NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker Surveys Major NJ TRANSIT, Amtrak Infrastructure Project

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    KEARNY, N.J. – This morning, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) was joined by NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kris Kolluri and Amtrak Acting Senior Vice President of Capital Delivery Jim Short for a tour and status update on the progress on the new Portal North Bridge, which spans the Hackensack River between Kearny and Secaucus. The ongoing project is set to replace the current 114-year-old swing bridge, which opens for maritime traffic and is a frequent source of delays and frustration for the 200,000 NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak customers that cross the Hackensack River each day.

    “Hundreds of thousands of people rely on NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak every single day. It’s imperative we take steps to bolster their operations at every turn so that our public transit infrastructure continues to serve our region’s economy and passengers along the Northeast Corridor. I’m proud to have helped secure significant federal funding for this $2.2 billion project, including $495 million from Amtrak and roughly 50 percent of the remaining $1.73 billion from key federal transit programs I’ve long championed. I was pleased to see the project’s progress and hear it is on track to open on budget and ahead of schedule in 2026,” said Senator Booker.

    “Senator Booker has been a tireless advocate for infrastructure that delivers real results, and his support has been instrumental in bringing the Portal North Bridge project to this point,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kris Kolluri. “His visit today comes as we mark major progress, with structural work complete and the first track set to open in 2026.”

    “Portal North Bridge continues to be a model for all major infrastructure projects across America, and Senator Booker’s championing of the project is a major factor in driving the successful construction of this project,” said Amtrak Acting Senior Vice President of Capital Delivery Jim Short. “Between the great progress taking place on the project and the strong collaboration with our partners at NJ TRANSIT, and the advocacy of the United States Department of Transportation, the Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Transit Administration, and so many more, this is a project that will make train travel in New Jersey better than it has ever been.”

    The Portal North Bridge is a new, modern two-track, high-level, fixed-span bridge that will improve service and capacity along this section of the Northeast Corridor. The new Portal North Bridge rises 50 feet over the Hackensack River, nearly doubling the height clearance and will allow marine traffic to pass underneath without interrupting rail traffic.

    The Portal North Bridge project remains on time and on budget, with both tracks set to open in 2026.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker Statement on Republicans’ Voting to Slash Medicaid and Increase Costs

    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:

    “In this moment where I have heard the stories of so many families who are struggling to afford their basic needs, like groceries, housing, health care, and monthly bills, the Republican Party has failed them. 

    “Donald Trump promised to lower costs and help Americans make ends meet. 

    “Instead, this bill has something to hurt almost everyone – and Americans who are already struggling will pay the harshest price.  

    “The only winners are the wealthiest few, and the biggest corporations. 

    “This bill will strip health insurance from nearly 17 million Americans, cut more than $900 billion from Medicaid, increase annual health care costs by as much as $900 for families, and leave hundreds of hospitals at risk of closure, denying people access to quality care. 

    “Families will now also be paying more for energy, with electricity rates in New Jersey expected to rise 20 to 30 percent. Over 3 million Americans will lose access to much-needed food aid when they need it to help make ends meet. And the national debt will climb nearly $4 trillion higher. 

    “For months, I’ve heard from people across New Jersey and throughout the country who will suffer as a result of this bill. They are seniors, working parents, people with disabilities, small businesses, farmers, and low-income families. By passing this bill, Senate Republicans have failed them all.

    “There is only one beautiful thing about this bill: it is a clarion call for change in Washington. 

    “As we fight for the change we deserve, I will continue to stand up for New Jerseyans, for working people, for our nation’s children, for people with disabilities, and for all Americans who will be hurt by these disastrous policies.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS: Sanders Statement on Paramount’s Decision to Settle Trump’s Bogus Lawsuit Against 60 Minutes  

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders

    WASHINGTON, July 2 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today released a statement on Paramount’s decision to settle Trump’s bogus lawsuit against the program 60 Minutes.

    The decision by the Redstone family, the major owners of Paramount, to settle a bogus lawsuit with President Trump over a 60 Minutes report he did not like is an extremely dangerous precedent in terms of both the First Amendment and government extortion.

    Paramount’s decision will only embolden Trump to continue attacking, suing and intimidating the media which he has labeled “the enemy of the people.” It is a dark day for independent journalism and freedom of the press — an essential part of our democracy. It is a victory for a president who is attempting to stifle dissent and undermine American democracy.

    It’s pretty obvious why Paramount chose to surrender to Trump. The Redstone family is in line to receive $2.4 billion from the sale of Paramount to Skydance, but they can only receive this money if the Trump administration approves this deal. In other words, the Redstone family diminished the freedom of the press today in exchange for a $2.4 billion payday.

    Make no mistake about it. Trump is undermining our democracy and rapidly moving us towards authoritarianism and the billionaires who care more about their stock portfolios than our democracy are helping him do it.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS: Baldwin Statement on Wisconsin Supreme Court Striking Down 1849 Abortion Ban

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement on the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling that strikes down the 1849 state law that had banned abortions in nearly every situation that went into effect after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade:

    “Three years ago, the activist U.S. Supreme Court stripped millions of Americans of their constitutional right to make their own health care decisions, sending Wisconsin women to live under an 1849 criminal abortion ban. This archaic criminal abortion ban was passed before the Civil War, decades before women had the right to vote, and just a year after Wisconsin became a state,” said Senator Baldwin. “Today’s ruling tells women across Wisconsin that we will not go back. Today’s ruling tells women that our government trusts you to make decisions about your own body and your future. Today’s ruling tells women in our state that they are not second-class citizens. But, this fight is not over. Every woman, in every zip code, in every state deserves the same rights and freedoms. I will not stop fighting until we make that a reality and pass my bill to restore the right to abortion nationwide and allow women to make their own health care decisions without interference from judges or politicians.”

    Senator Baldwin has long led the charge to restore abortion access nationwide, including leading the entire Senate Democratic caucus in introducing the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025, legislation to guarantee access to abortion everywhere across the country and restore the right to comprehensive reproductive health care for millions of Americans. Last week, Senator Baldwin spoke on the Senate floor, underscoring the impact of the Dobbs decision in Wisconsin, which forced women to travel out of state just to access health care. Additionally, Senator Baldwin has introduced the  Right to Contraception Act, a bill at the federal level to put into law Americans’ right to contraception, which the Supreme Court first recognized more than half a century ago in its Griswold v. Connecticut decision, and the Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act, legislation to provide women the support they need to access reproductive health services by providing grants to organizations, including abortion funds, to offset the cost of travel-related expenses.

    A video of Senator Baldwin’s floor speech from the anniversary of Roe v. Wade is available for download here.
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Georgia Republicans Join Warnock in Bipartisan Fight to Save Jobs from Senate GOP Tax Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Georgia Republicans Join Warnock in Bipartisan Fight to Save Jobs from Senate GOP Tax Bill


    Today, Republican members of the Georgia State Legislature urged Senate Finance Committee leadership to preserve solar deployment and manufacturing credits, per Axios

    Senator Reverend Warnock has been a fierce advocate for protecting manufacturing jobs in Georgia, which are at risk as the Senate GOP looks to fund a billionaire tax cut

    Senator Warnock released a report that found that repealing clean energy tax credits could cost Georgia up to 42,000 jobs

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) was joined by 16 Georgia Republican state lawmakers in calling for the preservation of the Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit (AMPTC) and solar deployment tax credits, which will help create thousands of Georgia jobs. The GOP letter states that protecting these tax credits, which were championed by Senator Warnock, will “secure America’s energy supply and promote Georgia’s manufacturing jobs and investments.”

    “I’m glad Georgia Republicans are joining my commonsense effort to protect Georgia jobs and pro-business tax credits from the GOP tax bill,” said Senator Reverend Warnock.“Cynical Washington politicians are trying to kill Georgia jobs, which overwhelmingly benefit rural and Republican districts, in order to fund a tax cut for billionaires. If Washington were serious about bringing American manufacturing back to the United States, they would listen to these GOP lawmakers.”

    The GOP letter follows the release of the Senator’s comprehensive report that found Georgia risks losing up to 42,000 good-paying jobs if Washington Republicans repeal the clean energy tax credits. Since the tax credit’s passage as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, clean energy jobs and investments exploded across the country, but nowhere was that growth more potent than in Georgia. In less than three years, 51 new projects in Georgia worth over $28 billion have been announced or boosted by the clean energy tax credits. According to the Senator’s report, in Georgia, nearly all the new investments and new jobs are in counties outside of the Atlanta region. Over 70 percent of the new investments and 83 percent of new jobs are in counties with median family incomes below the national median. More than 95 percent of the new jobs and investments are in counties where the percentage of people with a bachelor’s degree is below the national average.

    Last month, Senator Warnock returned to his hometown to continue his public pressure campaign urging Congressional Republicans to protect clean energy tax credits fueling an expected 42,000 Georgia clean energy jobs. He also authored an op-ed in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia’s paper of record, making the case for protecting these good-paying jobs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister Carney meets with the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the leadership of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association and member CEOs.

    Prime Minister Carney and the leaders discussed ongoing negotiations with the United States, and the work to pursue a deal by July 21, 2025. They discussed the impacts on the sector and the need to build up a made-in-Canada supply chain as well as diversify our trading partners.

    The Prime Minister underscored the federal measures to safeguard Canadian auto workers and businesses from unjust tariffs, and the adjustment of counter-tariffs on July 21 based on the state of negotiations. Prime Minister Carney affirmed that the government’s focus remains on securing the best deal for Canadian workers and industries.

    The leaders also discussed opportunities to make Canada’s auto sector more sustainable and competitive in the face of shifting trade relationships, market conditions, and supply chains.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Griffith Announces $76,950 DOT Grant to Tazewell County Airport Authority

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

    Griffith Announces $76,950 DOT Grant to Tazewell County Airport Authority

    The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded Tazewell County Airport Authority, based in Richlands, Virginia, a $76,950 grant. The funding supports a tree removal project that helps bring the airport into conformity with current standards. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

    “Local airports lead tree removal projects to mitigate potential safety hazards to aircraft and passengers.

    “This DOT grant for $76,950 helps Tazewell County Airport Authority identify and eliminate obstructions to its airport.”

    BACKGROUND

    As part of the grant funding, the Tazewell County Airport Authority will acquire easements for 5 of the 7 parcels containing obstructions.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar, Capito Bipartisan Rural Broadband Protection Act Passes the Senate

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released the statement below following the Senate passage of the bipartisan Rural Broadband Protection Act. The bill, which Klobuchar leads with Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a more thorough vetting process to ensure that providers applying for federal funding are capable of delivering reliable broadband access to underserved, rural communities. 

    “We should be able to bring high-speed internet to every family in Minnesota— regardless of their zip code,” said Klobuchar. “This bipartisan legislation will help Americans connect to work, school, health care, and business opportunities by ensuring the companies that apply for federal funding to build out broadband infrastructure can get the job done. As co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, I’ll keep fighting to close the digital divide and ensure Minnesota families can reliably access the high-speed internet they need.” 

    “I have long been dedicated to making sure West Virginians have the broadband connectivity they need and deserve. This legislation expands on my previous broadband efforts, and is a product of many discussions I’ve had with small rural service providers and local leaders in West Virginia. As we continue our efforts to close the digital divide in West Virginia – this bill will make sure that Universal Service Fund dollars are not wasted, and ensure that funding is being used properly to fund broadband deployment in rural areas. The Senate passage of this legislation is another positive step in connecting every last home, school, and business in West Virginia. I urge the House to quickly pass this legislation,” Capito said.

    Klobuchar has long led efforts to expand broadband access, support rural broadband, and bridge the digital divide.

    The Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, Klobuchar’s legislation with Former House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) to expand high-speed internet nationwide, served as the basis for the program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Klobuchar is working hard to ensure the program is implemented expeditiously and as Congress intended. In June 2025, after the Department of Commerce announced substantial changes to the implementation of the BEAD program, she and Former House Majority Whip Clyburn called on the Administration to reverse course and fully implement broadband. 

    Klobuchar is also committed to strengthening the  Universal Service Fund (USF), which promotes universal access to broadband and other telecommunications services and supports critical connections for schools, libraries and healthcare facilities in rural communities. Currently, the USF is primarily funded through landline fees, disproportionately impacting seniors, who are more likely to use landlines than other Americans. In June 2025, she again joined the USF Working Group to improve this funding structure. In January 2025, she joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in filing an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in support of upholding the USF. The Court ruled in their favor in June 2025. In March 2023, Klobuchar also reintroduced bipartisan legislation, with Senators John Thune (R-SD), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Jerry Moran (R-KS), to strengthen the USF’s funding mechanism. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada launches measures to support those affected by 2025 wildfires

    Source: Government of Canada News

    July 2, 2025—Ottawa—As Canada’s climate continues to warm faster than the global average, extreme weather conditions will become more frequent and severe. This will contribute to increased drought and wildfire risks, which threaten the health, safety and economic stability of people and communities in Canada. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting those affected across the country.

    Today, the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced special measures to help people and communities affected by wildfires.

    Canadian citizens and permanent residents whose passports, citizenship certificates, permanent resident cards or other Canadian travel documents were lost, damaged or made inaccessible by the wildfires can apply for free replacements. If they already paid to replace documents because of the wildfires (on or after April 1, 2025), they can request a refund.

    Temporary residents, including international students, temporary foreign workers and other visitors, who were directly affected by the wildfires can replace their status documents and apply to restore or extend their status in Canada, or to renew their work or study permit free of charge. The requirement for temporary residents to apply for the restoration of their status within 90 days of losing their status will also be waived for those impacted by wildfires.

    Additionally, as of June 11, 2025, application and biometric fees are being waived for foreign emergency services personnel coming to Canada to help fight wildfires.

    These measures are in effect until November 30, 2025, providing time for people to secure necessary documents and focus on recovery and safety.

    Learn more about who is eligible, how to apply and what replacement documents are covered under the 2025 special measures for wildfires.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Leading with Resilience Personally and Professionally

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Cassandra Keola of Avon grew up in Bristol, and always wanted to work for the State of Connecticut. Ten years in, she still loves working for the state’s only public academic medical center, UConn Health. She absolutely loves UConn, its sports, and her son attends UConn too.

    “I am so proud of where I live and work. I bleed blue!” Keola says, who is the epitome of resilience, and she even helps teach and spread resiliency across UConn School of Medicine, UConn Health, and Connecticut every chance she gets.

    As an Administrative Program Coordinator in the School of Medicine’s Department of Medicine, Keola wears many hats.

    She supports the Chair of the Department Dr. Francesco Celi and also the Department’s fleet of 300 doctors and 36 administrative members with clerical review support, but she is dedicated to the major undertaking of coordinating the intense 4th Year Critical Care Clerkship four-week rotations in the ICU setting for all UConn medical students.

    Cassandra Keola with fourth-year medical students in the Clinical Simulation Lab beginning their 4th Year Critical Care Clerkship four-week rotations. She coordinates this training for all UConn medical students (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo).

    These medical student rotations occur not only at UConn John Dempsey Hospital, but also in the ICUs of Waterbury Hospital, Hartford Hospital, St. Francis, and Connecticut Children’s.

    “These soon to be doctors have great mentorship in the critical care clerkship by attending physicians, residents, fellows, and nurses too,” she says. “The rotation in the ICU is a very eye-opening experience for our medical students in the deep end of critical care medicine for the first time applying everything they have learned so far in medical school, including the vital importance of teamwork. The rotation is challenging and unpredictable. Many medical students may see their first very-ill patient code. We make sure we have a strong support system in place for them.”

    For this ICU rotation, Keola says medical students also learn didactically in the clinical simulation lab and the classroom too, and the overall experience especially teaches them resilience to overcome the challenges they may face in patient care.

    In addition, Keola organizes the monthly Morbidity and Mortality conferences for the Department of Medicine’s various Divisions that ensure high-quality care is always maintained, supports the administrative meetings, and chairs the Dept. of Medicine Administrative DEI committee.

    Personal Resilience

    In addition to helping medical students be resilient, Keola has overcome a lot personally too.

    “I’ve had to be a patient in the UConn Emergency Department – and I am an oncology patient,” she says. “I recommend UConn Health’s care to everyone I meet, and remind them that we are not just a school but a whole hospital too.”

    UConn’s Cassandra Keola (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo).

    Keola happily shares, “Thanks to UConn Health I am cured for 10 years now!” Keola even facilitated UConn Health’s young breast cancer support group before and during COVID-19. “It was great to encourage other women, and also learn from them.”

    Also, Keola says, “I’m a triple threat!” She says growing up as a female, and Afro-Indigenous in Connecticut’s Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe (American Indian and Black), it has not been an easy road for her and others with her backgrounds.  “Historically, it’s been difficult. But no matter what, we are still standing after being through a lot.”

    Her resolve as a result?

    “In what I do, and what I’ve done, I have always wanted to have perseverance and resilience,” she says. “I have always wanted to stick up for others or those who were ever bullied. So, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a form of advocacy, not for me, but a way for helping other people persevere. I remind everyone that while we are all different, we can all co-exist at work and outside of work. It is our differences that make us so uniquely wonderful.”

    UConn medical school’s Cassandra Keola celebrating with fourth-year medical students the exciting start of their clinical rotation in the ICU setting (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo).

    Keola loves the diversity of the workforce at UConn Health that she first witnessed when working initially in Employee Health at the beginning of her UConn career. “I got to meet a lot of people working in occupational health and have seen our diversity first-hand. UConn Health is a state hospital, and we really are here for everyone.”

    She also loves another special thing about working at UConn.

    “You can come to UConn and do a good job, and move yourself forward in your career. There is equity here! Everyone gets a fair chance and is treated the same across the board whether you are a UConn Health patient, a faculty member, a staffer, or a student.”

    Keola’s passion for advocacy and equity also shines in her ongoing volunteer work.

    She is a Council Member for UConn’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, John Dempsey Hospital’s Diversity Council, and her Department of Medicine’s DEI Committee. She also lends her time to participate in the ongoing ODI Coffee Break discussions.

    Keola: whose Algonquin name means: Small Bear Warrior; is also a proud, persevering, enrolled, Board Member of The Golden Hill Paugussett Tribal Nation in Connecticut.  She’s been working as a Board Member for the past two years on UConn and UConn Health’s Tribal Education Initiative. Its many collaborative projects focus on student success, curriculum, indigenous teachings, storytelling, and even patient care by the UConn Pepper Center of the UConn Center on Aging helping with the resilience and healthy aging of members of Connecticut’s 5 recognized Native American tribes. The UConn Tribal Education Initiative’s agreement is the first of its kind on the East Coast between Tribal Nations and a university.

    “It’s historical! I can’t wait for it to come to fruition!” Keola concludes.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Joly to provide remarks at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry

    Source: Government of Canada News

    July 2, 2025 – Saguenay, Quebec

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, will be delivering remarks at the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie Saguenay-Le Fjord.

    Date: Thursday, July 3, 2025

    Time:  9:30 a.m. (ET)

    Location: Saguenay, Quebec
     
    Members of the media are asked to contact ISED Media Relations at media@ised-isde.gc.ca to receive event location details and confirm their attendance.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE, law enforcement partners’ investigation results in life sentences for human smuggling leader and coordinator on anniversary of deadly trailer conspiracy

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    SAN ANTONIO — Two convicted human smugglers were sentenced June 27 for their prominent roles in the 2022 mass casualty human smuggling conspiracy that resulted in the deaths of 47 adults and six children. This investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with the assistance of various federal and state law enforcement agencies in South Texas.

    U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia sentenced Felipe Orduna-Torres to life in prison and a $250,000 fine, and Armando Gonzales-Ortega to 83 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Both defendants were found guilty by a federal jury in March for three counts related to the transportation of aliens within the United States resulting in death, causing serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy. Following the jury’s verdict at the trial, Garcia set the sentencing date, noting that it would be three years to the day from when the 53 migrants perished as a result of the defendants’ smuggling scheme.

    “These criminals will spend the rest of their lives in prison because of their cruel choice to profit off of human suffering,” said U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Today’s sentences are a powerful message to human smugglers everywhere: We will not rest until you are behind bars.”

    “Three years to the day after these two smugglers and their co-conspirators left dozens of men, women and children locked in a sweltering tractor-trailer to die in the Texas summer heat, they learned that they will spend the rest of their lives locked away in a federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas Justin R. Simmons. “We recognize the justice handed down by Judge Garcia and thank our law enforcement partners for their great work that led to today’s outcome. At the same time, we reinforce the message that these criminal organizations will not place the lives of the desperate and vulnerable above their own financial enrichment. My office remains focused on prosecuting smugglers and their networks and ultimately eradicating transnational criminal organizations.”

    “Today’s sentences are the result of a far-reaching investigation and a tireless commitment by HSI and our law enforcement partners to dismantle the deadliest human smuggling operation in U.S. history,” ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. “This case serves as a stark reminder: Human smuggling is not a service — it is a deadly criminal enterprise. HSI will pursue smugglers relentlessly, wherever they operate. No one who participates in the smuggling of human beings will escape the reach of justice.”

    According to court documents, Orduna-Torres, also known as Cholo, Chuequito/Chuekito and Negro, 30, was a leader and organizer, and Gonzales-Ortega, also known as El Don and Don Gon, 55, was a coordinator in the human smuggling organization that illegally brought adults and children from Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico into the United States between December 2021 and June 2022.

    Orduna-Torres and Gonzales-Ortega worked in concert to transport and facilitate the transportation of the migrants, sharing routes, guides, stash houses, trucks, trailers and transporters to consolidate costs, minimize risks and maximize profit. The human smuggling organization maintained a variety of tractors and trailers for their smuggling operations, some of which were stored at a private parking lot in San Antonio.

    In the days leading up to June 27, 2022, Orduna-Torres and others exchanged the names of illegal aliens who would be smuggled in an upcoming tractor-trailer load. Gonzales-Ortega traveled to Laredo to meet the tractor-trailer, where at least 64 undocumented individuals, including eight children and one pregnant woman, were loaded for smuggling.

    Some of the defendants, including Orduna-Torres, were aware that the trailer’s refrigerator unit was malfunctioning and not blowing any cool air to the migrants inside. When members of the organization met the tractor-trailer at the end of its approximately three-hour journey to San Antonio, they opened the doors to find 48 of the aliens were either already dead or dying, including the pregnant woman. Sixteen of the aliens were transported to hospitals — five of whom died.

    In addition to their sentences described above, the court also ordered Orduna-Torres to pay a $96,000 judgment and ordered the forfeiture of the following assets: One 2008 Volvo semi-tractor; one 1995 Phoenix trailer; one 2015 Cadillac Escalade; one 2017 Ford F-350 Super Duty Truck; and $59,445.50.

    Five other defendants in this case have pleaded guilty for their involvement in the smuggling event. Riley Covarrubias-Ponce, also known as Rrili and Rilay, 32, is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 6; Luis Alberto Rivera-Leal, 39, is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 13; Christian Martinez, 31, is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 20; and Homero Zamorano Jr., 48, is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 4. Juan Francisco D’Luna Bilbao, 51, is indicted separately and is also scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 4.

    In a related case, Rigoberto Ramon Miranda-Orozco, 48, allegedly worked with the HSO to smuggle aliens into the United States on the same fatal journey orchestrated by Orduna-Torres and his co-conspirators. He made his initial appearance in San Antonio on March 17, seven months after he was arrested in Guatemala, and is currently scheduled for a jury trial Sept. 29.

    HSI investigated the case with the FBI and the ATF. It has received tremendous support from U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Border Patrol; ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations; the San Antonio Police Department; the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office; the San Antonio Fire Department; the Marshall Police Department; and the Palestine Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Fuchs, Sarah Spears and Ray Gattinella for the Western District of Texas are prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Incredible Prizes to Be Won With Donation to Guide Dogs — Enter the Grand Raffle Now!

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    Don’t miss your chance to win an awesome prize with your donation to the IAM’s favorite charity, Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines!

    Enter the Grand Raffle, part of the 2025 Kourpias K-9 Classic, hosted by TCU/IAM, benefiting Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines. 

    Your donation helps provide life-changing service dogs and gives you a chance to win incredible prizes, including:

    • $800 Callaway Gift Card
    • Four Washington Commanders vs. Seattle Seahawks Tickets + Parking Pass (Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025)
    • MGM Getaway
    • Disney World Park & Trip Getaway
    • Apple MacBook Air

    Raffle Tickets:
     1 for $20
    3 for $50

    Donate and enter here!

    Winners will be drawn at the Kourpias Banquet on Saturday, July 12. You do not need to be present to win.

    Every dollar counts. Your support makes a real impact, and you might just walk away with an incredible prize!

    Please share this with your friends, family, and networks. Every entry helps the cause!

    The post Incredible Prizes to Be Won With Donation to Guide Dogs — Enter the Grand Raffle Now! appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DOJ-HHS False Claims Act Working Group

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Healthcare fraud and abuse depletes taxpayer funds, corrodes public health and safety, and undermines the integrity of the federal healthcare system. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) have a long history of partnering to use one of the government’s most effective and successful tools — the False Claims Act (FCA) — to combat healthcare fraud. This Administration is fully committed to supporting such work. HHS and DOJ’s Civil Division are strengthening their ongoing collaboration to advance priority enforcement areas through the DOJ-HHS False Claims Act Working Group.

    Membership in the DOJ-HHS False Claims Act Working Group will include leadership from the HHS Office of General Counsel, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Center for Program Integrity, the Office of Counsel to the HHS Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and DOJ’s Civil Division, with designees representing U.S. Attorneys’ Offices. The group will be jointly led by the HHS General Counsel, Chief Counsel to HHS-OIG, and the Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Commercial Litigation Branch.

    As part of the Working Group’s coordination work:

    • HHS shall make referrals to DOJ of potential violations of the FCA that reflect Working Group priorities. In addition to priority FCA matters previously announced by the Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Division,[1] the Working Group is announcing the following priority enforcement areas:
      • Medicare Advantage
      • Drug, device or biologics pricing, including arrangements for discounts, rebates, service fees, and formulary placement and price reporting
      • Barriers to patient access to care, including violations of network adequacy requirements
      • Kickbacks related to drugs, medical devices, durable medical equipment, and other products paid for by federal healthcare programs
      • Materially defective medical devices that impact patient safety
      • Manipulation of Electronic Health Records systems to drive inappropriate utilization of Medicare covered products and services
    • The Working Group shall maximize cross-agency collaboration to expedite ongoing investigations in these priority areas and identify new leads, including by leveraging HHS resources through enhanced data mining and assessment of HHS and HHS-OIG report findings.
    • The Working Group shall discuss considerations bearing on whether HHS should implement a payment suspension pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405.370 et seq. or whether DOJ shall move to dismiss a qui tam complaint under 31 U.S.C. § 3730(c)(2)(A), consistent with Justice Manual Section 4-4.111.

    The DOJ-HHS False Claims Act Working Group encourages whistleblowers to identify and report violations of the federal False Claims Act involving priority enforcement areas.  Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).  Similarly, the Working Group encourages healthcare companies to identify and report such violations consistent with Justice Manual Section 4-4.112.  

    Note: Read a PDF version of the release here

    [1] Brett A. Shumate, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division Enforcement Priorities (June 11, 2025), available at www.justice.gov/civil/media/1404046/dl?inline.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta: California Has Preserved Its Ability to Respond to AI, Keep Consumers Safe

    Source: US State of California

    Wednesday, July 2, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement today after the Senate rejected a proposed 10-year ban on states enforcing any state law or regulation addressing artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision-making systems which was included in budget reconciliation bill. In the last few months, California has sent letters (here and here) to Congressional leaders strongly opposing the ban arguing the rapidly evolving nature of AI technology demands the flexibility and responsiveness that states can provide and urging lawmakers to remove the provision. 

    “Lawmakers across the aisle have recognized that states must retain the ability to protect their residents and respond to emerging and rapidly evolving AI technology,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The promise of AI raises exciting and important possibilities. California’s continued advancements, in AI and beyond, are something to be proud of, embrace, and encourage. But, like any emerging technology, there are risks to adoption without responsible, appropriate, and thoughtful oversight. California is proud to have vigorously opposed the ban and remains committed to ensuring the rights of our residents are respected.” 

    In January, Attorney General Bonta issued two legal advisories, reminding consumers of their rights, and advising businesses and healthcare entities who develop, sell, or use AI about their obligations under California law. Although AI technology is developing quickly, entities must comply with existing California laws, as well as new laws that went into effect on January 1, 2025. The first legal advisory advises consumers and entities about their rights and obligations under the state’s consumer protection, civil rights, competition, and data privacy laws; the second advisory provides guidance specific to healthcare entities about their obligations under California law. The legal advisories can be found here, and here. 

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: District of South Dakota Seizes 230 Illegally Possessed Firearms in 2024

    Source: US FBI

    SIOUX FALLS – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that over the course of 2024, federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies seized 230 firearms that were possessed in violation of federal law. In the same year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota charged approximately 112 defendants with illegally owning, possessing, using, or obtaining one or more such firearms.

    “By seizing firearms from individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms, law enforcement agencies prevented countless violent and drug-related crimes from occurring in communities across South Dakota,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is grateful for the strong law enforcement partnerships in South Dakota, which allow us to combine federal, state, and tribal resources to target some of the most dangerous individuals in our state and remove illegal firearms from our streets.”

    Efforts to seize illegal firearms are the result of close cooperation between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), South Dakota State Highway Patrol, and numerous sheriff’s offices and police departments across the state, including Sioux Falls and Rapid City.

    Examples of the types of firearms-related cases resolved by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2024 include the following:

    • United States v. Bryan Louis Archambeau—In the evening of November 2, 2023, Archambeau went to the 49’er Marathon C-Store in Sioux Falls wearing a medical mask. He entered the store and took two cases of Twisted Tea and exited the store without paying for the items. When confronted about the theft, Archambeau lifted his shirt, brandished a pistol, and then left the scene. Then, in the evening of November 3, 2023, Archambeau went to the Freedom Valu Center in Sioux Falls. He placed two-12 packs of Twisted Tea on the counter and pulled out a pistol from his waistband. He pointed it at the clerk, racked the slide of the pistol, and demanded money. Archambeau then left the scene. Archambeau was later convicted of Interference with Commerce by Means of Robbery and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. He was sentenced to nearly 11 years in federal prison. The case was investigated by the ATF and the Sioux Falls Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert-Webb.
       
    • United States v. Charles Colhoff—On November 4, 2023, Colhoff was involved in a shooting in Rapid City where he and another individual exchanged gunfire following an argument. Colhoff was uninjured but the other individual sustained two gunshot wounds and required surgery. Officers processing the scene located three 9mm cartridge casings related to the shooting. Colhoff was located by law enforcement on November 11, 2023, and found to be in possession of a Browning 9mm semi-automatic pistol believed to be the same pistol Colhoff used in the shooting. Ballistics testing was conducted, which confirmed the three 9mm casings recovered at the shooting scene were fired from the pistol recovered from Colhoff. Colhoff knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms based on a prior federal felony offense, which also involved a firearm. Colhoff was sentenced to nine years in federal prison. The case was investigated by the ATF, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rapid City Police Department. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Patterson prosecuted the case.
       
    • United States v. Jerel Running Bear—On the evening of November 8, 2023, Running Bear and two other individuals, including a 21-year-old female victim, went to Wounded Knee to obtain fentanyl pills from a drug source. When the source did not show up, Running Bear, who was under the influence of controlled substances, grabbed a rifle from the trunk of the vehicle and shot the female who was seated in the backseat. The other female took off running and alerted law enforcement. Running Bear then picked up Fast Horse, his girlfriend at the time. Running Bear removed the victim from the vehicle and left her on the side of the road, while Fast Horse watched. The next day, the two fled to Nebraska after being spotted by law enforcement. Fast Horse threw out items from the vehicle, including controlled substances. The two were eventually apprehended. After Running Bear was placed into custody, Fast Horse did not tell law enforcement about watching Running Bear dispose of the victim’s body on the side of the road. Running Bear was convicted of Second Degree Murder and Discharge of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence. He was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison. This case was investigated by the FBI and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.
       
    • United States v. Justin James Schneider—On June 20, 2023, the Corson County Sheriff’s Office received credible information that Schneider had discharged a revolver earlier that day and was armed and dangerous. The Corson County Sheriff requested and received assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services to detain and arrest Schneider. A BIA officer found Schneider in Bullhead, South Dakota, in the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. When the officer attempted to arrest him, Schneider fled in his pickup to a nearby pasture and engaged in an armed stand-off with Corson County deputies and BIA police officers. Schneider eventually got back into his pickup and fled to the Bullhead Community Center, striking a police squad car en route. Schneider then exited his pickup, brandishing a revolver, gesturing wildly towards nearby civilians and disregarding repeated police commands to drop his gun. As Schneider moved quickly towards unarmed children, a police officer shot him to protect the public. Schneider was taken into custody without further incident. Schneider was convicted of Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm and Simple Assault on a Federal Officer. He was sentenced to over 13 years in federal prison. This case was investigated by the FBI, the Corson County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.
       
    • United States v. Antoine Ray Thomas, et al.—Thomas was part of a large methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution organization operating in South Dakota, which was obtaining drugs from Mexico. The conspiracy involved fifty pounds of methamphetamine, hundreds of pills containing fentanyl, and several firearms and ammunition. Thomas was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute over 500 grams of Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. He was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. This case was investigated by the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Ebert-Webb  and Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Brain Defender Supplement Officially Launches: Natural Memory Lift Support and Brain Health Enhancement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    We are proud to announce the official launch of Brain Defender, our groundbreaking cognitive support formula designed to enhance mental clarity, focus, memory, and long-term brain health. Developed with a powerful blend of science-backed ingredients, Brain Defender offers a natural, stimulant-free solution for individuals seeking peak cognitive performance. Whether you’re a student, professional, or simply focused on healthy aging, Brain Defender empowers your mind to perform at its best. With a commitment to purity, quality, and results, Brain Defender marks a new era in brain wellness. Now available exclusively through our official website—experience the power of sharper thinking today.

    Brain Defender In an era where mental performance is more essential than ever, the unveiling of Brain Defender marks a significant leap forward in the pursuit of optimal brain health. Designed with a powerful fusion of science-backed ingredients, Brain Defender emerges as a holistic solution for individuals seeking sharper focus, increased cognitive endurance, and better memory function. Click Here to Visit Official Website

    With this official launch, Brain Defender aims to lead a transformative shift in how individuals support brain wellness—by blending natural nutrients, neuroprotective compounds, and advanced botanical extracts into one streamlined supplement. 

    Brain Defender: Purpose-Built for Cognitive Protection and Advancement

    Brain Defender is not just another brain supplement—it’s the culmination of extensive research into the neurological needs of the modern mind. The brand’s development was driven by the rising demand for cognitive resilience in the face of stress, fatigue, aging, and digital overstimulation. From students and professionals to older adults prioritizing longevity, Brain Defender Supplement has been formulated to offer powerful cognitive support tailored for all lifestyles.

    Each capsule contains a precise synergy of vitamins, adaptogens, amino acids, and plant-based nootropics that are believed to help nurture neuron pathways, support neurotransmitter balance, and strengthen mental clarity.

    Scientific Rationale Behind Brain Defender’s Development

    The core of Brain Defender’s formulation lies in an understanding of how the brain operates under daily cognitive demand. As individuals navigate through complex tasks, multitasking, and long periods of concentration, the brain often endures oxidative stress, neurotransmitter imbalance, and a decrease in key nutrients that help maintain mental acuity.

    Brain Defender was meticulously developed to address these challenges. Brain Defender Supplement includes well-researched components such as Bacopa monnieri, Ginkgo biloba, phosphatidylserine, and L-theanine—each selected for its known role in cognitive enhancement and neuroprotection.

    This evidence-based approach ensures that Brain Defender doesn’t just aim for short bursts of alertness—it works to create a foundation for long-term mental performance, mental calmness, and sharp thinking.

    Key Ingredients That Power Brain Defender

    Brain Defender’s proprietary blend is rooted in transparency and effectiveness. Here is a breakdown of its most notable components and their benefits:

    Bacopa Monnieri

    Traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine, Bacopa is recognized for promoting attention span and memory processing. It is believed to support dendrite branching, which plays a critical role in long-term memory retention.

    Ginkgo Biloba

    Ginkgo helps support cerebral circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the brain. This botanical extract is associated with improvements in alertness and cognitive endurance.

    Phosphatidylserine

    This phospholipid is essential for healthy brain cell membranes. It contributes to communication between neurons and has been linked to cognitive fluidity and better memory encoding.

    L-Theanine

    Sourced from green tea, L-theanine promotes calm focus by increasing alpha brain wave activity. This amino acid helps reduce mental distractions while enhancing a state of relaxed alertness.

    Click Here to Get Brain Defender – Power Up Your Mind Today!

    Rhodiola Rosea

    An adaptogen known for its ability to help the body cope with stress, Rhodiola is included to improve stamina, reduce brain fog, and promote a resilient mental state.

    Vitamin B Complex

    Essential B vitamins, including B6, B9 (folate), and B12, are vital for neurotransmitter function, energy metabolism, and brain cell nourishment.

    Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR)

    This amino acid supports mitochondrial function and assists in producing the energy required for sustained cognitive performance.

    Behind the Brand: The Mission of Brain Defender

    Brain Defender was conceived with a bold mission:

    “To empower the brain with the nourishment, clarity, and defense it needs in a demanding, overstimulated world.”

    Modern lifestyles—filled with digital distractions, chronic stress, lack of sleep, poor diets, and aging—take a toll on mental clarity. Brain Defender was developed as a long-term solution, not a temporary stimulant, to help restore and protect cognitive function naturally and effectively.

    What Brain Defender Aims to Solve

    Brain Defender supports individuals dealing with:

    • Mental fatigue
    • Lack of concentration
    • Forgetfulness
    • Low motivation or productivity
    • Stress-induced brain fog
    • Age-related cognitive slowdown

    By focusing on the root causes—such as oxidative stress, neurotransmitter imbalances, and poor nutrient availability—Brain Defender provides the brain with tools to perform optimally every day.

    Brain Defender Formulation Philosophy

    Brain Defender uses a synergistic approach. Rather than relying on a single “miracle” ingredient, it combines multiple compounds known to benefit different aspects of cognition, including:

    1. Neuroprotection – safeguarding neurons from damage
    2. Neurogenesis support – encouraging new brain cell growth
    3. Neurotransmitter balance – improving communication between brain cells
    4. Blood flow enhancement – delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the brain

    The product is free from stimulants like caffeine and is non-habit-forming, making it safe for long-term daily use.

    Additional Noteworthy Ingredients

    In addition to the previously mentioned core ingredients, Brain Defender includes:

    • Lion’s Mane Mushroom – A mushroom extract studied for its ability to stimulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), potentially supporting regeneration of brain cells.
    • Citicoline (CDP-Choline) – Supports phospholipid synthesis and memory formation.
    • Huperzine A – A plant-based compound that may inhibit acetylcholinesterase, helping to sustain neurotransmitter levels related to memory and alertness.
    • Ashwagandha Root Extract – Known for its calming, anti-stress adaptogenic effects, promoting a relaxed yet alert cognitive state.

    Manufacturing & Quality Standards

    • GMP-Certified Facility: Brain Defender is produced in a facility compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
    • USA-Made: Manufactured in the United States under strict quality control.
    • Third-Party Tested: Each batch is tested for contaminants, potency, and purity.
    • Vegan-Friendly: Capsules are made from plant cellulose.
    • Free From: Gluten, soy, dairy, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives.

    Who Should Consider Brain Defender Supplement?

    Brain Defender is ideal for:

    • Students preparing for exams or seeking sharper recall
    • Professionals who need sustained attention during long work hours
    • Entrepreneurs and creatives seeking mental energy and clarity
    • Seniors interested in maintaining mental agility as they age
    • Health-conscious individuals looking to support brain longevity

    How to Use Brain Defender

    Suggested Use:
    Take 2 capsules daily, preferably with breakfast. For best results, consistent use over a minimum of 30 days is encouraged. Some users may begin to feel subtle improvements in focus and clarity within the first week.

    The Future of Brain Wellness Starts Here

    As we continue into an era where mental performance is vital, Brain Defender Supplement positions itself as more than a supplement—it’s a lifestyle ally. Whether it’s preparing for a boardroom presentation, tackling a creative project, or simply striving to stay mentally agile into your 70s and beyond, Brain Defender is committed to supporting your journey.

    Why Brain Defender Is Different

    While the market is flooded with products promising cognitive enhancement, Brain Defender Supplement stands apart due to its commitment to ingredient synergy, clean formulation, and user-centric design. Here’s what defines the Brain Defender approach:

    • Clinical Doses: Every ingredient is dosed based on studies suggesting the most effective range for cognitive support.
    • No Artificial Fillers: The formula is non-GMO, gluten-free, and free of synthetic additives, preservatives, or stimulants.
    • Long-Term Focus: Brain Defender is not a quick fix. It is intended for sustained use to fortify mental health, protect brain structures, and encourage continuous cognitive function.

    Designed for Modern Lifestyles

    Whether managing a demanding career, preparing for examinations, or simply striving for better focus during daily routines, Brain Defender provides support for those moments that matter.

    For Students and Academics

    Focus and memory retention are vital for academic performance. Brain Defender’s adaptogenic and nootropic combination can aid in learning, information processing, and mental stamina.

    Click Here to Get Brain Defender – Power Up Your Mind Today!

    For Busy Professionals

    Professionals juggling meetings, deadlines, and multitasking demands can benefit from Brain Defender’s ability to support concentration and reduce mental fatigue during prolonged work sessions.

    For Seniors and Brain Longevity Enthusiasts

    As individuals age, maintaining cognitive sharpness becomes a top health priority. Brain Defender Supplement supports brain cell structure, neurotransmitter balance, and mental clarity—all crucial elements of aging well.

    Developed with Industry Experts and Quality Standards

    Brain Defender is the result of collaboration between neuroscientists, holistic health professionals, and supplement formulators with a shared goal—to redefine cognitive wellness.

    The supplement is manufactured in FDA-registered, GMP-certified facilities in the United States. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing for purity, potency, and safety, adhering to the highest industry standards.

    Commitment to Education and Brain Health Awareness

    Beyond the Brain Defender Supplement itself, Brain Defender is committed to promoting brain health awareness. Through blogs, webinars, and partnerships with wellness communities, the brand will offer insights on topics like digital detoxing, nutrition for brain health, and cognitive preservation strategies.

    An official educational campaign will launch Brain Defender Supplement quarter, offering free resources for students, professionals, caregivers, and older adults. This initiative aligns with Brain Defender’s belief that brain wellness should be proactive, accessible, and empowering.

    Testimonials from Health Advocates and Experts

    Although Brain Defender does not rely on customer anecdotes, the product has garnered attention from wellness coaches, cognitive health educators, and holistic practitioners.

    Dr. Elaine Parker, a neuro-nutrition expert, states, “Brain Defender reflects a thoughtful integration of natural neuroprotective agents. Its balanced formulation considers both short-term mental clarity and the long-term preservation of cognitive integrity.”

    Similarly, functional health advisor Marcus Kent shares, “It’s encouraging to see a cognitive supplement built not on trends, but on decades of nutritional neuroscience.”

    Packaging, Sustainability, and Accessibility

    Brain Defender places a strong emphasis on sustainability and ease of use. The product is packaged in recyclable containers, designed with simplicity and elegance to complement modern health-conscious lifestyles. Subscription options will be made available for those looking to maintain consistent cognitive wellness.

    Additionally, Brain Defender Supplement is proud to support neurodiverse and senior communities by offering accessible resources and specialized assistance for individuals managing cognitive change or decline.

    Availability and Launch Offer

    Brain Defender is now available exclusively through the official website. Early adopters will receive access to a limited-time promotional bundle that includes:

    • A 30-day supply of Brain Defender
    • A bonus digital guide titled “Neuro Habits: Building a Brain-Healthy Routine”
    • Free shipping within the United States

    Plans to expand availability to wellness stores, clinics, and international customers are already in motion.

    Join the Brain Health Revolution

    As cognitive demands continue to evolve, Brain Defender Supplement offers a timely, science-aligned, and empowering solution. Whether you’re looking to enhance your focus, protect your mental clarity, or simply build a more resilient brain, Brain Defender is your new ally in the journey toward mental excellence.

    About Brain Defender

    Brain Defender is a next-generation cognitive wellness brand committed to enhancing memory, focus, and long-term mental clarity. By combining powerful botanical extracts, nootropic nutrients, and evidence-based ingredients, Brain Defender Supplement provides individuals with a comprehensive tool for cognitive health. The brand is rooted in science, sustainability, and the belief that everyone deserves the ability to think clearly, feel mentally energized, and live with clarity.

    To learn more about Brain Defender or explore the full formulation, visit the official website at: [Click Here to Visit Official Website]

    Media Contact:

    Project name: Brain Defender
     Tel.: +1 (434) 425-7300
     Company Number: 306178201
     Full Name: Harry Bailey
     Website: https://getbraindefender.com/
    Email: support@Braindefender.com

    Address 35th Dr #100, Aurora, CO 80011

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bergman: SBA Disaster Loan Centers Remain Open

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-1)

    Rep. Jack Bergman reminds constituents that SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers are still open in Emmet and Cheboygan Counties.

    Homeowners, renters, businesses, and non-profit organizations affected by the ice storm in Cheboygan, Charlevoix, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Otsego and Presque Isle Counties may apply for a low-interest disaster loan for their uncompensated physical damages.

    Small businesses and non-profits with economic losses from the disaster may also apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans for working capital.

    Learn more and apply online at www.sba.gov/disaster. Call 800-659-2955 for more information.

    SBA has set up temporary Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) with customer service representatives to answer questions and help individuals with the loan application process.

    Please take advantage of one-on-one help tailored to your situation while it is available. You can use ANY center. You DO NOT have to use the center in your county.

    Center Locations:

    Cheboygan County DLOC

    Indian River Chamber of Commerce
    3435 S. Straits Highway Indian River, MI 49749
    Hours: Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Closed: Sundays and Friday, July 4
    Permanently closing: Thursday, July 10 at 4 p.m.

    Emmet County DLOC
     Little Traverse Township
    8288 S. Pleasantview Rd. Harbor Springs, MI 49740
    Hours: Weekdays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Closed: Sunday and Friday, July 4
    Permanently closing: Saturday, July 12 at 2 p.m.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: College Financial Aid for More New York Veterans

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced the expansion of New York State’s Veterans Tuition Awards Program, which will enable more veterans to access critical financial aid for college. Under this historic expansion, all veterans who served at least four years on active-duty now qualify for full-tuition awards. Previously, only veterans who served in combat or a specific combat theater were eligible to receive the Veterans Tuition Awards.

    “Every person who has stepped up to serve as a member of our armed forces has taken an oath to defend our nation and our values. We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never truly be fulfilled, and we have an obligation to support them as they return to civilian life,” Governor Hochul said. “The enhanced Veterans Tuition Awards taking effect today will help those who’ve served our country gain access to educational and professional opportunities as they begin the next journey of their lives. We are grateful for their service and New York will always support those who protect our state and country.”

    The expanded Veterans Tuition Awards Program is part of Governor Hochul’s ongoing commitment to create opportunities for veterans and active-duty service members who serve our nation. The Veterans Tuition Award, administered by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation, provides eligible veterans with up to the full cost of SUNY undergraduate tuition at approved colleges and vocational training programs across New York State.

    Program Highlights Include:

    • Broadened Eligibility: Veterans with a minimum of four years of active-duty service or those who served in combat and were honorably discharged can now qualify.
    • Flexibility for Full- and Part-Time Studies: Veterans pursuing either full- or part-time education can now benefit, providing greater flexibility.
    • Coordinated Benefits: Veterans can maximize federal financial aid and GI Bill benefits and state support, as awards are not reduced by Montgomery GI Bill benefits or Pell Grants.
    • Year-Round Applications: Applications accepted year-round, offering greater flexibility for veterans planning their education.

    For more information or to apply, visit the VTA website.

    Additional Opportunities for Veterans and Their Families:

    New York’s commitment to veterans and military families extends further with robust educational and financial support programs, including:

    Higher Education Services Corporation President Dr. Guillermo Linares said, “At HESC, we’re proud to help deliver on Governor Hochul’s commitment to New York’s veterans through the historic expansion of the Veterans Tuition Award Program. By removing financial barriers to higher education, we honor the vital service of those who have worn our nation’s uniform and the tremendous sacrifices made by their families. This expansion ensures that thousands more veterans can access the aid they’ve earned and build the futures they deserve here in New York.”

    New York State Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Viviana M. DeCohen said, “This transformative step affirms what we have always known: every Veteran’s service matters. By broadening access to tuition support, New York is creating new pathways for Veterans to thrive in higher education, in the workforce, and in their communities. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for her steadfast commitment to all who have served.”

    State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “SUNY is proud to provide exceptional higher education opportunities for veterans and all those who have answered the call to serve our nation. Expanding veteran enrollment and success is part of SUNY’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and through Governor Hochul and the State Legislature’s expansion of Veterans Tuition Awards, we look forward to helping more New Yorkers transition back to civilian life and earn degrees that will help them continue to serve as leaders of their community and achieve upward mobility.”

    The State University of New York Board of Trustees said, “Veterans and military families play an instrumental role in making our cities, state, and nation a better place, and we are honored to have them as part of our SUNY community. SUNY is proud to facilitate Governor Hochul’s expanded Veterans Tuition Awards to eligible students and ensure they have the resources needed to thrive in New York State.”

    City University of New York Chancellor Felix V. Matos Rodriguez said, “CUNY works diligently to create a welcoming and supportive environment for our 3,000 students who are service members or veterans, brave individuals who truly represent the diversity of New York. Governor Hochul’s expansion of Veterans Tuition Awards will help more veterans join CUNY, where we offer specialized support to help transitioning service members, veterans, and their families access resources, adjust to civilian life, and pursue a successful future.”

    State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton said, “As our veterans and servicemembers return to civilian life, it is imperative that our state provides them with every opportunity to succeed in their future educational, professional, and personal journeys. I am grateful for Governor Hochul’s partnership in expanding the Veterans Tuition Awards Program because those who served our nation deserve support as they pursue higher education. I look forward to continuing to work on ways to expand this and other educational and professional benefits for our servicemembers and veterans, in order to ensure that New York State is the best place for them and their families to call home.”

    Assemblymember Steve Stern said, “As the Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee of the New York State Assembly, I applaud Governor Hochul’s initiative to expand affordable education opportunities to the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to protect our great nation. The Veterans Tuition Awards Program will allow both combat vets and those who have served four years in service without time in combat access to SUNY colleges and vocational training tuition-free, in coordination with GI bill benefits. Additionally, both full and part time students will be eligible, an important benefit for veterans who must balance school, work and family obligations. Our veterans deserve more than our thanks, they deserve meaningful support that will help them gain the skills they need in a changing workplace.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Repairs bring daytime alternating traffic on SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge Tuesday, July 15

    Source: Washington State News 2

    Extra travel time needed between Jefferson and Kitsap counties

    SHINE – Travelers between Jefferson and Kitsap counties across Hood Canal should prepare for longer delays Tuesday, July 15. The State Route 104 Hood Canal Bridge will be reduced down to single lane, one-way alternating traffic for repairs to a hydraulic component for the bridge.

    From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, Washington State Department of Transportation bridge crews will close one lane across the bridge to create a work zone for a large crane. The crane is needed to replace a 6,000-pound hydraulic cylinder on the west span of the bridge.

    Alternating one-way vehicle traffic will be in place while crews remove the existing hydraulic cylinder and install a new one.

    This work must be done during the day for safety and efficiency. High winds have the potential to cancel the work.

    WSDOT needs help from travelers

    During the closure travelers are encouraged to:

    • Add extra travel time to help prevent delays.
    • Consider postponing discretionary trips.
    • Travel before or after scheduled work hours.
    • Refrain from blocking driveways on SR 3 and SR 104 in Kitsap and Jefferson counties.

    The day after work is completed, Wednesday, July 16, travelers can expect several draw span closures to vehicle traffic. Each closure is scheduled to be 30 minutes or less and allows crews to flush the hydraulic system.

    Why is this work needed

    The hydraulic cylinder, also called a ram, is a vertical piece of equipment used to lift and lower the driving surface of the bridge when it opens for boat traffic. During a recent inspection, crews discovered a hydraulic leak in one of the 12 rams on the west side of the bridge. Engineers determined it was caused by saltwater corrosion on the ram. Hydraulic leaks, left unaddressed, will cause the hydraulic lift to fail, risking damage to the bridge.

    Since the discovery of the leak, the bridge has been restricted to 300-foot openings for boat traffic. The bridge is designed to open to 600 feet, which is needed for some commercial and military marine openings, and also during storm season to relieve pressure on the bridge.

    Background

    This is the first ram replacement on the west span since they were installed in 2009 as part of a bridge replacement and retrofit project.

    The 7,867-foot-long Hood Canal Bridge is one of the longest floating bridges in the world, and the only one that spans across saltwater. The bridge requires constant maintenance due to the harsh marine environment.

    Long established maritime laws require the Hood Canal Bridge and other movable bridges like it to open for marine traffic.

    Real time travel information in available on the Hood Canal Bridge webpage, the WSDOT app and the online travel map. Travelers can also sign up to receive email alerts for advanced notice about work on the Hood Canal Bridge.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein Urges North Carolina Congressional Delegation to Oppose Reconciliation Bill

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Stein Urges North Carolina Congressional Delegation to Oppose Reconciliation Bill

    Governor Stein Urges North Carolina Congressional Delegation to Oppose Reconciliation Bill
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today Governor Josh Stein urged North Carolina’s US House delegation to vote against the Senate budget reconciliation bill. 

    “This legislation is being rushed through at a time when many North Carolinians, who are worried about feeding their families, being able to continue seeing their doctor, or keeping their jobs,” said Governor Josh Stein. “This reconciliation bill would undo decades of bipartisan progress and harm the health, well-being, and economic security of people, families, and communities in our state. I urge you to oppose the bill.”  

    Under the Senate’s budget reconciliation bill, an estimated 520,000 North Carolinians could lose their health insurance due to proposed changes to Medicaid, Marketplace health plans, and if the Marketplace subsidies expire at the end of 2025. The number of uninsured North Carolinians could increase further without action at the federal and state level to protect the more than 670,000 people enrolled in Medicaid expansion.

    SNAP faces equally serious threats. Under the Senate proposal, North Carolina is expected to owe as much as $420 million annually to keep SNAP funded. If the state cannot pay that share, it would be forced to end the program completely – leaving 1.4 million North Carolinians – including 600,000 children – without food assistance. Moreover, this proposal would jeopardize the well-being of both farmers and rural grocery stores, which depend on SNAP for their bottom line.

    North Carolina’s leadership in the clean energy economy means that the Senate proposal would stunt the state’s economic progress. More than 100,000 North Carolinians are currently employed in the clean energy sector, but the loss of clean energy and manufacturing tax credits could cost up to 45,000 jobs. The removal of tax credits for wind and solar energy will make electricity in North Carolina as much as 18 percent more expensive, increasing the average family’s electricity bill by $275 each year.

    Read Governor Stein’s letter here.

    Jul 2, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Did gas prices go up by 65 cents at the pump? No.

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jul 2, 2025

    SACRAMENTO — Republicans spent the last 6 months fearmongering that gasoline prices would “increase by 65 cents on July 1.” Did that happen?

    The answer: No

    In fact, in California, gasoline prices at the pump (on average) are cheaper than yesterday, cheaper than it was on Monday (June 30), cheaper than a week ago, cheaper than a month ago, and cheaper than a year ago (source: AAA)

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    Jul 2, 2025

    News What you need to know: California is delivering on its promises – significant investments in public safety help ensure safety in communities statewide with lower crime rates in 2024. Sacramento, California – As the House of Representatives prepares to vote on…

    Jul 1, 2025

    News What you need to know: After weeks of pressure from Governor Newsom, President Trump finally allowed California’s wildfire crews to return to the frontlines — but nearly 5,000 soldiers, including California National Guard members, remain sidelined in Los Angeles,…

    Jul 1, 2025

    News What you need to know: California has invested billions of dollars to fight fires and treated millions of acres to reduce wildfire risk, while the Trump administration continues to cut resources and neglect its responsibility to manage the 57% of the state’s…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream Officially Launches: Natural Fast-Acting Solution in US, CA, UK, AU, NZ and IE

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Arthro MD+, a trailblazer in innovative health solutions, proudly announces the official launch of Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream, a groundbreaking topical treatment designed to alleviate joint pain, reduce inflammation, and enhance mobility for individuals seeking a natural, effective solution to joint discomfort. This cutting-edge product marks a significant milestone in Arthro MD+’s mission to empower people to live active, pain-free lives through science-backed wellness innovations.
    Addressing the Growing Need for Joint Health Solutions
    Joint pain affects millions of people worldwide, with conditions like arthritis, overuse injuries, and age-related wear-and-tear impacting daily activities and quality of life. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 54 million adults in the United States alone suffer from arthritis, making it one of the leading causes of disability. As the global population ages and active lifestyles become more prevalent, the demand for safe, non-invasive, and effective joint pain relief solutions has never been higher. Click Here To visit Official Website
    Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream was developed to meet this need, offering a scientifically formulated, non-prescription topical cream that delivers fast-acting, targeted relief without the side effects commonly associated with oral pain medications. By combining clinically studied ingredients with advanced delivery technology, Arthro MD+ sets a new standard in joint care, addressing both the symptoms and underlying causes of joint discomfort.
    The Science Behind Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream
    At the core of Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is a proprietary blend of natural and scientifically validated ingredients designed to work synergistically to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness while promoting long-term joint health. Unlike many over-the-counter creams that provide only temporary relief, Arthro MD+’s formula penetrates deeply into the skin to target the source of discomfort, delivering lasting results.
    Key ingredients include:

    • Menthol: A natural cooling agent that provides immediate soothing relief to sore, aching joints by stimulating thermoreceptors in the skin, creating a cooling sensation that distracts from pain signals.
    • MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane): A naturally occurring compound known for its anti-inflammatory properties, MSM supports joint flexibility and reduces swelling, helping to restore mobility.
    • Glucosamine Sulfate: A well-researched compound that supports cartilage health and promotes joint lubrication, aiding in long-term joint function.
    • Arnica Montana Extract: A plant-based ingredient with a long history of use in traditional medicine, arnica helps reduce bruising, swelling, and pain associated with joint injuries.
    • Boswellia Serrata Extract: Derived from the frankincense tree, this extract is clinically shown to inhibit inflammatory pathways, reducing joint discomfort and supporting overall joint health.
    • Hyaluronic Acid: A key component of synovial fluid, hyaluronic acid helps lubricate joints, reducing friction and improving ease of movement.
    • Turmeric Extract (Curcumin): A potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, curcumin helps combat oxidative stress in joints, supporting long-term joint health.

    The cream utilizes advanced transdermal delivery technology, allowing active ingredients to penetrate deeply into the skin and reach affected joints and tissues. This ensures rapid onset of relief while maximizing the bioavailability of each ingredient. The non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula leaves no residue, making it ideal for daily use.
    Why Arthro MD+ Stands Out
    Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is not just another topical pain reliever—it’s a comprehensive joint health solution designed with the consumer in mind. Here’s what sets it apart:

    • Clinically Inspired Formula: Each ingredient in Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is backed by scientific research, ensuring efficacy and safety. The formula was developed in collaboration with leading experts in joint health, including rheumatologists and pharmacologists, to create a product that delivers measurable results.
    • Natural and Safe: Free from parabens, artificial fragrances, and harsh chemicals, Arthro MD+ is gentle on the skin and suitable for long-term use. It is also non-addictive, unlike some oral pain medications that carry risks of dependency.
    • Targeted Relief: The cream’s advanced delivery system ensures that active ingredients reach the affected area, providing fast-acting relief where it’s needed most.
    • Versatility: Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is suitable for a wide range of users, from athletes recovering from intense workouts to seniors managing chronic joint conditions like osteoarthritis.
    • Made in the USA: Manufactured in an FDA-registered, GMP-certified facility, Arthro MD+ adheres to the highest standards of quality and safety.

    For more information, visit (This Link To Read And ORDER).
    The Development Journey
    The journey to create Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream began with a simple yet ambitious goal: to provide a safe, effective, and accessible solution for joint pain that empowers individuals to reclaim their mobility and live life to the fullest. Arthro MD+’s research and development team spent over two years conducting rigorous testing, refining formulations, and collaborating with healthcare professionals to perfect the product.
    “We wanted to create a product that not only relieves pain but also supports long-term joint health,” said Dr. Emily Carter, Chief Scientific Officer at Arthro MD+. “Our team was driven by the stories of millions of people struggling with joint pain, from active individuals to those managing chronic conditions. Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is the result of cutting-edge science and a deep commitment to improving lives.”
    Consumer feedback during the development phase was overwhelmingly positive. In a pre-launch clinical trial involving 200 participants with mild to moderate joint pain, 92% reported a significant reduction in pain within 10 minutes of application, and 87% noted improved mobility after two weeks of daily use. Participants also praised the cream’s pleasant scent and non-greasy texture, making it a convenient addition to their daily routines.
    Who Can Benefit from Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream?
    Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is designed for anyone experiencing joint discomfort, whether due to aging, physical activity, or chronic conditions. It is particularly beneficial for:

    • Seniors: Those with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or general age-related joint stiffness can find relief and improved mobility.
    • Athletes: Runners, weightlifters, and other active individuals can use Arthro MD+ to recover from joint strain caused by intense physical activity.
    • Office Workers: Prolonged sitting or repetitive motions can lead to joint discomfort, which Arthro MD+ can help alleviate.
    • Individuals with Minor Injuries: Sprains, strains, and bruises can benefit from the cream’s anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

    The cream is easy to use: simply apply a small amount to the affected area and massage gently until absorbed. For best results, use two to three times daily or as directed by a healthcare professional.
    A Commitment to Empowering Active Lifestyles
    Arthro MD+’s mission goes beyond providing pain relief—it’s about empowering individuals to live active, fulfilling lives. “Joint pain shouldn’t hold anyone back from doing what they love, whether that’s playing with their grandkids, hiking, or simply getting through the day without discomfort,” said Michael Thompson, CEO of Arthro MD+. “With Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream, we’re giving people the tools to take control of their joint health and embrace life without limitations.”
    To support this mission, Arthro MD+ is launching a comprehensive awareness campaign to educate consumers about joint health, the importance of early intervention, and lifestyle strategies to maintain mobility. The campaign includes partnerships with physical therapists, fitness experts, and community organizations to provide resources and support for those managing joint pain. Click Here To visit Official Website
    Availability and Pricing
    Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is now available for purchase exclusively through the official Arthro MD+ website (www.arthromd.com) (www.arthromd.com) and select online retailers. The product is offered in two sizes: a 2 oz. jar for $29.99 and a 4 oz. jar for $49.99. For a limited time, customers can take advantage of a special launch offer, including a 20% discount on their first order and free shipping on purchases over $50.
    Arthro MD+ also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, allowing customers to try the product risk-free. “We’re confident in the effectiveness of Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream,” said Thompson. “If it doesn’t meet your expectations, we’ll refund your purchase—no questions asked.”
    The Future of Joint Health with Arthro MD+
    The launch of Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is just the beginning. Arthro MD+ is committed to expanding its product line to include additional solutions for joint and muscle health, with plans to introduce oral supplements and wearable supports in 2026. The company is also investing in ongoing research to explore new ingredients and delivery methods that could further enhance joint care.
    In addition, Arthro MD+ is dedicated to sustainability and ethical practices. The company uses eco-friendly packaging and partners with suppliers who share its commitment to environmental responsibility. A portion of every sale is donated to arthritis research and advocacy organizations, furthering Arthro MD+’s mission to make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by joint pain.
    Join the Arthro MD+ Movement
    As Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream hits the market, the company invites consumers to join its movement toward pain-free, active living. By combining cutting-edge science with a passion for wellness, Arthro MD+ is redefining what’s possible in joint care.
    For more information about Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream, including detailed ingredient information, Click Here To visit Official Website To stay updated on product launches, promotions, and joint health tips, follow Arthro MD+ on social media platforms, including Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
    About Arthro MD+
    Arthro MD+ is a Los Angeles-based health and wellness company dedicated to developing innovative, science-backed solutions for joint and muscle health. With a focus on natural ingredients, rigorous quality standards, and consumer education, Arthro MD+ empowers individuals to live active, pain-free lives. The launch of Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream marks the company’s first step toward transforming the joint care industry.
    Media Contact
    Project name: Arthro MD+
     Tel.: +1 (434) 425-7300
     Company Number: 306178201
     Full Name: Harry Bailey
     Website: https://arthromdplus.com
    Email: support@arthromd.com 
    #8909, Lakeland, FL 33804, USA

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: President Meloni pays official visit to His Holiness Leo XIV

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, paid an official visit to His Holiness Leo XIV today. President Meloni was received in audience by the Holy Father in the private library of the Apostolic Palace. At the end of the meeting, President Meloni gifted the Pope a 17th century view of the Church of Santi Domenico e Sisto and of the ancient Dominican monastery that is home to the Angelicum, the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, where Leo XIV completed a significant part of his education.

    The Italian delegation also included the Vice-Presidents of the Council of Ministers, Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salvini, and Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers Alfredo Mantovano.

    President Meloni went on to meet with the Secretary of State of His Holiness, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, Monsignor Paul Richard Gallagher. During the meeting, in the context of the excellent relations between Italy and the Holy See, both international and bilateral matters were addressed.

    President Meloni reaffirmed her appreciation of the Apostolic See’s commitment to peace in Ukraine, in Gaza and in all crisis areas. She also focused on the importance of religious freedom and the protection of Christian communities in the Middle East that have suffered the consequences of the area’s crises and instability.
    Lastly, there was shared acknowledgement of the excellent collaboration with Catholic religious organisations for cooperation in Africa, as part of the Mattei Plan.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Infrastructure Announcement in Whitehorse

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Whitehorse, Yukon, July 2, 2025 — Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with Dr. Brendan Hanley, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Member of Parliament for Yukon, the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and Minister John Streicker, on behalf of Richard Mostyn, Minister of Community Services, Government of Yukon.  

    Date:
    Thursday, July 3, 2025

    Time:
    10:00 a.m. [YT]

    Location:
    Whitehorse South Fuel Break
    Located south of Whitehorse on Mt Sima Road, 100m north of the ski hill

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ahead of GOP Budget Vote, Pettersen Highlights CO Families Who Could Lose Health Care

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brittany Pettersen (Colorado 7th District)

    Today, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) highlighted stories from Coloradans who would be directly impacted by the Republican plan to gut Medicaid. The proposal – which passed the Senate and is expected to be voted on in the House – would strip care from 11.8 million Americans while adding $3.3 trillion to the national deficit. 

    “We’re talking about real people who will be devastated by Republicans’ billionaire-first budget – seniors like Debby, who needs Medicaid for care after having a stroke seven years ago; like Athena, who was able to recover and return to work after getting mental health treatment; and like Margy, who needs 24/7 care for advanced MS,” said Pettersen. “The ramifications of this disastrous bill cannot be understated – hospitals and nursing homes shuttered, kids turned away from the doctor’s office, people with disabilities left to fend for themselves, and emergency rooms completely flooded. I’m not just a no on this legislation, I’m a hell no. Colorado families deserve so much better.”

    Pettersen shared the stories of Coloradans who would be harmed by the GOP proposal:

    Debby from Salida: After having a stroke seven years ago, Debby relies on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) because she is unable to work. Thanks to Medicaid, Debby can see the doctor she needs to and never has to worry about how she will put food on the table. Health care is already out of reach for too many people but without Medicaid, seniors like Debby will go bankrupt trying to afford the care they need. 

    Debby from Salida 

    Evan and Margy from Lakewood: Margy has advanced-stage MS and needs 24/7 care. Medicaid has been the only way their family has managed to stay afloat. Without it, they’d be pushed past the brink.

    Evan and Margy from Lakewood

    Athena from Denver: After struggling with her mental health and losing the ability to work, Athena used Medicaid to access critical treatment and rebuild her life. Today, she’s back in the workforce and helping others do the same.

     

    Athena from Denver 

    Sunny from Wheat Ridge: After losing everything in a house fire, Sunny turned to Medicaid and SNAP to support her family. Medicaid ensured her husband could receive epilepsy treatment and her son got care through Colorado’s autism waiver program.

     

    Sunny from Wheat Ridge

    More than 111,000 people in Colorado’s 7th District rely on Medicaid, including over 41,000 children. Nationally, Medicaid covers 40% of all births. Pettersen is pushing back against the GOP plan and calling for stronger support for the families who need it most.

    An updated fact-sheet on the Republican reconciliation bill can be found HERE. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Nick Langworthy Gives Remarks on House Floor in Support of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

    Source: US Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Nick Langworthy gave remarks on the House Floor in support of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. 

     

    Watch the video here:

     

     

    “In just a short time, key provisions of the current tax code—provisions that helped power economic growth, create jobs, and lift take-home pay for millions of Americans— are set to expire. 

    “If we do nothing, we’re looking at the largest tax increase in a generation. Families will see their child tax credit slashed. Small businesses will lose vital expensing tools that make the difference in hiring new employees and staying open next year. Workers will see their paychecks shrink. And those who can least afford it—working parents, middle class families—will be the ones hit the hardest. 

    “Let’s be clear: this outcome, where the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expires leading to colossal tax increases for the American people, is something my colleagues on the Left wholeheartedly support. 

    “But Republicans in Congress and President Trump will not allow Democrats to stand in the way of the economic future of the American people. That’s why the legislation before us today makes the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent, and brings historic tax relief to seniors, tipped workers, and those who work overtime.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Care work is not a cost – it’s an $11 trillion investment waiting to transform societies

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The world stands at a historic crossroads. Global economies can either continue sidelining the $11 trillion worth of unpaid care work that sustains societies or choose to invest in it as the foundation of inclusive growth, job creation, and long-term economic resilience.

    This was the urgent call issued by Dr Basani Baloyi, Programme Director at the Institute for Economic Justice, at the Third Technical Meeting of the G20 Empowerment of Women Working Group (EWWG) underway at the Skukuza Conference Centre in Mpumalanga. 

    “The care economy is not a woman’s issue. It’s an economic imperative. It’s not a burden to be managed. It’s an opportunity to be seized. It is not a cost to be minimised. It’s an investment that will transform societies,” Baloyi said on Wednesday. 

    Her remarks drove home the message that investing in the care economy has far-reaching, proven returns. In Canada, a $10-per-day childcare programme created over 40 000 new jobs in the early childhood care sector, while expanding women’s participation in the workforce. 

    In Nordic countries, decades of investment in comprehensive care systems have led to some of the world’s highest levels of gender equality and economic competitiveness.

    “With our collective economic power, our diverse experiences and our shared commitment to sustainable development, the G20 has an unprecedented opportunity to scale these successes globally,” Baloyi said. 

    Framing the conversation around care as central to economic and social planning, Baloyi said this is the moment to shift from a model where care is invisible and undervalued, to one where it is measured, invested in, and integrated into policy design.

    “We have the evidence from Brazil’s groundbreaking National Caregiving Policy. We have the framework from South Africa’s comprehensive approach to women’s economic empowerment. What we need now is the collective will to act,” she said. 

    Throughout her keynote, Baloyi painted a vivid picture of care work’s current invisibility, and the toll it takes on women’s economic lives.

    “Picture this. It’s 3am and Maria, a nurse in São Paulo, finishes her shift caring for kids. She drives home not to rest, but to care for her mother and prepare breakfast for her children before they wake up.” 

    She said similar stories echoed across the globe. “Nomsa in Johannesburg juggles a teaching job and caring for a disabled sibling, and Sarah in Chicago reduces her engineering hours to care for her ailing father.”

    Baloyi said these are the women whose sacrifices are excluded from GDP, undervalued in policy, and absent in economic planning. 

    “What they call love, we call unpaid work,” Baloyi quoted philosopher Silvia Federici. 

    Globally, she explained that unpaid care work by women amounts to 9% of global GDP – equivalent to $11 trillion. In Brazil alone, it’s estimated that women subsidise the economy by at least $10.8 trillion annually. Yet, this work remains uncounted, unrecognised and unsupported.

    “We measure the production of cars and computers, but not the production of healthy, educated, capable human beings, who drive those cars and operate those computers,” she said. 

    This invisibility, Baloyi warned, has profound economic consequences, reinforcing gender roles, excluding millions of women from the labour market, and weakening economic resilience.

    However, Brazil’s pioneering move in 2024 to introduce a National Caregiving Policy – a collaborative effort across 20 ministries, municipalities and academia – signals a turning point. 

    South Africa’s G20 Presidency builds on this foundation, with three key priorities that will shape the future of care economies globally. 

    “These priorities recognise that care economy transformation requires addressing the full spectrum of challenges that women face. What makes this moment extraordinary is not just the ambition, but the methodology. 

    “South Africa is facilitating policy discourse and collaboration based on evidence, based research across G20 countries, they are creating platforms for sharing cross-country experiences, learning from both successes and challenges, and developing context sensitive recommendations that respect the diversity of G20 nations, while advancing common goals,” she said. 

    The data, Baloyi explained, is on South Africa’s side. According to the World Economic Forum, a $1.3 trillion investment in social jobs, particularly in the care economy, would generate $3.1 trillion in GDP and create over 10 million jobs in the United States alone. 

    The International Labour Organisation projects that invest in childcare and long-term care could result in 203 million jobs globally by 2035.

    “These aren’t just numbers. They represent millions of families lifted out of poverty, and millions of women able to participate fully in economic life,” Baloyi said. 

    She also urged G20 nations to adopt the ILO’s 5R Framework:

    • Recognise care work in policy and planning.
    • Reduce the burden through services and infrastructure.
    • Redistribute responsibilities between genders and institutions.
    • Represent care workers in decision-making.
    • Reward care work with fair wages and social protections.

    “Imagine Maria in São Paulo able to focus on her career, knowing her family is well cared for… Nomsa in Johannesburg receiving community support services… Sarah in Chicago returning to full-time work, thanks to elder care support… This is achievable policy implementation. When countries invest in care infrastructure, the ripple effects are profound,” she said. 

    Baloyi further told delegates that by 2030, over 2.3 billion adults will require care services. By 2050, 80% of the world’s elderly population will live in low- and middle-income countries, many lacking adequate care systems.

    “We can either prepare for this demographic transition through strategic investment or allow it to become a crisis that overwhelms families and destabilises economies. 

    “The 708 million women worldwide, who are outside the labour force due to care responsibilities, are counting on us. The future generations, who will inherit the economic and social systems we build today, are counting on us,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Exploresask Photo Contest Launch

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on July 2, 2025

    Tourism Saskatchewan’s annual ExploreSask Photo Contest is officially underway and accepting entries as of July 2. Enter photographs or videos of your favourite Saskatchewan adventures for a chance to win great prizes. Amateur and professional photographers and videographers are encouraged to submit their most striking content that captures the natural beauty of Saskatchewan and tells stories about its people and communities. The contest runs until September 30, 2025.

    The six contest categories are:

    • People and Places – Portraits of Saskatchewan people from all walks of life enjoying indoor or outdoor activities, and places that portray the community spirit and liveliness of Saskatchewan cities and towns, cityscapes, local attractions and urban life.
    • Prairie – Scenic photos from prairie regions; hidden treasures such as valleys, hills and badlands; other natural features displaying the province’s diverse geography in any season.
    • Wildlife – Images that showcase Saskatchewan’s beautiful wild animals, birds and insects.
    • Winter – Scenes of winter in Saskatchewan, from outdoor activities to wild snowy landscapes.
    • Woods and Water – Photography that features Saskatchewan’s abundant lakes and rivers, as well as Saskatchewan’s diverse forests and trees, from lodgepole pine and aspen groves in the south to the northern boreal forests.
    • Video – Submit an edited piece or single shot video (60 seconds maximum) of Saskatchewan wildlife, people, places and landscapes.

    The prize-winning photographer in each category will receive a $500 Visa gift card. The Grand Prize winner, selected from the five photography category winners, will receive an additional $500 Visa gift card. The prize for the Video category is a $1,000 Visa gift card. The winner in the Video category will not be considered in the selection of the Grand Prize.

    For complete contest rules and to submit your entry, visit TourismSaskatchewan.com/Photo-Contest or call Tourism Saskatchewan toll-free at 1-877-237-2273. The deadline for entries is September 30, 2025.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Member of Transnational Terrorist Group Charged with Soliciting the Murder of Federal Officials in Connection with Hit List

    Source: US Justice – Antitrust Division

    Headline: Member of Transnational Terrorist Group Charged with Soliciting the Murder of Federal Officials in Connection with Hit List

    The Justice Department today announced that Noah Lamb, 24, was charged in the Eastern District of California in an eight-count indictment for conspiracy, soliciting the murder of federal officials, and other offenses in connection with his work on a hit list of “high value targets” for assassination.

    MIL OSI USA News –