Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)
Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
Category: CTF
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MIL-OSI Video: Learn About FBI Sacramento’s Citizen’s Academy
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (video statements)
The FBI Citizen’s Academy is a 6-to-8-week program with business and community leaders to share the great work the men and women do every day to keep out communities safe.
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Alderman Stephen Moutray honoured to hold the high office of Lord Mayor
Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh
Alderman Stephen Moutray has officially taken up office as the new Lord Mayor following the Annual Meeting of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council on Monday 2 June.
The married father-of-three was co-opted onto council in December 2018 and was subsequently re-elected to represent the Lurgan District Electoral Area in 2019 and in 2023.
A member of the DUP since 1979, his long and distinguished career in local politics made him a strong candidate among his party colleagues to hold the highest civic office within council.
Having held leadership positions on key council committees in recent years, his wealth of experience will be an asset as he assumes the responsibilities of Lord Mayor.
These include Chair of the Economic Development and Regeneration Committee from 2019 to 2020 and later Vice-Chair from 2021 to 2022. He also chaired the Governance, Resources and Strategy Committee from 2022 to 2023.
He previously served as a councillor on Craigavon Borough Council from 2001 to 2013 and held the office of Mayor from 2010 to 2011.
While serving as an MLA for Upper Bann from 2003 to 2016, he played a key role in economic development, environmental policies, community engagement, and was actively involved in shaping initiatives that impacted the region.
Taking over from SF Councillor Sarah Duffy, the new Lord Mayor said:
“It is a huge honour and privilege to serve as the First Citizen for the borough. I am so proud to take on this important ambassadorial role and I am really looking forward to the year ahead meeting with businesses, residents and communities and welcoming visiting dignitaries from home and abroad.
“My top priority is to grow the local economy and do all I can to create a more prosperous business environment while also reinforcing the borough’s reputation as a great place to work, live, and invest.
“Working for my family’s food retail business, I know the local business community is facing significant challenges. I am keen to engage with businesspeople across the borough, with a view to understanding the issues important to them and how the council can further support them.
“I am focused on delivering initiatives that enhance the borough’s economic and social landscape.
“We are fortunate to have a well-connected network of community and voluntary groups that play a vital role in providing essential services and supporting the most vulnerable in our community. They are the backbone of our community, and I want to ensure they are recognised and celebrated for the invaluable work they do.
“I also plan to take time to get to know council staff working in all departments and based at different locations across the borough. I am keen to thank them for their hard work and dedication to providing essential services to the whole community.”
He also thanked his DUP party colleagues for entrusting him with his senior civic role and his family for their unstinting support during what will be an extremely busy year ahead.
During his term, the Lord Mayor has pledged to raise funds for the Southern Area Hospice Services and Epilepsy Action Northern Ireland. He has a personal connection to both charities, having observed the positive impact that their respective specialist palliative care and support services have had on close family members.
Outside of work commitments, he enjoys a range of activities such as travelling, walking, and spending quality time with his family and five grandchildren who bring him so much joy.
APNI Councillor Jessica Johnston has also been elected Deputy Lord Mayor for the incoming year, taking over from UUP Councillor Kyle Savage.
The 25-year-old from Donaghcloney is the youngest elected representative to hold this senior position on the council. Councillor Johnston was co-opted onto council in May 2022 to represent the Lagan River Area and was subsequently re-elected in 2023.
Her appointment is a historic moment for her party as she is the first member to hold this prestigious civic role. The Alliance Party first had representation on the council after gaining three seats at the 2019 local elections.
The new Deputy Lord Mayor currently works as a researcher for the Deputy Leader of the Alliance Party, Eóin Tennyson MLA.
Speaking about her appointment, the new Deputy Lord Mayor said:
“I am immensely proud to step into this honorary role at such an early stage in my political career and thrilled to be representing people in the place I call home.
“My greatest aspiration is to use this unique platform to make a lasting impact on the local community.
“As a strong advocate for youth engagement in politics, I hope to encourage young people from all backgrounds to get involved in shaping policies that directly impact their lives.
“With fitness a big part of my lifestyle, I am passionate about increasing people’s access to local leisure facilities and promoting the benefits of sport and exercise for both physical and mental health.
“During my term in office, I hope to raise awareness about the Macmillan Move More programme and the vital work it does locally, with council support, to encourage people living with cancer to become more physically active.
“I am also keen to support local cancer charities as my family, like many others, has been impacted by this disease.”
After graduating from Queen’s University Belfast in 2021 and working in the local hospitality industry during her studies, she previously worked in a graduate role at the University’s Widening Participation Unit. She is a member of the Donacloney Primary School Board of Governors and the Lurgan College Board of Governors.
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Cllr McHugh elected Mayor and pledges Inclusive Leadership with a focus on the local community
Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry
Cllr McHugh elected Mayor and pledges Inclusive Leadership with a focus on the local community
2 June 2025
Derry City and Strabane District Council tonight elected a new Mayor to represent the City and District for the incoming 2025-26 year; Sinn Fein’s Cllr Ruairi McHugh accepted the Mayoral chain from his predecessor Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr at the Council’s AGM in the Guildhall.
The new Mayor will be supported in his role by the DUP Deputy Mayor Alderman Niree McMorris. Formally accepting the chain of office, Mayor Ruairi McHugh from his predecessor Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr said he felt “very proud and humbled “ to be given the opportunity to take up the Mayoral position and made a commitment that his Mayoral year would be focused on inclusive leadership, continued development, and unwavering support for the community.
The Mayor, a proud native of Castlederg, highlighted a deep connection to the community and a strong family legacy of public service. He spoke of the steadfast support from the people of Derg Ward, who have consistently returned him to office since 2008. The Mayor also paid tribute to party colleagues, particularly his own party Sinn Fein, and acknowledged the influence of mentors like Maolíosa McHugh MLA.
A poignant moment in the speech was the remembrance of departed party comrades and family members, including the Mayor’s late father, Charlie, who was among the first Sinn Féin Councillors elected to the former Strabane Council in 1985. He said: “I hope that he is by my side and is also as proud of me, as I am of him, as I take on this position of Mayor.”
Mayor McHugh emphasised the exciting period ahead for the Council and District with the ambitious City Deal and capital spending plan to include new state-of-the-art sports and leisure facilities for Strabane and Templemore, and ongoing regeneration efforts in Castlederg and other areas across the District. He said the City and Growth Deal funding had huge transformative potential with the capacity to create jobs and unlock the region’s full economic capability.
While acknowledging the impact of sustained cuts from the British Government on local authorities, the Mayor expressed confidence in navigating these challenges through collaboration with the Assembly and Executive, paying tribute to interventions by Economy Ministers Conor Murphy and Caoimhe Archibald regarding the City of Derry Airport as an example of what can be achieved through political will.
The Mayor took the opportunity to reflect on global events, specifically addressing the ongoing conflict in Palestine. He said he was extremely proud of the Council’s consistent stance for peace and justice, adding: “There is a duty on political leaders to speak out against injustice and what we are witnessing in Palestine is a genocide. It cannot be allowed to continue. It must stop. There must be a ceasefire now and an end to the unjustifiable slaughter of a defenceless civilian population.”
Mayor McHugh reiterated his commitment to inclusivity saying: “I believe in the concept of an inclusive Mayor and that showing positive political leadership, building reconciliation, respect and prosperity in this society is a collective responsibility, “adding that he was dedicated to work in collaboration with all council members to ensure first-class services and equitable distribution of resources for all citizens.
Concluding, Mayor McHugh extended his thanks to the outgoing Mayor Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr and Deputy Mayor Alderman Darren Guy for their year’s service. He extended his congratulations to the Deputy Mayor Alderman McNiree saying he looked forward to working with her during his tenure.
In closing, Mayor McHugh announced the two charities that will be the focus of fundraising efforts throughout his Mayoral year: PIPS Suicide Prevention Derry and The Castlederg Patient and Comfort Terminally Ill Fund.
Mayor McHugh acknowledging the fantastic work that the charities do said: “There’s probably no-one present here or throughout this District who hasn’t been affected by suicide in some way or had a very sick family member or friend receive medical care at home due to a life limiting illness” highlighting the invaluable work both organisations perform across the council area,” adding that he was committed to doing what he can to raise their profile and raise as much money as possible during his term in office.
Waterside based elected member Alderman Niree McMorris accepting her role as Deputy Mayor said it was a proud occasion for her and her family saying: “I pledge to represent everyone from our city and district and I will support our Mayor to carry out all civic duties, both fairly and compassionately. This role is an honour and privilege and I am delighted to be able to serve the good people of both Londonderry and Strabane district.”
The meeting is broadcast live on the Council’s Youtube where it can be watched back.
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MIL-OSI USA: As Congress Comes Back into Session, Rep. Craig Continues Leading Charge to Protect SNAP, Urges Senate to Reject Cuts to Food Assistance
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, as Congress comes back into session following a week-long district work period, U.S. Representative Angie Craig is continuing to lead the charge to protect the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and ensure Minnesota’s kids, seniors, veterans and people with disabilities can put food on the table.
Last month, House Republicans passed a partisan budget bill that cut nearly $290 billion from SNAP – a program that is under the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Agriculture.
As the top Democrat on the Committee, Rep. Craig has been sounding the alarm about potential cuts to SNAP for months, consistently speaking out about the impacts they will have on working families across Minnesota – like her own family, who relied on food assistance at various points during her childhood. Last month, Rep. Craig led a two-day markup during which she and her Democratic colleagues offered amendments to the budget bill, while Republicans were largely absent or silent. She also testified against the bill’s SNAP cuts before the House Committee on Rules during an overnight hearing that lasted more than 21 hours.
“The Republicans’ budget will make America hungrier, poorer and sicker. Parents struggling to afford groceries for their families and seniors living on fixed incomes will have their food taken away if this bill becomes law,” Rep. Craig said in response to House Republicans’ passage of their partisan budget bill. “At a time when grocery prices are going up and retirement accounts are going down, we must protect the basic needs programs that help people afford food and health care.”
“As a mother and someone who needed food assistance at periods in my own childhood, I condemn this attempt to snatch food off our children’s plates to fund tax breaks for large corporations,” Rep. Craig continued. “I call on my Senate colleagues to stop this attack on working Americans that takes food away from families and threatens a full, five-year bipartisan farm bill.”
Below is a timeline of Rep. Craig’s efforts to combat House Republicans’ reckless cuts to SNAP.
House Republicans’ budget bill shifts up to 25% of SNAP’s cost share from the federal government to individual states. In Minnesota, the state government would have to fill a $220 million gap in order to ensure that the more than 440,000 Minnesotans who receive food assistance through SNAP are able to stay on the program.
SNAP also helps support Minnesota’s economy. According to the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families $1.2 billion in SNAP benefits have been spent at Minnesota grocery stores, farmers markets and food retailers – generating up to $1.50 in economic activity for every dollar spent.
According to data from the National Grocers Association, SNAP supports 4,099 jobs, $206 million in wages, $18 million in state taxes and had a $616.7 million economic impact on retailers, grocers and supplier industries in the state. According to an analysis by the Center for American Progress, 88 retailers in Minnesota are in danger of closing due to these cuts.
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MIL-OSI Video: Election of the 80th President of the General Assembly – UN Chief remarks | United Nations
Source: United Nations (Video News)
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, after the election said, “this is a moment for us to unite, to forge common solutions and to take action to confront these challenges. President elect Baerbock ‘s vision, Better Together, is an inspiring rallying cry for today’s world and the global problem-solving system embodied by the United Nations to address these challenges.”
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MIL-OSI Video: (EN/DEU) Annalena Baerbock (President Elect, General Assembly), on her election | United Nations
Source: United Nations (Video News)
Comments to the media by Annalena Baerbock, President Elect of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on her election.
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MIL-OSI Video: Lieutenant Commander Kamryn Jones hosts This Week at DHS
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
Secretary Noem hit the world stage, meeting with allies across 4 countries to strengthen America’s security.
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MIL-OSI Video: 🚨Nearly 1,500 illegal aliens were arrested by ICE during monthlong enforcement operation targeting
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
ICE announced today that nearly 1,500 illegal aliens were arrested during a monthlong enforcement operation targeting transnational organized crime, gangs, and egregious illegal alien offenders throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Details at https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-federal-partners-arrest-nearly-1500-illegal-aliens-massachusetts-during
Watch this morning’s press conference at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s5UhY4aSs4
#ice #shorts #shortvideo
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MIL-OSI USA: Veterans fume after VA partially blames them for overpayments it claws back
Source:
Christopher Praino signed a waiver relinquishing his disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs after he was ordered to active duty in fall 2019.
In a letter, the VA confirmed it would terminate his roughly $965 monthly payments because, by law, he could not receive both VA benefits and active-duty pay at the same time.
But the agency did not fully halt the payments. Instead, it sent various monthly amounts over the next three years, ranging from $0 to over $2,000, Praino’s records show.
“The VA never stopped,” he said, “after response after response, call after call, walk-in after walk-in.”
In 2023, despite Praino’s repeated efforts to rectify the inconsistent installments that should have ended years ago, the VA informed him in a letter that he owed nearly $68,000. That year, the government began automatically clawing some of the money out of his military paychecks, which he uses to support five children and his wife, leaving him in dire financial straits.
“No words can tell you the emotional, mental and physical heartache I have every day dealing with this,” he said. “It’s eating away at me.”
In a recent congressional oversight hearing focused on why the VA regularly overpays veterans and then asks for the money back, agency officials partially blamed veterans for the exorbitant errors, telling lawmakers that some veterans have been failing to report eligibility changes that would have lowered their monthly disability compensation or pension payments.
But Praino and two other veterans told NBC News they did notify the VA in a timely manner. Yet, records show the agency continued overpaying them for months, sometimes years, before asking for the money back.
The long-delayed adjustments, which can cause veterans to incur life-changing debts, may indicate another operational shortfall at the VA weeks after officials testified that the agency doles out about $1 billion in overpayments each year due to administrative errors and other factors. The VA overpaid about $5.1 billion in disability compensation and pension payments from fiscal year 2021 to fiscal year 2024, according to Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, who chairs the House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
The issue is recurring and getting worse, Luttrell told NBC News, even as the Trump administration has cut billions of dollars in grants and slashed thousands of federal jobs in an attempt to trim what it sees as waste and inefficiency in federal spending.
“It’s not the veterans’ fault,” Luttrell said. “It’s the system that is failing.”
In a statement, VA press secretary Peter Kasperowicz said the agency, under new leadership, is “working hard to fix longstanding problems, such as billions of dollars per year in overpayments.”
Luttrell said the overpayment issue is complex, largely stemming from tiers of human error and an outdated computer system that he said does not adequately allow information to be shared between local and national VA offices.
“You have to get the software to talk to each other. You have to get the veterans to communicate. You have to get the actors inside the VA to move accordingly, and then you have to make sure the system is lined out as it needs to be,” he said. “That is such a complex problem set to solve.”
‘The processes are broken’
In 2015, after his divorce was finalized, veteran Brent Aber said he went to his local VA’s office in Akron, Ohio, to remove his ex-wife as a dependent.
“I thought, OK, all is done,” he said.
Aber said it felt like he was officially closing a difficult chapter in his life. But eight years later, another nightmare emerged when the national VA’s Debt Management Center sent him a letter, notifying him that he had to pay back more than $17,700.
Aber, who served in both the Navy and Army for a dozen years, said he called the VA to find out how he accrued this debt. He said he was told that different VA computer systems do not communicate with one another, meaning the dependent removal may have never been registered nationally, and his monthly payments had not decreased as they should have. Kasperowicz, the VA spokesperson, disputed claims made by Aber and Luttrell about the computer systems, saying the VA has had a centralized claims system since 2013 that “ensures updated information is reflected” for each veteran. Upon follow-up, Luttrell could not be reached for comment on the VA’s dispute.
Kasperowicz did not offer an explanation as to what happened in Aber’s case and said the VA has no record of his dependent change request from 2015.
Aber said he spent more than a year fighting the recoupment and claimed financial hardship. But in May, the VA began withholding nearly $500 from his monthly compensation payments until the debt is cleared.
To make up for the loss, Aber, who lost both of his legs in a training accident and is now mostly bedridden, said he stopped using a house cleaning service and is mostly eating cheaper, microwavable food.
“I provided all the paperwork at the time of the divorce, but that didn’t seem to matter,” he said.
The 50-year-old said the VA’s recoupment hurts more as he fights for medical care.
He said he has been struggling with severe pain and swelling since he underwent revision surgery on his limbs about two years ago with the hopes of getting fitted again for prosthetics.
While Aber said his primary care doctor referred him to an orthopedic surgeon with expertise in double amputations, he said the VA denied the referral.
Kasperowicz said the “entirety of the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System orthopedic section” and other health care providers have evaluated Aber and “all have agreed that there are no additional surgical options that would provide him pain relief or improved function.”
“The medical consensus is to continue amputee clinic, physical therapy, pain management and behavioral health treatments to address the complexity of his condition,” Kasperowicz said.
Aber said the double battle he has been waging against the VA has left him feeling frustrated and betrayed.
“I feel like I’ve been completely done wrong,” he said.
In Bonaire, Georgia, veteran John Mullens reported a dependent change in February after his 18-year-old son became eligible for a separate VA educational benefit that provides monthly payments to cover the cost of school. By law, veterans cannot receive both benefits at the same time, which Mullens knew from his own research. NBC News reviewed records from his VA portal, showing he filed a request to remove a dependent on Feb. 18. The claim was assigned to a reviewer on Feb. 19, the portal shows. And there were no other updates until May when Mullens received a letter from the VA, alerting him to the duplicate payments, which the VA said resulted in about $340 in overpayments each month.
“They did nothing with the information and continued to overpay me,” Mullens, 55, said. “The processes are broken.”
Kasperowicz said it currently takes an average of about 21 days for the VA to remove a dependent and an average of about 91 days to add one.
Of the nearly $1.4 billion overpaid in fiscal year 2021, Kasperowicz said about $913 million was related to dependent changes.
The VA does not track data showing how many veterans in overpayment cases actually did report changes on time, Kasperowicz said.
The overpayments sometimes span many years. In 2023, the VA temporarily suspended the collection of pension debts for thousands of low-income wartime veterans and their survivors after the agency identified an issue with its income verification that led to overpayments between 2011 and 2022.
On May 14, Luttrell and other members of the House subcommittee pressed VA officials to explain how the agency planned to fix the problem.
Nina Tann, executive director of the VA’s compensation service, testified that the agency, which serves about 9.1 million people, has a “heightened risk” of making improper payments due to the large number of beneficiaries and the high-dollar amounts it doles out.
Tann said the agency has taken steps to prevent, detect and correct the issue, including being better about notifying veterans that they need to report changes.
Tann also said the VA fixed an administrative error in January that had been causing duplicate payments for about 15,000 veterans with dependents in fiscal year 2024. The agency did not force those veterans to repay the money, she said.
Kasperowicz said the VA does not seek to recoup overpayments when administrative errors, including issues related to the VA’s online filing platform, are to blame.
But Praino, who owes almost $68,000 after re-enlisting, said it has been challenging to prove the VA made an administrative error.
“They will not admit any mistake,” said Praino, 42, an Army sergeant first class, who has been serving in the National Guard full time since 2019.
The VA did not immediately comment on Praino’s case.
The VA transferred Praino’s debt to the Treasury Department, which notified Praino in a December 2023 letter that it is required to withhold up to 15% of his federal wages. The Treasury Department began automatically garnishing about $800 from his monthly paychecks in 2023, according to documents provided by Praino.
Praino, who is based in Georgia, now takes home about $3,800 a month, which he said barely covers the rent. With car payments, student loans and other expenses and bills, Praino said he has been racking up his credit card with essential purchases like food for his family.
Praino said he has post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and traumatic brain injury after first serving in the Navy from 2001 to 2003 and then in the Army.
“When you add a financial crisis to the mix, and you’re continuing to serve, which is always a high-stress environment 24/7, my emotional state, my mental state, it is a wreck,” he said.
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MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar Announces 2025 Service Academy Appointments
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar’s (FL-27)
span>Miami, FL – Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) proudly announced the appointment of four outstanding students from Florida’s 27th Congressional District to the United States Service Academies. These exceptional young men and women were nominated by the Congresswoman and accepted by their respective academies for the Class of 2029.
“It is an incredible honor to nominate such talented and patriotic young leaders to our nation’s prestigious service academies,” said Rep. Salazar. “I was deeply impressed by their passion to serve our country and defend America’s values around the world. I have no doubt they will represent South Florida with pride, strength, and excellence—and make our community proud.”
The appointed students are:
- Lucia Castillo-Rios – U.S. Naval Academy
Palmetto Bay | Our Lady of Lourdes Academy
- Austin Nelson – U.S. Air Force Academy
Palmetto Bay | Cutler Bay Senior High
Miami | Palmetto Senior High School
- Natan Rowand – U.S. Military Academy at West Point
Cutler Bay | Westminster Christian School
These appointments reflect the students’ academic achievements, leadership skills, and commitment to serving our country. Each service academy offers a rigorous education and military training, preparing cadets and midshipmen to become the next generation of officers in the United States Armed Forces.
Background
Our nation’s service academies represent the gold standard of excellence, leadership, and integrity for America’s armed forces, making acceptance into these institutions an extraordinary honor and achievement. The honor of attending a U.S. service academy comes with a solemn obligation: graduates must serve at least five years in the U.S. military. Each year, the nomination process is highly competitive. Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar interviews many exceptional applicants from across the district, evaluating academic performance, leadership, character, and dedication to service.
Each congressional office may nominate up to fifteen individuals per academy vacancy.
To request a nomination from Congresswoman Salazar, you can start by visiting Rep. Salazar’s website or by emailing FL27.ACADEMY@MAIL.HOUSE.GOV.
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MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Tackling barriers to collecting road traffic fines and parking charges from foreign motorists – E-001123/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
Parking policy and enforcement is primarily a municipal matter falling under Member States’ competence.
Technical barriers to be addressed at national level in the future could include for example the use of the latest digital and technical interoperable solutions for parking to scan licence plates.
As regards parking fees levied by city authorities, there is currently no EU legislation for the cross-border data transfer of vehicle- or vehicle holder-data to follow up parking offences, unless such offences constitute road safety related traffic offences (such as, dangerous parking).
If so, Directive (EU)2015/413 as amended[1] will be applicable in the future and the EU-wide information exchange system (e.g. based on EUCARIS[2]) will be available for cross-border data exchange for enforcement purposes.
For parking fees levied by private companies, the European Small Claims Procedure[3] to collect unpaid fees may be used.
Council Framework Decision 2005/214/JHA on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to financial penalties[4] can be applied in cross-border cases for non-payment of financial penalties in case its strict conditions are met.
The procedure applies to all offences for which financial penalties can be imposed, including road traffic offences. The final decision imposing the financial penalty must be issued by a criminal court or an administrative authority.
In the latter case the law has to provide for the person concerned the opportunity to have their case tried by a court having jurisdiction in particular in criminal matters[5].
Only the most severe parking offences (dangerous parking or stopping) meet these criteria. Member States can refuse to recognise and execute the decision, if the financial penalty is below EUR 70.
- [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202403237.
- [2] https://www.eucaris.net/.
- [3] https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/dealing-with-customers/solving-disputes/european-small-claims-procedure/index_en.htm. The procedure covers claims up to EUR 5 000 (excluding expenses) in any EU country except for Denmark.
- [4] OJ L 076 22.3.2005, p. 16.
- [5] See Article 1 (a) (ii) and (iv) of Council Framework Decision 2005/214/JHA.
Last updated: 2 June 2025 -
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – US trade tariffs: measures to support the Greek fruit processing industry – E-001530/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
The EU recently adopted countermeasures against the United States (U.S.) tariffs on steel and aluminium[1] but suspended those for 90 days[2] to allow sufficient space and time for negotiations towards a mutually satisfactory solution. Should these negotiations not be successful, the adopted countermeasures can automatically enter into force.
The EU also continues preparatory work for possible further proportionate countermeasures in response to other additional U.S. import tariffs.
The EU also has at its disposal internal measures to address impacts on EU agricultural producers from situations of market disturbance, including for Greek fruit producers and processing industry.
M ore broadly, the Commission will continue to work on diversifying trade with other partners than the U.S.
Regarding possible trade diversion from China caused by the U.S. tariffs, the Commission is monitoring imports closely to ensure that it detects in good time any potential increase in imports due to trade diversion.
An Import Surveillance Task Force is set up for this purpose. Should there be any noticeable increase in Chinese imports, the EU will be ready to respond appropriately.
U nder the EU-Türkiye trade regime for agricultural products, Türkiye’s liberalisation of agricultural trade towards the EU remains indeed more limited than the EU’s liberalisation towards Türkiye.
A key objective of modernising the Customs Union with Türkiye would be to achieve mutually enhanced market access for trade in agricultural products. However, progress on this modernisation has been stalled when the Council ceased work on it in 2018.
- [1] Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/778 of 14 April 2025 on commercial rebalancing measures concerning certain products originating in the United States of America and amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/886, OJ L, 2025/778, 14.4.2025, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2025/778/oj.
- [2] Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/786 of 14 April 2025 suspending commercial rebalancing measures concerning certain products originating in the United States imposed by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/778 and amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2882, OJ L, 2025/786, 14.4.2025, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2025/786/oj.
Last updated: 2 June 2025 -
MIL-OSI Canada: Strengthening specialized health care in Alberta
Three specialized areas of care – cancer care, organ and tissue services, and emergency health services – are now under the purview of Acute Care Alberta through the creation of three new provincial health corporations. These corporations became legal entities on June 1 and will be fully operational later this year. Acute Care Alberta will oversee integration of these programs across the health system, allowing Alberta Health Services (AHS) to focus on delivering hospital care.
“Cancer care, emergency services, and organ and tissue donation and transplantation are key to a high-functioning health care system. By establishing these provincial health corporations, we are making sure that Albertans in need of these specialized services get the skilled and specific care they require.”
“These provincial health corporations will be dedicated to improving system outcomes, building workforce sustainability and providing specialized expertise. Most importantly, they will focus on offering Albertans the very best care when they need it.”
“Acute Care Alberta will ensure Albertans in need of these crucial health care services receive dedicated care and experience a seamless patient journey throughout the province’s acute care system.”
Cancer Care Alberta will focus solely on providing timely, cutting-edge treatment and services for all Albertans with cancer. It will have enhanced oversight and responsibility for managing its workforce and capital and operational funding related to cancer care. Cancer Care Alberta will also establish a dedicated process to address complaints.
Give Life Alberta will have oversight of all organ and tissue donation and transplantation in the province, including streamlining current processes, advancing organ and tissue donation and transplantation, as well as planning and developing programs for these crucial services. Clinical services will remain with AHS.
Engaging with the emergency services community
The new provincial health corporation for emergency health services will oversee all aspects of emergency care in Alberta. It will focus on faster response times, workforce recruitment and retention, and better coordination of critical services to ensure timely care and efficient resource use across the province.
Transitioning emergency health services to a separate organization under Acute Care Alberta marks a fresh start, allowing for more responsive decision-making, targeted workforce strategies and greater accountability to the minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services, and Albertans. Alberta’s government is working with emergency health services staff and paramedics through a branding exercise to develop a new name and logo for emergency health services.
Throughout the refocusing work, Albertans are accessing health care as they always have. There has been no impact to front-line health care workers and their continued dedication to delivering excellent health care to Albertans.
Related news
- Reinforcing legislation, refocusing health care (May 1, 2025)
- Advancing cancer care and organ tissue services (April 8, 2025)
- Refocusing acute care funding in Alberta (April 7, 2025)
- Refocusing emergency services (March 10, 2025)
- Refocusing continuing care for the future (Jan. 30, 2025)
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MIL-OSI New Zealand: State Highway 1, Clarence closed
Source: New Zealand Police
State Highway 1, Clarence is currently closed near Clarence Valley Road due to a vehicle fire.
The fire was reported at around 6:20am.
No injuries have been reported.
Detours are in place and motorists are advised to expect delays.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
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MIL-OSI USA: FDA Launches Agency-Wide AI Tool to Optimize Performance for the American People
Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3
For Immediate Release:
June 02, 2025[embedded content]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today launched Elsa, a generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool designed to help employees—from scientific reviewers to investigators—work more efficiently. This innovative tool modernizes agency functions and leverages AI capabilities to better serve the American people.
“Following a very successful pilot program with FDA’s scientific reviewers, I set an aggressive timeline to scale AI agency-wide by June 30,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. “Today’s rollout of Elsa is ahead of schedule and under budget, thanks to the collaboration of our in-house experts across the centers.”
Built within a high-security GovCloud environment, Elsa offers a secure platform for FDA employees to access internal documents while ensuring all information remains within the agency. The models do not train on data submitted by regulated industry, safeguarding the sensitive research and data handled by FDA staff.
“Today marks the dawn of the AI era at the FDA with the release of Elsa, AI is no longer a distant promise but a dynamic force enhancing and optimizing the performance and potential of every employee,” said FDA Chief AI Officer Jeremy Walsh. “As we learn how employees are using the tool, our development team will be able to add capabilities and grow with the needs of employees and the agency.”
The agency is already using Elsa to accelerate clinical protocol reviews, shorten the time needed for scientific evaluations, and identify high-priority inspection targets.
Elsa is a large language model–powered AI tool designed to assist with reading, writing, and summarizing. It can summarize adverse events to support safety profile assessments, perform faster label comparisons, and generate code to help develop databases for nonclinical applications. These are just a few examples of how Elsa will be used across the enterprise to improve operational efficiency.
The introduction of Elsa is the initial step in the FDA’s overall AI journey. As the tool matures, the agency has plans to integrate more AI in different processes, such as data processing and generative-AI functions to further support the FDA’s mission.
Prioritizing efficiency and responsibility, the FDA launched Elsa ahead of schedule using an all-center approach. Leaders and technologists across the agency collaborated, demonstrating the FDA’s ability to transform its operations through AI.Consumer:888-INFO-FDA
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The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.
Content current as of:
06/02/2025Follow FDA
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MIL-OSI USA: WA launches police use-of-force database
Source: Washington State News
SEATTLE — The Attorney General’s Office announced today the launch of the Washington State Data Exchange for Public Safety (WADEPS), which is ready to collect use-of-force data from the state’s law enforcement agencies in an effort to improve transparency, trust and evidence-based policymaking.
The exchange is a publicly available, cloud-based platform to help the public see and analyze police use-of-force data. The database, established with robust bipartisan support from the Legislature in 2021, was developed through significant collaboration with law enforcement, community leaders, and criminal justice researchers.
State law requires law enforcement agencies in the state to report incidents involving specific types of force, such as when an officer uses a firearm, Taser, pepper spray, canine, or strikes a person with a weapon or their body. Agencies must report information about the officer and person involved in these use-of-force incidents, such as their age, gender, race and ethnicity.
Law enforcement agencies have through September 2 to begin reporting data. Going forward, agencies must submit use-of-force data monthly. Information about the outcome of an investigation of an incident will be updated within 30 days of when the investigation is complete. WADEPS does not collect personally identifiable information about community members who interact with police.
“A single location with clear, standardized and contextual information will help the public better understand the use of force in Washington,” Attorney General Nick Brown said in a letter sent to law enforcement agencies today. “Law enforcement and policymakers will have common tools to better analyze force and make informed decisions about policing policies and practices.”
WADEPS is operated by Washington State University under a grant agreement with the Attorney General’s Office. A key feature of the system is its ability to put use of force in context. The public will be able to examine whether rates of force differ across different types of incidents, such as police response to an assault, traffic incident, or mental health 911 call.
“The launch of the Washington State Data Exchange for Public Safety marks a critical step forward in ensuring transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making in our justice system,” said Sen. T’wina Nobles, D-Tacoma, sponsor of the original legislation. “This collaborative effort between law enforcement, community leaders, and researchers will help build trust and improve public safety outcomes for all Washingtonians. I’m so proud to have championed this work and look forward to seeing its impact.”
State Sen. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, sponsored the bill’s companion legislation in the House prior to being appointed to the Senate in 2022.
“When we understand the cause of an issue, we can fix it,” Lovick said. “This new data exchange represents Washington state’s commitment to trust, transparency, and accountability. When to use force is one of the most difficult decisions a peace officer must face and we must all work together to ensure that people are safe, and feel safe, in our communities.”
Several law enforcement agencies were early participants in the program. Fife Police Chief Pete Fisher said his department was excited about “WADEPS’ mission to enhance transparency, accountability and real-time analysis of police use of force incidents.”
“Use of force and force outcomes are extremely complex, impacted and influenced by myriad variables that vary significantly between jurisdictions — such as differences in location (e.g., city versus county), crime rates, and numerous other factors. These frequently changing factors make meaningful analysis extremely difficult,” Fisher said. “I have a great deal of confidence that WADEPS can be a mechanism to help police and community members better understand police use of force. If employed properly, it will provide the insight needed to allow police to tailor policy, training, and response for better outcomes. At the same time, it offers a way to demonstrate to stakeholders and the public that the vast majority of police use of force encounters are lawful and reasonable.”
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Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.
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Email: press@atg.wa.gov
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MIL-OSI USA: Ensuring New Yorkers Keep Cool during Extreme Heat
Source: US State of New York
n Global Heat Action Day, Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted new and enhanced resources available to protect New York communities from extreme heat this summer. Measures will help New Yorkers access affordable cooling at home and at cooling centers, provide additional support for cool and resilient buildings, help keep kids cool at schools, and offer new tools and expanded funding for communities to prepare for and adapt to extreme heat and mitigate urban heat islands. The New York State Department of Health also launched its interactive New York State Heat Risk and Illness Dashboard that will allow the public and county health care officials to determine the forecasted level of heat-related health risks in their areas and raise awareness about the dangers of heat exposure.
“Scorching summer temperatures and increasing extreme weather events threaten the lives and well-being of New Yorkers across the state,” Governor Hochul said. “That’s why I’m directing State agencies to take action and ensure all New Yorkers can afford and access relief from the full spectrum of heat risks.”
Heat waves and other extreme heat events are likely to happen again this summer and New York State agencies are working to implement initiatives recommended by the State’s Extreme Heat Action Plan to help New Yorkers prepare for heat’s negative health and environmental impacts. A range of new and enhanced resources are available for individuals, local governments, and community-based organizations, including:
- New support for cooling at home: With the new Essential Plan Cooling program, NY State of Health will provide eligible Essential Plan members a free air conditioner to help keep their homes cool. This will complement assistance available in 2025 through the HEAP Cooling program which served more than 23,000 households in 2024.
- Better access to cooling centers: New resources are available to help connect New Yorkers with safe spaces for cooling. The New York State Department of Health (DOH) and Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) will continue to coordinate with local health departments and emergency managers to update the Cooling Center Finder throughout summer 2025. DOH offers new resources to provide information about best practices for setting up cooling centers and how these locations could serve as clean air centers. Round 8 of the Climate Smart Communities grant program is now open, making $22 million available to fund GHG mitigation and climate adaptation projects, including establishing cooling centers.
- Additional support for cool buildings: Funding available through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) supports weatherization and clean and efficient heating and cooling that can improve extreme heat resilience at homes, community anchor institutions, schools, and more. The Office of General Services’ new “Decarbonization and Climate Resiliency Design Guide” was released for new and majorly renovated State building projects to assess and reduce climate risk (including extreme heat and Urban Heat Islands) through proactive design.
- New investments in cool schools: The Education Law newly requires public school districts and BOCES to develop an extreme heat policy, which establishes certain temperature thresholds. NYSERDA offers additional funding to install clean cooling and heating at schools, for example through funding as part of the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act.
- Enhanced tools and funding for cool communities: Preliminary extreme heat exposure maps and DOH’s Heat Vulnerability Index help communities understand exposure and vulnerabilities. Programs such as Climate Smart Communities fund communities in planning, designing, and implementation solutions. New and expanded funding supports nature-based solutions such as urban forests, urban farms, and community gardens to cool neighborhoods and mitigate heat islands. Governor Hochul’s New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) initiative expanded outdoor swimming through the Connect Kids to Swimming Instruction Transportation grant program and advanced capital projects for swimming facilities in underserved communities through the NY SWIMS Round One competitive grant program.
Implementation of the Extreme Heat Action Plan
New York State also marks significant progress on the first year of implementation of the Extreme Heat Action Plan (EHAP) with the first readiness update now available. In June 2024, Governor Hochul, the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and the EHAP Work Group released the plan with nearly 50 actions by State agencies to address extreme heat impacts across four tracks (local planning and capacity building, community preparedness and workers’ safety, resilient buildings and access to cooling, and advancing ecosystem-based adaptations). DEC is coordinating the implementation of the plan in partnership with NYSERDA and the members of the Work Group, including the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) and the State Department of Health (DOH).
During the first year implementing the plan, State agencies made significant progress in developing new resources that help communities address impacts of extreme heat. The full update on implementation progress is available here.
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Extreme heat driven by our changing climate is contributing to serious public health consequences and threats to New Yorkers, particularly New Yorkers in communities of color and communities historically overburdened by pollution. DEC and our agency partners released the Extreme Heat Action Plan last year under Governor Hochul’s directive and applaud the significant programs and efforts underway to protect lives and advance efforts to ensure our communities are better prepared to respond to severe weather.”
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “On Global Heat Action Day, New York State is strengthening its commitment to providing access to reliable, efficient, and affordable cooling solutions in communities across the state. The resources announced today show tremendous progress in implementing the Extreme Heat Action Plan, assuring all New Yorkers – including the most vulnerable – that relief will be available during the hottest months of the year.”
Staying Safe During Extreme Heat
The dangers of extreme heat can affect everyone, regardless of age, physical shape, or existing health conditions. The body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature during extreme heat and, without taking proper measures, this can lead to heat-related illness or even death.
Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “Extreme heat can be deadly, so it’s important that New Yorkers take it seriously. Governor Hochul has made addressing extreme heat a priority as multiple days of high temperatures are becoming more common here in New York. Our state agencies have worked together to make resources available for communities and residents, including free air conditioners to help those eligible keep their homes cool and a comprehensive online tool to assist individuals looking for cooling centers. I urge everyone to prepare now for the extreme temperatures coming our way this summer.”
State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “As extreme heat becomes more frequent and severe due to climate change, it’s critical that we equip New Yorkers with the tools and resources they need to stay safe and healthy. These new initiatives will not only expand access to cooling centers and protect vulnerable populations, but also help build healthier, more resilient communities. We’re proud to work alongside Governor Hochul and our state partners to ensure that every New Yorker, especially those most at risk, can find relief from extreme heat.”
Information about what the public can do during hot weather and how to locate cooling centers can be found on DOH’s Extreme Heat website.
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can also provide an air conditioning unit to income-eligible households that include someone with a documented medical condition exacerbated by extreme heat, or households with young children or older adults. Applications will continue to be accepted until funding runs out. For more information, visit the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance website or contact your local office for the aging at 1-800-342-9871.
Groups most at risk are:
- People who work outdoors or indoors without air conditioning
- Adults aged 60 years and older
- Infants, children, and those who are pregnant
- People with chronic health conditions
- Those with physical and cognitive disabilities
- Those with no access to air conditioning
- Individuals who live alone or are unhoused
- Athletes
- Pets and service animals
- People living in cities because asphalt and concrete store heat longer and release heat more slowly at night. This produces higher nighttime temperatures and is known as the “urban heat island effect.”
Another important heat safety tip is to never leave children or pets unsupervised in hot cars. There is a real and severe danger when leaving children or pets unsupervised in a car even when temperatures don’t “feel” hot. At 60 degrees outside, after just one hour a closed car can get as hot as 105 degrees.
Supporting Local Extreme Heat Action
New York State continues to make investments in programs to help mitigate extreme heat and other climate impacts. Currently, $22 million is available through the Climate Smart Communities grant program to fund climate change mitigation and adaptation projects, including for projects that help communities plan for and adapt to extreme heat. The deadline for applications is July 31, 2025. More information is available on DEC’s website.
New York State’s Climate Agenda
New York State’s climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors.
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MIL-OSI USA: Barnwell County man arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material* chargesRead More
Source: US State of South Carolina
(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Steven Jeffrey Lynch, 62, of Blackville, S.C., on three charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office made the arrest. Investigators with the Attorney General’s Office, also a member of the state’s ICAC Task Force, assisted with the investigation.
Investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which led them to Lynch. Investigators state Lynch possessed files of child sexual abuse material.
Lynch was arrested on May 28, 2025. He is charged with three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, third degree (§16-15-410), a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count.
This case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.
Attorney General Wilson stressed all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.
* Child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, is a more accurate reflection of the material involved in these heinous and abusive crimes. “Pornography” can imply the child was a consenting participant. Globally, the term child pornography is being replaced by CSAM for this reason.
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MIL-OSI: Correction: Kvika banki hf.: Transaction in relation to a share buy-back programme
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
On Monday 2.6.2025 Kvika announced that post week 22 buy-back Kvika held 157,410,410 of own shares which corresponds to 2.902% of issued shares. However, 157,410,410 of own shares corresponds to 3.34% of issued shares. The revised announcement is as follows:
In week 22 Kvika banki hf. („Kvika“ or „the bank“) purchased 23,000,000 of its own shares at the purchase price ISK 380,150,000. See further details below:
Date Time No. of shares purchased Share price (rate) Purchase price 26.5.2025 10:12:07 1,500,000 15.800 23,700,000 26.5.2025 10:53:38 1,000,000 15.925 15,925,000 26.5.2025 11:11:52 1,000,000 15.875 15,875,000 26.5.2025 13:15:32 1,500,000 15.800 23,700,000 26.5.2025 14:17:22 1,000,000 15.800 15,800,000 26.5.2025 15:19:12 750,000 15.800 11,850,000 27.5.2025 10:18:08 2,000,000 15.975 31,950,000 27.5.2025 11:02:06 1,000,000 15.975 15,975,000 27.5.2025 12:31:33 1,000,000 15.950 15,950,000 27.5.2025 14:09:45 1,500,000 15.900 23,850,000 27.5.2025 15:04:50 1,250,000 15.900 19,875,000 28.5.2025 10:33:34 2,000,000 17.000 34,000,000 28.5.2025 13:21:20 2,000,000 17.350 34,700,000 28.5.2025 14:17:08 1,000,000 17.400 17,400,000 30.5.2025 10:50:38 2,000,000 17.750 35,500,000 30.5.2025 12:10:15 1,500,000 17.700 26,550,000 30.5.2025 14:54:22 1,000,000 17.550 17,550,000 Total 23,000,000 380,150,000 The trade is in accordance with Kvika‘s buyback programme, announced on 22 May 2025 and based on the authorisation of a shareholders‘ meeting of Kvika held on 21 March 2024 and renewed at the Annual General Meeting on 26 March 2025.
Kvika has now purchased a total of 23,000,000 shares under the buyback programme, which corresponds to 0.497% of issued shares in the company. The total purchase price is ISK 380,150,000. Post these transactions Kvika holds 157,410,410 of own shares which corresponds to 3.34% of issued shares.
Buyback under the programme will amount to a maximum purchase price of 2,500,000,000 ISK but for no higher amount than 236,409,591 shares.
The buyback programme is in effect from 22 May 2025 until Kvika‘s annual general meeting 2026. unless the maximum purchase price will be reached before that time.
The execution of the buy-back programme must comply with Act on Public Limited Companies. No. 2/1995. In addition. the buy-back programme must be implemented as provided for in the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council no. 596/2014. on market abuse. as well as the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 on regulatory technical standards for the conditions applicable to buy-back programmes and stabilisation measures. which supplements that Regulation.
Further information please contact Kvika‘s investor relations, ir@kvika.is.
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MIL-OSI USA: Oregon Delegation: Over $80 Million to Support ODOT’s Natural Disaster Recovery Efforts
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
June 02, 2025
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden—along with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05)—announced the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is receiving to $83,215,245 for work it completed to repair roads and other critical infrastructure that were deeply damaged during natural disasters. The federal funds from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will be used to reimburse ODOT for its vital work that was needed to ensure communities across the state can continue to recover from years of severe weather events.
“From the deadly 2020 Labor Day fires to last year’s ice storms, Oregonians in every corner of our state have faced deadly weather events in recent years, which have taken a heavy toll on the infrastructure needed to move safely,” said Merkley. “Supporting disaster recovery efforts should be a nonpartisan issue, and these critical federal funds will support ODOT’s work to repair and rebuild the roads and other important infrastructure that powers our communities. I will keep working to ensure Oregon has the tools needed to recover and become more resilient in the face of future storms while we take on the climate chaos that is intensifying these disasters.”
“The ongoing climate crisis continues to fuel more extreme weather events and wildfires every year,” said Wyden. “Reliable infrastructure is essential to ensuring that first responders and crews are able to effectively protect our communities and beautiful outdoor spaces. I applaud this federal award to ODOT for crucial infrastructure projects across Oregon, and will continue to advocate for more resources to keep our communities safe and connected.”
“Reliable roads are essential for safety, connections, and the economy,” said Bonamici. “This much-needed funding will make a significant difference in repairing important routes people use that were damaged by severe weather.”
“These Emergency Relief grants are crucial for getting our roads and bridges repaired after wildfires and ice storms, especially as climate change continues to make both summer and winter weather events more frequent and more extreme,” said Hoyle. “Communities have been waiting for this support, and I’m glad to see the Department of Transportation respond to our delegation’s call. This funding means safer travel, faster recovery, and stronger communities. I’ll keep fighting to make sure Oregon gets the resources it needs to rebuild and prepare for the future.”
“Wildfires, winter storms, and flash floods are becoming increasingly dangerous – and costly – for our communities,” said Salinas. “My Oregon colleagues and I have been working hard to secure the resources that our state needs to recover and rebuild from these disasters, including funding to repair damaged roads and highways. I’m glad that our efforts are paying off, and I look forward to seeing these dollars put to good use to improve the safety of all Oregonians.”
“Strong infrastructure is essential to keeping Oregonians connected,” said Dexter. “This funding will help us rebuild roads and bridges damaged by the natural disasters that have become far too common. Every community deserves a transportation system that’s safe, resilient, and reliable—for our families and our economy.”
“As wildfire seasons get worse and climate disasters happen more often, our communities and our constituents will need our help,” said Bynum. “We have to deliver the resources and support they need as soon as possible. This funding is critical in helping us rebuild the roads and infrastructure that Oregonians rely on for work, school, emergency services, and more.”
The federal investments for Oregon come through eight awards under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s FHWA Emergency Relief Program, which helps communities hurt by natural disasters and catastrophic events by providing federal funding for them to repair damaged roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure.
“Oregon, like every state, relies on the federal government to support our response to disasters,” said ODOT Director Kris Strickler. “Having confidence in that support is critical to our ability to respond to crises at the scale they demand, repair our transportation system to keep Oregon’s economy moving, and to protect Oregonians from disasters like ice storms, wildfires and flash floods. I want to thank Senators Merkley and Wyden, the rest of Oregon’s federal delegation, and our federal partners for advocating for our state and for the safety of Oregonians.”
Details of the federal funding for ODOT’s natural disaster recovery are as follows:
- $30,735,975 to repair damages following the 2020 Labor Day fires. The wildfires statewide caused damage to federal-aid highways from fire, fallen trees, and falling rocks.
- $23,210,956 for work that repaired damages sustained during severe winter weather in December 2022. The significant rains across Western Oregon caused flooding and landslides. One landslide threatened to block I-84, and a large portion of a hillside came down and wiped-out Highway 101.
- $20,000,000 for infrastructure repairs following the January 2024 ice storm. This significant winter storm covered much of Oregon in ice, causing trees and power lines to come down across roads and damage signs. The same storm dropped several inches of rain in Southern Oregon, causing flooding and landslides.
- $3,164,000 to repair damages following a series of severe winter storms in December 2021. The storms brought excessive rain and high winds across the state of Oregon, lasting until January 10, 2022. Multiple large landslides occurred, temporarily limiting access to I-84, OR 138, OR 30, and several others. Culverts blew out, causing multiple roadway collapses.
- $2,765,399 for work to repair damages from severe storms in February 2019. The storms caused heavy snow and ice accumulation, high winds, flooding, landslides, and erosion in the southwestern and western parts of the state, resulting in critical transportation failures, loss of power and communications capabilities, and emergency mass care needs.
- $2,500,000 for repairs following a series of severe storms in December 2023. The storm system brought heavy rains, flooding, and landslides to five counties and was so severe it caused two roads to collapse—Miami Foley and Sandlake in Tillamook County. It also caused the temporary closure of State Highways 101 and 26. Other federal-aid roads were damaged by scour, washouts, debris flows, and mudslides.
- $538,915 for wildfire recovery efforts following the 2017 fire season. These fires significantly impacted transportation systems in the following counties: Coos, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Lane, Linn, Marion, and Multnomah.
- $300,000 for infrastructure recovery efforts following an atmospheric river in January 2021. The severe storm brought heavy rain across Oregon, causing flooding, landslides, roads to wash out on US 30, I-84, and sinkholes on Hwy 101 and many other major highways across Oregon in early January 2021.
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MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Statement On Trump Justice Department No Longer Cooperating With ABA Vetting & Rating Process Of Judicial Nominees
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
May 30, 2025WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding the Trump-Bondi Justice Department overturning decades of precedent by no longer cooperating with the American Bar Association (ABA) process for vetting and rating of judicial nominees:
“This is a seismic change in the judicial nominations process—an unjustified and blatantly political move by the Trump Administration. This decision overturns a practice that has been in place fornearly 70 years under Republican and Democratic Administrations alike in order to provide cover for unqualified and extreme nominees who would crumble under a nonpartisan review by their peers.
“This decision will ultimately ease the confirmation process for Trump nominees who have demonstrated bias against protected classes, don’t have the judicial temperament to rule fairly from the bench, or don’t have the requisite experience to be confirmed to lifetime appointments as federal court judges, negatively impacting generations of Americans.”
The ABA’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary has been conducting independent peer evaluations of the professional qualifications of judicial nominees since the Eisenhower Administration. The purpose of the rating is to evaluate the professional competence, integrity, and judicial temperament of each nominee. Notably, during the first Trump Administration, 10 judicial nominees were found “Not Qualified” by the ABA—the reasons ranged from lack of temperament to lack of experience—while all 235 confirmed lifetime judges during the Biden Administration had at least a “Qualified” rating, if not a “Well Qualified” rating.
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MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Duckworth, Rep. Kelly Introduce “Wear Orange” Resolution In Observance Of National Gun Violence Awareness Month, Honor Hadiya Pendleton
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
June 02, 2025WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) today introduced the bicameral “Wear Orange” Resolution, which designates June 6, 2025, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day and the entire month of June as National Gun Violence Awareness Month. Each year, nearly 43,000 people in the United States are killed, and 97,000 injured by gun violence.
June 2 is the birthday of Chicago teen Hadiya Pendleton, who was shot and killed in a Chicago park in 2013, just days after performing in the parade for President Obama’s second inauguration. This tragic event moved the lawmakers to designate the first Friday in June as a time to recognize Hadiya nationally.
In Hadiya’s memory, the resolution encourages people to wear orange, the color hunters wear for safety, to promote awareness of gun violence, and to serve as a reminder that people are not targets. Additionally, this resolution aims to bring community leaders together and encourage new approaches to creating safer communities.
“Think about this for a moment—guns are now the number one killer of America’s children. And one in five Americans now say they’ve lost a loved one to gun violence,” Durbin said. “Our country’s gun violence epidemic is simply unacceptable. Hadiya Pendleton was only 15 years old when she was senselessly shot and killed in Chicago. On what would have been—should have been—her 28th birthday, I will proudly ‘Wear Orange’ as a sign of my dedication to finally putting an end to this public health crisis.”
“It’s devastating how often our country is forced to grieve before another wave of senseless gun violence shatters more lives,” said Duckworth. “During this year’s Gun Violence Awareness Month, we must not only honor the victims of gun violence in Chicago and throughout our country, but we must also recommit to taking action that will help keep our children and our communities safe. American families depend on it.”
“When I fight to end gun violence, I fight for every survivor and victim, including Hadiya Pendleton, who was killed in the Second District just months before I was sworn into office,” said Kelly.“Since Hadiya’s family and friends started Wear Orange, the color has become a beacon for action and advocacy. Today, on what would have been Hadiya’s 28th birthday, we remember her legacy and dedicate ourselves to ending this public health crisis that has stolen too many lives.”
Along with Durbin and Duckworth, the resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Peter Welch (D-VT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ruben Gallego (D-NM), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).
Full text of the resolution is available here.
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Dornoch Common Good Fund enables completion of lifeboat station
Source: Scotland – Highland Council
Members of the Sutherland County Committee have today approved a revised budget for the Dornoch Common Good Fund which includes a grant of £25,000 to the East Sutherland Rescue Association.
The grant will be used to construct a concrete apron at Dornoch Lifeboat Station and install a water tank for firefighting in the vicinity of Dornoch Beach car park.
Chair of Sutherland County Committee, Councillor Richard Gale, said: “I am delighted that we have agreed a revised budget which will help support the completion of Dornoch Lifeboat Station. The station is a vital part of our community, and the volunteer team is a true asset to Sutherland.”
East Sutherland Rescue Association opened the new lifeboat station in 2022 which is a dedicated facility ready to respond to emergency callouts from HM Coastguard. The station covers approx. 50 miles of coastline from Helmsdale harbour to Balintore plus inland waters in Sutherland and Ross-shire.
Cllr Gale: “The new lifeboat station is a fantastic facility, and I’m pleased that the Dornoch Common Good Fund can play a part in funding some of the remaining small jobs still to be completed. The work to construct a new concrete apron at the front and side of the lifeboat station will not only help to make lifeboat operations safer but will also facilitate safe and improved access to the beach for pedestrians.”
The £35,000 grants and contributions budget for the Dornoch Common Good Fund was agreed in February 2025 and will now be increased to £60,000 to facilitate the additional grant to Dornoch Firth Independent Lifeboat.
2 Jun 2025
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sutherland County Committee adopts Area Place Plan
Source: Scotland – Highland Council
Members of the Sutherland County Committee have today agreed to adopt the Sutherland County Area Place Plan.
They also agreed to support and promote the plan where possible, giving it consideration within other plans, strategies, development and funding opportunities across Sutherland.
Chair of Sutherland County Committee, Councillor Richard Gale, said: “The Area Place Plan aims to capture the aims and aspirations of our local communities to ensure that Sutherland can thrive as a sustainable, liveable and prosperous community. We will engage with local people to understand the issues and opportunities most important to them and work together to ensure this plan makes a real difference.”
The Sutherland Area Place Plan was developed in conjunction with the Sutherland Community Partnership (SCP), with the Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust leading the review of existing priorities. Face-to-face consultation was carried out throughout the county followed by a series of community engagement sessions in Bettyhill, Kinlochbervie, Golspie, Lochinver and Bonar Bridge.
The emerging priorities of Sutherland have been categorised under three main pillars of People, Place and Prosperity in the Plan which will provide a stronger framework for communities and empower them to drive and deliver change in their areas. Priorities include access to healthcare, community resilience, housing, infrastructure, employment, education and tourism.
Cllr Gale continued: “Community engagement helps us to build a shared understanding of how a place-based approach can shape our vision for the future. By ensuring local voices are heard, we can establish a partnership approach to informing decisions on service delivery, encouraging community collaboration and making best use of the resources available to local people. Area Place Plans are community led, and I look forward to working together to determine how we can best deliver on the priorities that mean the most to the people of Sutherland.”
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Food in Schools project surveys underway
Source: Scotland – Highland Council
The Highland Council’s ‘Food in Schools’ project is a key component of the Council’s Delivery Plan and the Redesign Board Chaired by the Convener of the Council – Councillor Bill Lobban has today (Monday 2 June 2025) launched a range of surveys to better understand the various components of food provision in school settings.
The surveys will be issued by Head Teachers, on behalf of the Food in Schools project team, to current pupils (P1-S6), parents and carers, teachers and non-teaching staff (e.g. Pupil Support Assistants). The Council’s school catering staff and Councillors are also being invited to complete surveys to enable the project team to gather feedback and data for review by the Redesign Board.
Convener of the Council and Chair of Redesign Board, Cllr Bill Lobban said: “Food in Schools is a wide ranging project that cuts across several Council policy areas and services such as waste and recycling as well as school catering. The Redesign Board is fully supportive of the Food in Schools project which is a key part of the Council’s Delivery Plan, and we look forward to reviewing the findings and data from the surveys.”
The Council currently serves 18,000 lunches per day in 173 primary schools and 29 secondary schools and is moving gradually to an annual menu. From 2026 we will update our menus every 12 months after the Easter Break.
Education Committee Chair, Cllr John Finlayson added: “The Council is striving towards improving Food in Schools to help support pupils’ health and wellbeing but to also improve the take up of the food offering provided in schools and to reduce food waste. We continue to consult with pupils and staff to improve the food choices and recipes available.
“Food waste in our schools is a key area where we could see greater efficiencies as well as environmental benefits. I encourage our young people and families to support the ‘Food in Schools’ project by completing the surveys that will help shape positive changes.”
Stakeholders will be invited to take part in tailored surveys over the next two weeks, the results of which will be reported to a future meeting of the Redesign Board. Following an initial workshop with the Redesign Board, the focus of these surveys is take-up of school meals, including free school meals, our current operating model and learning from leading practice, and reducing the cost of food by reducing the amount of food waste. After the survey results have been analysed, further work will be undertaken to review the scope of the project and the range of inter-connected policy areas which support this important service for our young people.
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The Highland Council to trial ballot paper overlay to make voting more accessible
Source: Scotland – Highland Council
In a recent survey of blind and partially sighted people, only a quarter feel that the current system allows them to vote independently and in secret. We want to change that.
The Highland Council is trialling a new tactile aid, called a ballot paper overlay during the Ward 6, Cromarty Firth and Ward 10 Eilean a’ Cheò by-elections. This is a simple, cost-effective cardboard template which is placed over a ballot paper. The overlay has cut out areas which match up with the voting boxes on the ballot paper. There are braille and embossed areas next to each voting box which help the user find their way around the ballot paper. it can easily be separated from the ballot paper, after voting, to maintain secrecy.
When used alongside an audio reading of the ballot paper, the overlay can act as a self-service solution for blind and partially sighted voters to vote independently and in secret.
Returning Officer, Derek Brown said: “I am delighted that we will be trialling the ballot paper overlay when voters in Wards 6 and 10 go to the polls on Thursday 19 June. When everyone can cast their vote freely and confidently, we all move closer to a fairer, more representative society. Accessible voting isn’t just a right—it’s a powerful reminder that every person matters, and every vote shapes the future we share.”
The Highland Council is trialling this aid in advance of the Scottish Parliament elections to provide voter feedback and raise awareness of this new accessibility aid. There are other aids available in the polling station, including magnifiers and large print ballot paper copies, staff are there are support you when you vote.
If you, or someone you support needs assistance or information about what we can do to support you when vote in a polling station, please contact the Elections Team election@highland.gov.uk or visit Local Government By-election | Local Government Elections | The Highland Council
2 Jun 2025
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Applications Now Open for Highland Council’s Strategic Events Grant
Source: Scotland – Highland Council
The Highland Council is pleased to announce the official launch of its new Strategic Events Grant Fund, a £75,000 initiative designed to support the region’s dynamic events sector and strengthen the local economy during the quieter shoulder and off-season months.
From today, Monday 2nd June, event organisers across the Highlands can apply for grants ranging from £3,000 to £10,000 to support public events scheduled between September 2025 and March 2026. The fund is part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) programme and aims to stimulate tourism, celebrate local culture, and encourage sustainable economic growth.
Councillor Ken Gowans, Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said:
“We’re excited to officially open applications for this important fund. Events are a powerful way to bring communities together, attract visitors, and showcase the unique character of the Highlands. By supporting strategic events during the off-season, we’re helping to extend the tourism calendar and build a more resilient regional economy.”
The fund is open to a wide variety of public events, including music, food and drink, cultural, sports, and nature-based festivals. Priority will be given to events that demonstrate strategic value, such as those that encourage overnight stays, promote responsible tourism, and align with national and regional strategies including Scotland the Perfect Stage 2024–2035 and The Highland Council’s Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2024–2030.
Applications are open now and will close at midnight on Monday 30 June 2025. Successful applicants will be notified by mid-July.
For full eligibility criteria and to apply, visit Apply for Event Funding | Organising Events | The Highland Council
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MIL-OSI USA: Boyle Slams Trump Administration for Closing Local Job Corps Centers
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brendan Boyle (13th District of Pennsylvania)
PHILADELPHIA, PA — Today, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) issued the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s order to shut down every Job Corps center nationwide—including the Keystone Center in Hazelton, the Philadelphia Center, and the Red Rock Center in Lopez—by June 30, 2025:
“Job Corps centers are economic engines that support hundreds of good-paying local jobs, keep our communities thriving, and strengthen our broader economy. Closing them now delivers a devastating blow to working families, undermines the workforce pipeline Congress unanimously funded, and jeopardizes Pennsylvania’s economic health. I will continue fighting to keep these centers open, safeguard local jobs, and protect our state’s economic future.”
Background:
On May 29, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor issued “Termination for Convenience” notices to all 99 Job Corps centers—ordering closures by June 30, 2025—despite funding having been appropriated through June 30, 2026. Since 2023, more than 4,200 Pennsylvania residents have enrolled at these centers, which collectively train over 1,350 young adults each year, sustain nearly 450 local jobs, and generate more than $67 million annually for our economy. The Philadelphia Center alone serves 400 students in eight in-demand career areas—Construction, Healthcare, Culinary Arts, and Renewable Resources—employs 92 local staff, and contributes roughly $17 million each year to the region.
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MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Import of poultry meat and products from Maricopa County of State of Arizona in US suspended
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Import of poultry meat and products from Maricopa County of State of Arizona in US suspendedIssued at HKT 19:10
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (June 2) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Maricopa County of the State of Arizona in the United States (US), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 12 290 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat, and about 1.19 million poultry eggs from the US in the first three months of this year.
“The CFS has contacted the American authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.
Ends/Monday, June 2, 2025
Issued at HKT 19:10