NewzIntel.com

Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI USA: We Didn’t Need New Laws to Stop Illegal Immigration, We Just Needed a New President

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

    WASHINGTON — The dangerous, destructive border crisis was the defining issue of the Biden Administration. For four years, President Biden purposefully allowed millions of illegal aliens to flood into American communities, placing Americans in grave peril. Illegal aliens with no right to be here, committed acts of unspeakable violence against our citizens, put massive strain on our national and local resources, and overworked our brave law enforcement officers. Those days are over.

    “President Trump has kept his word to the American people and secured the border. In fewer than five months, the number of border encounters, known gotaways, drug smuggling, and migrant crossings are at record lows. The Trump Administration has made clear that we didn’t need a new set of laws to secure the border; all we needed was a new President,” Speaker Johnson said.

    Click here to watch

    “But the safety and security of the American people can only be maintained if the Administration gets the additional resources it needs. Through the One Big Beautiful Bill, Republicans in Congress will deliver the largest investment in border security in a generation and provide federal law enforcement with the resources necessary to permanently fortify our borders against foreign invaders and detain and deport the millions of illegals the Biden Administration allowed into our country.” Speaker Johnson continued.

    ALL WE NEEDED WAS A NEW PREDSIDENT

    President Biden created and presided over the worst border crisis this country has ever experienced. Over 10 million aliens were encountered at our borders. The average number of monthly border encounters was nearly 160,000. Hundreds from the terrorist watch list were encountered at our southern border, and an untold number of known gotaways escaped into our country. By 2024, there were over 660,000 noncitizens with criminal histories in our country.

    President Trump changed all of that in just a matter of weeks. In March of 2025, the average number of monthly encounters was just under 7,200 – the lowest monthly number of border encounters in recorded HISTORY. This represents a 95.5% reduction in monthly encounters. Since President Trump took office:

    • Daily border encounters are down by 93%
    • Encounters with “gotaways” are down by 95%
    • Migrant crossings are down by 99.99%

    It’s not just border security the Trump Administration is delivering on; it’s interior enforcement too. Just last week, the Trump Administration conducted the largest raid ever in Massachusetts, resulting in the arrests of nearly 1,500 illegals, and the One Big Beautiful Bill will enable ICE to detain and deport at least 1 million illegal aliens annually.

    THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT HELPS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CONTINUE DELIVERING ON ITS PROMISES

    The One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes the most significant investment in border security and deportations in history. It funds the completion of the border wall and makes significant investments in ICE and CBP.

    • Makes the largest investment in border security and interior enforcement, providing over $150 billion to secure the border and deport illegal aliens
    • Includes $45 billion to expand ICE detention capacity
    • Provides $46 billion to finish 701 miles of primary wall, 900 miles of river barriers, 629 miles of secondary barriers, and 141 miles of vehicle and pedestrian barriers.
    • Provides $12 billion in funding to hire 10,000 new ICE personnel, 5,000 new customs officers,  3,000 new Border Patrol agents, and 1,000 criminal investigators, among others
    • Includes $1.2 billion to hire 200 immigration judges and to expand immigration courtroom space
    • Includes $12 billion to reimburse states who expended resources securing the border where the Biden Administration failed

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Union Scores Big Wins in Federal Sector Organizing Effort

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    As part of a strategic initiative to organize workers across National Parks and the Forest Service, the IAM Organizing Department and National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) has secured multiple election victories within the National Parks and Forest Service — all in Colorado. These wins collectively cover an impressive 650 employees, laying the groundwork for stronger worker representation and protections in the federal workforce.

    IAM Assistant Organizing Coordinator Jerry McCarty, with vital support from IAM Organizing Assistant Director Juan Eldridge, Special Representative Art Jackson, and multiple NFFE-IAM representatives, have filed dozens of election petitions since the start of the year.

    “We already knew a lot of these Forest Service folks,” said McCarty. “When the Trump Administration started threatening federal workers, people started reaching out for support. We are the largest union in the Forest Service already, and they knew we had their backs.”

    “We had a meeting on top of Yosemite Mountain,” said IAM Assistant Organizing Director Juan Eldridge. “Park rangers, biologists, firefighters—it was a wide mix of folks who just wanted a voice and some protection in their workplace.”

    Each unit required separate elections for what the forest service deemed professional and non-professional workers, but the energy on the ground among all was overwhelmingly pro-union.

    “We ended up signing them all up—just like dominoes,” said McCarty. “We’ve got at least another 30 or 40 election petitions filed right now. We’re talking about 3,000 more people by the end of this year.”

    This surge of new members will be covered under a master agreement already in place for Forest Service and National Park Service workers.

    A few of the most notable newly-organized locations are Pike San Isabel National Forest, San Juan National Forest, and Arapaho Roosevelt National Forest and Pawnee Grasslands.

    “It’s been 99% yes votes in some places,” said McCarty. “These workers are pumped to have union protection.”

    McCarty now has his sight set on 7,000 currently unrepresented U.S. Geological Survey employees.

    “We don’t plan on losing a single one of these elections,” said McCarty. “It’s been a real team effort, and the IAM Organizing Department has been behind us every step of the way.”

    “We are putting a lot of support from the International on these organizing efforts for workers in the federal sector,” said IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennet. “During a time when federal employees most need support, the IAM is there to stand with them and fight for them. This is all part of a greater effort to bring strong representation to workers in all our industries with large-scale organizing push.”

    As the victories pile up, the IAM’s federal sector campaign is becoming a model of effective organizing, proving that even the most remote workers in the most uncertain times can find power in a union.

    The post IAM Union Scores Big Wins in Federal Sector Organizing Effort appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Union Applauds House Freshmen for Supporting Fair Trade Policies

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    IAM Union International President Brian Bryant recently expressed his appreciation to a coalition of House Freshmen for signing a letter supporting fair trade practices, including a renegotiation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the reauthorization of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program.

    “On behalf of the 600,000 active and retired members of this very diverse union, I want to thank these House Freshmen who understand the importance of fair trade policy,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “U.S. trade policy has led many news headlines in recent months, and this letter underscores the importance of renegotiating the USMCA to protect domestic manufacturing in areas like aerospace, reauthorizing the U.S. Labor Department’s TAA program, and enacting strategic tariffs that punish bad actors and protect U.S. jobs.”

    Rep. Josh Riley (NY-19) and Rep. Lateefah Simon (CA-12) led 18 of their colleagues in a letter to President Trump and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer calling for a trade policy that strengthens America’s middle class, rebuilds the U.S. industrial base, and safeguards family farms and small businesses.

    “For too long, bad trade deals have been written in Wall Street boardrooms and rubber-stamped in political backrooms—while towns from Endicott to Ellenville got sold out,” said Rep. Josh Riley. “I came to Congress to give blue-collar towns a real voice in trade talks. I’ll work with anyone from any party who wants to rethink trade in a way that supports American farmers, builds American factories for American workers, and strengthens national security.”

    “I’m proud to represent the Port of Oakland, the largest refrigerated cargo export port in the United States,” said Rep. Lateefah Simon. “Tariffs are not inherently bad, but President Trump’s chaotic, self-imposed tariff war has been a disaster for the U.S. economy. That’s why I am leading my freshman colleagues to call on the president to fix U.S. trade policy to support workers, small businesses, and the environment.”

    The members outlined four key areas of proposed collaboration:

    1. Improving the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA):

    • Include stronger labor and environmental standards.
    • Close China’s USMCA backdoor into U.S. markets.
    • Fix digital trade provisions.

    2. Investing in American Manufacturing:

    3. Reauthorizing Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA):

    • Support and improve TAA for communities impacted by past trade policies.

    4. Pairing Strategic Tariffs with Pro-Worker Laws:

    • Implement tariffs with anti-price gouging and pro-labor reforms.

    Read the full text of the letter here. 

    The IAM continues advocating for trade agreements prioritizing U.S. labor standards, environmental protections, and domestic production.

    The post IAM Union Applauds House Freshmen for Supporting Fair Trade Policies appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: S. 1378, TAME Extreme Weather and Wildfires Act

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    S. 1378 would authorize the appropriation of $105 million for fiscal year 2026 and $25 million annually from 2027 through 2030 for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop comprehensive datasets for training weather forecasting models, in coordination with other federal entities and technical experts.

    The bill also would allow NOAA to:

    • Use artificial intelligence (AI) to disseminate weather and wildfire risk information,
    • Partner with nonfederal entities to study and recommend best practices for AI-based weather forecasting, and
    • Recruit expert personnel to support AI weather forecasting.

    In addition, S. 1378 would require NOAA to report to the Congress on AI-based weather forecasting and potential security risks related to foreign access to weather data.

    The costs of the legislation, detailed in Table 1, fall within budget function 300 (natural resources and environment).

    Table 1.

    Estimated Increases in Spending Subject to Appropriation Under S. 1378
     

    By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars

    		  
     

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

    2030

    2025-2030

    Authorization

    0

    105

    25

    25

    25

    25

    205

    Estimated Outlays

    0

    63

    38

    36

    26

    25

    188

    Using historical spending patterns for similar activities, CBO estimates that implementing S. 1378 would cost $188 million over the 2025-2030 period and $15 million after 2030, assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts.

    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Kelly Durand. The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.

    Phillip L. Swagel

    Director, Congressional Budget Office

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to North Carolina Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought and Extreme Heat

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

     ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in North Carolina of the July 7 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by drought and extreme heat occurring on May 7- Aug. 8, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the North Carolina counties of Camden, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank, Perquimans as well as Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach in Virginia.

    Under this declaration SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

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

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”  

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

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

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 7, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Tennessee Private Nonprofits Affected by Tropical Storm Helene

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Tennessee of the July 9 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by Tropical Storm Helene occurring  Sept. 26, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the counties of Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to PNPs providing non-critical services of a governmental nature with financial losses directly related to the disaster. Example of eligible non-critical PNPs include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.

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

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 3.25% and terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

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

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 9, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Ohio Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Ohio of the July 7 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by drought occurring on Sept. 10, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the Ohio counties of Erie, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca and Wood.

    Under this declaration SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

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

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”  

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

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

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 7, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Local 374 wins top NACBE safety award

    Source: US International Brotherhood of Boilermakers

    It is a testament to our members and contractors who worked the hours and made safety a priority.

    Brad Sievers, L-374 Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer

    Great Lakes Area Local 374 (Hobart, Indiana) earned the John F. Erickson NACBE Safety Award, announced March 31, during the 2025 Construction Sector Operations Conference in Miami, Florida. 

    Each year, the National Association of Construction Boilermaker Employers recognizes local lodges for their members’ dedication to making and keeping workplaces safe. NACBE names one nationwide winner and one winner from each of the remaining U.S. sections. The awards are determined by the lowest injury rates followed by the highest percentage of Boilermaker man-hours worked for NACBE contractors participating in the NACBE safety index.

    Top sectional winners were Western States, L-549 (Pittsburg, California); Northeast, L-154 (Pittsburgh) and Southeast L-433 (Tampa, Florida). 

    “It is a testament to our members and contractors who worked the hours and made safety a priority,” said L-374 Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Brad Sievers.  “We are thankful and proud of our Local 374 brothers and sisters, as well as all the brothers and sisters who traveled to help man our work.”

    NACBE Executive Director Ron Traxler talked about how the NACBE safety program has evolved over time.

    “We learned we couldn’t just talk about safety without our partners. The Boilermakers recognized it takes everyone to make a safe worksite,” he said.  “In 1992, the first regional safety awards were presented to the local with the best safety record. This has promoted the safety culture by cultivating healthy competition among the locals.”

    Traxler also presented the 2024 safety index with 27 contractors reporting on 37.63% of all Boilermaker work from NACBE contractors. Lost-time injury rates were down from .40 in 2023 to .25 for 2024. Compensable injuries were up from 3.22 in 2023 to 3.58 for 2024. The OSHA recordable injury rates were up again for the fifth year in a row from 2023’s .92 to 1.40 in 2024, but OSHA recordable eye injuries were down from seven in 2023 to five in 2024. Compensable eye injuries ticked down from 31 in 2023 to 27 in 2024.   

    Learn more about NACBE’s history  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: SIRT Investigating in Custody Death at Kamsack RCMP Detachment

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 10, 2025

    On Thursday, June 5, 2025, at approximately 8:00 p.m., the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) received a notification from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) regarding a possible in-custody death at the Kamsack RCMP Detachment. 

    SIRT’s Civilian Executive Director accepted the notification as within SIRT’s mandate and directed an investigation by SIRT.

    On June 3, an individual approached a member of the Kamsack RCMP Detachment during a sitting of the Saskatchewan Provincial Court at Kamsack and advised that a family member had outstanding arrest warrants that he wished to deal with. At approximately 12:22 p.m., the man, a 61-year-old, was taken into custody by a member of the RCMP without incident or use of force. The man was transported to the Kamsack RCMP detachment where he was searched and provided with an opportunity to speak with a lawyer. At approximately 12:43 p.m., the man was placed into one of the detachments cells.

    The next day the man appeared in court via CCTV and was held in custody until his next court appearance, which was scheduled for June 6. The man remained in custody at the detachment, but on June 5 at approximately 7:02 p.m., the man was determined to be unresponsive within his cell, and was checked by RCMP members, who subsequently contacted EMS. At approximately 8:37 p.m., EMS arrived at the RCMP detachment, and the man was pronounced deceased. 

    Following the notification, a SIRT team consisting of five SIRT investigators was deployed to Kamsack to begin their investigation. A community liaison will also be appointed pursuant to S.91.12 (1) (a) of The Police Act, 1990. SIRT’s investigation will examine the conduct of police during this incident, including the circumstances surrounding the man’s arrest and the cause of his death. No further information will be released at this time. A final report will be issued to the public within 90 days of the investigation ending.

    SIRT’s mandate is to investigate alleged cases of serious injury, death, sexual assault or interpersonal violence arising from the actions or omissions of on and off-duty police officers, or while an individual is in police custody.

    For updates on SIRT investigations, follow SIRT on X, formerly known as Twitter.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Property owner fined $60,000 for destroying vital fish habitat on Vancouver Island, B.C.

    Source: Government of Canada News

    June 10, 2025

    Courtenay, BC – Protecting fish and fish habit is vital to help sustain and support Canada’s precious marine species. Under Canada’s Fisheries Act, measures must be taken to avoid causing the death of fish and any harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat when conducting any work or activities in or near water.

    On January 23, 2025, in Courtenay Provincial Court, area resident David Tingley was found guilty of failing to correct work that he had done illegally on his property, that affected fish and fish habitat on the Trent River. Mr. Tingley was fined $60,000, which was directed to the Environmental Damages Fund for the conservation and protection of salmon and salmon habitat in the Vancouver Island region.

    The case stems from work carried out without Fisheries Act authorization over successive years on one of Mr. Tingley’s properties, which is bisected by the Trent River, an important fish bearing watercourse. 

    DFO protects and conserves marine resources, and enforces the Fisheries Act. As part of DFO’s work to disrupt and prevent illegal activity, the Department asks the public for information on activities of this nature or any contravention of the Fisheries Act and regulations. Anyone with information can call DFO Pacific Region’s toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336, or email the details to DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rutherford Opens U.S. Service Academy Application for Class of 2030

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Rutherford (4th District of Florida)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, U.S. Congressman John H. Rutherford (FL-05) announced the opening of Florida’s Fifth District’s U.S. Service Academy nomination process for the Class of 2030.

    “One of my greatest privileges as a member of Congress is nominating talented young men and women from Northeast Florida to attend America’s military academies,” said Rutherford. “Attending a military service academy is more than attending college, it’s making a commitment to serve our great nation. I look forward to nominating students who exemplify the values of hard work, excellence, and integrity to serve our country.”

    The U.S. Service Academies include the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Please note, candidates applying to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy do not need a congressional nomination for appointment.

    America’s military academies offer a prestigious, fully funded education, along with a monthly stipend in exchange for a commitment to mandatory service upon commissioning. They are consistently ranked among the most esteemed colleges and universities in the United States. 

    Congressional nominations are selective and chosen based on personal merit. Some criteria include evidence of character, leadership, academic excellence, physical aptitude, and extracurricular activities.

    Candidates must exemplify good moral character and meet several requirements. Candidates must be:

    • U.S citizens
    • Unmarried without dependents
    • Between the ages of 17-23

    Applicants must receive nominations from their member of Congress, U.S. Senators, and/or the Vice President of the United States to be eligible for an appointment to a U.S. Service Academy.

    To apply, visit Congressman John H. Rutherford’s website here. Completing the online form initiates the Congressional Nomination process.

    All completed packets must be submitted by Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 4 p.m.

    Additional details and instructions are available to help guide applicants through the nomination application process. For further inquiries, please contact FL05.ServiceAcademy@mail.house.gov or by calling Congressman Rutherford’s District Office at (904) 831-5205.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Representatives from over 130 countries and territories will take part in SPIEF-2025

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    St. Petersburg, June 10 /Xinhua/ — Representatives from over 130 countries and territories have already confirmed their participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) this year, the forum’s press service reported.

    The foreign participants include heads of major international organizations, companies, government agencies, as well as representatives of the expert community. According to Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of Russia and Executive Secretary of the SPIEF Organizing Committee, the forum has become a place for developing solutions that can respond to rapidly changing external circumstances.

    In 2025, the SPIEF will be held in St. Petersburg from June 18 to 21. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Russia’s positive foreign trade balance in January-April fell by 18.3 percent.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Moscow, June 10 /Xinhua/ — Russia’s positive foreign trade balance in January-April 2025 decreased by 18.3 percent year-on-year to $42.4 billion, the Interfax news agency reported on Tuesday, citing data from the Russian Federal Customs Service.

    Exports of goods from Russia in January-April 2025 decreased by 5.9 percent year-on-year and amounted to $128.2 billion. Imports increased by 1.8 percent to $84.2 billion.

    The foreign trade turnover of the Russian Federation for the specified period amounted to 213.9 billion dollars, which is 2.9 percent less than for the same period a year earlier.

    In 2024, Russia’s foreign trade surplus amounted to $150.9 billion, which is 7.8 percent more than the 2023 figure. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Russian budget revenues for the first five months of 2025 increased by 3.1 percent to 14.7 trillion rubles — Russian Ministry of Finance

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Moscow, June 10 (Xinhua) — The volume of revenues of the federal budget of Russia in January-May 2025 amounted to 14.732 trillion rubles, which is 3.1 percent higher than the volume of revenues in the same period last year, according to data from the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation, published on the agency’s website on Tuesday.

    According to the Russian Ministry of Finance’s data, non-oil and gas revenues grew by 12.3 percent in five months compared to the same period last year, to 10.492 trillion rubles, which forms a “stable base for further accelerated growth in revenues.” “In general, the trajectory of non-oil and gas revenues in January-May of this year, along with the higher level of the tax base last year, create the preconditions for a significant excess of the dynamics laid down in the formation of the budget law,” the department said.

    At the same time, oil and gas revenues of the Russian budget from January to May amounted to 4.24 trillion rubles, which is 14.4 percent lower than the figure for the same period in 2024. This is mainly due to a decrease in the average price of oil, as well as a one-time receipt of additional payment for mineral extraction tax /MET/ on oil in February last year. “At the same time, the receipt of oil and gas revenues in January-May of this year was at a level exceeding their base amount, but there are risks of their reduction due to a weakening price environment,” the Russian Ministry of Finance clarified.

    The published data also shows that the volume of Russian budget expenditures for January-May 2025 increased by 20.7 percent compared to the same period in 2024 and amounted to 18.125 trillion rubles. The federal budget deficit, according to a preliminary estimate by the Russian Ministry of Finance, for the first five months amounted to 3.39 trillion rubles.

    “The dynamics of revenue receipts and financing of expenditures in January-May 2025 indicate that the federal budget is being executed in accordance with the target parameters of the structural deficit approved in the budget law,” the department’s materials note. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Cyril Ramaphosa hosts a meeting with Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    President Cyril Ramaphosa hosts a meeting with Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa, Justice Mandisa Maya, and members of the Judiciary

    Stay updated, South Africa! Subscribe to The Presidency’s Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@PresidencyZA/?sub_confirmation=1.

    Checkout more: http://www.thepresidency.gov.za

    Get Social
    Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/PresidencyZA
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    #ThePresidencyofSouthAfrica #PresidencyZA

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk_UOc7-sZw

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Cyril Ramaphosa on a guided tour of the South African Creative Industries Incubator

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    President Cyril Ramaphosa
    on a guided tour of the South
    African Creative Industries
    Incubator (SACII) in Pretoria.

    Stay updated, South Africa! Subscribe to The Presidency’s Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@PresidencyZA/?sub_confirmation=1.

    Checkout more: http://www.thepresidency.gov.za

    Get Social
    Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/PresidencyZA
    Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/presidencyza/?hl=en
    Twitter ► @PresidencyZA

    #ThePresidencyofSouthAfrica #PresidencyZA

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

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the National Dialogue

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    Announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the National Dialogue

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

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese authorities issue directive to deepen pilot comprehensive reform in Shenzhen

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhua) — China will continue to push forward the comprehensive reform pilot in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong Province, deepening reform and innovation in the city and expanding its opening up, according to a guideline issued Tuesday.

    The document, jointly released by the General Offices of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council, outlines a new series of reform measures for Shenzhen to overcome institutional barriers in education, science and high-skilled personnel training in a coordinated manner. It calls for strengthening the deep integration of innovation, industry, capital and talent chains, and exploring new paths, scenarios and platforms for cooperation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The guideline also calls for pilot projects in areas such as building a modern, international and innovative city.

    As noted in the directive, Shenzhen will deepen reform and expand opening-up from a higher starting point, at a higher level and to achieve higher goals, creating more new practices that can be replicated and disseminated. The city will further enhance its role as an important driving force for the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and a development hub in the national strategy, and contribute to and set a model for the all-round construction of a modern socialist country. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Nepal: IMF Reaches Staff-level Agreement on Sixth Review Under the Extended Credit Facility

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 10, 2025

    End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    • The Nepali authorities and the IMF team have reached staff-level agreement to conclude the sixth review of Nepal’s economic reform program supported by the IMF’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. Once the review is approved by IMF Management and completed by the IMF Executive Board, Nepal will have access to about $42.7 million in financing.
    • The growth recovery is expected to gather pace in FY2025/26 underpinned by policy measures announced in the budget aimed at improving project execution and boosting private sector confidence, while lending rates remain accommodative. However, timely and full execution of budget spending is important to durably strengthen economic growth.
    • Completion of the sixth review by the IMF’s Executive Board will require completing a prior action relating to further progress with the loan portfolio review.

    Washington, DC: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Ms. Sarwat Jahan visited Kathmandu during May 26 to June 10, 2025. After constructive discussions, Ms. Jahan issued the following statement at the end of the mission: “The Nepali authorities and IMF staff reached staff-level agreement on the policies and reforms needed to complete the sixth review under the ECF (see Press Release No. 22/6)[1]. The agreement is subject to approval by the IMF’s Executive Board. Upon completion of the Executive Board Review Nepal would have access to SDR 31.4 million (about US$42.7 million), bringing the total IMF financial support disbursed under the ECF to SDR 251.1 million (about US$331.8 million), from a total of SDR 282.4 million.

    “Nepal continues to make progress with the implementation of the ECF-supported program. Program performance has been satisfactory, with all quantitative performance metrics for mid‑January 2025 met except for the indicative target on child welfare grants. The implementation of structural benchmarks has gained momentum while reforms in some areas are still ongoing. Key reforms that have been completed or are on-track to be completed soon as part of the sixth review include completion of a tax expenditure report, publication of revised National Project Bank guidelines, and finalization of a post-Loan Portfolio Review (LPR) roadmap. Significant progress was made on bringing key recommendations from the IMF’s 2021 Safeguard Assessment and 2023 Financial Sector Stability Report into draft Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Act amendments in preparation for submission to Parliament. The NRB remains committed to completing the LPR and is finalizing the selection of the independent international consultant to assist with the LPR. The completion of the sixth review by the IMF’s Executive Board is contingent on NRB making further progress with the loan portfolio review.

    “Domestically, economic activity has continued to gradually recover, underpinned by a rebound in construction and manufacturing, continued expansion of hydropower capacity, and a good harvest that helped offset the impact of the September 2024 floods. Growth in FY2024/25 is estimated to exceed 4 percent, although still below potential. Inflation, which spiked temporarily following the floods, decelerated to 3.4 percent y/y in April 2025. The external position continued to strengthen, with robust growth in exports, remittances, and tourism receipts outpacing the recovery in imports.

    “Financial sector vulnerabilities have not yet eased, with non‑performing loans (NPLs) increasing to 5.2 percent in April 2025, impacting bank capital. The financial health of the savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs) remains challenging.

    “Looking ahead, growth is projected to strengthen in FY2025/26, while inflation is expected to remain contained within the NRB’s tolerance level. However, the outlook is subject to important downside risks, including under-execution of capital projects, an increase in financial sector vulnerabilities, elevated global trade tensions and uncertainty, and potential disruptions to domestic policy continuity and reform implementation.

    “Against this background, policies and reforms envisaged under the ECF-supported program remain well-placed to help preserve macroeconomic stability and strengthen Nepal’s policymaking framework. The FY2025/26 budget is broadly consistent with the program objective to maintain fiscal and debt sustainability, while initiating reforms to increase capital spending, providing further incentives to encourage private sector investment, and expanding the public school midday meal program.

    “Monetary policy continues to follow a cautious data-driven approach, with maintaining focus on price and external stability a key to supporting growth. Amendments to the NRB Act would strengthen the central bank’s independence and governance and make the bank resolution regime more robust. Rising financial sector vulnerabilities warrant increased vigilance. In this context, it is essential to launch the LPR in a timely manner and prioritize measures to deal with problematic SACCOs. Creation of an Asset Management Company should be approached with extra caution given the risks involved and should be made conditional on improvements to the debt recovery framework, including the insolvency law, and a thorough review of the business case for such an entity. The authorities have continued to make tangible improvements to the anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) legal framework, and are now shifting their focus to effective implementation of Nepal’s AML/CFT Action Plan.

    “The IMF team held meetings with the Honorable Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mr. Bishnu Prasad Paudel, the National Planning Commission Vice-Chairman Honorable Dr. Shiva Raj Adhikari, the Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Dr. Biswo Nath Poudel, and other senior government and central bank officials. The IMF team also met with representatives from the private sector, think tank and development partners.”

    “The IMF team is grateful to the Nepali authorities for their hospitality and for open and constructive discussions.”

    [1] The Extended Credit Facility (ECF) provides financial assistance to countries with protracted balance of payments problems. It supports countries’ economic programs aimed at moving toward a stable and sustainable macroeconomic position consistent with strong and durable poverty reduction and growth. The ECF is expected to help catalyze additional foreign aid.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Pemba Sherpa

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/10/pr-25191-nepal-imf-reaches-agreement-on-6th-review-under-the-ecf

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Artificial Intelligence Models Improve Efficiency of Battery Diagnostics

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    NREL-Developed Neural Networks Uncover New Insights Into Battery Health

    NREL’s battery researchers are turning to cutting-edge artificial intelligence models to optimize battery performance for a new generation of energy storage. Photo by Werner Slocum, NREL

    Resilient energy systems depend on reliable batteries. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries powering our world must endure the steady strain of time, charge cycles, and environmental conditions that gradually wear them out through degradation.

    Understanding the health of a battery can help manufacturers, researchers, and consumers alike optimize its lifetime performance. Yet diagnosing a battery’s state of health is no easy feat, as each cell is a complex system of chemical reactions and physical changes that standard evaluation models struggle to capture with speed and precision.

    National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) researchers have developed and demonstrated a groundbreaking physics-informed neural network (PINN) model that can predict battery health nearly 1,000 times faster than traditional models.

    “Li-ion battery lifetime and aging dynamics vary significantly with chemistry, operating conditions, cycling demands, electrode design, and operational history, which makes optimal handling, design, and maintenance difficult,” said Kandler Smith, who leads electrochemical modeling and data science research at NREL. “It’s especially difficult to understand the physical degradation mechanisms of a battery during use without opening it up. We need reliable methods to check in on batteries’ internal state in a nondestructive way.”

    NREL’s PINN replaces the traditional, resource-intensive battery physics model with a powerful artificial intelligence approach that mimics the interconnected neurons of our brains to analyze nonlinear, complex datasets. This deep learning process can enhance battery health diagnostics by quantifying physical degradation mechanisms and pave the way for more efficient, scalable approaches to manage battery aging.

    Traditional Models and Limitations

    NREL researchers have created a vast array of battery lifespan models to diagnose battery health, predict battery degradation, and optimize battery designs. For years, the team has been on the cutting edge of physics-based machine learning techniques to optimize predictive modeling for advanced battery research.

    Two such models, the Single-Particle Model (SPM) and the Pseudo-2D Model (P2D), are widely used and accepted approaches to providing a window into how a battery’s internal health parameters—such as electrode inventory and kinetics, Li-ion inventory, and Li transport paths—evolve over time. However, directly using these models is an intensive process that requires massive amounts of computations and limits their ability to offer rapid diagnostics.

    “Instead of a physics model, we proposed a PINN surrogate model to separate out a battery’s internal properties from its output voltage,” said NREL Computational Science Researcher Malik Hassanaly, who collaborated closely with the battery research team. “This approach drastically reduces the computational time and resources required, allowing researchers to quickly diagnose battery degradation and provide real-time feedback on battery health.”

    The NREL-developed PINN surrogate combines the predictive power of artificial intelligence with the rigor of physics-based modeling. The resulting two-part study published in the Journal of Energy Storage demonstrates how researchers trained and tested the PINN surrogate using conventional SPM and P2D models. This multifaceted approach allowed NREL researchers to train the PINN surrogate on a wide range of internal battery properties. The resulting open-source model offers critical insights into changes that occur during battery aging, helping quickly estimate how long a battery might last in a different setting.

    What makes this development especially revolutionary in battery research is the integration of physics-informed principles into neural networks. Traditional neural networks are data-driven models that excel at pattern recognition but often lack the ability to enforce physical laws, which are crucial for accurately simulating battery behavior. PINNs, however, are designed to understand and follow these physical laws by embedding them directly into the model’s training procedure, enabling it to predict battery parameters with a level of scientific rigor previously achievable only by complex, time-intensive models. With the PINN surrogate, techniques typically constrained by high resource requirements can now be applied on a broad scale, bringing real-time insights into battery health within reach.

    Applications and Next Steps

    The success of NREL’s PINN surrogate offers wide-ranging implications. For battery diagnostics, the PINN surrogate can provide rapid state-of-health predictions, allowing for faster decision-making across battery applications. By drastically lowering the computational barriers to battery diagnostics, the PINN surrogate model paves the way for widespread, scalable, and efficient energy storage management—helping ensure energy is available when and where it is needed.

    “This approach unlocks new capabilities in battery diagnostics, paving the way for onboard diagnostics of batteries in use,” Smith said. “This means that batteries of the future may include systems to extend their useful life by identifying degradation signals and adapting fast-charge limits with age.”

    Currently, researchers are working to transition the PINN surrogate from controlled simulations to real-work data validation, using batteries cycled within NREL’s laboratories. By bridging this gap, researchers hope to deploy PINN-based diagnostics across a wide range of battery systems, enhancing battery performance monitoring and extending lifespans. Future research will focus on refining the PINN model to handle highly dimensional problems, allowing it to predict a broader array of internal battery parameters with increased precision. This means creating models that can both respond to diverse current loads and scale effectively to future battery designs and usage patterns.

    Learn more about NREL’s energy storage and transportation and mobility research. And sign up for NREL’s quarterly transportation and mobility research newsletter to stay current on the latest news.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Union Gears Up for 2025 Transportation Conference in Las Vegas, Focusing on the Future of Labor

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    The IAM Union is set to hold its 2025 Transportation Conference at Caesars Palace Hotel in Las Vegas from June 23-25. The IAM Union delegates who will attend the conference work primarily in the airline and railroad industries. The conference will highlight the IAM’s powerful presence in these sectors.

    Conference Details:

    • Location: Caesars Palace Hotel, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd., S. Las Vegas, NV 89109
    • Conference Dates: Monday, June 23 – Wednesday, June 25, 2025

    Under the banner of “Building a Better Tomorrow,” this year’s conference emphasizes the IAM’s dedication to bolstering transportation jobs, protecting workers’ rights, and developing the next generation of labor leaders. Attendees will attend general sessions and targeted committee meetings addressing key industry issues.

    A major highlight is the launch of the Young Workers Committee, which aims to bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas into the IAM’s strategies.

    “This conference is more than an event, it’s a catalyst for change within the transportation sector,” said IAM Union Air Transport General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “By uniting our members, from airline workers to railroad workers, and welcoming new voices, we’re not just adapting to the future—we’re shaping it.”

    Committee discussions will lead to formal reports presented at the conference. The IAM Transportation Conference is a premier gathering for international and national leaders and members within the transportation sector.

    The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.

    goIAM.org | @IAM_Union

    The post IAM Union Gears Up for 2025 Transportation Conference in Las Vegas, Focusing on the Future of Labor appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: $42M to Improve Travel Along Interstate 88

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that work is underway on a pair of projects that will rehabilitate key stretches of Interstate 88 in Schoharie and Otsego counties, enhancing safety and resiliency along a major artery that connects the Capital Region with the Catskills and the Southern Tier. Taken together, the two projects represent a nearly $42 million investment that will resurface approximately 40 lane miles of pavement and make other improvements to the highway that will ease travel through this important corridor. The highway stretches from just outside of Albany to the Binghamton area and is often used to reach some of New York’s most popular tourist destinations, including the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown and Howe Caverns in Cobleskill.

    “Investing in roads and bridges helps to ensure the well-being and long-term prosperity of our local communities and of our entire state,” Governor Hochul said. “These projects along Interstate 88 will provide improved mobility for thousands of motorists who travel this vital highway every day and enhance the resiliency of one of our most important arteries for the flow of people and commerce in New York.”

    Work recently started on a $15.7 million project that will rehabilitate a 5.5-mile stretch of the highway in both directions from the Schoharie/Otsego County line to Exit 20 in Richmondville, Schoharie County, overlaying the existing concrete surface with a two-inch fiber reinforced top course of asphalt to provide smoother travel. Existing road joints will also be repaired.

    The eastbound lanes will be resurfaced this year and motorists should expect single lane closures for the entire length of the construction zone. In 2026, work will switch over to the westbound lanes. Completion is expected by the end of the 2026 construction season.

    The resurfacing project complements work that got underway last year on another project that is resurfacing a 4.3-mile stretch of I-88 between Exits 18 and 19 in the towns of Worcester and Maryland, Otsego County. The $26 million, two-year project also includes the repair of 10 culverts and the installation of new guide rail. Additionally, the bridges that carry I-88 over South Hill Road will undergo bearing and pedestal replacements.

    Currently, crews are working on the westbound side of this stretch of the highway. One lane of traffic in each direction is separated by concrete barrier on the eastbound side of the highway. Construction is expected to wrap up later this year.

    Once these two projects are complete, there will only be one stretch of the highway remaining with concrete from the original construction of I-88, which began in 1968. A project for that area between Exits 16 and 17 is in the design phase.

    New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Governor Hochul’s commitment to renewing our critical infrastructure and connecting communities is unwavering and this investment in Interstate 88 is another demonstration of that. These improvements will provide smoother travel, as well as enhanced safety and resiliency of our infrastructure along this vital highway, facilitating continued economic growth and the long-term prosperity for our local communities.”

    Senator Charles Schumer said, “Thanks to millions from my Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, we are paving the way for key improvements to Interstate 88 to create a more prosperous and safer future for motorists and visitors from the Capital Region to the Southern Tier. This project will repair key stretches of the I-88 between the Binghamton area and Capital Region, improving traffic flow along this vital corridor while creating good-paying jobs. I’m grateful that Governor Hochul is putting these federal dollars to good use to improve safety and connectivity for Upstate New Yorkers.”

    Representative Josh Riley said, “I-88 connects our farms, our small businesses, and our families to the rest of the state—and to each other. Fixing it means safer roads, stronger local economies, and a better quality of life for the folks who live and work here. I’m proud to help deliver federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and grateful to see it being put to work where it counts.”

    About the Department of Transportation

    It is the mission of the New York State Department of Transportation to provide a safe, reliable, equitable and resilient transportation system that connects communities, enhances quality of life, protects the environment, and supports the economic well-being of New York State.

    Lives are on the line; slow down and move over for highway workers!

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Orders Flags to Fly at Half-Staff in Honor of Bernie Police Lieutenant Eddie Mays

    Source: US State of Missouri

    JUNE 10, 2025

    Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe ordered the U.S. and Missouri flags to be flown at half-staff at government buildings in Stoddard County, all police stations, sheriffs’ offices, and Missouri State Highway Patrol general and troop headquarters across Missouri on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, from sunrise to sunset, to honor Bernie Police Department Lieutenant Eddie Mays.

    “Lieutenant Eddie Mays devoted his life to serving others, first in the U.S. Air Force and then as a deputy sheriff and police officer,” Governor Kehoe said. “We owe a tremendous debt to the dedicated heroes like Eddie, who take the oath of office and carry out its ideals each day they put on their uniform and badge to answer the call no matter the danger or risk to themselves. Lieutenant Mays fulfilled his oath to serve and protect, and Missouri will be forever grateful.”

    On June 5, Lieutenant Mays, 58, was on duty with the Bernie Police Department when he responded to a domestic violence call and, after handcuffing a resisting  suspect, suffered a medical emergency and could not be resuscitated.

    Mays served in the Air Force from 1988 to 1993. He attended Southeast Missouri State University Law Enforcement Training Academy, was issued a Missouri Peace Officer License on November 22, 1998, and immediately began serving the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy sheriff, where he served until January 1, 2005. He also served with the Bloomfield Police Department. He joined the Bernie Police Department in January 2013 and was promoted to sergeant in July 2013 and to lieutenant in December 2023.  

    The flags will be held at half-staff on the day of Lieutenant Mays’ memorial service. To view the Governor’s proclamation, click here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dr. Cato T. Laurencin Represents U.S. at U.S.-Africa Frontiers of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Symposium

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    More than 100 scientists, engineers, and medical professionals from 16 African countries and the United States discussed advances across a broad range of multi-disciplinary topics, including Biotechnology, New Solutions for Decarbonization, Advances in Space Research, Smart and Connected Cities, and Precision Agriculture. UConn’s Dr. Cato T. Laurencin has served as a distinguished member of the Oversight Committee for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine since its inception.

    Sponsored by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the U.S.-Africa program brings together outstanding young scientists, engineers, and medical professionals from the U.S. and the member countries of the African Union to discuss exciting advances and opportunities in their fields. The goal of the meetings is to enhance the scientific exchange and dialogue among young researchers in African countries and the U.S., including the African science diaspora, and through this interaction, facilitate research collaboration within and beyond the region.

    Laurencin, an internationally recognized scientist, engineer, and surgeon, is actively involved in Africa through his work with the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) and other African scientific organizations. He has been a fellow of the AAS since 2012. Laurencin also participated in the first U.S.-Africa Frontiers of Science, Engineering, and Medicine symposium, contributing to discussions on research collaboration and scientific exchange between African countries. He also spoke at the 2024 Galien Forum in Dakar, Senegal, on the role of women in STEM in addressing environmental crises in Africa.

    Laurencin is a fellow of the Senegalese Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a fellow of the Benin National Academy of Science and Arts. He received the 2019 UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences at the African Union Heads of State Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Laurencin received the 2019 UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences, becoming the first American to earn this prestigious award. The ceremony took place during the Africa Union Heads of States Summit located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

    At UConn Laurencin is the University Professor and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at UConn School of Medicine, professor of Chemical Engineering, professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. He is the chief executive officer of The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering, a cross-university institute created and named for him at the University of Connecticut. A shoulder and knee surgeon, he is a pioneer of the field of Regenerative Engineering. In receiving the Spingarn Medal, the NAACP named him the world’s foremost engineer-physician-scientist. He is the first surgeon elected to the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Inventors.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: From Student to Pro: A Knight’s Move

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    © Maxim Kovalevich

    The HSE hosted the student festival “Career Gambit”, organized byHse Chess Club, which became an unconventional platform for dialogue between students and employers. The opponents not only excitedly built game strategies, but also talked about careers and real employment opportunities. It turned out that playing chess is not just an intellectual competition, but also an opportunity to get to know each other better, discuss professional interests and look at future cooperation from a new angle.

    The festival brought together more than 100 people, most of whom took part in the tournament, where 16 teams from employer companies and the same number of student teams competed.

    Over the course of seven rounds, there were intense battles for the main trophy, which went to the Wildberries team.

    The festival gave an opportunity not only for experienced chess players to compete, but also for those who had never sat down at the board to join the world of chess. For them, Pavel Zaitsev, senior coach of the HSE Chess Club, former member of the HSE and RSUH teams, postgraduate student of the Institute of Philosophy of the Russian Academy of Sciences, held a master class and told many interesting facts about the game and the basic rules.

    Those who did not participate in the tournament but wanted to try their hand at chess had the opportunity to compete in a simultaneous game with Nikita Buts, FIDE chess master, executive director at Sber, Founder

    All festival participants noted that it was an interesting experience that brought together like-minded people from different fields for a common interesting activity and provided students with another opportunity to plan their career trajectory.

    “As an amateur, I am pleased that chess is gaining a presence in the HSE intellectual landscape,” said Vice-Rector Salambek Dombaev, a member of the HSE team. “This time, the guys managed to assemble a very interesting lineup of students, HSE employees, and colleagues from the industry. The tournament was a success. Personally, I lost all the games, but I received a boost and motivation to continue improving my skills in the game. I am sure that I am not alone in my desire. I would like to express my gratitude to our student chess association for the excellent organization of the event and the atmosphere. At the Career Gambit festival, I talked to HSE students and was impressed by their level. It was not just a tournament, but a mix of games and career talks. The students caught insights from professionals and learned about internships and opportunities in companies.”

    “We are always looking for new formats of interaction between employers and students to ensure effective communication,” shared Olga Gaevskaya, Head of Career Development and Alumni Relations Office. — It is not always possible to find out the answers to the questions that concern students at official meetings. Therefore, when the HSE Chess Club suggested holding a chess tournament between companies and HSE students, we thought — this is what we need!”

    The tournament involved 16 HSE partners. These are top-level specialists in their subject areas, and despite the heated competition at the chessboard, the students were able to meet their future potential employers and also play games as if they were solving work problems with their colleagues.

    Pavel Salman, Team Lead Computer Vision in the Wildberries PVZ quality control team, captain of the winning team, said that it was valuable for him to sit down at the board after a long break and meet interesting people. “The organization of the event is perfect, it was a pleasure to play,” he says. “I didn’t expect to see so many teams, it turned out to be really large-scale. I wish you to continue growing further, to develop the chess community (it’s really cool!) We will be happy to take part in future tournaments. For our Wildberries team, this is only the second inter-corporate chess competition, and we are glad that we managed to achieve such success in the conditions of competition with such strong teams! From the first rounds, we managed to pull ahead a little in points, but then it became difficult to hold on. Before the last round, about seven pursuers almost caught up with us. I think this is an obvious indicator that many worthy and equal teams gathered, and, perhaps, we were just a little lucky in the end.”

    Alexey Demyanenko, Director of Products and Tariffs at PJSC Rostelecom, talked to HSE students at the festival and was impressed by their level. “It wasn’t just a tournament, but a mix of games and career talks. Students caught insights from professionals and learned about internships and opportunities in companies. At Rostelecom, we have a large internship program, but unfortunately, many students don’t know about it yet, which means we need to better inform them about our opportunities. The Rostelecom team took second place, and for us it was a great experience and a chance to practice gaming skills and at the same time share information about a career at Rostelecom. Chess is not only about strategy, but also about pumping up the future! And we pumped up a lot at the chess festival at HSE,” he said.

    Alexey Novikov, a representative of T2, was glad to learn that HSE has such a large-scale chess club. “I would like to note the high level of play, and after the tournament there was an opportunity to talk to students about the possibilities of working in the company,” he noted. “It would be great if this format becomes traditional. I wish further development to the chess movement at HSE.”

    Aleksandr Chelekhovsky, a teacher and member of the HSE team, enjoys participating in atmospheric tournaments in the atrium. “I don’t really like online games, but I always try to get to our tournaments,” he says. “I met a lot of student and colleague friends who often go to such tournaments. It’s great that many teams from different companies gathered. It seems to me that HSE is making big steps towards expanding and popularizing chess. I am ready to support these steps and continue to participate in the activities of the chess club.”

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Separation Agreement Joint Committee between the UK and EEA EFTA states: joint statement from the sixth meeting

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Separation Agreement Joint Committee between the UK and EEA EFTA states: joint statement from the sixth meeting

    This page shows the statement following the meeting of the Separation Agreement Joint Committee on 10 June 2025.

    The sixth meeting of the Separation Agreement Joint Committee was held in Brussels on 10 June 2025, chaired by officials from Iceland, with representatives from the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Kingdom of Norway and the United Kingdom participating. The Committee was established by the Separation Agreement to monitor its implementation and application. The Separation Agreement ensures that nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway (‘the EEA EFTA States’) already living in the UK, or UK nationals living in the EEA EFTA States at the end of the transition period, have largely the same rights as before the UK left the EU. In addition to the right of residence, these include entitlements to social security and the recognition of professional qualifications.

    During the meeting, representatives from the EEA EFTA States and the UK updated each other on their implementation and application of the Separation Agreement, focusing on the provisions relating to citizens’ rights. Representatives of the EFTA Surveillance Authority and the Independent Monitoring Authority also presented information on the monitoring of the implementation and application of the Separation Agreement.

    The EEA EFTA States and the UK adopted a Decision amending Part I of Annex I to the Separation Agreement, in order to include a recent relevant Decision of the Administrative Commission for the Coordination of Social Security Systems.

    The EEA EFTA States and the UK continue to work together to ensure the correct implementation and application of the Separation Agreement, to provide certainty to citizens.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 June 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: NHS red tape blitz delivers game-changing new cancer treatment

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    NHS red tape blitz delivers game-changing new cancer treatment

    Patients to benefit from new era in cancer treatment, as Government slashes red tape to unleash life-saving innovation

    NHS patients will be the first in Europe to benefit from a ground-breaking, non-invasive liver cancer treatment, as the Government’s Plan for Change slashes burdensome red tape and drives innovation, establishing Britain’s role as a medical technology powerhouse.

    Using ultrasound technology, the device – developed by US-based company HistoSonics – destroys tumours without surgery, scalpels, radiation, with minimal damage to surrounding organs.

    Patients stand to benefit from faster recovery times, potentially greater survival rates, fewer potentially dangerous complications, and less hospital stays – helping to cut waits for others – all marking a new era in cancer treatment.

    Ongoing research is exploring its potential to transform treatment for other hard-to-reach tumours – including kidney and pancreatic cancers – bringing hope to even more NHS patients in the future.

    Treatment is delivered via a single short session – potentially taking no longer than 30 minutes – with limited or no pain, a quick recovery, and can be performed as a day case.

    As the Government busts the bureaucracy holding back public services and stifling innovation, Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting granted authorisation for controlled early access to the device via an unmet clinical need authorisation. Available through the UK’s Innovative Devices Access Pathway programme, a government-funded scheme to get cutting-edge health innovations to the market much quicker, NHS patients can benefit from technology years earlier than planned.

     Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

    Bureaucracy has become a handbrake on ambition, stopping innovation in its tracks and holding our health service back.

    But through our Plan for Change, we are slashing red tape, so game-changing new treatments reach the NHS front line quicker – transforming healthcare.  

    Regulation is vital to protect patients. However, as the pace of innovation ramps up, our processes must be more agile to help speed the shift from analogue to digital.

    Our common sense approach to regulation will streamline approval processes so countless more patients are liberated from life-limiting conditions.

    The technology, called histotripsy, is being debuted at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, part of Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) with the first NHS patients being treated using the game-changing device this summer. The technology was procured and installed thanks to a generous donation to the University of Cambridge from the Li Ka Shing Foundation, which has been a longstanding supporter of cancer research at the University.

    Professor Deborah Prentice, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, said:

    Through his longstanding support of cancer research at Cambridge, Sir Ka-shing Li continues to make a significant impact on outcomes for cancer patients.

    Cutting-edge technology such as this histotripsy machine allows Cambridge to remain at the forefront of understanding and treating cancer, a position we aim to strengthen further with Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital.

    The Government’s Plan for Change  is focused on securing the UK’s position as a global tech powerhouse – including in healthcare – which fosters innovation to transform the lives of working people and deliver a decade of national renewal.

    The move delivers on the Government’s commitment to tackle bureaucracy blocking investment and regulatory complexity that has previously stifled growth.

    Roland Sinker, Chief Executive of Cambridge University Hospitals said:

    Histotripsy is an exciting new technology that will make a huge difference to patients.

    By offering this non-invasive, more targeted treatment we can care for more people as outpatients and free up time for surgeons to treat more complex cases.

    The faster recovery times mean patients will be able to return to their normal lives more quickly, which will also reduce pressure on hospital beds, helping us ensure that patients are able to receive the right treatment at the right time.

    We are delighted to be receiving this new state of the art machine.

    Fiona Carey, Co-chair of the Patient Advisory Group for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and kidney cancer patient with advanced disease, said:

    This is seriously good news. A new, non-invasive option to treat these cancers is very welcome indeed.

    For patients for whom ordinary surgery is no longer an option, this could make all the difference.

    James Pound, Interim Executive Director, Innovation and Compliance at MHRA, said:

    This is a strong example of smart, agile regulation in action. Working closely with partners through the Innovative Devices Access Pathway, we’ve shown we can get promising technologies to patients faster – without compromising safety.

    It’s a major step forward for patients with liver cancer and shows how the UK can be a frontrunner in supporting responsible innovation that meets real clinical need.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 June 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Exploring how an AI lab model could work for policing 

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Case study

    Exploring how an AI lab model could work for policing 

    The National Policing Capabilities Unit came to ACE to explore a high-level operating model for how an in-house AI lab could enable greater innovation.

    Artificial intelligence (AI) will play a significant role in shaping the police service of the future, bolstering capabilities by making investigations more sophisticated and efficient as well as freeing up officers’ time. 

    The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) wants to establish UK policing as a leader in applied responsible AI, but despite a marked increase in experimentation across existing, new or anticipated challenges, these largely remain limited to niche capabilities or individual forces. 

    The Home Office’s National Policing Capabilities Unit (NPCU) came to the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE) to explore a high-level operating model for how an in-house AI lab could inspire and enable greater innovation by bringing together technical expertise from industry and academia and applying leading research to policing problems and data.  

    Developing and delivering an AI lab

    ACE undertook a discovery exercise with six suppliers, exploring how an AI lab could provide police forces and their partners with the environment, support and expertise needed to develop, de-risk and rapidly adopt trustworthy AI technologies.

    This research needed to answer key questions including how such an AI lab could be developed and delivered, how this would engage with forces, what value it would provide and how it would work with existing technology-focused areas of policing. 

    As part of the discovery work, two stakeholder workshops were convened, covering areas such as system of interest mapping, technology assessment and capability baselining, and the value case and delivery model. 

    Challenges and considerations in core areas such as skills and talent, data access and governance, and funding and facilities (virtual vs physical vs hybrid) were also examined. The research also investigated how existing work in areas including data science, analytics and synthetic data could accelerate development of an AI lab as well as complement its work. 

    Ultimately, three AI lab design and operating model options were developed and presented in a final report, badged as bronze, silver and gold, along with a high level, three-year roadmap and costs for taking a lab from concept to working capability.  

    Bronze was a continuation of existing investment levels and efforts and was ultimately discounted because it would not deliver a national AI lab. The silver option – which meets all policing requirements over the next one to three years – was deemed feasible but it was the gold option, which would produce a world-leading AI lab with a future-proof design within 18 months, that was ultimately recommended.  

    ACE itself was also used as a model of how an effective AI lab could operate. 

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 June 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The UK commends the publication of Iraq’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    The UK commends the publication of Iraq’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Caroline Quinn, UK Deputy Political Coordinator, at the UN Security Council meeting on Iraq.

    Firstly, we welcome the smooth transition period towards the end of the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq. It is encouraging to see that Iraq has remained stable despite an escalation of conflict in the region during the last 6 months. 

    We commend the publication of Iraq’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security and the announcement of a date for federal elections.

    UNAMI’s support to the Independent High Electoral Commission on the upcoming elections has been very valuable. And it was very good to hear today, from the SRSG, about the progress being made toward key milestones.

    We look forward to UNAMI assisting the Government of Iraq during the remainder of its mandate in ensuring the elections are free and fair.

    Second, President, we continue to follow closely efforts in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to form its regional government.  

    This is vital for the stability of the KRI and should ideally precede the federal elections. We hope that the political leaders and parties of the KRI can overcome their differences and form a government soon.

    In this important electoral year for Iraq, we urge the Government of Iraq to ensure the protection of freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly, and to strengthen legal protection guarantees for journalists, the media and civil society.

    Finally, President, we thank the Secretary-General for his recent report on Kuwait, Iraq missing persons. As penholder on this issue and a member of the ICRC-chaired Tripartite Commission, we look forward to working with Iraq, Kuwait and all other interested parties to identify a route forward.

    In this regard, we are committed to undertaking close engagement with Council Members, stakeholders and the Secretariat regarding an appropriate post-UNAMI follow-on mechanism in the coming weeks.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 June 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Rough sleeping to be decriminalised after 200 years 

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    Rough sleeping to be decriminalised after 200 years 

    The Government has confirmed it will repeal the outdated Vagrancy Act 1824 by Spring next year, to ensure rough sleeping is no longer a criminal offence.

    • Government scraps 200-year-old law making rough sleeping a criminal offence in England and Wales.  

    • The outdated Vagrancy Act 1824 will be axed for good, reflecting modern attitudes, increased financial support for the homeless and the government’s mission to get to its root causes. 

    • New legislation will target real crimes instead such as organised begging by gangs and trespassing—protecting communities without penalising vulnerable people. 

    After 200 years, rough sleeping will no longer be a crime as the Government confirms it will formally scrap the Vagrancy Act by Spring next year. 

    The Act was introduced in 1824 – towards the end of the Georgian era – to deal with rising homelessness which increased after the Napoleonic Wars and Industrial Revolution.  

    While use of the Act against rough sleeping has significantly declined over the years in line with modern attitudes and greater understanding around the causes of homelessness, it remains enforceable in law. 

    The Government will be repealing the Act to ensure rough sleeping is no longer a criminal offence, as it concentrates its efforts on getting to the root causes of homelessness, backed by major funding. 

    The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has boosted funding for homelessness services by an extra £233 million this financial year, bringing total investment for 2025-26 to nearly £1 billion. This ambitious support will prevent more families from entering temporary accommodation and tackle rough sleeping head-on.    

    The Deputy Prime Minister is also developing a new homelessness strategy with other government departments and mayors and councils who all play an important role in prevention and frontline support. This strategy will be published later this year.

    The Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:     

    “We are drawing a line under nearly two centuries of injustice towards some of the most vulnerable in society, who deserve dignity and support. 

    “No one should ever be criminalised simply for sleeping rough and by scrapping this cruel and outdated law, we are making sure that can never happen again.”    

    The Minister for Homelessness Rushanara Ali said:    

    “Today marks a historic shift in how we’re responding to the rough sleeping crisis, by repealing an archaic Act that is neither just nor fit for purpose.

    “Scrapping the Vagrancy Act for good is another step forward in our mission to tackle homelessness in all its forms, by focusing our efforts on its root causes.”

    Government amendments to the Home Office’s Crime and Policing Bill will focus on real crime and not rough sleeping, with no replacement of previous legislation that criminalised people for simply sleeping rough. 

    New targeted measures will ensure police have the powers they need to keep communities safe – filling the gap left over by removing previous powers. 

    This will include a new offence of facilitating begging for gain and an offence of trespassing with the intention of committing a crime, both of which were previously included under the 1824 Act.   

    Organised begging, which is often facilitated by criminal gangs, exploits vulnerable individuals, and can undermine the public’s sense of safety. This offence makes it unlawful for anyone to organise others to beg, like driving people to places for them to beg. It will allow the police to crack down on the organised crime gangs that exploit vulnerable people to obtain cash for illicit activity. 

    Through our Plan for Change and commitment to the Safe Streets Mission, this announcement demonstrates we are taking decisive action to ensure communities are protected and our town centres are no longer exposed to such harm.

    ENDS 

    Chief Executive of Crisis Matt Downie said: 

    “This is a landmark moment that will change lives and prevent thousands of people from being pushed into the shadows, away from safety. 

    “For 200 years the Vagrancy Act has meant that people who are homeless are treated as criminals and second class citizens. It has punished people for trying to stay safe and done nothing to address why people become homeless in the first place.  

    “Ending the use of the Vagrancy Act recognises a shameful history of persecuting people for poverty and destitution, something that figures like William Wilberforce and Winston Churchill warned against in their opposition to the Act.  

    “It is of great credit to the UK Government that they have shown such principled leadership in scrapping this pernicious Act. We hope this signals a completely different approach to helping people forced onto the streets and clears the way for a positive agenda that is about supporting people who desperately want to move on in life and fulfil their potential. We look forward to assisting the UK Government with their forthcoming homelessness strategy to do exactly that.”

    St Mungo’s CEO Emma Haddad said:

    “The repeal of the Vagrancy Act, which criminalises rough sleeping, cannot come soon enough. 

    “Right now, we are supporting thousands of people who are rough sleeping; everyone facing this issue has their own heartbreaking story to tell of how they ended up on the streets – from complex mental and physical health issues to an increasingly unaffordable housing market. 

    “The answer is not to criminalise people for living on the streets but instead to focus on tackling the health, housing and wider societal issues that are causing homelessness in the first place.”

    Notes to editors:    

    • Repealing the Vagrancy Act was first announced in 2022 but it was not formally confirmed when it would be removed from law. This Government has now taken the decisive action to complete it within one year, by Spring 2026.    

    • Read more on MHCLG’s funding to tackle homelessness: Largest ever cash boost to turn the tide on homelessness – GOV.UK
    • Police forces across England and Wales use the powers in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to effectively tackle antisocial behaviour in the context of begging and rough sleeping, for example where an individual may be harassing members of the public. The Home Office will be updating the statutory guidance to ensure it is clear to agencies how antisocial behaviour powers could be used in this context if an individual’s behaviour reaches that threshold. Government amendments to the Home Office’s Crime and Policing Bill will also be published shortly.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 June 2025

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