NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Torres & Congressman LaMalfa Lead Bipartisan Letter Supporting Native Seed Bank Funding

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

    June 02, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), a member of the Congressional Native American Caucus, and Congressman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) led a bipartisan letter urging expanded funding for the Native Seed Bank in the Interior Appropriations Bill. The letter calls on the U.S. Department of the Interior to establish a new pilot program under the National Seed Strategy, which plays a critical role in preserving and distributing native seeds for ecological restoration—particularly in regions impacted by extreme weather, habitat loss, and other environmental threats.

    “The Native Seed Bank is crucial to protecting our natural resources and ensuring our ecosystems can recover and thrive. Preserving native plant species isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s about safeguarding the livelihoods and traditions of tribal communities that depend on these ecosystems,” said Congresswoman Torres. “This bipartisan letter reflects our shared commitment to protecting Native land, water, and wildlife through proactive conservation efforts. With continued support, we can strengthen these efforts, promote biodiversity, and ensure the health of our lands for future generations.”

    The Native Seed Bank, managed by the Bureau of Land Management, is crucial for collecting and distributing native plant seeds that support habitat restoration, combat soil erosion, and address climate change. The funding requested will ensure the program’s continued success and expand its impact nationwide.

    Read the full letter here. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Muddying the Waters: More Confusion on Crypto Asset Security Status

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    Over the last several months, we have heard repeatedly that the Commission, and its new Crypto Task Force, are embarking on a quest to give the crypto industry regulatory clarity.[1] We’ve heard “change is coming fast” [2] for crypto at the SEC and that the crypto markets will soon be free from the “limbo” they’ve been “languishing […] in for years.”[3]

    In the name of this clarity, we’ve seen staff statement after staff statement, pronouncing that all sorts of crypto assets are not securities.[4] And yet, now we see no objection to the effectiveness of new exchange-traded funds[5] that assert certain crypto assets—ETH and SOL—actually are securities.[6] Does this Commission, in fact, believe that ETH and SOL are securities?

    How is it that these crypto assets are supposedly not securities when it comes to registration requirements, but conveniently are securities when a registrant sees an opportunity to sell a new product?

    If you’re confused, join the club. These developments lay bare that we are not actually chasing crypto regulatory clarity — these assets cannot be both securities and not securities at the exact same time.[7] Rather than clarity, it seems we are simply getting out of the way of anything and everything in the crypto space. In so doing, we are thwarting any meaningful attempt to apply a coherent regime to crypto assets and rewarding a maximally aggressive approach to entering our markets. This results in opportunistic – and deeply inconsistent – legal interpretations. Even our staff can’t reconcile these inconsistencies, though their concerns don’t seem to matter much these days.[8]

    So far, the Commission and The Crypto Task Force’s journey to clarity has only taken us further and further adrift in increasingly muddy waters of our own making.

    [4] See U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission Division of Corporation Finance,Staff Statement on Meme Coins, (Feb. 27, 2025); U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission Division of Corporation Finance,Statement on Certain Proof of Work Mining Activities, (Mar. 20, 2025); U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission Division of Corporation Finance,Statement on Stablecoins, (Apr. 4, 2025). See also Commissioner Caroline A. Crenshaw,Response to Staff Statement on Meme Coins: What Does it Meme?(Feb. 27, 2025); Commissioner Caroline A. Crenshaw,Crypto Mining Statement: The Flame in Plato’s Cave, (Mar. 20, 2025); Commissioner Caroline A. Crenshaw,“Stable” Coins or Risky Business?, (Apr. 4, 2025). See generally Commissioner Hester M. Peirce, New Paradigm: Remarks at SEC Speaks, (May 19, 2025) (citing the Commissioner’s view that “most currently existing crypto assets in the market are not [securities]”).

    [5] See ETF Opportunities Trust, Form N-1A (May 30, 2025) available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1771146/000199937125006935/osprey-485bpos_053025.htm (485BPOS post-effective amendment registering two new ETFs: Rex-Osprey ETH + Staking ETF and the Rex-Osprey SOL + Staking ETF). Importantly, these products are exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that purport to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. These products are different than, but often conflated with, exchange-traded products (ETPs) that are separately approved to list and trade under the Exchange Act of 1934. In the ETP space, products are approved to list and trade on exchanges based on the fact that the underlying assets are generally not securities, such as ETH. See, e.g., Securities and Exchange Act Release No. 100541 (July 17, 2024,) 89 FR 59786 (July 23, 2024); see also Securities and Exchange Act Release No.100233 (May 28, 2024), 89 FR 47618 (June 3, 2024). In contrast, registered investment companies, including ETFs, generally must invest primarily in securities. See 15 U.S.C. § 80a-3(a)(1)(A)-(C) (providing the definition of an “investment company” and generally identifying an issuer as an investment company if it invests in securities in the manners described in subsections (A) or (C)). With yesterday’s new ETFs, we have both an ETH ETP and ETH ETF. How can both of these products be in compliance with the securities laws? See also Commissioner Caroline A. Crenshaw, Statement Dissenting from Approval of Proposed Rule Changes to List and Trade Spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Products (Jan. 10, 2024).

    [7] While the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act are distinct regulatory regimes, except in specific, rare circumstances identified by the staff or by a court, the two Acts generally treat questions of security status the same. This parity creates consistency across the federal securities laws. See, e.g., Marine Bank v. Weaver, 455 U.S. 551 (1982); Putnam Diversified Premium Income Trust, SEC No-Action Letter (July 10, 1989).

    [8] SEC staff provided a letter via EDGAR to a registrant in response to two new ETFs, Rex-Osprey ETH + Staking ETF and the Rex-Osprey SOL + Staking ETF. The letter explains that the registrant allowed the funds’ registration statement to become effective despite significant unresolved comments from staff in the Division of Investment Management. These outstanding issues include concerns that the funds may not meet the definition of an investment company and that related disclosure in the registration statement may be potentially misleading, among other issues. It is to the detriment of market participants and investors when the staff’s review is not met with good faith engagement and comments are not fully resolved prior to effectiveness. See SEC EDGAR Correspondence, ETF Opportunities Trust (May 30, 2025) available at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1771146/000000000025005772/filename1.pdf. It is further to the detriment of the market when the Commission fails to use its tools to stop funds from introducing such uncertainty.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Nick Langworthy Announces EPA Grant to Monitor Water Quality at Lake Erie Beaches

    Source: US Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) announced that New York State has been awarded $328,000 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for monitoring water quality at Great Lake beaches and to notify the public if elevated levels of illness-causing bacteria make swimming unsafe. 

     

    This funding is authorized by the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACHES) Act and it ensures that every American has access to clean and safe water. Each goal of the BEACHES Act supports the EPA’s “Powering the Great American Comeback” initiative. 

     

    “It is crucial that our beach communities along Lake Erie received this funding to ensure the beaches are safe and open for business,” said Congressman Langworthy. “I will always be an advocate of the public receiving the information they need to enjoy all Lake Erie has to offer – including water sports, beachgoing, and recreation.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Klobuchar Celebrate C-SPAN’s Historic Senate Coverage, Call for Public Access Across Platforms, Including Streaming

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) will introduce a resolution today to mark the 39th anniversary of C-SPAN 2’s first Senate broadcast on June 2, 1986. The resolution urges all television providers, including streaming services, to carry the network. 

    For nearly four decades, C-SPAN 2 has served as a conduit between the public and the Senate, offering Americans an uninterrupted and unfiltered lens to view their elected representatives working on the electorate’s behalf. C-SPAN does not receive taxpayer dollars and is funded by America’s cable and satellite television operators as a public service. 

    “Transparency brings accountability, and C-SPAN’s coverage of the Senate has certainly brought transparency to the people’s business. Our resolution celebrates C-SPAN 2’s nearly 40-year commitment to give Americans a front row seat in the Senate, all without accepting a dime of taxpayer dollars. This public service strengthens our system of self-government by boosting civic engagement, and ought to be available on all television and streaming platforms,” Grassley said. 

    “C-SPAN has connected the Senate with the American people for nearly 40 years—providing the public an opportunity to see their government at work on the Senate floor and in committee meetings,” Klobuchar said. “Access to this live coverage on all platforms is essential to keeping the American people informed and engaged in their democracy.”

    Background:

    Over 39 years, C-SPAN2 has recorded more than 43,830 hours of Senate action, including more than 169,000 speeches from a broad range of ideologies. The network has documented more than 23,493 roll call votes, acting as a living ledger of Senate decision-making.

    Find text of the resolution HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister’s, parliamentary secretary’s, K-12 education partners’ statement on Pride 2025

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care, alongside Jennifer Blatherwick, parliamentary secretary for gender equity; B.C. School Trustees Association; BC School Superintendents Association; BC Association of School Business Officials; BC Principals’ & Vice-Principals’ Association; BC Teachers’ Federation; CUPE BC; BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils; BC Teachers’ Council; BC Public School Employers’ Association; First Nations Education Steering Committee; First Nations Schools Association; Métis Nation BC and Alliance of BC Modern Treaty Nations have issued the following statement to mark Pride 2025 and celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in B.C.’s education system:

    “Pride Month is a time to celebrate diversity, embrace inclusion and honour the incredible ways 2SLGBTQIA+ friends, students, neighbours, colleagues and family members help make B.C. a wonderful place to call home.   

    “Pride is also a call to act. Many 2SLGBTQIA+ community members continue to face discrimination or exclusion today, and school can be one of the very first places a child experiences it. That’s why it’s up to all of us to make sure that every day, when students, staff and community members walk through the school doors, they’re welcomed for who they are. When we stand together, we send a strong message: everyone belongs, and discrimination and bullying have no place in our schools or communities. These are important messages for kids to see, hear and feel as they learn and grow. We know this support changes lives – and saves lives.

    “Honouring Pride means acknowledging both pain and progress, while recognizing our individual responsibility to build an inclusive future for every child and youth. By fostering a sense of belonging and safety for all students and staff in schools, we can create learning environments where young people can thrive, because they’re supported to be who they are as individual people.  

    “To all those helping to stand up and make B.C.’s schools more inclusive, welcoming spaces for all students, thank you. From colourful crosswalks to vibrant community events, the widespread support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is clear. There are hundreds of thousands of people taking part in Pride throughout the province recognizing the significance of supporting and being an ally. This reflects decades of dedication from many organizations and 2SLGBTQIA+ advocates fighting for human rights and continuing to lead the way, with a commitment to equality and inclusion that inspires and brings people together.

    “This month and every month, we will continue working together as partners to make sure B.C.’s schools are places where everyone can feel safe and free to be who they are.

    “As we celebrate Pride 2025, we encourage everyone to stand together – recognizing and honouring the contributions and resilience of 2SLGBTQIA+ students, families and educators in their communities, with love and pride throughout B.C.”

    Learn More:

    If you or a friend is experiencing discrimination or harassment related to sexual orientation or gender identity, get help here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/erase

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan Mining Week Celebrates Sector’s Importance to Province

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 2, 2025

    The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to proclaim June 1 to June 7 as Saskatchewan Mining Week, an opportunity to recognize the important contributions of the people who work in the industry and the significant impact mining has on the provincial economy. 

    “Our world-class mining industry is key to the prosperous way of life we enjoy in Saskatchewan, creating good jobs, economic growth and a sustainable, secure future,” Energy and Resources Minister Colleen Young said. “As global demand for critical minerals continues to rise, we are increasing production in core sectors like potash and uranium and seeing growth in emerging commodities like helium, lithium, copper and zinc. This year’s Mining Week theme of Talent, Technology and Trade: Opportunities for Saskatchewan’s Mining Sector reflects our optimism for the future of mining in our province.”  

    The Saskatchewan mining industry directly or indirectly employs over 30,000 people and procures billions of dollars in goods and services annually from local mining supplier businesses. Mining is a major source of private investment and generates government revenue to fund the programs and services Saskatchewan people rely on, like education and health care.

    “In the next decade, Saskatchewan’s growing mining industry will need 15,000 new employees in rewarding careers like trades and engineering. To increase the mining labour pool, we are promoting career awareness of prevalent and critical careers and showcasing some of the innovative ways that mining companies and their partners are training and attracting the new generation of talented employees that underpin the success of Saskatchewan’s mining sector,” Saskatchewan Mining Association President Pam Schwann said.

    Saskatchewan is home to 27 of the 34 minerals on Canada’s critical minerals list. In 2024, potash production reached an all-time high of 15.1 million tonnes of potassium oxide, while uranium production and sales reached record highs of 16,700 tonnes and $2.6 billion, respectively. Projects in these and other critical minerals like helium, lithium, copper and zinc continue to advance along with the Saskatchewan Research Council’s Rare Earth Processing facility, which has begun producing rare earth metals at a commercial scale.  

    With an abundance of resources, competitive incentives and a predictable and stable regulatory framework, Saskatchewan is one of the best places in the world to invest in resource development. The Fraser Institute’s annual survey of mining companies consistently ranks Saskatchewan as the top jurisdiction in Canada and the top three in the world for mining investment competitiveness. 

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    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canadian soldier of the First World War identified

    Source: Government of Canada News

    June 2, 2025 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

    The Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have identified a previously unknown First World War grave in Adanac Military Cemetery in Miraumont, France, as that of Captain William Webster Wilson, a Canadian soldier. The identification was confirmed through historical and archival research.

    The CAF’s Casualty Identification Program plays a vital role in ensuring that those who made the ultimate sacrifice are never forgotten. Through meticulous research and collaboration, it reconnects fallen soldiers with their families, their units and the nation. The identification of Captain Wilson’s grave more than 100 years after his death is a testament to this commitment. His story – one of service, courage, and sacrifice – now has the recognition it deserves. As we honour his memory, Canadians have the opportunity to reflect on the immense contributions of those who fought for our country.

    William Wilson was born on November 29, 1890, in Edinburgh, Scotland, to Hugh Cunningham and Mary Ann Lyell (née Webster) Wilson. William had a younger brother, Hugh. William joined the Royal Bank of Scotland at the age of 15, working at several branches in Edinburgh. He resigned in 1911, shortly after his mother’s death, immigrated to Canada and joined the Bank of Montreal. He initially worked in Toronto, before joining the branch in Lindsay, Ont. Despite his immigration to Canada and the relocation of his father and brother to a farm in Gilgandra, New South Wales, Australia, the family remained in close contact.

    Before the First World War, William volunteered with local militia units in both Scotland and Canada. While in Lindsay, he was a Captain with the 45th Victoria Regiment and joined the thousands of men who travelled to Valcartier, Que., to enlist following the outbreak of war. He enlisted on September 23, 1914, as an Honorary Captain and Paymaster with the 1st Canadian Divisional Signal Company. After training in Quebec and England, he was taken on strength by his unit in France in April 1915. Originally attached to the 1st Divisional Headquarters, by 1916 he was attached to the Canadian Section of General Headquarters, 3rd Echelon of the British Expeditionary Force.

    By the fall of 1916, gruelling fighting and heavy losses sustained during the Somme Offensive meant that trained men were desperately needed on the front lines. Probably due to his extensive militia experience and recent completion of a machine gun course, Captain Wilson was attached to the 16th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Canadian Scottish), Canadian Expeditionary Force. On October 8, 1916, the Canadian Corps participated in the Battle of the Ancre Heights, as part of the broader Somme Offensive. The 16th Canadian Battalion was involved in an unsuccessful attempt to capture Regina Trench, and Captain Wilson was reported missing the next day, on October 9. It was not until June 24, 1919, that his brother Hugh received a second-hand account indicating that Captain Wilson had been killed by a shell. At the time of his death, Captain Wilson was 25 years old.

    In 2016, external researchers submitted a report to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) regarding the grave of an unidentified captain of the 16th Battalion buried at Adanac Military Cemetery. Following extensive research, DND’s Directorate of History and Heritage (DHH) determined that the grave could only belong to Captain Wilson, whom the external researchers had not considered as a candidate. DHH researchers determined that, while Captain Wilson was officially commemorated as a member of the Canadian Signal Corps, he had died while serving with the 16th Battalion. The identification was confirmed by the Casualty Identification Review Board in December 2024.

    Captain Wilson’s family was notified of his identification, and the CAF is providing them with ongoing support. A headstone rededication ceremony will take place at the earliest opportunity at Adanac Military Cemetery, which is maintained by the CWGC.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON BOULDER ATTACK

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

    Know Your Immigration Rights

    If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.

    Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

    Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

    Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

    The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.

    Learn more here: KNOW YOUR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS  – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Mike Levin Hosts 123rd Town Hall to Hear Directly from Constituents & Address Concerns About House Republicans’ Reckless Budget Reconciliation Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

    May 31, 2025

    Encinitas, CA – Today, Mike Levin (CA-49) held an in-person town hall at the Encinitas Community Center to hear directly from constituents about their concerns regarding House Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill and its devastating projected impacts on health care coverage, food assistance, and energy costs. This was Rep. Levin’s 123rd town hall since entering Congress in 2019.

    “A lot of people are feeling angry, scared, and frustrated about what’s going on in our country right now. I hear you, and I share those feelings,” said Rep. Levin. “In my six plus years in Washington, I’ve never seen so much happening that is antithetical to what we stand for as a nation. That’s why I’m here to share what I’m seeing, tell you what I’m fighting for, listen to you, and answer your questions.

    “While I always look for opportunities to find bipartisan compromise on policy, I will never, ever compromise on my values, and I will vocally oppose legislation that guts the programs millions of kids, seniors, and veterans rely on to survive,” continued Rep. Levin.

    Rep. Levin holds monthly town halls in various formats including in-person, telephone, and virtual to reach as many constituents as possible. For more information about upcoming town halls, subscribe to Rep. Levin’s newsletter here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CFTC Names Paul Hayeck as Acting Director of Division of Enforcement

    Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Commodity Futures Trading Commission Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham today announced Paul G. Hayeck as the Acting Director of the Division of Enforcement. Hayeck has served at the CFTC for 25 years and has been a deputy director in the Division of Enforcement since 2013. He will continue to serve as the acting chief of the Division’s Complex Fraud Task Force.
    “I’ve been impressed with Paul’s deep expertise and skill since I was a CFTC enforcement intern over 15 years ago,” said Acting Chairman Pham. “Paul’s unwavering commitment to integrity and fairness is the kind of strong leadership we need at the CFTC. His accomplishments as Acting Chief of the Complex Fraud Task Force and his extensive experience at the CFTC make him well suited to lead the Division of Enforcement. I’ve never been more confident in the CFTC’s mission to protect our markets, hold fraudsters accountable, and help victims with Paul in charge.”
    “I want to thank Acting Chairman Pham for the opportunity to lead the Division as we get back to basics and focus our resources and abilities on our core mission to prevent fraud, manipulation, and abuse in our markets,” Hayeck said.
    Throughout his career, Hayeck has represented the CFTC in numerous federal courts as litigation counsel in cases involving a broad range of Commodity Exchange Act violations, including market manipulation and complex fraud, with a particular focus in energy trading cases. Among other noteworthy cases, Hayeck led the division’s litigation team in the landmark case of CFTC v. Parnon Energy Inc., et al. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which resulted in a favorable opinion for the CFTC regarding its jurisdiction. 
    Prior to joining the CFTC, Hayeck was a partner in a law firm in Boston where he focused on commercial litigation. He also previously worked as litigation counsel for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In these positions, Hayeck frequently appeared in numerous federal and state courts. 
    Hayeck holds an LL.M. in banking law and a J.D. from Boston University School of Law. He is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in economics.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ahead of Hurricane Season, King Urges Trump Administration to Reinstate Terminated Employees at Weather Forecast Offices

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King, alongside 14 of his colleagues, is urging the Trump Administration to swiftly reinstate terminated employees at the National Weather Service (NWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as Maine faces an unpredictable hurricane season ahead. In a letter to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Acting Administrator of NOAA Laura Grimm, King and his fellow Senators emphasized that staff reductions at both agencies pose a threat to public safety and emergency preparedness by undercutting essential forecasting and weather monitoring systems. The Senators requested information on how the administration plans to address staffing at both agencies. 
    “NWS would be unable to provide accurate and timely forecasts without sufficient staffing levels at weather forecast offices nationwide. In addition to daily forecasting operations, weather forecast offices are responsible for issuing emergency weather warnings ahead of events such as major floods, wildfire hazards, hurricanes, and blizzard conditions,” wrote the Senators. “As the frequency and severity of such disasters increase, maintaining NWS’s real-time forecasting operations is essential to saving lives and reducing the cost of recovery for disaster-affected communities.” 
    The Senators continued: “NWS employees and the programs they support are essential to the safety of the millions of Americans impacted by storms and disasters each year. On February 27, 2025, 108 probationary NWS employees were terminated, adding to the 170 staff who accepted the Administration’s ‘deferred resignation’ plan earlier that month. These staffing cuts are already impacting NWS services, forcing NWS to halt weather balloon launches in New York, Maine and Alaska that provide daily weather data to meteorologists at weather forecast offices across the country.”  
    “As we head into hurricane season, 30 weather forecast offices are without a meteorologist-in-charge, one is completely without any managers at all, and nearly a dozen are preparing to shut down 24/7 services without immediate action to address shortages,” wrote the Senators. “We urge you to reassess the staffing needs at NOAA and NWS and reinstate terminated probationary employees swiftly.” 
    NWS maintains 122 weather forecast offices across the United States which are responsible for providing 24/7 weather monitoring and forecasts. The NWS Forecast Offices in Gray and Caribou are vital to providing Maine people across the state with information on how to prepare for and protect their families from flooding and extreme weather events. The Department of Commerce is reportedly planning to eliminate an additional 1,000 staff from NOAA, including at NWS, in the coming weeks. These cuts, combined with current staffing constraints, could reduce the NWS workforce by 15% just months into 2025. Maine fishermen have raised concerns about the layoffs which have impacted the fish management division and reliable data for weather forecasts.
    In addition to Senator King, the letter was signed by Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Brian Schatz (D-HI). 
    The full text of the letter is available here and below. 
    +++
    Dear Secretary Lutnick, and Acting Administrator Grimm,
    We write to express our concern with recent layoffs at the National Weather Service (NWS). Reports indicate that over 550 employees have been terminated or accepted deferred resignation offers. We believe that these staff reductions pose a threat to public safety and emergency preparedness by undercutting essential forecasting and weather monitoring systems. We urge you to reinstate terminated NWS employees and request additional information on how the administration plans to address staffing at NWS.
    NWS maintains 122 weather forecast offices across the United States which are responsible for providing 24/7 weather monitoring and forecasts. NWS would be unable to provide accurate and timely forecasts without sufficient staffing levels at weather forecast offices nationwide. In addition to daily forecasting operations, weather forecast offices are responsible for issuing emergency weather warnings ahead of events such as major floods, wildfire hazards, hurricanes, and blizzard conditions. As the frequency and severity of such disasters increase,  maintaining NWS’s real-time forecasting operations is essential to saving lives3and reducing the cost of recovery for disaster-affected communities.
    NWS employees and the programs they support are essential to the safety of the millions of Americans impacted by storms and disasters each year. On February 27, 2025, 108 probationary NWS employees were terminated, adding to the 170 staff who accepted the Administration’s “deferred resignation” plan earlier that month. These staffing cuts are already impacting NWS services, forcing NWS to halt weather balloon launches in New York, Maine, and Alaska that provide daily weather data to meteorologists at weather forecast offices across the country. As we head into hurricane season, 30 weather forecast offices are without a meteorologist-in-charge, one is completely without any managers at all, and nearly a dozen are preparing to shut down 24/7 services without immediate action to address shortages.
    The Department of Commerce is reportedly planning to eliminate an additional 1,000 staff from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including at NWS, in the coming weeks. All told, NWS offices, already suffering from staffing constraints, could see a 15% reduction in force just months into 2025.
    We request a response to the following questions by June 10, 2025:
    How many of the NWS regional weather forecast offices were impacted by terminations or deferred resignations since January 20, 2025? Please provide a list of affected offices, including how many staff departed and how many remain.
    With reports of at least one weather forecast office in Goodland, Kansas stopping 24/7 operations due to staffing shortages, how do the Department of Commerce and NOAA plan to maintain continued 24/7 operation of forecasting offices without requiring excessive overtime hours from staff?
    With a requested budget cut of $1.311 billion for NOAA’s overall budget, and a $209 million cut for NWS procurement of weather satellites and infrastructure9 , how does the Department of Commerce and NOAA plan to ensure adequate staffing and preparedness in the midst of worsening storm seasons, increasing heat waves, and changing weather patterns?
    As NWS employees are critical to public safety, especially heading into hurricane season, will the Department of Commerce grant an exemption to the hiring freeze to fill these crucial positions?
    We urge you to reassess the staffing needs at NOAA and NWS and reinstate terminated probationary employees swiftly. We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your response.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan and Ontario Breaking Down Trade Barriers

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 2, 2025

    Provinces sign agreement to boost interprovincial trade.

    Today, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the removal of trade barriers across the two jurisdictions.

    “Now is the time to take strong action to strengthen trade across Canada,” Moe said. “Our province remains committed to removing restrictive barriers that limit the flow of trade. Today’s MOU between Saskatchewan and Ontario is just one of the ways we are unlocking the infinite potential that exists within our industries from coast to coast.”

    This MOU includes commitments to facilitate mutual recognition of our goods, workers and investment while strengthening public safety and respecting the integrity and role of Crown corporations. It aims to strengthen interprovincial labour mobility and direct-to-consumer (DTC) alcohol sales between the two jurisdictions.

    “With President Trump taking direct aim at Canada’s economy, we need to do everything we can to protect Ontario and Canadian workers by super-charging our own internal trade opportunities,” Premier Ford said. “With both of us coming together today, we are helping Canada unlock up to $200 billion in gains for our economy, and we are showing everyone how all of us premiers are standing up for Canada like never before. Together, we are building a more competitive, more resilient and more self-reliant economy.”

    Additionally, both provinces are co-leading efforts under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement on a framework to advance DTC alcohol sales with other willing jurisdictions across Canada.  

    The total value of interprovincial trade between Saskatchewan and Ontario was $6.4 billion in 2021.

    Trade is critical to Saskatchewan’s economy, worth about 70 per cent of the province’s Gross Domestic Product. Saskatchewan’s efforts to advance and diversify trade are providing much needed certainty in a very uncertain time.  

    The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to supporting the expansion of vital infrastructure projects including ports, pipelines and rail, including their construction and seamless operations. The province will also work to provide swift approval of any projects that pass through Saskatchewan.

    Throughout this work, Saskatchewan will continue to work alongside its federal, provincial and territorial counterparts to advance these efforts and promote free and fair interprovincial trade.

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    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Green Party NI Slams Delay on Safe Leave for Domestic Abuse Victims

    Source: The Green Party in Northern Ireland

    Green Party NI Slams Delay on Safe Leave for Domestic Abuse Victims
    It’s been over three years since the Green Party NI passed the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) (Northern Ireland) Act, yet victims in Northern Ireland (NI) are still waiting for their right to 10 days paid leave.
    Despite previous assurances, the regulations needed to make this law a reality won’t be in place until at least late 2026 according to Departmental officials.
    Green Party Councillor for Holywood & Clandeboye Lauren Kendall said: “This delay is unacceptable. Safe Leave is already standard in countries like  Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. England and Wales are following suit and catching up. Why is Northern Ireland falling behind?
    Life saving actions need to be swift. The Government has pledged to end violence against women and girls, and tackle domestic and sexual abuse, yet victims are going without vital support.
    This is not good enough, this is a societal issue, a workplace issue, and it should be a priority for this Executive. We will not accept inaction, this must be in place now.
    Last year alone, police recorded nearly  30,000 domestic abuse incidents here. Victims can’t afford to wait any longer for support and protection that is already legislated for The Minister for the Economy must ensure that this is in place as a matter of urgency.”
    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Lieutenant-Governor Installation Ceremony

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Arthur J. LeBlanc, now the former lieutenant-governor, presents new Lt.-Gov. Mike Savage with the Royal Key. The Royal Key is a symbol of the Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia’s office and marks the transfer of responsibility for Government House. It was first presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during the 2010 Royal Tour. (Communications Nova Scotia)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Governor Hochul’s Op-ed in Empire Report

    Source: US State of New York

    oday, Empire Report published an op-ed by Governor Kathy Hochul denouncing the disastrous impacts of the GOP’s Big Ugly Bill. Text of the op-ed can be viewed online and is available below:

    In just a few weeks, we will be observing the 60th anniversary of the signing of Medicaid by President Lyndon B. Johnson. When President Johnson signed this transformational policy into law, he told us all that there is a tradition we share. A tradition that calls upon us to never be indifferent to despair, to never turn away from helplessness, and to never ignore or spurn those who suffer in a land bursting with abundance.

    Well this past week, Washington Republicans turned their back on that longstanding, righteous tradition when they passed a budget that takes a sledgehammer to our health care system.

    Let’s be crystal clear about what Washington Republicans are doing in their budget: they are gutting Medicaid. Not trimming or tweaking it. Certainly not improving it. No, their budget would slash nearly $700 billion from Medicaid over the next decade.

    In short, they are aiming a wrecking ball directly at working families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities.

    Here in New York, we stand to lose $13.5 billion for Medicaid each year. That’s not some hypothetical number on a spreadsheet. That’s 1.5 MILLION of our neighbors who will lose their health insurance entirely. That’s hospitals across this state – from Long Island to North Country – who will see their budgets slashed, staff cut, and care delayed.

    And New York’s seven GOP representatives happily voted for all this devastation, just so they could fund tax cuts for billionaires. That’s their idea of putting America First. Well I think it’s just Robin Hood in reverse.

    It couldn’t be more at odds with what I am fighting for here in New York. Because while Washington Republicans are trying to take health care away, I’ve worked hard to expand it.

    From raising the eligibility threshold for the Essential Plan and giving more than 1.5 million New Yorkers access to high-quality, affordable coverage; to investing millions in health insurance subsidies; strengthening hospital financial assistance; and protecting hard working families from medical debt, I’m fighting every day to increase access to high-quality, affordable health care. And I’m proud to say that as a result, New York has the lowest uninsured rate of any large state.

    But all that progress – and more – is now under threat.

    I’d like to ask every single New York Republican who just sold out their constituents, how do you justify your vote to the people who elected you to represent them?

    And to the Republicans who are hiding behind the thin excuse of work requirements, I say: red tape masquerading as ‘work requirements’ isn’t about helping people find jobs. It’s about kicking them off their health insurance. The facts are clear: most people on Medicaid are already working, in school, or too sick to hold a job. And the people who get caught in that red tape – the ones who lose coverage – are often those least able to navigate it. It’s not that they stop needing care. They just show up later and sicker, at a higher cost to our system, putting a greater strain on our hospitals. This isn’t smart policy. It isn’t saving us any money. It’s just plain cruel.

    Medicaid is a lifeline for one out of every three New Yorkers, including 50% of every child in this state. But the reality is, even if you don’t rely on Medicaid, these cuts affect you. Because when millions lose coverage, hospitals and other vital healthcare providers lose funding. And that strains the entire system.

    These cuts could mean that your local hospital or health center shuts down. They could look like you being forced to drive farther just to find a doctor. Or that you have to wait twice as long at the ER.

    The bottom line is these cuts won’t just hurt the most vulnerable – they’ll make health care harder to get and more expensive for everyone.

    Well I’ve never abandoned New Yorkers, and I certainly won’t now.

    So to New York’s seven congressional representatives – and every Republican down in Washington – let me say this as clearly as I can: health care is not negotiable in the Empire State.

    And to every New Yorker reading this: Pick up the phone. Call your representative. Tell them this is your red line. Tell them that we will not let them dismantle the safety net that millions of our neighbors rely on. Because here in New York, we fight for our kids. We care for our elderly. We show up for our neighbors. If Washington’s forgotten that, then it’s time we remind them.

    This is the fight. I’m ready for it. And I know New York is ready for it too.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LaLota Welcomes Oysterponds Shellfish of Orient to House Small Business Showcase

    Source: US Representative Nick LaLota (NY-01)

    Washington, D.C. — Rep. Nick LaLota (NY-1), a member of the House Small Business Committee, welcomed Oysterponds Shellfish Co., the largest oyster farm on Long Island, to the House Small Business Showcase on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

    “Small businesses like Oysterponds Shellfish are the backbone of Long Island’s economy and a testament to the values that define our region. Aquaculture plays a vital role in preserving our maritime heritage, supporting good local jobs, and providing fresh, sustainable seafood to communities across the Northeast,” said LaLota. “Owners Phil Mastrangelo and Brian Tuthill exemplify the long hours, deep dedication, and personal sacrifice that small business owners invest in their craft, their customers, and their employees. I was proud to have them represent our district at the House Small Business Showcase. Oysterponds Shellfish is a powerful example of how local innovation and environmental stewardship can go hand-in-hand—strengthening our economy while protecting the Long Island Sound for future generations.”

    Background:

    The House Small Business Showcase provides Members of Congress with a platform to spotlight the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation of small businesses within their districts.

    Owned and operated by Phil Mastrangelo and Brian Tuthill, Oysterponds Shellfish is a family-owned business located in Orient, NY. The farm cultivates oysters using sustainable methods in the waters of Long Island’s East End. The company continues the local shellfishing tradition, supplying its oysters to local establishments, including the Halyard, North Fork Table & Inn, and Little Creek Oyster Farm & Market. The company also offers raw bar services for events and is committed to delivering fresh, high-quality oysters while honoring the maritime heritage of the East End.

    LaLota serves as Chairman of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure and as a member of the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 05.28.2025 ICYMI: Sen. Cruz in Washington Post: Tax Bill is Republicans’ Chance to Shape the Next Generation of Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

    WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, the Washington Post published an op-ed by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) describing transformative measures he is prioritizing in this year’s reconciliation bill, including his Invest America Act and Universal School Choice Act.
    Read excerpts of the op-ed below or the full op-ed here.
    Last month, Republican senators gathered in the Library of Congress to have an extended discussion and strategy session about the budget reconciliation process that is dominating conversations in Washington. I asked my colleagues two specific questions: In all of this massive bill, what will be its biggest legacy? What bold, transformational policies can we champion that will impact the next generation of Americans — policies we’ll still be talking about 10, 20, even 30 years from now?
    …
    That’s why I’m pushing my colleagues to include two major proposals in this year’s budget reconciliation package that I believe do exactly that.
    First, I’ve introduced legislation that would create a private investment account for every newborn child in America and seed it with the first $1,000. Each year, family, friends, or employers would be able to contribute up to $5,000 to this tax-advantaged account. Those accounts would be invested in exchange-traded funds or mutual funds based on the S&P 500.
    The accounts would do two things. First, children across America would experience the miracle of compounded growth. A child born this year who has the initial $1,000, plus $5,000 invested annually, would — at a historical average growth rate of 7 percent — have about $170,000 invested by age 18. By 35, the account would be worth $700,000. That powerful wealth accumulation would be utterly transformational for our next generation of children.
    …
    Equally important for success is education and ensuring that every American child has the right to choose their educational path. That’s why the second policy we should include in the One Big Beautiful Bill is to get the federal government behind school choice. We should give federal tax credits, dollar for dollar, for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations in the states and open up $10 billion annually in new scholarships that allow children and parents to be able to choose the K-12 school that best meets their needs.
    ….
    In his first term, President Donald Trump in his State of the Union address urged Congress to pass my legislation, the Universal School Choice Act. However, to do so we needed Democratic support in the Senate, and no Democrat was willing to stand up to the teachers unions. Now, under the reconciliation rules, we can finally pass the bill with our 53 Republican senators. And Democrats cannot block it.
    Versions of both of these ideas are included in the House reconciliation bill. But there will be a battle to keep them and to get them through the Senate. We must act boldly and get them to the president’s desk. Nothing else in the bill would leave as significant a legacy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: SUNDAY SHOWS: President Trump is Supercharging the U.S. Economy

    Source: US Whitehouse

    This morning, Trump Administration officials took to the airwaves to describe how the One Big Beautiful Bill will be an economic boon for working Americans, the soaring nature of the Trump economy, and more.

    Here’s what you missed:

    Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought on State of the Union

    • On lowering the deficit: “This bill doesn’t increase the deficit or hurt the debt. In fact, it LOWERS it by $1.4 trillion.”
    • On protecting Medicaid: “This bill will preserve and protect the programs, the social safety net, but it will make it much more common sense.”
    • On cancer research funding: “We actually want it to go to cancer research. We want it to go to the research that people think that they have been funding through their tax dollars … We don’t want it to go to waste, fraud, and abuse.”

    Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent on Face the Nation

    • On prices: “We wanted to make sure that there aren’t price increases, Margaret — and thus far, there have been no price increases. Everything has been alarmist. The inflation numbers are actually dropping. We saw the first drop in inflation in four years.”
    • On inflation: “When we were here in March, you said there was going to be big inflation. There hasn’t been any inflation. Actually, the inflation numbers are the best in four years. So why don’t we stop trying to say this COULD happen — wait and see what DOES happen.”
    • On the deficit: “The deficit this year is going to be lower than the deficit last year — and in two years, it will be lower again. We are going to bring the deficit down slowly. We didn’t get here in one year.”

    Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on Fox News Sunday

    • On tariffs: “The $1.2 trillion trade deficit, and all the underlying implications of that, is a national emergency. It’s gutting our manufacturing base … Rest assured, tariffs are not going away … Congress has given this authority to President Trump and he’s going to use it.”

    National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett on This Week

    • On the deficit: “If the bill doesn’t pass, then we’re looking at the biggest tax hike in American history … The idea that it’s worse for the deficit to do something that pays for itself if we get 3% growth is just not defensible.”

    Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on Sunday Morning Futures

    • On deportations: “President Trump is doing exactly what he campaigned on and what the American people elected him to do — and that’s enforce the law. And so we are going to do mass deportations … We are going out there and ensuring that people that repeatedly break our laws are being held accountable.”
    • On international students at Harvard: “These ties to China are deeply alarming … If you come to this country to learn and you’re a foreign student and you recognize the opportunity, that’s fantastic — but don’t come here to spy on us and take that information back home to an enemy that is working to destroy us every day. And China has infiltrated this country. It’s my job to protect the homeland and I’ve been given that direction by President Trump. They will not participate in this foreign student program until they clean up their ways.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Sidhu to hold teleconference on G7 Trade Ministers Meeting and the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting

    Source: Government of Canada News

    May 30, 2025 – The Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, will hold a media call back to discuss his G7 Trade Ministers Meeting and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM), from Paris, France.

    Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2025
    Time:  12:00 PM ET

    Notes to media:

    This event is for accredited members of the Press Gallery only. Media who are not members of the Press Gallery may contact pressres2@parl.gc.ca for temporary access.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 282 charged in new cases related to SDTX’s continuing efforts to secure southern border

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

    HOUSTON – In support of Operation Take Back America, the Southern District of Texas has filed another 281 cases in immigration and border security-related matters from May 23-29, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. 

    Among those are 105 people who face charges of illegally reentering the country. The majority have prior felony convictions for narcotics, violent crime, sexual offenses, prior immigration crimes and more. A total of 163 people are charged with illegally entering the country, while seven cases allege various instances of human smuggling with the remainder involving other immigration crimes, child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and firearms.

    One such person charged this week is Carlos Enrique Gonzalez-Pena, an alien present in the United States with a work visa who was allegedly found in possession of CSAM. The charges allege he had visited the darknet where he viewed child pornography sites. A forensic examination of his computer allegedly resulted in the discovery of two video files involving a female child approximately four to six years of age, one of which showed her being sexually assaulted. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. 

    Another one of the cases involves Humberto Vasquez – a Mexican male who allegedly attempted to exit the United States via the Donna Port of Entry. Upon inspection, law enforcement discovered four pistols belonging to him as well as 870 rounds of assorted ammunition, according to the charges. The complaint alleges he did not possess an export license that would authorize him to transport such items into Mexico and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of illegal exportation of firearms. 

    Authorities also found three Mexican nationals near Mission this week with no legal permission to be in the United States, according to the complaints against them. Victor Manuel Ornelas-Ochoa, Alfredo Samuel Gallegos-Esquivel and Exequiel Solano had allegedly been previously removed from the country and have felonies to include possession with intent to deliver marijuana, human smuggling and aggravated sexual assault of a child, respectively. They are all charged with illegal reentry and could receive up to 20 years in prison. Another man who faces the same charges and penalty is Julio Sanchez-Lorenzo. He is a Mexican male who had just been removed from the United States via Brownsville May 21 with no permission to return, according to the charges. However, authorities allegedly found him just six days later near Roma. 

    In addition to the new cases, a federal jury in Houston convicted a Mexican citizen for illegally reentering the United States under an assumed identity. On June 11, 2024, authorities found Jose Martin Valdez-Galvan in Laredo. At that time, he provided a false name and claimed to be a U.S. citizen. Testimony revealed Valdez-Galvan originally stole the person’s identity to avoid previous charges for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Valdez-Galvan was an illegal alien who had been previously removed but returned to the United States without permission. He had assumed the other person’s identity in 2015 after his second removal. He faces up to a 20-year prison sentence. 

    “Both public safety and basic common sense require us to know who is entering and residing in our country. Those that adopt false or stolen personas to hide their identities pose an increased criminal risk to our community,” said Ganjei. “Theft of an American citizen’s identity by a foreign national will not be tolerated, and those that engage in such criminality will be charged, punished, and, if appropriate, deported.”

    In Corpus Christi, an intoxicated driver admitted he was an alien illegally in possession of firearm. Honduran national Josias Eliseo Ulloa-Pavon had been driving under the influence of alcohol before crashing Feb. 18. Upon arrival at the scene, authorities found him pinned inside the fully overturned vehicle. He had red bloodshot eyes, appeared unsteady on his feet and had a strong odor of alcohol. A search revealed a magazine containing six rounds of ammunition in his pocket and a Bersa Model Thunder .380 caliber pistol in his car.  

    Two men from Brownfield admitted to conspiring to transport illegal aliens in Laredo federal court this week. On March 22, authorities observed a Ford Expedition circumventing a Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint near Laredo. Mac Quese Howard was driving, and De Richardson Miller was in the front passenger seat providing directions. Authorities conducted a traffic stop and found three illegal aliens hidden in the back seat. Miller and Howard admitted they had travelled to Laredo for the sole purpose of picking up the aliens and transporting them to San Antonio for payment.

    Also announced was the sentencing of a Mexican national with a felony criminal history and multiple prior removals for illegally reentering the country again. Juan Humberto Lara Molina’s has a lengthy drug, weapons and immigration criminal history including two other illegal reentry convictions. He was also convicted of dealing cocaine in Indiana and unlawful sale of firearms in Illinois and was previously ordered removed from the United States on multiple occasions, most recently in November 2021. However, law enforcement discovered him at the Falfurrias BP checkpoint Dec. 12, 2024. He was one of seven individuals being transported farther north by human smugglers in a tractor-trailer. He was ordered to serve 24 months in federal prison. 

    These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Homeland Security Investigations, ICE – Enforcement and Removal Operations, BP, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.

    The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations 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 Neighborhood.

    Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.  

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than nine million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes. 

    An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Mike Savage Installed as Lieutenant-Governor

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Elected as mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality in 2012, Lt.-Gov. Savage served three terms, prioritizing social inclusion, sustainable development and economic growth. Prior to that, he represented Dartmouth-Cole Harbour as a member of Parliament and was an active member of parliamentary committees, groups and associations.

    Over the next five years in the vice-regal office, Lt.-Gov. Savage will celebrate the contributions of Nova Scotians to their communities, the province and the country. He succeeds Arthur J. LeBlanc.

    Following the installation ceremony, Lt.-Gov. Savage inspected the Quarter Guard, Sailors, Soldiers and Aviators of Canadian Forces Base Halifax. The Stadacona Band of the Royal Canadian Navy played the Royal Salute and award-winning musician and singer Charlie A’Court performed in the Lieutenant-Governor’s honour.

    Quotes:

    “It is a profound honour to be entrusted with the duties and responsibilities of this office. I am deeply committed to serving both the Crown and the people of this remarkable province, while celebrating its rich heritage, diverse communities and boundless potential for the future.”
    — Lt.-Gov. Mike Savage

    Additional Resources:

    Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia: https://lt.gov.ns.ca/

    Other than cropping, CNS photos are not to be altered in any way.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Law Students and Graduates Recognized with 2025 Awards

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    The faculty of UConn School of Law has recognized the many and varied achievements of its students and graduates with an array of prizes and awards.

    The recipients, announced at the end of the academic year, are honored for their academic and extracurricular accomplishments, which may include grades, class participation, clinical work, leadership, and community involvement. Many awards offer a financial component, while others provide books, certificates, memberships, and other gifts.

    The 2025 awards and recipients are:

    The Honorable Herbert Barall Family Law Award
    • Megan Ann Phillips ’25
    Established by friends and family of Judge Herbert Barall and awarded to a graduating student who has excelled in the study of family law and has shown a commitment to family law.

    The Honorable M. Joseph Blumenfeld Award
    • Casey Krieger ’25
    Established by friends of U.S. District Judge M. Joseph Blumenfeld and awarded to a student who has rendered outstanding service to clients in a clinic program.

    The Elihu Burritt Award
    • Devon Murphy ’25
    Awarded to the student with the highest academic average achieved at a semester abroad program sponsored by the UConn School of Law.

    The Robert S. Carey, Jr., JD ’76 Connecticut Attorneys Title Insurance Company Foundation (CATIC) Foundation Award in Real Property
    • Jennifer O’Brien ’25
    Awarded for outstanding work in real property law.

    The Clark-Janis International Award
    • Johanna Weber ’25
    Established by Professor Mark Janis and his wife, Janet Janis, in honor of their parents, Martha and Allan Clark and June and Henry Janis, and given to an international student for superior academic achievement.

    The Clinical Legal Education Association Certificate of Recognition
    • Whitney Krispin ’26
    Awarded for outstanding performance in a clinical program.

    The Clinical Legal Education Association Outstanding Externship Student Award
    • Sarina Bhargava ’25
    Awarded to a student for outstanding performance in an externship.

    The Connecticut Bar Association Labor and Employment Section Award for Excellence in Employment Law
    • Ian Russell ’26
    Awarded for outstanding achievement in the field of labor and employment law.

    The Connecticut Bar Association Real Property Section Memorial Award
    • Riley Morrill ’26
    Given to the student who has contributed substantially to the development of a sound body of law in the field of real property.

    The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities Award
    • Thomas Daniel Pelletier ’25
    Given to a student who, in the judgment of the faculty, has written the best paper addressing a problem in municipal law or another aspect of municipal government, or has completed an internship or service project in municipal government in Connecticut and demonstrates the greatest contribution to excellence in local government.

    Excellence in Taxation Award in Honor of Professor Pomp
    •     James Hallinan ’25
    Donated by Thomas Holmgren Class of 2013 to an outstanding student in taxation in recognition of Professor Pomp’s national reputation as the leading scholar, expert witness, and oral advocate in State and Local Taxation.

    The Maxwell Friedman Award
    • Elinor Schneider ’25
    Presented to a student for outstanding achievement in commercial subjects.

    The Thomas F. Gallivan, Jr. Memorial Award
    • Jackson Reis ’26
    Presented by the Law School Alumni Association for outstanding scholastic achievement in property law in honor of the late Thomas F. Gallivan, a lecturer at the Law School.

    The Hon. F. Herbert Gruendel ‘84 Award for Excellence in Moot Court 
    • Sophia Holt ’25
    • Joshua Maddox ’25
    Awarded to a student who has completed at least two years of study, meeting the following criteria: (a) Competed in a moot court competition at UConn Law or elsewhere. (b) Demonstrated commitment to the strength of the moot court experience at UConn Law by membership on the Moot Court Board or in other ways, and (c) Demonstrates promise as an appellate advocate.

    The Milton W. Horwitz Award
    • Bridget Casey ’25
    Awarded to a student who has excelled in the 1L Torts course and who demonstrates a dedication to the highest standards of morality and integrity of the profession.

    The Insurance Law Center JD Award
    • Lindie Gibbs ’25
    Presented to a graduating student who has excelled in the study of insurance law or rendered outstanding service to the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal or to the Insurance Law Society.

    The Insurance Law Center LLM Award
    • Daniel Delgado Jaramillo ’25
    Given to the student receiving a Masters of Laws (LLM) in Insurance Law who best exemplifies the law school’s commitment to scholarship in insurance law and service to the community.

    Olimpiad Ioffe Award
    • Taylor Spalding ’25
    Established by friends of Professor Olimpiad Ioffe to recognize a graduating student who has excelled in the study of comparative law or Eastern European law.

    Fleming James Jr. Award
    • Drake Freiberg ’25
    Established in honor of the late Professor Fleming James Jr. to recognize an upper-level student who has excelled in the study of labor law.

    Kathryn Mikolinski ’17 Memorial Award for Criminal Law
    • Sydney Fernandez ’25
    Awarded in memory of Kathryn Mikolinski ’17 to a graduating student who demonstrates excellence in the study or practice of criminal defense law or who best exemplifies dedication to protecting the rights of criminal defendants.

    The Distinguished Alumni Professor Kent Newmyer Award in American Legal History
    • Adelina Miceli ’25
    Established in honor of Kent Newmyer to recognize a student who demonstrates excellence in the study of American legal history.

    Joseph F. Noonan Memorial Award
    • Joy Hamer ’25
    Established in memory of Joseph F. Noonan ʼ48 to recognize a student who combines outstanding legal scholarship with a commitment to public service.

    The Alvin Pudlin Memorial First Amendment Fund Award
    • Aishah Stovall ’25
    Awarded to a student who advances the understanding and appreciation of the rights secured by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

    The Judge Robert Satter Award
    • William Fallon ’25
    Awarded in memory of Judge Robert Satter for contributions through a student’s efforts or written work to the advancement or preservation of civil liberties in America.

    George and Lorraine Schatzki Award
    • Grace Brunner ’25
    Awarded by fellow graduates Aaron and Sandra Gersten in honor of Dean George Schatzki to a student for outstanding service to the school.

    Paul Schneider LLM ’18 and Bryan Garcia Human Rights and Social Justice Award
    • Luis Salazar ’25
    • Zoe Allison ’25
    Awarded to two students with demonstrated achievement in and dedication to the area of domestic and/or international human rights and a commitment to advancing human rights and social justice.

    Thomas J. Staley Award
    • Amanda Hoey ’26
    Awarded in honor of Thomas J. Staley to a student for distinction in the study of labor law.

    William F. Starr Fellowship Award
    • Chelsea Connery ’24
    Established in honor of the late Professor William F. Starr to recognize the student in the previous year’s graduating class with the highest grade point average.

    William F. Starr First Year Award
    • Jackson Reis (Day Division) ’26
    • Drew David Derubeis (Evening Division) ’27
    Established in honor of the late Professor William F. Starr to recognize the students who achieved the highest grade point averages in last year’s day and evening divisions.

    Edward L. Stephenson Memorial Award
    • Malachi Bridges ’26
    Established in honor of the late Professor Edward L. Stephenson and awarded to a student for outstanding scholastic achievement in civil procedure.

    Terry J. Tondro Award
    • Savannah-Nicole Villalba ’27
    Awarded in honor of the late Professor Terry J. Tondro to a student for excellence in the study of land use, historic preservation, affordable housing or urban revitalization.

    UConn School of Law Award for Exceptional Achievement in Scholarship
    • Patrick Cline ’27
    • Tierney Kovacs ’27
    • Michela Zaccardelli ’27
    Awarded to three students for exceptional achievement in scholarship.

    UConn School of Law Award for Outstanding Service to the Law School
    • Brice Ashford ’25
    Awarded to a graduating students for outstanding service to the law school community.

    UConn School of Law International Award
    • Monica Mantilla Villamizar ’25
    Awarded to an international student receiving a Masters of Laws (LLM) in U.S. Legal Studies who best exemplifies the Law School’s commitment to distinguished scholarship in international studies and dedicated service to the community.

    UConn School of Law Pro Bono Award
    • Bridget O’Neil ’25
    Presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to pro bono work that benefits persons of limited means.

    Cornelius W. Wickersham Jr. Award
    • Alex Davenport ’25
    Given by the Federal Bar Council in honor of Cornelius W. Wickersham, Jr. for excellence in the study of constitutional law.

    Women Law Students Award
    • Lauren Moran ’25
    Awarded by WLSA to honor and support a University of Connecticut law student who is using legal skills to serve the community by promoting the interest of women.

    The 2025 awards were coordinated by a committee working at the request of Dean Eboni S. Nelson in consultation with faculty members in each subject area. The committee members were Professors Richard Pomp (Chair), Mathilde Cohen, Miguel de Figueiredo, Nadiyah Number, Jenny Kim, Alexandra Lombardi, Lisa Perkins, and Jessica de Perio Wittman, as well as Assistant Dean Christina Mohr.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Health Half Marathon: Running While Pregnant

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    If you’re pregnant, is it okay to exercise and if so, how strenuous can your workout be? Dr. Nicole Gavin, high risk pregnancy specialist at UConn Health, continued running throughout her three pregnancies and offers some advice for other mothers.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Nova Scotians Invited to Annual Garden Party

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Lt.-Gov. Mike Savage will host the lieutenant-governor’s annual garden party at Government House in Halifax on Wednesday, June 18.

    The theme is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag. Guests will have opportunities to exchange greetings with the lieutenant-governor and his wife, Ms. Darlene Savage.

    “Darlene and I are delighted to invite all Nova Scotians to enjoy an afternoon of friendship and community,” said Lt.-Gov Savage. “We look forward to continuing a long-standing summer tradition that has brought people together at the ceremonial home of all Nova Scotians.”

    Government House is located at 1451 Barrington St. Doors will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public; invitations are not required.

    Quick Facts:

    • the event is inspired by the garden parties of Buckingham Palace
    • the lieutenant-governor’s garden party has been an annual event for more than 100 years
    • about 500 guests attend each year

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: California wildfire plan to ban most plants within 5 feet of homes overlooks some important truths about flammability

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Max Moritz, Wildfire Specialist, University of California Cooperative Extension; Adjunct Professor at the Bren School, University of California at Santa Barbara, University of California, Santa Barbara

    Photos after the Los Angeles fires in January 2025 show many yards where vegetation didn’t burn while neighboring houses did. AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

    One of the most striking patterns in the aftermath of many urban fires is how much unburned green vegetation remains amid the wreckage of burned neighborhoods.

    In some cases, a row of shrubs may be all that separates a surviving house from one that burned just a few feet away.

    As scientists who study how vegetation ignites and burns, we recognize that well-maintained plants and trees can actually help protect homes from wind-blown embers and slow the spread of fire in some cases. So, we are concerned about new wildfire protection regulations being developed by the state of California that would prohibit almost all plants and other combustible material within 5 feet of homes, an area known as “Zone 0.”

    Photos before and after the 2025 Palisades Fire show thick green vegetation between two closely spaced homes. The arrow shows the direction of the fire’s spread.
    Max Moritz; CAL FIRE Damage Inspection photos, CC BY

    Wildfire safety guidelines have long encouraged homeowners to avoid having flammable materials next to their homes. But the state’s plan for an “ember-resistant zone,” being expedited under an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom, goes further by also prohibiting grass, shrubs and many trees in that area.

    If that prohibition remains in the final regulation, it’s likely to be met with public resistance. Getting these rules right also matters beyond California, because regulations that originate in California often ripple outward to other fire-prone regions.

    Lessons from the devastation

    Research into how vegetation can reduce fire risk is a relatively new area of study. However, the findings from plant flammability studies and examination of patterns of where vegetation and homes survive large urban fires highlight its importance.

    When surviving plants do appear scorched after these fires, it is often on the side of the plant facing a nearby structure that burned. That suggests that wind-blown embers ignited houses first: The houses were then the fuel as the fire spread through the neighborhood.

    We saw this repeatedly in the Los Angeles area after wildfires destroyed thousands of homes in January 2025. The pattern suggests a need to focus on the many factors that can influence home losses.

    Shrubs in Zone 0 of a home did not ignite during the Eaton Fire, despite the home burning.
    Max Moritz

    Several guides are available that explain steps homeowners can take to help protect houses, particularly from wind-blown embers, known as home hardening.

    For example, installing rain gutter covers to keep dead leaves from accumulating, avoiding flammable siding and ensuring that vents have screens to prevent embers from getting into the attic or crawl space can lower the risk of the home catching fire.

    However, guidance related to landscaping plants varies greatly and can even be incorrect.

    For example, some “fire-safe” plant lists contain species that are drought tolerant but not necessarily fire resistant. What matters more for keeping plants from becoming fuel for fires is how well they’re maintained and whether they’re properly watered.

    How a plant bursts into flames

    When living plant material is heated by a nearby energy source, such as a fire, the moisture inside it must be driven off before it can ignite. That evaporation cools the surrounding area and lowers the plant’s flammability.

    In many cases, high moisture can actually keep a plant from igniting. We’ve seen this in some of our experimental work and in other studies that test the flammability of ornamental landscaping.

    With enough heat, dried leaves and stems can break down and volatilize into gases. And, at that point, a nearby spark or flame can ignite these gases and set the plant on fire.

    Plant flammability testing shows how quickly twigs, grasses, plants and leaves will burn at different moisture levels. The images on the right are from an experiment at the University of California’s South Coast Research and Extension Center to test flammability of a living but overly dry plant.
    Max Moritz (left); Luca Carmignani (right)

    Even when the plant does burn, however, its moisture content can limit other aspects of flammability, such as how hot it burns.

    Up to the point that they actually burn, green, well-maintained plants can slow the spread of a fire by serving as “heat sinks,” absorbing energy and even blocking embers. This apparent protective role has been observed in both Australia and California studies of home losses.

    How often vegetation buffers homes from igniting during urban conflagrations is still unclear, but this capability has implications for regulations.

    California’s ‘Zone 0’ regulations

    The Zone 0 regulations California’s State Board of Forestry is developing are part of broader efforts to reduce fire risk around homes and communities. They would apply in regions considered at high risk of wildfires or defended by CAL FIRE, the state’s firefighting agency.

    Many of the latest Zone 0 recommendations, such as prohibiting mulch and attached fences made of materials that can burn, stem from large-scale tests conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. These features can be systematically analyzed.

    But vegetation is far harder to model. The state’s proposed Zone 0 regulations oversimplify complex conditions in real neighborhoods and go beyond what is currently known from scientific research regarding plant flammability.

    Green lawns, trees and shrubs were still visible after the Eaton Fire burned homes in Altadena, Calif., in January 2025.
    Mario Tama/Getty Images

    A mature, well-pruned shrub or tree with a high crown may pose little risk of burning and can even reduce exposure to fires by blocking wind and heat and intercepting embers. Aspen trees, for example, have been recommended to reduce fire risk near structures or other high-value assets.

    In contrast, dry, unmanaged plants under windows or near fences may ignite rapidly and make it more likely that the house itself will catch fire.

    As California and other states develop new wildfire regulations, they need to recognize the protective role that well-managed plants can play, along with many other benefits of urban vegetation.

    We believe the California proposal’s current emphasis on highly prescriptive vegetation removal, instead of on maintenance, is overly simplistic. Without complementary requirements for hardening the homes themselves, widespread clearing of landscaping immediately around homes could do little to reduce risk and have unintended consequences.

    Max Moritz has nothing to disclose.

    Luca Carmignani has nothing to disclose.

    – ref. California wildfire plan to ban most plants within 5 feet of homes overlooks some important truths about flammability – https://theconversation.com/california-wildfire-plan-to-ban-most-plants-within-5-feet-of-homes-overlooks-some-important-truths-about-flammability-257109

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Don Davis Statement on Snow Hill Board of Commissioners Voting to Disband Police Department

    Source: US Congressman Don Davis (NC-01)

    SNOW HILL, NC — Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) released the following statement after the decision by Snow Hill commissioners to disband the Snow Hill Police Department:

    “Nearly 15 years ago, the Snow Hill Police Department was formed to improve public safety, protect residents, and allow everyone to feel more secure in their homes, businesses, and neighborhoods. Dedicated police officers on patrol enforce the law, foster trust within the community, and promote a sense of town pride. I strongly urge town officials to reverse course, reconsider their decision, and keep the Snow Hill Police Department intact.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Record $20.2M to Strengthen Response to Domestic Violence

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced a record $20.2 million investment to expand efforts to reduce intimate partner violence in 17 counties outside of New York City. This funding allows the State Division of Criminal Justice Services to support 87 law enforcement agencies and community-based organizations through the Statewide Targeted Reductions in Intimate Partner Violence (STRIVE) initiative, a ground-breaking collaborative involving district attorneys’ offices, sheriffs’ offices, municipal police agencies, probation departments, and service providers.

    “The safety of New Yorkers is my top priority, and I am committed to using every tool at our disposal to support anyone who has ever felt unsafe in their own home,” Governor Hochul said. “This record funding will save lives and reduce violence by putting offenders on notice and ensuring that the highest-risk victims and survivors receive the protection and support they need and deserve.”

    This new investment will fund 155 positions including investigators, detectives, crime analysts, coordinators and advocates to support skilled, multidisciplinary teams that work to reduce domestic violence and increase survivor capacity for safety.

    The STRIVE initiative promotes a coordinated community response rooted in survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally competent practices. Modeled after the Division of Criminal Justice Services’ Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative, STRIVE required each county to develop a comprehensive plan using one or more evidence-based strategies to hold those who harm accountable and increase safety capacity for victims.

    New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, “The STRIVE initiative builds on our success in fighting gun violence, using the same data-driven framework, as well as proven techniques for responding to intimate partner violence. We thank Governor Hochul for her leadership and this significant investment to improve safety for victims and survivors.”

    STRIVE emphasizes six core elements: people, alignment, evidence-based strategies, engagement, skilled and supported staff, and monitoring and evaluation. The initiative places special focus on high-risk cases where victims face a serious risk of harm or lethality. Teams will use needs assessments, system mapping, and problem analysis to focus their efforts on the highest risk cases.

    Community providers will ensure responses align with existing services at the state, local, and federal levels—including social services, probation, and victim assistance programs. Progress will be monitored and evaluated using tools that track trends and inform adjustments. Using local knowledge and robust data, teams will implement one of three proven strategies to reduce domestic violence:

    The five New York City District Attorneys’ Offices also each received a share of $5 million to improve the public safety response to intimate partner violence and better address the needs of victims and survivors through early case enhancement efforts and assessments to identify and prioritize high-risk cases of abuse, among other strategies that support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.

    New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Executive Director Kelli Nicholas Owens said, “STRIVE is an example of Coordinated Community Response, something OPDV and our partner state agencies have been investing in and promoting across the state. We know that when the systems that intersect when responding to domestic violence and other gender-based violence crimes work collaboratively, the outcomes for victims and survivors are better. STRIVE can save lives. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for supporting these efforts and for your unwavering support of those impacted by gender-based violence.”

    New York State Office of Victim Services Director Bea Hanson said, “This funding will help coordinate responses among different systems – law enforcement, domestic violence service providers, social services, and health care, among others – that respond to gender-based and intimate partner violence. It will also help expand and strengthen access to support and services so victims and survivors can reclaim their lives. I thank Governor Hochul for her leadership and commitment to supporting domestic violence survivors and crime victims, and we are proud to work with our state and local partners on this initiative.”

    The following counties, selected based on volume and rate of domestic and intimate partner violence, are receiving grant funding:

    Long Island

    • Suffolk County: $1,989,636

    Mid-Hudson

    • Dutchess County: $711,221
    • Orange County: $1,129,806
    • Westchester County: $1,419,443

    Capital Region

    • Albany County: $1,356,464
    • Rensselaer County: $775,555
    • Schenectady County: $1,177,640

    North Country

    • Jefferson County: $647,344

    Mohawk Valley

    • Oneida County: $918,308

    Central New York

    • Onondaga County: $1,876,478

    Southern Tier

    • Broome County: $750,767

    Finger Lakes

    • Cayuga County: $573,407
    • Monroe County: $2,299,070
    • Genesee County: $480,516

    Western New York

    • Chautauqua County: $847,225
    • Erie County: $2,379,496
    • Niagara County: $904,660

    A breakdown of funding by county, law enforcement agency and service provider is available online. DCJS will support the implementation and improvements in how agencies respond to intimate partner violence with dedicated training and technical assistance from national and state experts. STRIVE counties will also benefit from access to the State’s 11 Crime Analysis Centers, which provide data, intelligence and investigative support to identify perpetrators and build prosecutable cases.

    Additional STRIVE investment builds on essential, commonsense changes to New York’s Discovery Laws in the FY26 Enacted Budget to support survivors, hold perpetrators accountable and safeguard the right to a fair and speedy trial. The changes enacted will prevent cases from being thrown out over technical errors and eliminate dismissals and disruptions that have re-traumatized survivors of domestic violence and other serious crimes, and include $135 million for prosecutors and defenders to ensure compliance with discovery, a year-to-year increase of $15 million. The Enacted Budget also increases funding for rape crisis centers for the first time in a decade, with nearly $13 million for 52 centers certified by the State Department of Health; expands access to HIV prophylaxis medication to all survivors of sexual assault, not just those under 18; and improves access to public assistance for survivors of gender-based violence.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Creating 600 Tech Jobs in New Brooklyn Headquarters

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that Queen One, Inc., a visionary commerce technology company, will establish its new headquarters at 25 Kent Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, under a 10-year lease agreement. The 30,000-square-foot facility represents more than $10 million in capital investment and is expected to create 600 full-time, high-tech jobs while generating $67 million in research and development investment over the next five years as the company builds its next-generation e-commerce platform. Supported by $6 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits from Empire State Development, this headquarters marks a major step forward in advancing New York’s leadership in innovation, job creation and the digital economy.

    “New York is the destination of choice for the next generation of technology companies, and Queen One’s decision to launch its headquarters in Brooklyn is a powerful endorsement of that momentum,” Governor Hochul said. “This project brings hundreds of high-quality jobs and millions in research and development, reaffirming our commitment to making the Empire State a national leader in innovation, talent, and opportunity. We’re proud to support projects that not only grow the economy but also strengthen our communities through inclusive, forward-looking investment.”

    Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York continues to be at the forefront of technology and innovation. Queen On’’s decision to establish its headquarters in Brooklyn is a testament to our state’s talented workforce, vibrant business ecosystem, and strategic investments in the industries of tomorrow. Empire State Development is proud to support Queen One’s growth as part of our broader efforts to attract cutting-edge companies, strengthen regional economies, and position New York as a national leader in tech-driven innovation.”

    Queen One COO & Founder Maricor Resente said, “Empire State Development’s support isn’t just an investment in Queen One; it’s an investment in the future of New York. I can say with immense pride that we are building something truly special right here in Brooklyn. This city isn’t just where we work; it’s a part of who we are. We are creating these jobs, not just to grow Queen One, but to show other entrepreneurs why New York is the best place to build.”

    Queen One CEO & Founder Ryan Urban said, “What we’re setting up to do here in Brooklyn is to build a foundation for vision and creation, right in the heart of a city that never stops creating. We’re developing a Vision Centre where innovation meets purpose and our team will ship breakthrough technology. Monday through Thursday, it will be a destination, hosting the best organizations and people in New York. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the space transforms into an Imaginarium for adults with autism to have friends, enjoy life and break free.”

    Queen One is a New York-based company with a bold vision for the future of commerce. Its technology brings life and energy to brand websites and communication programs. Guided by the belief that every product has a story, Queen One is building a platform that helps communicate their value and drive real revenue for Commerce brands worldwide. While anchored by deeply-skilled technology roles — including product designers, software engineers, and generative artificial intelligence experts — the headquarters will also house key commercial teams driving sales, marketing, and partnerships. Together, these roles will strengthen Brooklyn’s emerging tech and innovation corridor.

    Empire State Development is supporting Queen One’s new headquarters with $6 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits tied to job creation commitments. This strategic investment exemplifies New York’s approach to attracting innovative companies that deliver high-paying jobs and substantial research and development. By backing cutting-edge e-commerce and AI firms, the state is positioning itself as the premier East Coast destination for next-generation technology companies, leveraging its world-class talent pipeline and established innovation ecosystem to compete with traditional tech hubs nationwide.

    New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball said, “We are proud to work with Queen One on their selection of their new headquarters right here in New York City – a move that will bring 600 jobs to the city by 2030. Queen One joins a thriving innovation ecosystem in Brooklyn and its emphasis on AI will contribute to NYC’s status as the applied AI capital of the world. 25 Kent, in the heart of Williamsburg, will serve as an ideal launchpad for Queen One’s New York City chapter.”

    Additionally, Queen One is committed to fostering community engagement through workforce development programs, local technology training initiatives, and industry networking events hosted at its facilities. The company is also establishing a weekend center for adults with autism — a dedicated space for connection, support, and creation — a mission close to the hearts of its founding team. By opening its headquarters to the public, Queen One aims to create meaningful connective experiences that contribute to the vibrancy of the Williamsburg neighborhood.

    New York City’s vibrant tech ecosystem continues to attract innovative firms like Queen One, solidifying its role as a global leader in digital innovation and entrepreneurship. The city’s unique combination of diverse talent, robust capital access, renowned academic institutions, and creative energy provides an unmatched foundation for both established tech giants and emerging startups. Recent investments from prominent companies such as OpenAI, Duolingo and StubHub, along with strategic investments from high-growth firms like Figma, Rippling, Rokt, and Quadrature, underscore this dynamic environment. Queen One’s new Brooklyn headquarters further accelerates growth within emerging tech corridors, contributing to breakthrough developments in artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and digital infrastructure. As New York fosters these innovations, the state is not just keeping pace with the future of technology—it’s helping to define it as the premier destination for companies seeking to scale operations in a thriving, forward-thinking market.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: IAEA Team Concludes Site and External Events Design Review for El Salvador’s First Nuclear Power Plant

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    An IAEA team of experts visited the candidate sites of El Salvador’s first nuclear power plant during a Site and External Events Design Review Service mission. (Photo: CEL)

    An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts has concluded a six-day safety review of El Salvador’s site selection process for its first nuclear power plant (NPP). The Central American country is embarking on a nuclear power programme to diversify its energy mix and to provide a clean and reliable source of energy to support economic development.

    The Site and External Events Design Review Service (SEED) mission, which took place between 26 to 31 May, reviewed El Salvador’s adherence to IAEA guidance on the site selection process. The SEED mission was carried out at the request of the Government of El Salvador and hosted by the Organization for the Implementation of the Nuclear Energy Program in El Salvador (OIPEN) and the Executive Hydroelectric Commission of the Lempa River (CEL). The SEED mission was the first of its kind in El Salvador.

    El Salvador is completing the site selection process based on a comprehensive methodology that integrates geospatial data analysis, national regulations and existing public infrastructure.

    The SEED review team comprised three experts from Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as two IAEA staff members. They reviewed the site selection report, together with the siting process, siting criteria and data collection process for siting activities.

    The team also visited and observed the candidate sites located in Chalatenango – about 40 kilometres northeast of the capital San Salvador – and San Vicente – about 70 kilometres east of San Salvador.

    In addition to the SEED review mission, the IAEA provided a SEED Capacity Building Workshop to support site evaluation, which includes the site characterization stage. During the workshop, external experts and participants engaged in discussions that will contribute to future progress in the site evaluation process.

    “We confirmed that CEL independently developed exclusion criteria for site screening and effectively narrowed down the areas of the country with the lowest external hazard risks. This can be considered a good practice for minimizing risks,” said mission team leader Kazuyuki Nagasawa, Senior Nuclear Safety Officer at the IAEA.

    The team provided recommendations to improve the quality and to optimize the site selection process, aiming to select the most favourable site. This optimization seeks to minimize the potential for the selected site to be found unsuitable during the site characterization stage. The factors to be considered include seismic, flooding and volcanic hazards. It’s also important to balance site characteristics with specific design features, site protection measures and administrative procedures from the early stages of the site selection process.

    “From the early stages of the site selection process, we have been guided by the technical guidance of the IAEA, rigorously applying its physical safety standards to ensure that this process follows a technical, transparent and responsible approach for all Salvadorans,” said Daniel Alvarez, President of CEL and Honorary Director of OIPEN.

    OIPEN and CEL will continue to receive technical support from the IAEA, as they advance from the site selection stage and move into the subsequent site characterization stage, in line with the IAEA Specific Safety Guide on Site Survey and Site Selection for Nuclear Installations, as well as other relevant Safety Guides for external hazards assessment.

    The final SEED mission report will be delivered to the Government of El Salvador within three months.

    About Site and External Events Design Review Service (SEED) missions

    SEED missions are expert review missions that assist countries going through different stages in the development of a nuclear power programme. The service offers a choice of modules in which to focus the review, such as site selection, site assessment and design of structures, systems and components, taking into consideration site specific external and internal hazards.

    In the case of site selection review, SEED missions assess the appropriate consideration of the safety issues in the site selection process.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Monday, June 2, 2025

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

    9:00 a.m. The Prime Minister will host a First Ministers’ Meeting.

    Note for media:

    3:30 p.m. The Prime Minister will hold a media availability.

    Notes for media:

    • Open coverage for accredited media

    • Media interested in participating can contact media@pmo-cpm.gc.ca for details.

    MIL OSI Canada News –