our company, our customers, the economy, and our planet. Every investment has also been a learning opportunity, a chance to test our assumptions and adjust as needed.  

    While we are proud of these achievements, we know that our work is far from over, and that the path ahead has gotten harder. The world is not on track to meet critical climate goals and we see many of these challenges reflected in our own journey.  

    In 2020, Microsoft leaders referred to our sustainability goals as a “moonshot,” and nearly five years later, we have had to acknowledge that the moon has gotten further away. However, the force creating this distance from our goals in the short term is the same one that will help us build a bigger, faster, and more powerful rocket to reach them in the long term: artificial intelligence (AI). This is not hyperbole. Already, we are seeing AI make a positive impact on the planet, and in the coming years, this technology will begin to rapidly accelerate climate solutions at a scale we’ve not yet seen. In November 2023, we introduced our AI and Sustainability Playbook, which highlights five foundational enabling conditions needed to unlock AI’s full transformative potential for accelerating sustainability progress. In January, we shared a report that highlights our progress and the innovations that have advanced each of those five pillars.  

    Building the AI economy of the future is a top priority for our business, but we are also in the business of sustainability. As CSO, it is my job to ensure that these dual mandates are working together.   

    To achieve this, we need to run our sustainability initiatives like we run the rest of our business: ensuring that our focus is on the highest-impact interventions that truly move the needle when it comes to planetary impact. 

    Carbon Neutrality

    Microsoft announced that it was carbon neutral in 2012, several years ahead of our ambitious goal to be carbon negative by 2030. Microsoft’s prior years achieving carbon neutrality were based on a common combination of environmental attributes purchased with funds from our corporate-wide carbon fee and our overall carbon emissions reduction efforts. This is a prime example of where we have learned and adjusted along our journey. While we continue to apply the carbon fee to investments in emissions reductions, we have ceased purchasing non-additional, unbundled renewable energy certificates. We are refocusing the use of these funds on more long-term, higher-impact investments across carbon reduction, carbon removal, and clean electricity procurement. These interventions are expected to more effectively help us achieve our goal of becoming carbon negative by 2030 and may take us out of carbon-neutral position. 

    We will also continue to invest in innovative climate solutions through our $1B Climate Innovation Fund (CIF). Since launching the CIF in 2020, Microsoft has committed nearly $800M to solutions ranging from sustainable fuels and low-carbon building materials to carbon dioxide removal, water innovation, and circular economy technologies. We now have a portfolio of 63 investees that we’re helping to scale. Going forward, we will extend this strategy and continue to invest our capital to build new markets and increase the market supply of emerging sustainable technologies to address carbon, water, and waste.  

    We are proud to continue making decisions that drive positive environmental impact in the market and deliver high-integrity investments. We remain resolute in our commitment to our climate goals and to empowering others with the technology needed to build a more sustainable future.

    In my first year with Microsoft, I wrote a piece on LinkedIn: Removing Roadblocks in the Race to Net Zero, where I compared reaching our sustainability goals to training for a marathon, noting that “it will take focus, planning, and perseverance to reach the finish line.” Today—and now two years into my role—I would like to add another comparison, to an African proverb that says the following: “If you want to travel fast, travel alone; if you want to travel far, travel together.”     

    In 2025, the moon is further away, so we all must travel together and do more if we are going to reach it. We will continue to work in close collaboration with our employees, customers, suppliers, industry peers, partners, and with policymakers to maximize our impact in pursuit of our shared goals. 

     

    Tags: COP30, net zero, sustainability, Sustainable Development Goals, UN Climate Change Conference

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Five ways humans have scuppered the love lives of animals

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Louise Gentle, Principal Lecturer in Wildlife Conservation, Nottingham Trent University

    In Canada, male bears are becoming more nocturnal and overlapping less with females. Erik Mandre / shutterstock

    Frustrated with which dating app to use? Unable to find “the one”? Spare a thought for some of the animal kingdom, where humanity has hampered their efforts to find a mate.

    Humans have destroyed or polluted animal habitats. But perhaps the most obvious way that we have affected animals is by placing barriers, such as roads, between populations, making it hard for individual animals to reach each other. In response to this habitat fragmentation, reptile and bird species have increased the distances they move by 35% and 50% respectively.

    Here are five more ways that humans have scuppered the love lives of animals.

    Noise pollution causes animals to sing louder

    Song is hugely important for birds and some other animals, as it indicates their fitness – those who sing louder, or more elaborately, are better able to defend territories against rivals and attract higher quality mates. But city-living great tits have to sing at a higher frequency than those in rural areas, in order to be heard over the sound of low frequency urban noises, such as traffic and machinery. They also sing faster, shorter songs.

    Songbirds have learned to survive in a noisy world.
    Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH / shutterstock

    And its not just terrestrial animals that have changed their behaviour in response to humans. As oceans are largely dark, most marine animals rely on non-visual cues, such as sound, to help them find food, navigate and attract mates. Although some whale song can be over 180 decibels in volume – comparable to the sound of a rocket launch – and heard thousands of miles away, ocean noises caused by humans can be even louder.

    Not only does noise pollution make it much harder to communicate to potential mates, it has also been linked to more frequent strandings, reduced growth and low fertility in whales and dolphins. Narwhals, for example, have even responded to loud noises by diving deeper into the oceans, using up vital resources that they could be putting into reproducing.

    Human disturbance makes mammals more nocturnal

    Given that humans are daytime dwellers, it’s not surprising that some animals have developed nocturnal habits to avoid coming into contact with us. Animals often practice this sort of risk avoidance, but typically they move in space – away from us. With a reduction in available space, animals are also moving in time.

    Mammals have been found to become more nocturnal in response to human disturbance. This disturbance could be anything from hiking to hunting: animals tend to view all human activity as threatening, whether it is or not.

    For example, large male brown bears become more nocturnal when humans are present. But this creates less competition for food during the day. Consequently, the females stick to their daytime activity, essentially separating the males and females in time, and making it increasing difficult to find a mate that won’t fall asleep on them.

    Introduced species hybridise with locals

    Species that are introduced to areas where they are not usually found, whether on purpose or by accident, often wreak havoc on the native animals, spreading disease and out-competing, or even preying, on them.

    The white headed duck is endangered, thanks to hunting, habitat loss, and the new thread of interbreeding with ruddy ducks.
    smutan / shutterstock

    The ruddy duck was unintentionally introduced to Great Britain from North America around 75 years ago, and quickly spread throughout western Europe. After finding their way to Spain, they mated with the endangered white-headed duck, managing to produce fertile offspring and a new hybrid duck. This is pushing the white-headed duck to extinction – not good if you are a white-headed duck looking for love.

    Chemical pollution turns males into females

    Imagine searching for a reproductive partner only to find none of the opposite sex. This is the unfortunate situation some fish have found themselves in.

    Some streams, containing wastewater or effluents, are polluted with synthetic oestrogens from birth-control pills. A study on fathead minnow fish found that increased levels of synthetic oestrogens caused males to have less developed testicles and early-stage eggs. The fish that developed these intersex traits – both male and female characteristics – were found to have fewer and less mobile sperm, which reduced their fertilisation success. This can lead to less sustainable populations, ultimately resulting in extinctions – hardly a good way to find love.

    A rubbish Valentine’s Day gift

    Animals often ingest plastic and other rubbish, or becoming tangled in it. But rubbish isn’t entirely bad news for all animals.

    For instance, birds often use human-made materials when building nests, implying that some species are intentionally using rubbish to show off to members of the opposite sex. One particular species, the satin bower bird, constructs highly ornate bowers – stages where the males show off to the females – decorated with blue items. The more complex the bower, the better the mating success.

    Bower building, with blue plastic litter.
    Ken Griffiths / shutterstock

    But, as there are relatively few blue items in nature, the males now decorate their bowers with as many bright blue items of human rubbish as possible, including bottles tops, crisp packets, pegs and even blue condom wrappers. So, although humans are making it increasingly difficult for animals to survive and reproduce, for this particular bird, beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.

    Louise Gentle works for Nottingham Trent University

    – ref. Five ways humans have scuppered the love lives of animals – https://theconversation.com/five-ways-humans-have-scuppered-the-love-lives-of-animals-249425

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The love we seek: How to build authentic and healthy relationships

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By DaLissa Alzner, Registered Psychotherapist, Adjunct faculty in the Department of Applied Psychology, Adler University

    A healthy relationship is one where you feel comfortable being your authentic self. (Shutterstock)

    Many people spend much of their lives searching for what is arguably one of the most subjective of human experiences — true love. From popular movies, TV shows and dating apps to a cultural focus on finding “the one,” the phenomenon of love is inescapable. Our preoccupation with social connectedness is biologically connected to our desire for human connection.

    But how do we establish connections across all our relationships that positively contribute to our well-being? Identifying the characteristics of a healthy relationship and being mindful of red flags is a reasonable place to start.

    Love is often one of those things that you just know when you feel it. While it is difficult to define love as an explicit experience or construct, there are certain guides we can use to understand what makes a loving relationship.

    What makes a healthy relationship?

    If you believe that friends are the family we choose, then you have been fortunate to experience a meaningful friendship that positively contributes to a reality where you feel appreciated, valued and have a sense of belonging.

    This experience of connection can be defined as compassionate love — originally coined as a component of the Two-Factor Theory of Love, which suggests love is comprised of two main categories. The first is passionate love, which is the intense longing for someone that may end in sexual connection or rejection. The second is compassionate love, which is associated with friendship, companionship and affection.

    A healthy relationship is one where you feel comfortable being your authentic self. As children, we are encouraged to contribute to social situations by being ourselves. As we grow, however, pre-conceived notions and human constructs like social comparison, stone-walling and gaslighting often push us to conform to certain standards or conceal who we are and how we feel

    Being your authentic self means aligning your actions and behaviours with your core values and beliefs. This allows you to engage in self-discovery and thrive in every environment or relationship you find yourself in.

    This alignment fosters a sense of congruence between your internal self and external expressions, allowing you to interact with others genuinely. Engaging with others authentically allows you to navigate social interactions with integrity and fosters deeper, more meaningful relationships.

    What does love look like?

    While love can be a difficult thing to define, there are some ways that we can sense when it is present, and when it isn’t.

    Celebrating differences: Embracing the authenticity and differences of friends, siblings and partners fosters appreciation. This can reduce criticism, unrealistic expectations and dissatisfaction in relationships. Forcing change may work briefly, but it often leads to resentment and unhappiness.

    Putting in the work: The grass is greener where you water it. Whether it’s a 25-year or five-month partnership, relationships require effort and co-operation. Working through individual differences to achieve a common goal is crucial in relationships. Siblings may need to overlook disagreements, while friends should meet regularly.

    Leaning into language: When extending a gesture or token of appreciation, consider how it will be received by your partner — not by you. For instance, if you enjoy going out for dessert, but the other person prefers staying at home, you might initially think to take them out for dessert. However, to ensure the gesture is meaningful, present it in a way that aligns with their preferences and how they receive affection.

    Diffusion: Acceptance and commitment therapy encourages people to create psychological and emotional space when conflict arises. This makes space for them to process conflict objectively, while also de-personalizing the interaction, contributing to emotional regulation and an ability to respond intentionally. The ability to develop and facilitate this skill is a vital tool for emotional regulation across relationships and circumstances.

    To curate healthy and meaningful relationships, be intentional about nurturing connection, authenticity and mutual respect.
    (Shutterstock)

    Signs love may not be present

    Our need to belong and form meaningful connections drives our desire for companionship. When these efforts fail or relationships break, it is painful. Yet, there are some potential signs that can indicate when love is no longer present in a relationship.

    Lack of communication and avoiding conflict: Poor communication and avoiding conflict can harm relationships. Research shows that not communicating leads to misunderstandings, emotional withdrawal and unresolved issues. Avoiding conflict can result in internalizing emotions, passive-aggressive behaviour and tension. In friendships, poor communication can cause feelings of being unheard or undervalued. Studies indicate that healthy friendships rely on open communication and respectful conflict resolution.

    In family relationships, dysfunctional communication often contributes to division and resentment. Family therapy research has found that a lack of open communication can contribute to generational misunderstandings, leading to dysfunctional family dynamics.

    Lack of empathy and emotional support: Empathy is essential for maintaining a long and satisfying relationship longevity. In the absence of empathy, relationships are more likely to become emotionally disconnected and particularly one sided, where one person is identified as the giver and the other the recipient.

    Within families, particularly between parents and children, the absence of empathy may lead to significant emotional strain. Research has found that if family members fail to offer emotional support or to recognize each other’s needs, it negatively impacts family cohesion and individual well-being.

    Controlling or manipulative behavior: Controlling behaviours, like restricting autonomy or manipulating someone into believing they are the problem in every situation, poses a serious threat to the well-being of a relationship. Research has shown that controlling behaviours often reflect insecurity and can contribute to abusive dynamics in relationships.

    In friendships, manipulation may present as guilt-tripping, isolating from others or using emotional leverage to get one’s way. Research in this area suggests that healthy friendships involve mutual respect and boundaries, and when manipulation is present, satisfaction and trust is significantly reduced.

    In families, controlling behaviours from parents, siblings or other relatives may contribute to a decrease in personal growth. The creation of toxic family dynamics manipulation and control at the hands of family has been found to significantly contribute to damaging effects over time, particularly in the parent-child relationship.

    To curate healthy and meaningful relationships, be intentional about nurturing connection, authenticity and mutual respect. By celebrating differences, putting in effort, communicating openly and practising emotional regulation, it is possible to create meaningful relationships that will positively contribute to our well-being.

    At the same time, we need to be diligent in recognizing and addressing red flags like poor communication and manipulative behaviours. Doing so allows us to safeguard our emotional health. Start today — reflect on your relationships, embrace authenticity and take the steps necessary to build deeper, more supportive connections that enrich your life.

    DaLissa Alzner 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. The love we seek: How to build authentic and healthy relationships – https://theconversation.com/the-love-we-seek-how-to-build-authentic-and-healthy-relationships-247674

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

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

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Key Tronic Corporation Executes New Lease to Expand Domestic Operations In Arkansas

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash., Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Key Tronic Corporation, a provider of electronic manufacturing services (EMS), is expanding its clean-tech manufacturing operations in Arkansas, establishing its flagship manufacturing and research and development location in Springdale. The company anticipates investing more than $28 million in the new facility and expects to create over 400 new jobs in the next five years.

    “We are pleased to announce the expansion of our U.S. manufacturing operations in Northwest Arkansas. Our new center of excellence in Springdale will provide both our employees and customers with cutting-edge technology and the increased capacity necessary to accommodate expected growth,” said Brett Larsen, CEO of Key Tronic. “We are committed to continuously investing in our capabilities and attracting innovative talent. Our people are our most valuable asset, and we are delighted to enhance our operations in a region where we have maintained a longstanding presence and a strong team and can benefit from a business-friendly environment.”

    “When we invest in education and our workforce, we can attract companies like Key Tronic and ensure they have the skilled workforce they need. Arkansas LEARNS and ACCESS are laser-focused on that issue and help attract announcements like this one, which mean $28 million and nearly 400 jobs for Springdale,” said Governor Sanders.

    Key Tronic will be shifting its existing Arkansas operations to a new larger facility in Springdale, located at 601 W Apple Blossom Avenue later in 2025, increasing its total U.S. production capacity by approximately 40 percent.

    “Crossland purchased the land in 2021 with a vision to build a modern, best-in-class facility, and we are grateful that Key Tronic has chosen this location to call home. This building is part of a larger business park, representing an investment of over $100 million in the Springdale community,” said Director of Real Estate Mattie Crossland. “Our goal is to provide spaces that allow our tenants to run their businesses efficiently while also contributing to the growth and future of the community.”

    Crossland Realty Group developed the 300,000-square-foot building shell in late 2023, with Crossland Construction completing Key Tronic’s tenant improvements, slated for completion in Q3 2025.

    “Key Tronic has a long history of manufacturing electronics in Arkansas, and we are proud that the company has decided to expand their presence and increase production capacity in our state,” said Clint O’Neal, Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “Congratulations to the Key Tronic team and to the City of Springdale on this major economic development win.”

    “Key Tronic’s decision to relocate to Springdale is a strong endorsement of our city’s talented workforce, thriving economy, and commitment to fostering business success,” said Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse. “This investment brings significant job opportunities to our community, further strengthening Springdale’s reputation as a prime destination for industry and innovation. We proudly welcome Key Tronic and look forward to their future growth here.”

    “This exciting announcement would not have been possible without the leadership of Governor Sanders and the unwavering support of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission,” said Bill Rogers, president and CEO of the Springdale Chamber of Commerce. “Thanks to our regional partners and the proactive efforts of Mayor Sprouse’s administration, we were able to roll out the red carpet for Key Tronic. We are thrilled to welcome them to Springdale and look forward to supporting their success in our community.”

    “Key Tronic’s reinvestment in Northwest Arkansas highlights our region’s strong workforce and pro-growth environment,” said Nelson Peacock, president and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council. “As a leader in electronics manufacturing, their expansion strengthens our economy, retains quality jobs and creates new opportunities—reinforcing our position as a top destination for business and innovation.”

    About Key Tronic
    Founded in 1969, Key Tronic is a leading contract manufacturer offering value-added design and manufacturing services from its facilities in the United States, Mexico, China and Vietnam. The Company provides its customers with full engineering services, materials management, worldwide manufacturing facilities, assembly services, in-house testing, and worldwide distribution. Its customers include some of the world’s leading original equipment manufacturers. Key Tronic has operated in Arkansas since 1985.

    For more information about Key Tronic visit: www.keytronic.com.

    About Crossland Construction Company
    Crossland is a top-ranked construction firm offering a wide range of services through its family of companies. Crossland Construction provides general contracting, construction management, and much more. Crossland Realty, a division of Crossland Construction, offers complete real estate services, guiding clients through location scouting, planning, development, construction, and leasing. Crossland is dedicated to Building So Much More for its clients and the communities they serve. Learn more: www.crossland.com

    About the Arkansas Economic Development Commission
    At AEDC, we know economic advancement doesn’t happen by accident. We work strategically with businesses and communities to create strong economic opportunities, making Arkansas the natural choice for success. AEDC is a division of the Arkansas Department of Commerce. To learn more, visit ArkansasEDC.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Some of the statements in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including Key Tronic’s opportunities and its partnership, the potential success of Key Tronic and the customer, and related revenues. Forward-looking statements include all passages containing verbs such as aims, anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, hopes, intends, plans, predicts, projects or targets or nouns corresponding to such verbs.  Forward-looking statements also include other passages that are primarily relevant to expected future events or revenue or that can only be fully evaluated by events that will occur in the future.  There are many factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted or projected in forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the success and timing of our expansion plans; the success and timing of ramping; availability and timing and receipt of critical parts or components; demand from customers and sales channels; the future of the global economic environment and its impact on our customers and suppliers; the availability of a healthy workforce; the accuracy of suppliers’ and customers’ forecasts; development and success of customers’ programs and products; success of new-product introductions; the risk of legal proceedings or governmental investigations relating to the previously reported financial statement restatements and related material weaknesses, the May 2024 cybersecurity incident and the subject of the internal investigation by the Company’s Audit Committee and related or other unrelated matters; acquisitions or divestitures of operations or facilities; technology advances; changes in pricing policies by the Company, its competitors, customers or suppliers; impact of new governmental legislation and regulation, including tax reform, tariffs and related activities, such trade negotiations and other risks; and other factors, risks, and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings.

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    CONTACTS:   Anthony G. Voorhees   Michael Newman
        Chief Financial Officer   Investor Relations
        Key Tronic Corporation   StreetConnect
        (509) 927-5345   (206) 729-3625

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden and Biggs Urge New Intel Chief Gabbard to Protect Americans’ Communications From Foreign Surveillance

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    February 13, 2025
    U.S. Must Resist Reported U.K. Efforts to Spy on Americans’ Encrypted Files, They Write in Bipartisan Letter
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Representative Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., today urged Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to protect U.S. communications from demands by the United Kingdom that will leave all Americans less secure and more vulnerable to spying by China, Russia, and other adversaries.
    Wyden and Biggs wrote in response to reports that the U.K. ordered Apple to build a backdoor into encrypted iCloud backups to enable government surveillance of messages, photos and other files. Apple is barred from even disclosing the U.K. order to the public, or members of Congress, according to the Washington Post.
    “If the U.K. does not immediately reverse this dangerous effort, we urge you to reevaluate U.S.-U.K. cybersecurity arrangements and programs as well as U.S. intelligence sharing with the U.K.,” Wyden and Biggs wrote. “The bilateral U.S.-U.K. relationship must be built on trust. If the U.K. is secretly undermining one of the foundations of U.S. cybersecurity, that trust has been profoundly breached.”
    Creating a backdoor for the U.K. government would open a glaring new security weakness in all encrypted products subject to the reported order. Weakening American cybersecurity is particularly shortsighted following China’s “Salt Typhoon” hack of U.S. phone networks — which included tapping President Trump and Vice President Vance’s calls. In response, U.S. cybersecurity officials publicly recommended Americans to use encrypted services to secure their calls, texts, and other communications against foreign hackers and criminals.
    According to a public report published by the U.K. Parliament’s intelligence oversight committee in 2023, the U.K. benefits greatly from a “mutual presumption towards unrestricted sharing of [Signals Intelligence]” between the U.S. and U.K. and that “[t]he weight of advantage in the partnership with the [National Security Agency] is overwhelmingly in [the U.K.’s] favour.”
    Read the full letter to DNI Gabbard here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Merkley, Wyden Join Effort Demanding Trump Reverse Illegal Firing of Independent FEC Chair

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    February 13, 2025
    Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined an effort led by California’s U.S. Senator Alex Padilla to demand President Trump rescind his unprecedented and illegal firing of Federal Election Commission (FEC) Chair Ellen Weintraub. The Senators also advised Trump to pursue the lawful process of consulting with the Senate on nominating a replacement for both Weintraub and future vacancies.
    The FEC is an independent, bipartisan agency tasked with enforcing U.S. campaign finance laws. In the 50 years since it was created — in the wake of the Watergate scandal — a commissioner has never been fired by the President. Typical procedure, as outlined in the Federal Election Campaign Act, is to have a Commissioner depart upon confirmation of their replacement. The illegal, unprecedented firing of Chair Weintraub took effect immediately on February 6.
    “Chair Weintraub must be able continue to serve in her role unless and until you use the lawful process of nominating a commissioner for the Senate’s consideration and that nominee is confirmed,” wrote the Senators. “Your letter seeking to remove a commissioner ignores the legal requirements that commissioners may not be removed without cause. This effort violates the procedure set in statute for replacing commissioners in the Federal Election Campaign Act and appears to be a bad faith effort to dismantle the only federal agency that protects the American people’s right to transparency in campaigns and elections.”
    “Record spending in our elections, including from ultra-wealthy individuals who now serve at the highest levels of power, has placed the FEC’s responsibilities at the heart of maintaining a healthy democracy,” continued the Senators. “While years of deadlock at the Commission have hindered its ability to serve as an effective regulator, removing commissioners without cause moves beyond dysfunction to outright destruction.”
    In addition to Merkley, Wyden, and Padilla, the letter was signed by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear President Trump:
    We write to strongly urge you to rescind your illegal attempt to remove Chair Ellen Weintraub from the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the independent and bipartisan agency charged with enforcing our campaign finance laws. Chair Weintraub must be able continue to serve in her role unless and until you use the lawful process of nominating a commissioner for the Senate’s consideration and that nominee is confirmed.
    Your letter seeking to remove a commissioner ignores the legal requirements that commissioners may not be removed without cause. This effort violates the procedure set in statute for replacing commissioners in the Federal Election Campaign Act and appears to be a bad faith effort to dismantle the only federal agency that protects the American people’s right to transparency in campaigns and elections.
    Removing an FEC commissioner without nominating a replacement is without precedent. With Republican Commissioner Sean Cooksey’s recent resignation to join your administration, regular order would be to consult with the Senate on a bipartisan basis and nominate a pair of Republican and Democratic commissioners for the Senate’s consideration. Unlawfully removing a commissioner with an existing vacancy, without consultation with the Senate on nominations to replace them, demonstrates an intent to ignore the Senate’s constitutional role and diminish the Commission’s ability to hold accountable potential violations of campaign finance law.
    Chair Weintraub, a Democratic commissioner, has a strong record of seeking to enforce the law that regulates money in politics on a nonpartisan basis, including holding presidential campaigns accountable. Congress created the FEC over 50 years ago, in the wake of the Watergate scandal that eroded trust in our government. The FEC was designed to be free from the interference of those it might be regulating and to ensure the American people had insight into how money was being spent to influence its elected officials. The role of money in our elections has changed since the FEC was first created, particularly as the Supreme Court has issued decisions permitting dark money to infiltrate our elections. However, the need for balanced and dedicated commissioners who work on behalf of the country has remained unchanged.
    Further, record spending in our elections, including from ultra-wealthy individuals who now serve at the highest levels of power, has placed the FEC’s responsibilities at the heart of maintaining a healthy democracy. While years of deadlock at the Commission have hindered its ability to serve as an effective regulator, removing commissioners without cause moves beyond dysfunction to outright destruction.
    We call on you to rescind your unlawful letter and pursue the legal process for replacing commissioners in bipartisan consultation with the Senate.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Trump Making Valentine’s Day More Expensive This Year

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC – There are many ways to show one’s love on Valentine’s Day, but unfortunately, due to President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and refusal to help lower food prices, Americans will likely shell out record amounts this year for things like flowers, chocolate, or a dinner date at their favorite local restaurant. 

    U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) says it’s time President Trump follow through on his campaign promise to actually do something to help lower prices instead of making moves to increase costs on consumers and American businesses.

    “Donald Trump pledged to fix the economy, but so far he’s made things worse.  He’s fixated on tax cuts for the wealthy and tariffs that economic experts say will only drive up prices for American consumers.  Since Trump took office, inflation is accelerating and groceries, gas, and rents rose over the last month.  His chaotic, destabilizing approach is sending prices in the wrong direction for families,” said Senator Reed.

    During Trump’s second term in office, the consumer price index rose 3 percent in January from a year ago, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. It has increased from a 3-and-a-half year low of 2.4 percent in September.

    Those planning to wine and dine their sweetheart this Valentine’s Day will likely face higher costs than last year for everything from flowers to food to fuel.  In fact, Trump’s focus on everything but the economy might leave Americans a little lighter in their wallet for things like:

    Flowers: A majority of florists import their bouquet flowers from countries like Colombia and Mexico. Recent tariff threats by President Trump are already creating supply chain pressures and impacting prices on products coming into the U.S.  In order to stay afloat, some mom and pop flower shops are estimating they could have to raise prices as much as 10 percent on bouquets compared to last year’s Valentine’s Day.

    Chocolate: It will be harder to find a sweet deal on chocolate this Valentine’s Day because chocolate prices are up about twenty percent as cocoa prices hit new heights.  Several factors contribute to the price hike, and not all are within Trump’s direct control. For instance, key cocoa-producing regions of West Africa have been impacted by severe weather, exacerbated by climate change. But Trump’s inaction and climate denial only exacerbates environmental and health hazards that don’t respect borders. The chocolate industry in the U.S. is also impacted by consolidation.  Trump has allowed anti-competitive industry consolidation in the past which leads to higher prices in the long run and allows huge companies to stomp out upstarts. 

    Restaurant Dining: Not only are menu prices rising under the Trump Administration, but due to Trump ignoring his pledge to take action on day one to address food prices, staples like eggs and entrée items like steak have shot up in the last month.

    “Americans want the federal government to work effectively and they want action to lower prices and strengthen the economy.  Donald Trump needs to stop with the culture war sideshows and focus on the things he pledged to do — like lowering food, housing, and health costs.  Giving away massive tax windfalls for the wealthy and slashing Medicaid doesn’t lower prices.  So far, Trump’s policies have made things worse for many Americans.  He needs to change course,” concluded Reed.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Meets With Rural Health Care Providers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    February 12, 2025

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Illinois members of the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) to speak about the challenges of providing health care in rural communities.  During their meeting, Durbin and the health care leaders discussed the importance of preserving Medicaid funding from Republican proposals to cut health insurance benefits and coverage from millions of Americans.  They also discussed workforce initiatives to recruit and retain health care providers to serve in rural areas.  To help address the shortage of health care professionals, Durbin secured $1 billion in the American Rescue Plan for scholarship and loan repayment awards through the National Health Service Corps and Nurse Corps to build a more diverse pipeline of clinicians and recruit more health providers to serve in shortage areas. 

    Durbin also spoke about his Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act, which he introduced earlier this week.  The bipartisan legislation would update Medicare’s “Critical Access Hospital” (CAH) designation so more rural hospitals can qualify for this financial lifeline and continue to serve their communities with quality, affordable health care services. Small and rural hospitals are the backbone of their communities, and often the largest employers, contributing nearly $5 billion in direct spending on payroll, goods, and services in Illinois. Yet more than 135 rural hospitals have closed nationwide in the past dozen years, an estimated 50 percent of rural hospitals ran operating losses last year, and more than 400 hospitals are facing closure risk.

    “Across rural Illinois, hospitals and clinics are the backbone of the local economy.  I am committed to helping recruit more doctors, nurses, dentists, and behavioral health providers, and ensure sustainable federal funding for these critical anchors of the community,” said Durbin. 

    A photo of the meeting is available here.

    Attending the meeting were representatives from:

    • Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network
    • Massac Memorial Hospital (Metropolis)
    • Franklin Hospital (Benton)
    • Pana Community Hospital (Pana)
    • Community Hospital of Staunton (Staunton)
    • Deaconess Illinois Crossroads Hospital (Mt. Vernon)
    • UIC College of Medicine (Rockford)
    • Arukah Institute of Healing (Princeton)

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan’s Building Construction Leads the Nation

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on February 13, 2025

    Province ranks first in year-over-year growth

    Today, new Statistics Canada data shows that Saskatchewan’s building construction investment increased by 30.0 per cent in December 2024 compared to December 2023 (seasonally-adjusted). The province also saw a 9.4 per cent increase in month-over-month growth from November 2024 to December 2024.

    This ranks Saskatchewan first in year-over-year and second in month-over-month growth in this category among the provinces.

    “The increased activity we are seeing across our construction sector is a testament to the confidence individuals and businesses have in our province’s strong and stable economy,” said Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding. “Every new project contributes not only to job growth and infrastructure development, but further bolsters Saskatchewan’s economy. These investments lead to direct benefits for Saskatchewan’s communities, now and into the future.”

    Investment in building construction is calculated based on the total spending value on building construction within the province.

    Statistics Canada’s latest GDP numbers indicate that Saskatchewan’s 2023 real GDP reached an all-time high of $77.9 billion, increasing by $1.77 billion, or 2.3 per cent from 2022. This places Saskatchewan second in the nation for real GDP growth, and above the national average of 1.6 per cent.

    Private capital investment is projected to reach $14.2 billion in 2024, an increase of 14.4 per cent over 2023. This is the highest anticipated percentage increase in Canada.

    Last year, the Government of Saskatchewan unveiled its new Securing the Next Decade of Growth – Saskatchewan’s Investment Attraction Strategy. This strategy, combined with Saskatchewan’s trade and investment website, InvestSK.ca, contains helpful information for potential markets and solidifies the province as the best place to do business in Canada.  

    For more information visit InvestSK.ca.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Educators, Parents & Leaders Rally to Protect Students and Public Schools  

    Source: US National Education Union

    WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, February 12, parents, educators, community leaders and elected officials from across the country rallied outside the U.S. Capitol – in the rain and snow – to take a stand for students and public schools. The rally took place ahead of U.S. Secretary of Education nominee Linda McMahon’s confirmation hearing and amidst threats of a looming executive order to dismantle the Department of Education.  

    If confirmed, McMahon will oversee attempts to gut public education and push vouchers that take critical funding from public schools. This will lead to significant cuts to programs that support and protect our most vulnerable and underserved students. Such actions could lead to larger class sizes, a reduction in resources for at-risk students, the loss of vital services for students with disabilities, cuts to job-training programs, increased costs for higher education, and a rollback of essential civil rights protections.  

    “Americans all across this nation share our belief that every student—no matter their race or place, or the language they speak—deserves to attend public schools that are high-quality, safe, welcoming, and inclusive,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. “As I travel around the country, I have heard from parents and educators that they want more resources, more opportunities that will help students live into their brilliance. They do not want to dismantle public schools and privatize them. Quite the opposite. Instead of sending money to private schools, they want us to strengthen public schools, where 90% of all children attend, not take money away from them. They want to partner with us—at the local, state, and federal levels—to make sure our schools have what they need so we can reduce class sizes, recruit qualified staff, and keep students safe.”  

    In the early weeks of the Trump administration, a series of executive orders have undermined students’ protections, effectively reversing progress and moving our country backward, stripping students of their rights and opportunities. Now, before Secretary of Education nominee McMahon’s confirmation hearing, parents, educators, community leaders, and elected officials rallied to protect students and public schools.    

    “President Trump’s education plan puts our children at risk and has grave implications for our workforce and our economy,” said MomsRising Executive Director and CEO Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner. “Trump is threatening to dramatically reduce public education funding and end critical programs that students, parents and educators desperately need. Dismantling the U.S. Department of Education would divert funds from public education and bring overcrowded classrooms, gutted services for students with disabilities, an end to job training programs, and even higher costs for college. America’s moms want a qualified leader at the U.S. Department of Education who will reject rightwing attacks on our schools and ensure they teach accurate history, welcome and support students of all abilities, and help all students succeed. Linda McMahon is wholly unqualified for that position.” 

    Speaker after speaker shined a spotlight on the negative impact that shutting down the U.S. Department of Education would have on students, educators and public schools across the country. They raised the alarm bells about what would happen to our most vulnerable students if McMahon were confirmed as Secretary and urged elected officials to reject her nomination.  

    “I’m 18 years old and I’ve attended public schools my whole life- my teachers and classmates made me who I am today. I’m fighting for the millions of students and teachers across the country who deserve better than a billionaire-run government,” said student and organizer Adah Crandall. “McMahon doesn’t care about any of us, she only cares about lining her own pockets. We’re calling on leaders to stand up for young people everywhere and reject McMahon so that we can have the education and futures we deserve.”

    “Congress must reject Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education. She promises to gut public education, and she has spent years pushing policies that would defund and destroy public schools. Whether here on Capitol Hill, with legal actions and lawsuits we will file to protect students from harm, or through grassroots actions in communities across the country, we will make our voices heard. For as long as it takes, we will fight to protect our nation’s public schools and our democracy!” concluded Pringle.   

    For select photos of the Rally to Protect Students and Public Schools, please click here.

    ### 

    Follow us on Bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/neapresident.bsky.social and https://bsky.app/profile/neatoday.bsky.social 

    The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Two Estonian Nationals Plead Guilty in $577M Cryptocurrency Fraud Scheme

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Scheme Victimized Hundreds of Thousands of People in United States and Abroad 

    Two Estonian nationals pleaded guilty yesterday for their operation of a massive, multi-faceted cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme that victimized hundreds of thousands of people from across the world, including in the United States. As part of the defendants’ guilty pleas, they agreed to forfeit assets valued over $400 million obtained during the conspiracy.

    According to court documents, Sergei Potapenko and Ivan Turõgin, both 40, sold contracts to customers entitling them to a share of cryptocurrency mined by the defendants’ purported cryptocurrency mining service, HashFlare. Cryptocurrency mining is the process of using computers to generate cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, for profit.

    Between 2015 and 2019, Hashflare’s sales totaled more than $577 million, but HashFlare did not possess the requisite computing capacity to perform the vast majority of the mining the defendants told HashFlare customers it performed. HashFlare’s web-based dashboard, which purported to show customers their mining profits, instead reflected falsified data. Potapenko and Turõgin used the proceeds of the fraud conspiracy to purchase real estate and luxury vehicles and maintained investment and cryptocurrency accounts. Potapenko and Turõgin have agreed to forfeit assets worth, as of the date of the plea, more than $400 million. The forfeited assets will be available for a remission process to compensate victims of the crime. Details about the remission process will be announced at a later date.

    Potapenko and Turõgin each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. They are scheduled to be sentenced on May 8 and each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The Justice Department thanks the Cybercrime Bureau of the Estonian Police and Border Guard for its support with this investigation. The Estonian Prosecutor General and Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs provided substantial assistance with the extradition. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided extensive assistance to the investigation and the extradition of the defendants.

    Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller for the Western District of Washington, Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Herrington of the FBI Seattle Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI Seattle Field Office investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys Adrienne E. Rosen and David Ginensky of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Friedman and Sok Jiang for the Western District of Washington are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jehiel Baer for the Western District of Washington is handling asset forfeiture aspects of the case.

    Individuals who believe they may have been a victim in this case should visit www.fbi.gov/hashflare.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Help choose North Dakota’s new icon

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    The North Dakota Department of Commerce Tourism and Marketing Division has partnered with The Good Kids, a Bismarck based design studio, to create a new icon that represents our great state. This initiative aims to increase awareness of North Dakota beyond our borders while also fostering pride among residents. The icon will not replace the state’s “Be Legendary” brand but will complement it, offering a versatile graphic for use on merchandise such as t-shirts, stickers, and flags.

    After careful development, two design options are being forwarded for public input. You can help choose the icon that best represents North Dakota.

    For more information on how to participate in selecting the icon, go to  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/StateIconPress.

    MIL OSI USA News –