NewzIntel.com

Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Lane closures on Macdonald-Cartier Bridge

    Source: Government of Canada News

    For immediate release

    Gatineau, Quebec, May 27, 2025 – Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) wishes to inform users that there will be lane closures on the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge to accommodate maintenance work during the following periods:

    • Saturday, May 31, from 7 am to 7 pm
    • Sunday, June 1, from 7 am to 7 pm

    During these periods, at least 1 lane will remain open at all times to motorists in each direction, and access for cyclists and pedestrians will be maintained.

    The schedule may change depending on weather conditions.

    PSPC encourages users to exercise caution when travelling on the bridge and thanks them for their patience.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Removing the consumer carbon price from Canadian law

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The Government of Canada is proposing legislative amendments that would permanently repeal the fuel charge framework under Part 1 of the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (GGPPA) in the following four phases to ensure an orderly process for charge payers. These proposed amendments follow the regulations made in March that already ceased the application of the federal fuel charge, effective April 1, 2025.

    Phase 1: Charging Provisions Repealed effective April 1, 2025

    Effective April 1, 2025, nearly all charging provisions would be retroactively repealed, to reflect in legislation what has already been accomplished by regulations.

    The only remaining charging provision would be a special rule for certain railways in respect of past fuel charge consumption that needs to be trued-up. Certain railways pay fuel charge based on estimates and must perform a true-up exercise on their fuel charge obligations in respect of the previous year. This provision would remain until October 1, 2025 to allow for this exercise to take place in respect of fuel charge obligations incurred prior to April 1, 2025.

    Phase 2: Rebate Provisions Repealed effective October 1, 2025

    Effective October 1, 2025, all rebate provisions would be repealed. Certain uses of fuel after April 1 but prior to October 1 may give right to a rebate (e.g., fuel charge embedded fuel that is exported during this period). This aligns with the treatment of rebates under the regulations made in March 2025.

    Rebates for charge paid in error and rebates for reassessment (e.g., to correct accounting mistakes in returns) would continue to be available until the final repeal phase.

    Phase 3: Registration Provisions Repealed effective November 1, 2025

    Effective November 1, 2025, all registration provisions would be repealed. This would give registrants until October 31, 2025, to file returns to claim rebates arising before October 1, 2025. Beyond this date, registration rules are no longer needed.

    Phase 4: Remaining Provisions Repealed effective April 1, 2035

    Effective April 1, 2035, the remaining provisions of Part 1 of the GGPPA would be repealed, including definitions, interpretation rules, administrative and procedural rules, etc. This would provide continuity and certainty for final wind down activities, including CRA administrative processes that may continue to rely on existing rules. Subject to the normal limitation periods in the Act, the CRA would also continue to have legal authority to make reassessments, and charge payers to file amended returns, in respect of fuel charge obligations that accrued prior to April 1, 2025.

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    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: GST relief for first-time home buyers on new homes valued up to $1.5 million

    Source: Government of Canada News

    To lower the upfront cost of buying a new home for young Canadians and spur the construction of new homes across the country, the government is eliminating the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for first-time home buyers on new homes up to $1 million and reducing the GST for first-time home buyers on new homes between $1 million and $1.5 million.

    On May 27, 2025, the Minister of Finance and National Revenue, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, tabled legislative proposals to amend the Excise Tax Act to introduce a new GST rebate for first-time home buyers (the “FTHB GST Rebate”). As a result of this rebate, first-time home buyers will be able to save up to $50,000 on a new home. This measure is expected to deliver $3.9 billion in tax savings to Canadians over five years, starting in 2025-26.

    First-Time Home Buyers’ GST Rebate

    If you are a first-time home buyer, you may be eligible for a FTHB GST Rebate if:

    • you buy a new home from a builder;
    • you build, or hire someone else to build, a home on land you own or lease; or
    • you buy shares of a co-operative housing corporation.

    The FTHB GST Rebate will apply to the same types of housing and apply similar eligibility criteria and conditions as the existing GST/HST New Housing Rebate, with certain modifications to ensure that the rebate is targeted at first-time home buyers.

    To be considered a “first-time home buyer” for the purposes of the FTHB GST Rebate, an individual would generally need to meet the following conditions:

    • be at least 18 years of age;
    • be either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada; and
    • not have lived in a home, whether in or outside Canada, that they owned or that their spouse or common-law partner owned in the calendar year or in the four preceding calendar years.

    Together with the existing GST/HST New Housing Rebate (where that rebate is applicable), the FTHB GST Rebate would provide for a rebate of 100% of the GST on new homes valued up to $1 million.

    The FTHB GST Rebate would be phased out in a linear manner for new homes valued between $1 million and $1.5 million. For example, under the linear phase-out, a home valued at $1.25 million would be eligible for a 50% GST rebate (a rebate of up to $25,000).

    No FTHB GST Rebate would be available for new homes valued at or above $1.5 million.

    New Homes Purchased from a Builder

    The FTHB GST Rebate would allow an individual to recover up to $50,000 of the GST (or the federal part of the HST) paid in respect of a new home purchased from a builder (including on leased land).

    To qualify for a FTHB GST Rebate, at least one of the purchasers of the home would need to be a “first-time home buyer” that is acquiring the new home for use as their primary place of residence. That individual would also need to be the first individual to occupy the home as a place of residence.

    The FTHB GST Rebate would generally be available if:

    • the agreement of purchase and sale for the home is entered into with the builder on or after May 27, 2025 and before 2031; and
    • construction of the home begins before 2031 and the home is substantially completed before 2036.

    Owner-Built Homes

    For an owner-built home, the FTHB GST Rebate would allow an individual to recover up to $50,000 of the GST or the federal part of the HST that they paid to build the home.

    For an owner-built home, the FTHB GST Rebate would allow an individual to recover up to $50,000 of the GST or the federal part of the HST that they paid to build the home.

    To qualify for a FTHB GST Rebate, at least one of the owner-builders would need to be a “first-time home buyer” that is building, or hiring another person to build, the new home for use as their primary place of residence. That individual would also need to be the first individual to occupy the home as a place of residence.

    The FTHB GST Rebate would generally be available if construction of the home begins on or after May 27, 2025 and before 2031 and the home is substantially completed before 2036.

    Shares of a Cooperative Housing Corporation

    The FTHB GST Rebate would allow an individual to claim a rebate of up to $50,000 in respect of the purchase of a share of a cooperative housing corporation (co-op) where the co-op paid GST or the federal part of the HST in respect of new housing.

    To qualify for a FTHB GST Rebate, at least one of the purchasers of the share would need to be a “first-time home buyer” that is acquiring the share to use the co-op housing unit to which the share relates as their primary place of residence. That individual would also need to be the first individual to occupy the co-op housing unit as a place of residence.

    The FTHB GST Rebate would generally be available if:

    • the agreement of purchase and sale of the share is entered into with the co-op on or after May 27, 2025 and before 2031; and
    • construction of the cooperative housing begins before 2031 and is substantially completed before 2036.

    A FTHB GST Rebate would not be available in respect of a co-op share if the co-op housing is eligible for the 100% GST rebate for purpose-built rental housing.

    Limitations

    To ensure that the rebate is available as intended to first-time home buyers after the announcement date, a series of rules would limit the availability of the FTHB GST Rebate in certain circumstances. These rules include the following:

    • An individual would not be permitted to claim a FTHB GST Rebate more than once in their lifetime.
    • An individual would not be permitted to claim a FTHB GST Rebate if their spouse or common-law partner previously claimed a FTHB GST Rebate.
    • If, pursuant to an assignment sale, a FTHB assumes the rights and obligations of another person that is a purchaser of a new home under an agreement of purchase and sale with a builder, the FTHB rebate would not be available if that original agreement of purchase and sale was entered into before May 27, 2025.
    • If an agreement of purchase and sale for a new home was originally entered into before May 27, 2025 and the agreement is subsequently cancelled and a new agreement of purchase and sale is entered into (or the agreement is varied or altered to effect that outcome), the FTHB GST Rebate may be disallowed in respect of the sale of a new home under the new agreement (and would not be allowed in respect of the varied or altered agreement).

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    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Delivering a middle-class tax cut

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The government is moving forward with the proposal to deliver tax relief for Canadians by reducing the lowest marginal personal income tax rate from 15 per cent to 14 per cent, effective July 1, 2025.

    The government is moving forward with the proposal to deliver tax relief for Canadians by reducing the lowest marginal personal income tax rate from 15 per cent to 14 per cent, effective July 1, 2025.

    Nearly 22 million Canadians are expected to benefit from this measure. The middle-class tax cut would reduce the tax rate that is applied to the first $57,375 (in 2025) of an individual’s taxable income, regardless of their income level. As shown below, the bulk of total tax relief will go to those with incomes in the two lowest tax brackets, including nearly half to those in the first bracket. This measure is expected to deliver over $27 billion in tax savings to Canadians over five years, starting in 2025-26.

    Chart 1
    Shares of Tax Paid and Tax Relief by Taxable Income in 2025

    The maximum tax savings will be $420 per person and $840 per couple in 2026. As a result of this measure, hardworking Canadians will save over $27 billion over five years, starting in 2025-26.

    Income is reported and tax is calculated on an annual basis. To reflect a one-percentage-point cut in the lowest tax rate coming into effect halfway through the year, the full-year tax rate for 2025 will be 14.5 per cent and the full-year rate for 2026 and future tax years will be 14 per cent. The rate applied to most non-refundable tax credits will continue to be the same as the lowest personal income tax rate. 

    The Canada Revenue Agency will update its source deduction tables for the July to December 2025 period so that pay administrators are able to reduce tax withholdings as of July 1. This means that, effective July 1, individuals with employment income and other income subject to source deductions could have tax withheld at 14 per cent. Otherwise, individuals will realize this tax relief when they file their 2025 tax returns in spring 2026. 

    Gender-Based Analysis Plus Summary

    Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) is an analytical tool used to support the development of responsive and inclusive policies, with consideration given to intersectional factors such as gender, age, and economic status.

    Reducing the lowest marginal personal income tax rate from 15 per cent to 14 per cent would reduce taxes for nearly 22 million individual taxpayers, with nearly half of the total tax relief going to those in the first income tax bracket. The remaining third of tax filers would already not owe federal personal income tax, although some of these filers may benefit from the rate reduction in future years if their taxable income increases and they start owing federal tax.

    It is estimated that the measure would be gender balanced; 52 per cent of beneficiaries would be men, and 48 per cent would be women.

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    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SEC’s Division of Investment Management to Host Third Annual Conference on Emerging Trends in Asset Management

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Investment Management announced it will host the third annual Conference on Emerging Trends in Asset Management on Thursday, June 5, 2025. The conference will bring together a variety of asset management industry participants, regulators, and academics to discuss emerging trends in asset management. The full agenda, with a list of speakers, is available at the conference’s webpage.

    Conference sessions will include:

    SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, Investment Management Division Director Natasha Vij Greiner, division staff, and panelists from outside the SEC will participate in the conference.

    The conference is open to the public both in person at SEC Headquarters and via live webcast at www.sec.gov from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. ET. Individuals planning to attend the conference in person should register, but registration is not necessary for those attending virtually. The conference will be archived on SEC.gov for later viewing.

    The Division of Investment Management is responsible for administering the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. It develops regulatory policy for investment advisers and investment companies, including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and other funds and products in the asset management industry. To learn more information about asset management and the work of the division, please visit IM’s webpage.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein Honors Military Appreciation Month

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Stein Honors Military Appreciation Month

    Governor Stein Honors Military Appreciation Month
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Last week Governor Josh Stein presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine to 104-year-old Joe Balogh, a pilot and WWII veteran, for his exceptional service to his country. May is Military Appreciation Month, and Governor Stein was proud to mark the occasion with Major Balogh.  

    “North Carolina’s service members put their lives on the line to protect our country and our freedoms,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I am proud to proclaim Military Appreciation Month to recognize people like Major Balogh who have served our county with dedication and bravery.”

    Click here to read Governor Stein’s proclamation recognizing Military Appreciation Month.  

    May 27, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: International Arrest of Sexual Offender

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Abingdon, VA – The United States Marshal in the Western District of Virginia is pleased to announce the arrest of fugitive Corey Parton in Mexico and his subsequent deportation to the United States on May 26, 2025. Parton is charged with violations of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, resulting from alleged interstate or foreign travel after having been convicted as a sex offender and being required to register pursuant to the law.

    On March 12, 2024, 36 year old Corey Parton, Bristol, Virginia, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Abingdon, Virginia, for violations of the Adam Walsh Act, or Sex Offender Registry and Notification Act, pursuant to an investigation by the United States Marshals Service. He remained a fugitive, presumably in Mexico, since said time. On May 25, 2025, members of the Federal Police of Mexico, acting on information provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, located and arrested Parton, an American citizen, and promptly deported him to the United States. On arrival back on American soil, members of the U.S. Marshals Service assumed custody of Parton and he is currently awaiting initial appearance and arraignment. He is presumed innocent until the resolution of his case.

    United State Marshal Thomas Foster stated, “This case is not only proof of the dedication of members of the U.S. Marshals Service to investigate and prosecute persons in violation of federal law, but an example to all that regardless of how far one may flee, the U.S. Marshals Service, with our partners, will apprehend them. I express appreciation to all participating branches of the U.S. Marshals Service and to the Mexican Federal Police in bringing this person back to face his crimes.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sheshatshiu — Arrest warrant issued for Peter Nuke

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Sheshatshiu RCMP is seeking public assistance in locating 32-year-old Peter Nuke.

    Nuke is wanted by police in relation to changes of assault and forcible confinement. Police believe he frequently travels between Sheshatshiu and Goose Bay.

    A photo of Nuke is attached.

    Anyone having information about the current location of Peter Nuke is asked to contact Sheshatshiu RCMP at 709-497-8700. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tillis, Edwards Introduce Legislation to Relocate the C-141 Crash Memorial on the Cherohala Skyway

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Senator Thom Tillis introduced legislation to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to relocate a memorial honoring the nine Air Force crew members who lost their lives in an airplane crash in the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests during a training mission on August 31, 1982.
    “The nine Air Force crew members who perished in the 1982 C-141 crash made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation,” said Senator Tillis. “Their bravery deserves to be honored at a location that truly reflects the gravity of their loss and provides a meaningful place for reflection for visitors and their families. This legislation is a crucial step in ensuring these heroes are properly remembered in perpetuity at the actual crash site.” 
    Representative Chuck Edwards (R-NC) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
    “Western North Carolina will never forget the tragedy that occurred in 1982, when nine Air Force crew members lost their lives in our district,” said Rep. Edwards. “The families and supporters of these servicemembers have requested that the memorial be moved to a more prominent location, closer to the site and available for the public to visit. This bill will give the families the authority they need to move the memorial, keeping the memories of our nation’s fallen soldiers alive for years to come.” 
    Background:
    On August 31, 1982, a C-141 left Charleston AFB on a training mission and crashed in the mountains of North Carolina, killing all nine crew members. To honor these heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, a group consisting of their families and airmen from a sister squadron placed a small granite marker on private land within the Nantahala National Forest along the Cherohala Skyway.
    The current location of the memorial is several miles away from the actual crash site. As the sister squadron veterans are getting older, they want to ensure the memorial stands in perpetuity and that their story is shared with the many visitors to the area. 
    The bill would allow the Secretary of Agriculture to authorize the memorial’s placement at the Stanton Ridge Rest Area along the Cherohala Skyway, where the crash actually happened, and the majority of the wreckage was recovered. No taxpayer dollars will be used to move or maintain the memorial.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst, Blunt Rochester Secure Supply Chains to Bolster Domestic Manufacturing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    Published: May 27, 2025
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) are introducing new legislation to decrease our reliance on foreign adversaries for key materials and boost manufacturing in rural America.
    The Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act will drive investment and job creation here at home by instructing the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a study identifying critical goods that are currently being imported and find ways to help domestic producers manufacture them in rural areas and industrial parks.
    “I am working to make ‘Made in America’ the norm instead of the exception,” said Ernst. “That starts with ensuring that our manufacturers are able to get the materials they need right here instead of having to import supplies from halfway around the world. Beyond boosting domestic industry, this bill is also about safeguarding our national security by ensuring that we are not dependent on any foreign adversary for critical goods that we need.”
    “Supply chains are key to global competitiveness and our national security,” said Blunt Rochester. “This bipartisan legislation will help us identify where we rely too heavily on foreign imports for critical infrastructure and explore how we can bring that manufacturing home. Strengthening domestic production not only protects our supply chains, it supports American jobs, revitalizes local economies, and reinforces our nation’s resilience if global manufacturing disruptions occur.”
    Click here to view the bill.
    Background:
    Ernst has led the fight to supercharge domestic manufacturing through her bipartisan Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act that doubles the loan limit for Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) loans to ensure that government does not stand in the way of the manufacturing explosion happening under the Trump administration.
    She has also worked to secure our medical supply chain from China, so that the health of our citizens is not dependent on the whims of Beijing.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Joins Entire WA Delegation in Letter Urging President Trump to Reconsider Denial of WA State’s Request for a Disaster Declaration for November “Bomb Cyclone”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    05.27.25
    WSU Prof Joins Cantwell & Leading Scientists to Highlight Devastating Impacts of Slashing Funding for Science Research
    Trump Administration wants to gut National Science Foundation funding by 55%, would be the most severe reductions in agency’s history, overturn bipartisan consensus reached in CHIPS & Science Act; WSU Professor Kalyanaraman: Cuts will “directly undercut” AI precision agriculture and agriculture cybersecurity research
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last Tuesday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, was joined by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and a panel of prestigious scientists to decry the devastating impacts of the Trump Administration’s proposed 55% cut to the FY 2026 budget of the National Science Foundation (NSF).
    The panel included Dr. Ananth Kalyanaraman, Professor at Washington State University, and Director of the USDA NIFA-funded AI Institute on Agricultural AI for Decision Support and Workforce Development.
    “We are in an Information Age. We are in an age where there are several areas of U.S. competitiveness that depend on continued science innovation, aerospace being one of those, certainly AI being another, quantum being a third,” Sen. Cantwell said. “And all of this is being put into jeopardy by this cut.”
    Looking at the damage to our future if these cuts are implemented, the Senator continued: “In an Information Age economy, when so much innovation is available, the last thing you should be doing is having a 55 percent cut to one of your key science R&D institutions. You should be making increases, allowing a thousand flowers to bloom across these institutions, across the United States, because you never know where the next Bill Gates or the next Bill Boeing is going to be, and the innovation they’re going to drive.”
    “WSU researchers are working on cutting edge security research across the entire computing stack, spanning hardware, software systems, and the web, and applications to precision agriculture,” said Dr. Kalyanaraman. “This research integrates AI to enhance the resilience of agricultural systems against cyber threats. We are deeply concerned about the nearly $5 billion in cuts to NSF, which will directly undercut this vital work and also our nation’s ability to remain globally competitive.”
    President Trump’s FY 2026 skinny budget proposes to cut NSF’s funding by 55.8% from $8.8 billion to $3.9 billion. This is on top of $234 million in FY 2025 funding for construction projects that the Administration has frozen. The CHIPS and Science Act, which Sen. Cantwell championed through to passage, authorized dramatically increasing NSF funding to $17.8 billion in FY2026.
    Besides recklessly proposing to slash future funding, the Trump Administration has already terminated 1,752 existing NSF grants totaling more than 1.3 billion dollars according to a list of terminated grants the Foundation released today. A large percentage of these grants are for projects and programs related to STEM education and expanding access and participation in STEM fields. Earlier this month, NSF announced it would cap indirect cost reimbursements at 15 percent for all new awards to universities and nonprofit institutions, down from negotiated rates that typically range from 30 to 60 percent. That action is on pause pending a lawsuit brought in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
    Other participants included: Dr. Arati Prabhakar, former Director of OSTP, DARPA, and NIST and venture capitalist; Dr. France Córdova, 14th Director of the National Science Foundation, and now President of the Science Philanthropy Alliance; Dr. Dean Chang, Chief Innovation Officer and Associate Vice President for Innovation & Entrepreneurship & Economic Development at the University of Maryland; and Dr. Marvi Matos Rodriguez, Engineering Director working in the Aerospace Industry.
    Dr. Prabhakar took the lead in debunking the idea that corporate funding could in any way replace federal investment in science, stating: “It’s been a bedrock economic understanding that corporations invest in the R&D that they can see leading to products and profits, but not in the kind that evolves across many labs over many years and forms a shared foundation for whole industries and for public missions like defense.”
    “These devastating cuts to public R&D are an embarrassing retreat from American leadership that hands the reins to the People’s Republic of China,” Dr. Prabhakar added. “And I would so much rather be here today talking about achieving our great aspirations for longer and healthier lives and for AI that extends our own human talents, for lowering our cost of living with clean energy and for restoring nature, because that is the future that America is capable of creating.”
    Dr. Córdova, who strongly agreed that private funding is no substitute for the NSF, said: “I have a good handle on what industry and philanthropy can contribute, and I can tell you, as important as their contributions are to bolstering our economy, they cannot replace government funding.”
    And Dr. Córdova decried the impacts of the cuts to STEM education that the Trump funding levels would force.
    “Especially important to universities is the funding to train our STEM workforce pipeline, without which we would have no industries of the future. Industry representatives often tell me that arguably the most important investment NSF makes is in the workforce training of STEM talent,” she said.
    In April, NSF revealed that Graduate Research Fellowships awarded in 2025 would be cut in half, from 2,000 to 1,000, the smallest cohort since 2010. NSF will also significantly reduce (from 368 to 70) the number of scientists it employs through a program that enables scientists on leave from their academic positions to work with the NSF to help choose the best research to fund.
    Dr. Chang offered an eye-opening look at where our nation would be without the National Science Foundation.
    ”It’s hard to imagine a world without NSF, but this alternate world without NSF would have none of the following: No Medtronic pacemakers or insulin pumps; no ChatGPT; no Nvidia GPU chips that power ChatGPT; no Apple; no Siri; no Amazon, Alexa; no GE MRIs for medical imaging; no Teslas and actually, no smart cruise control in any car of any kind; no Da Vinci robotic surgical systems; no early quantum computers from IBM and IonQ; and no Fortnite — the video game that swept the nation a few years ago,” Dr. Chang explained.
    “NSF celebrated its 75th anniversary this month,” Dr. Chang added. “But are we willing to relinquish our nation’s 75-year head start to other countries so they become the birthplace of the next generation of Teslas and ChatGPTs, the next generation of robotic surgeons and life saving devices? Not only must NSF continue to invest in high risk, high reward research, but NSF also must continue to invest in proven ways to shorten the decades long gestation periods.”
    Dr. Matos Rodriguez talked about her personal educational and professional story of turning her love for math and science at the University of Puerto Rico into a passion for research and STEM career engineering and the role NSF played along the way.
    “My passion for research blossomed when peers introduced me to the summer programs specifically designed to develop and enhance research skills,” Dr. Matos Rodriguez said, referring to research opportunities for undergraduates funded by the NSF that took her to California to conduct research at UC Davis and IBM.  
    “The impacts of the NSF REU program were far reaching. My journey continued at Carnegie Mellon, where I did my PhD… supported by a NASA grant. After graduate school, I worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, funded by a grant from the National Research Council,” Dr. Matos Rodriguez continued.  “Little did I know that the product of all that research was not just the science, the discoveries or the papers, the product was me. The REU program, more than 25 years ago, was the seed for the STEM professional I am today, at a time when global competitiveness is vital, it is crucial to commit to cultivating generations of STEM professionals.”
    In the National Science Foundation for the Future Title in CHIPS and Science Act, Congress specifically called for broader participation of populations underrepresented in STEM and authorized $13 billion over five years for the NSF to allocate to STEM education. The United States can’t compete with China and others in science and innovation if we cannot close a gap in the STEM workforce that could be as large as 3 million people nationwide by 2030.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Kustoff Votes to Pass the One Big, Beautiful Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative David Kustoff (TN-08)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed President Donald Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill:

    “This morning, the House of Representatives passed President Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill,” said Congressman Kustoff. “This historic legislation will secure our border, unleash energy production, boost government efficiency, and make permanent key provisions in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. I am proud to support this bill that will cement President Trump’s America First agenda and deliver unprecedented relief to all Americans.”
     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Mike Levin Opposes Location of Compass Energy Storage Project in South Orange County

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

    May 27, 2025

    San Juan Capistrano, CA – Today, Representative Mike Levin (CA-49) wrote to the California Energy Commission (CEC) in opposition to the location of the Compass Energy Storage Project, the 13-acre battery energy storage system proposed in the City of San Juan Capistrano and adjacent to the City of Laguna Niguel.

    Rep. Levin expressed concern that a potential disaster at the proposed location could have serious impacts on nearby residents, Trabuco Creek, and Interstate 5. Such a disaster could require mobilization of federal first responder assets on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton or those managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

    The full text of the letter can be found here and below:

    Dear Chair Hochschild,

    I write to express my opposition to the location of the Compass Energy Storage Project, the 13-acre battery energy storage system proposed in the City of San Juan Capistrano and adjacent to the City of Laguna Niguel. I understand that the project is under review by the California Energy Commission (CEC), which is the lead agency preparing associated environmental documents.

    I strongly support the development of clean energy infrastructure to facilitate our nation’s transition away from fossil fuels and their associated impacts, chiefly climate change. Further, I recognize the important role battery storage plays in helping to smooth the so-called “duck curve,” ensuring we have emission-free electricity available at the times of greatest demand.

    However, I have also been a longtime proponent of smart planning and siting of these projects. For the last four Congresses, I have sponsored the Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act, which would require “smart from the start” planning of clean energy projects on public land. This process would ensure that the projects are sited in a way that reduces any negative impacts, including to the environment.

    I do not believe that the application to build the Compass Energy Storage Project on its currently proposed site meets these same “smart from the start” principles I have long advocated for at the federal level. The project would be situated near sensitive areas – relatively close to homes and adjacent to Trabuco Creek – and alongside critical infrastructure – primarily, Interstate 5. Should there be any kind of disaster at the project, nearby residents may be severely impacted, as could the water quality of the creek. Any extended shutdown of I-5 would hurt the commerce of our region.

    In the event of a fire, there would likely be a federal role in the response, whether from assets on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton or those managed by the U.S. Forest Service. It is my mission to ensure that these federal disaster response authorities always have the resources they need to be effective.

    I urge the CEC to reject the currently proposed location of the Compass Energy Storage Project. Should you have any questions about my position, please reach out to my office.

    Sincerely,

    Mike Levin

    Member of Congress

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Judge Deals Significant Blow to Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government

    Source: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union

    Preliminary Injunction Issued in Largest and Most Significant Challenge to President’s Authority to Remake Government without Congressional Approval

    Washington, D.C. – The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California San Francisco Division today issued a preliminary injunction that will block the Trump administration’s unlawful reorganization of the federal government while the case proceeds. The coalition behind the case, which includes nationwide labor unions, non-profit organizations, and cities and counties in California, Illinois, Maryland, Texas, and Washington, released the following statement in response to the decision:

    “The Trump administration’s unlawful attempt to reorganize the federal government has thrown agencies into chaos, disrupting critical services provided across our nation. Each of us represents communities deeply invested in the efficiency of the federal government – laying off federal employees en masse and reorganizing government functions haphazardly does not achieve that. We are gratified by the court’s decision today to pause these harmful actions while our case proceeds.”

    The coalition includes the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and four AFGE locals; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and three SEIU Locals (521, 1000, 1021); Alliance for Retired Americans; American Geophysical Union; American Public Health Association; Center for Taxpayer Rights; Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks; Common Defense; Main Street Alliance; NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council); Northeast Organic Farming Association Inc.; VoteVets; Western Watersheds Project; City and County of San Francisco, California; County of Santa Clara, California; City of Chicago, Illinois; City of Baltimore, Maryland; Harris County, Texas; and King County, Washington.

    The coalition is represented by lead co-counsel Democracy Forward and Altshuler Berzon LLP, Protect Democracy, Public Rights Project, and Democracy Defenders Fund.

    Statements from plaintiffs and counsel in the case are here.

    AFGE v. Trump argues that the Trump administration’s unlawful reorganization of the federal government, which is already underway without legislative authority, violates the Constitution’s fundamental separation of powers principles.

    Read the complaint here and the preliminary injunction here.

    – # # # –

    Democracy Forward is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE San Juan arrests 6 illegal aliens in local establishment in Puerto Rico

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations with support from ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, arrested six illegal aliens May 17 during a targeted enforcement operation in San Juan.

    The multiagency operation took place at a local establishment in Barrio Obrero where six Dominican nationals were arrested. All illegal aliens are in ICE custody pending removal.

    “We urge people without defined immigration status to adjust their status or return to their country of origin,” said ICE HSI San Juan Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos. “We will continue our collaboration with local federal agencies in accordance to the Presidential Executive Order ‘Protecting The American People Against Invasion’ to enforce our nation’s immigration laws assuring the public safety of the communities we serve.”

    ICE is focused on public safety and national security threats. Individuals illegally present in the United States who are encountered during an enforcement operation may be taken into custody and processed for removal as stated by law.

    Members of the public with information can report crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or by completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE HSI San Juan mission to increase public safety in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Instagram, Facebook and X.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE, multiagency case results in Mexican national sentenced to 88 months in prison for role in drug conspiracy

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    TUCSON, Ariz. — A Mexican national was sentenced May 12 to 88 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his role in a drug conspiracy. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the FBI and the DEA conducted the investigation in this case.

    “The defendant will have over seven years in prison to think of the drugs he sought to peddle into our communities,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Arizona Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola. “HSI and our law enforcement partners are firmly committed to stopping criminals from peddling dangerous drugs in the Tucson area — drugs destroy neighborhoods and rip families apart — this criminal activity must stop.”

    Following his prison term, German Montano-Peralta, 33, of Nacozari, Sonora, Mexico, will also be on three years of supervised release. Montano-Peralta previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.

    On April 30, 2024, in Tucson, Montano-Peralta and others possessed approximately 40 kilograms of powder and pills containing fentanyl and more than 55 pounds of methamphetamine, which they intended to deliver to others later that day.

    This investigation was a collaborative effort between federal law enforcement agencies and is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces initiative in Southern Arizona that is being led by the Arizona Strike Force located in Tucson. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney David Petermann, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Boston removes fugitive convicted of armed robbery in Brazil

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    WOONSOCKET, R.I. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s removed a 29-year-old illegal Brazilian fugitive wanted by authorities to serve more than five years in prison for an armed robbery conviction in his native country. Officers with ICE Boston removed Juliano Araujo Dos Santos Silva from the United States to Brazil March 27 and turned him over to Brazilian authorities.

    “Rhode Island is not a safe haven for the world’s criminal element,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “Mr. Araujo was convicted of armed robbery in his native country and attempted to subvert justice by hiding out in New England. Now he is in the hands of Brazilian authorities. ICE Boston will not tolerate alien criminals threatening the law-abiding residents of our communities. We will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing criminal alien offenders from our neighborhoods.”

    A Brazilian criminal court convicted Araujo of armed robbery with a firearm Oct. 2, 2017, and sentenced him to five years and four months in prison.

    U.S. Border Patrol arrested Araujo July 3, 2019, after he illegally entered the United States near near El Paso, Texas. USBP issued Araujo a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge.

    On Sept. 12, 2024, Brazilian authorities issued a warrant for Araujo’s arrest or failure to serve a sentence after conviction.

    Officers with ICE Boston located and arrested Araujo in Woonsocket Jan. 13, 2025.

    On Feb. 18, a DOJ immigration judge ordered Araujo removed from the United States to Brazil. Officers with ICE Boston effectuated the removal March 27 and turned Araujo over to Brazilian authorities.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our New England communities on X at @EROBoston.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Offers Reward up to $20,000 for Arrest and Conviction of Jesus Jose Astorga

    Source: US FBI

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Sacramento Field Office is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Jesus Jose Astorga, who allegedly fled to Mexico to avoid prosecution for murder in the first degree in Kern County, California. Anyone with information regarding the location of Astorga is urged to contact the local FBI office, nearest United States embassy, or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov. All information can be submitted anonymously.

    Astorga has ties to the cities of Durango and Sonora in Mexico. He is described as a Hispanic male standing five-feet, seven-inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes. Photos and additional identifying information about Astorga, including known aliases, are noted on the FBI wanted poster.

    The Shafter Police Department alleges Astorga was involved in the fatal stabling of a man at a Shafter apartment on October 15, 1999. On November 2, 1999, the Kern County District Attorney’s Office charged Astorga with one count of murder in the first degree in the Bakersfield Municipal Court District in Kern County, California. On June 20, 2000, a federal arrest warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was issued for Astorga in the United States District Court in the Eastern District of California.

    All charges are mere allegations. Individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    “The FBI has a long-standing commitment to aiding our law enforcement partners and ensuring defendants face the charges brought against them—no matter how far they may run,” said Sid Patel, special agent in charge of the FBI Sacramento Field Office. “Every family deserves an opportunity to seek justice for their lost loved ones.”

    Additional posters featuring fugitives and cases in need of additional information from the public are available on the FBI Sacramento Division’s Most Wanted page: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/sacramento/wanted. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: El FBI Ofrece Recompensa de Hasta $20,000 por Arresto y Condena de Jesús José Astorga

    Source: US FBI

    La oficina regional de Sacramento del Buró Federal de Investigaciones (FBI, por sus siglas en inglés) ofrece una recompensa de hasta 20.000 dólares por información que conduzca al arresto y condena de Jesús José Astorga, quien presuntamente huyó a México para evitar enjuiciamiento por asesinato en primer grado en el Condado de Kern, California. Se insta a cualquier persona con información sobre la ubicación de Astorga a ponerse en contacto con su oficina local del FBI, la embajada de los Estados Unidos más cercana, o enviar información a tips.fbi.gov. Toda la información puede ser enviada de forma anónima.

    Astorga mantiene vínculos en las ciudades de Durango y Sonora en México. Se le describe como un hombre hispano de cinco pies y siete pulgadas de alto, con cabello negro y ojos marrones. Las fotos y la información de identificación adicional sobre Astorga, incluyendo sus apodos conocidos, se encuentran en el cartel de búsqueda del FBI.

    El Departamento de Policía de Shafter alega que Astorga estuvo involucrado en una puñalada mortal a un hombre en un apartamento de Shafter, el 15 de octubre de 1999. El 2 de noviembre de 1999, la Oficina del Fiscal de Distrito del Condado de Kern acusó a Astorga de un cargo de asesinato en primer grado en el Distrito del Tribunal Municipal de Bakersfield en el Condado de Kern, California.  El 20 de junio de 2000, se emitió una orden de arresto federal contra Astorga por fugarse para evitar un enjuiciamiento en el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos en el Distrito Este de California.

    Todos los cargos son solo alegaciones. Se presume que las personas son inocentes hasta que se demuestre lo contrario.

    “El FBI tiene un compromiso sostenido de ayudar a nuestros socios encargados de hacer cumplir la ley y garantizar que los acusados enfrenten los cargos presentados en su contra, sin importar cuán lejos puedan estar”, dijo Sid Patel, Agente Especial a Cargo de la Oficina Regional del FBI en Sacramento. “Cada familia merece la oportunidad de buscar justicia para sus seres queridos que hayan fallecido”.

    En la página de los más buscados de la División de Sacramento del FBI, https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/sacramento/wanted, se encuentran carteles adicionales con los nombres de los fugitivos y sus casos para que el público pueda ayudar a las autoridades con información.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lankford, Cornyn, Colleagues Introduce Senate Resolution Honoring US Border Patrol’s 101st Anniversary

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford
    WASHINGTON, DC – US Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Border Management Subcommittee,John Cornyn (R-TX), and 16 of their Senate colleagues introduced a resolution to commemorate the 101st anniversary of the U.S. Border Patrol, honoring the brave men and women of the Border Patrol for their unwavering service, dedication, and countless sacrifices to our nation.
    Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Hoeven (R-ND), John Kennedy (R-LA), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Risch (R-ID), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) also cosponsored the resolution. The text is below, and you can view the full resolution here.
    “Whereas the Mounted Guard was assigned to the Immigration Service under the Department of Commerce and Labor from 1904 to 1924;
    Whereas the founding members of this Mounted Guard included Texas Rangers, sheriffs, and deputized cowboys who patrolled the Texas frontier looking for smugglers, rustlers, and people illegally entering the United States;
    Whereas, following the Department of Labor Appropriation Act of May 28, 1924, the U.S. Border Patrol was established within the Bureau of Immigration, with an initial force of 450 patrol inspectors, an annual budget of $1,000,000, and $1,300 in annual pay for each patrol inspector, with each patrolman furnishing his own horse;
    Whereas changes regarding illegal immigration and increases of contraband alcohol traffic brought about the need for this young patrol force to have formal training in border enforcement;
    Whereas on March 1, 2003, the Department of Homeland Security was established, and the U.S. Border Patrol became part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a component of the new Department;
    Whereas, during the U.S. Border Patrol’s 101-year history, Border Patrol agents have been deputized as United States Marshals on numerous occasions;
    Whereas the present force of more than 19,000 agents and 3,000 professional staff, who are located in 131 stations and 34 permanent checkpoints under 20 sectors, is responsible for protecting more than 8,000 miles of international land and water boundaries, preventing terrorists and terrorists weapons, including weapons of mass destruction, from entering the United States, and providing humanitarian assistance in response to numerous natural disasters and to emergencies that have occurred along the United States’ international borders;
    Whereas the U.S. Border Patrol’s highly trained and motivated personnel have been called upon to perform their duties 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, regardless of scorching southern desert heat or freezing northern winters, and have worked tirelessly as vigilant protectors of our Nation’s borders;
    Whereas every day the men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol put their lives on the line protecting the United States and 163 Border Patrol agents, while serving with honor and integrity, have lost their lives in the line of duty;
    Whereas the men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol have demonstrated a continued commitment to mission, not only through the prevention, detection, and apprehension of those who seek to enter or reenter the United States illegally, but also through the detection and identification of victims of human traffickers and the transnational criminal organizations who profit from the forced movement and labor of such victims, and through the interdiction and seizure of illegal and deadly narcotics, such as fentanyl, before such drugs are further transported into the interior of the United States;
    Whereas through a combination of enforcement of the immigration laws, increases in immigration prosecutions for illegal entry and reentry, continued use of technology, and partnering with other law enforcement entities, including the National Guard, as a force multiplier, the U.S. Border Patrol has seen a significant decrease in border encounters and apprehensions;
    Whereas the U.S. Border Patrol continues to have a historic mission and a firm commitment to the enforcement of immigration laws: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate—
    (1) recognizes the 101st anniversary of the U.S. Border Patrol on May 28, 2025;
    (2) applauds the significant achievements of the U.S. Border Patrol;
    (3) commends the tens of thousands of men and women who have served in the ranks of the U.S. Border Patrol;
    (4) remembers the 163 agents and pilots who have lost their lives in the performance of their duties;
    (5) commends those Border Patrol agents and their family members who have chosen to make service in the U.S. Border Patrol a family legacy of honor, service, and commitment to mission; and
    (6) offers its support for policies that improve the working conditions for U.S. Border Patrol agents, increase access to cutting edge technology and equipment needed to secure the United States borders, and recruit, hire, and retain more qualified Border Patrol agents.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn, Blumenthal, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Aid Recovery of Nazi-Confiscated Art

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    AUSTIN – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Fetterman (D-PA), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), and Katie Britt (R-AL) introduced the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act, which would aid in the recovery of Nazi-looted art and deliver justice for Holocaust survivors and their families:
    “The artwork wrongfully ripped from Jewish hands during the Holocaust bears witness to a chapter in history when evil persisted and the worst of humanity was on full display,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation to support the Jewish people and Holocaust survivors by helping them recover art confiscated by the Nazis that they are rightfully owed and give them the justice and restitution they deserve.”
    “The theft of art by the Nazi regime was more than a pilfering of property—it was an act of inhumanity,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “Our bipartisan effort seeks to strengthen measures to bring long overdue justice to families whose cherished art was brazenly stolen by the Nazis.”
    “This legislation helps to right a historic wrong committed during one of the darkest chapters in history,” said Sen. Tillis. “By eliminating unnecessary legal obstacles, the HEAR Act establishes a clear path to restitution for Holocaust survivors and their families, ensuring that art and cultural property stolen by the Nazis can finally be returned to their rightful owners.”
    “Despite decades’ long efforts by the United States and allies to return Nazi-looted art to Holocaust victims and their heirs, over 100,000 works of art have yet to be recovered and returned to their rightful owners,” said Sen. Booker. “I’m proud to join Senator Cornyn in introducing this important bill that updates federal law to ensure that survivors and their heirs finally regain possession of their stolen art.”
    “Hundreds of thousands of pieces of artwork were taken from the Jewish people during the Holocaust, and survivors in the United States should not be unfairly barred from claiming artwork that is theirs,” said Sen. Blackburn. “The Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act would ensure Holocaust survivors and their heirs have a fair opportunity to recover artwork stolen from them by resolving claims based on merits.”
    “Eighty years after the Holocaust, we have a moral responsibility to do right by the victims of these atrocities and their families,” said Sen. Fetterman. “I’m grateful to join my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in introducing the HEAR Act to help return artwork stolen by the Nazis to its rightful owners.”
    “Stealing artwork from Jewish families during the Holocaust wasn’t just an act of thievery, it was meant to dehumanize the victims,” said Sen. Schmitt. “Decades later many families are still seeking justice, and it’s time we help Holocaust survivors and their families recover the cherished art that is rightfully theirs.”
    “The HEAR Act of 2025 empowers Holocaust survivors and their families to continue to be heard in court and to reclaim their part of history,” said Sen. Britt. “I’m proud to join this bipartisan bill that would clarify the intent of the original legislation — honoring and dignifying the families of individuals whose property was stolen or sold by the Nazi regime over 80 years ago.”
    Background:
    Nazi Germany’s campaign of annihilation and genocide against the Jewish people in the Holocaust included massive theft of property, including hundreds of thousands of works of art. Despite post-war efforts by the United States and allies to return Nazi-looted art and renewed efforts since the late 1990s, more than 100,000 works of art have not been returned to their rightful owners.
    In 2016, Congress unanimously passed the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act, spearheaded in the Senate by Senator Cornyn, to ensure Holocaust survivors and their heirs could access U.S. courts to pursue claims for the recovery of Nazi-looted art, allowing cases to be decided on their factual merits rather than dismissed on time-based technical defenses. Congress found that the circumstances of the Holocaust imposed extraordinary obstacles to survivors and heirs to locate and recover stolen art, necessitating a national six-year statute of limitations that only begins when the owner actually discovers the location of the stolen artwork.
    Unfortunately, many museums, governments, and institutions have contradicted Congress’ intent and obstructed justice by stonewalling legitimate claims, obscuring provenance, and employing aggressive legal tactics designed to exhaust and outlast survivors and their families. Rather than embracing transparency and reconciliation, too many have chosen to entrench and litigate, effectively preserving possession of stolen works rather than returning them to their rightful owners. Moreover, some court cases have interpreted the law narrowly, leaving survivors without recourse.
    The original HEAR Act includes a sunset provision and is set to expire December 31, 2026. This legislation would amend and reauthorize the original law to ensure victims of the Holocaust are not denied justice by legal loopholes, institutional intransigence, or the mere passage of time. As another insidious wave of antisemitism hits society, this legislation would reaffirm our commitment to the Jewish people and Holocaust survivors by sending a clear message that the United States will not allow looting to be legitimized, justice to be denied, or Holocaust profiteering to be tolerated.
    The HEAR Act would:
    Eliminate the sunset date, recognizing that the challenges of restitution remain urgent and unresolved;
    Clarify and strengthen procedural protections to ensure that claims are considered on their merits and not dismissed due to time-based technical defenses or other non-merits discretionary defenses;
    And fortify victims’ remedies and access to the courts.
    The legislation is endorsed by Art Ashes, Agudath Israel of America, American Jewish Committee (AJC), Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Bet Tzedek, House of Justice, Christians United for Israel (CUFI Action Fund), Creative Community for Peace (CCFP), Holocaust Survivors Foundation USA, Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), Jewish Women International (JWI), Justice for Atrocities Clinic, LMU Loyola Law School, Simon Wiesenthal Center, StandWithUs, The 1939 Society, Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, and World Jewish Congress.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Canada has a chance to lead on AI policy and data governance at the 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By E. Richard Gold, Professor of intellectual property and innovation, Faculty of Law and Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University

    The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit will be held in Kananaskis, Alta., from June 15 to 17. As host of the G7, Canada has a chance to shape rules that will govern AI globally. (Shutterstock)

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming sectors from health care to climate science. But amid the global scramble to lead this technological revolution, one truth is becoming clearer: data, its platforms and its circulations, have become critical infrastructure. And Canada, poised to host this year’s G7 Leaders Summit, has a rare opportunity to shape the rules that will govern AI globally.

    Under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Carney, the federal government elevated AI and digital innovation to a central pillar of national policy, and appointed Evan Solomon as minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation. But ambition is not enough — Canada must now back its rhetoric with action that resonates at home and abroad.

    Infrastructure intelligence

    While AI headlines often focus on breakthroughs in generative models and robotics, the real engine of progress lies in less glamorous terrain: computing infrastructure and data systems.

    Canada’s proposal to build “next-generation data centres” is about creating the backbone for globally competitive and ethically governed AI. Without these facilities, modern AI systems cannot be trained, validated or deployed responsibly.

    AI models — like those used in medicine for developing new drugs and health services, clean technologies such as clean energy and carbon-capture or materials science — require enormous computational power and massive datasets. That data must be structured, validated and — to the extent possible — open to those who can use it.

    Quality assurance

    Our recent study underscores that the future of AI depends less on algorithmic cleverness and more on data quality and accessibility. Poorly labelled or fragmented datasets can introduce bias, reduce model performance or even endanger lives when used in health or safety applications.

    Yet across many domains, useful data remains siloed and locked in proprietary formats, lacking documentation or inaccessible due to legal and technical barriers. This status quo serves monopolies, not society.

    Canada holds the G7 presidency in 2025, and can provide leadership in data governance and AI innovation. A central priority should be to rally partners around a framework for ethical, accessible and well-designed datasets, especially in fields like health, climate science and materials research.

    Tailored data

    Our call for open data isn’t one-size-fits-all. It must be tailored to the needs of specific sectors:

    • Health-care AI requires anonymized patient data, genomic sequences, protein structure data, toxicology and carcinogen data, and drug response datasets.

    • Climate AI needs long-term environmental records, satellite imagery, power and water use information and real-time emissions data.

    • Materials science AI demands chemical interaction data, physical testing results, structural data and thermodynamic properties.

    What binds these fields is a common challenge: ensuring data is ethically sourced, high-quality, and useable across borders and institutions. Canada’s role should be to help build the platforms — digital, legal and diplomatic — that make this possible.

    A G7 mandate

    As host of the G7 in June, Canada can push for a transformative international commitment. At a minimum, this should include:

    1. Common standards for open datasets, co-designed with input from AI developers, health professionals, climate researchers, materials scientists and legal experts.
    2. Trusted data hubs, managed by public-private or non-profit entities, ensuring secure storage, privacy safeguards and public access.
    3. Legal and diplomatic co-ordination, addressing cross-border data sharing, intellectual property constraints and ethical governance frameworks.

    These steps would position the G7 — and Canada in particular — as a champion of AI that serves democratic values on top of commercial and geopolitical interests.

    Canada’s risks and opportunities

    Canada is not starting from scratch. The country boasts leading AI research institutions, including the Vector Institute and Mila, and has pioneered open science partnerships such as the Montreal Neurological Institute’s Tanenbaum Open Science Institute and the Toronto labs of the Structural Genomics Consortium.

    Dataset platforms such as AIRCHECK(for AI-based chemical knowledge) and the CACHE competition (evaluating drug discovery models using open data), show how Canada is already putting together the building blocks of responsible AI. But the country risks squandering this advantage if it cannot scale these efforts or retain innovation domestically.

    The stalled Artificial Intelligence and Data Act is a case in point. While the European Union moved forward with its AI Act, the General Data Protection Regulation and the European Health Data Space Regulation, Canada’s legislative framework remains in flux.

    Without clear domestic rules, and a proactive global agenda, Canada could end up as an incubator for innovations that end up developed and applied elsewhere.

    Global stakes

    The AI race is not just about who builds the most powerful models. It’s about who defines the technical, ethical and geopolitical standards that shape the digital future.

    The G7 offers Canada a moment of strategic clarity. By investing in AI infrastructure and leading an international agenda on open, trustworthy AI, Canada can lead in shaping the rules.

    E. Richard Gold receives funding from TRIDENT: TRanslational Initiative to DE-risk NeuroTherapeutics, a project funded by the New Frontiers in Research Fund, application NFRFT-2022-00051. Gold is also the Chief Policy and Partnerships Officer of Conscience, a Canadian non-profit focused on enabling drug discovery and development in areas where open sharing and collaboration are key to advancement and where market solutions are limited, such as rare or neglected diseases, pandemic preparedness, and antimicrobial resistance.

    Cristina Vanberghen does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Canada has a chance to lead on AI policy and data governance at the 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit – https://theconversation.com/canada-has-a-chance-to-lead-on-ai-policy-and-data-governance-at-the-2025-g7-leaders-summit-256296

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Volunteer Awards Turn 50

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Nova Scotians who generously give their time to their communities were honoured today, September 18, at the 50th annual Provincial Volunteer Awards ceremony in Truro.

    “The 50th anniversary of the Provincial Volunteer Awards is a testament to the enduring power of community and the boundless potential of individuals united in purpose,” said Lt.-Gov. Arthur J. LeBlanc. “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to volunteers for their time, skills and compassion. They have touched countless lives across Nova Scotia, driving positive change and inspiring others to join in creating a brighter future.”

    A new award to honour the 50th year of the award ceremony will recognize newcomers who come to Nova Scotia from another country and demonstrate extraordinary outreach and volunteerism in their new community. The first recipient of the Newcomer Volunteer of the Year Award will be announced at the 2025 ceremony.

    “Volunteers are the backbone of our communities. This year’s celebration not only reflects on the past achievements but also inspires future generations to uphold the spirit of volunteerism,” said Dave Ritcey, MLA for Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River, on behalf of Allan MacMaster, Minister responsible for the Voluntary Sector. “Their immense contributions are what make our province vibrant and resilient. Today, we celebrate not just the individual achievements of our honorees but also the collective spirit of giving that defines us as Nova Scotians.”

    This year, 72 volunteers received representative awards. Three specialty awards were presented at the ceremony: the Youth Volunteer Award, Family Volunteer Award and Nova Scotia Strong Award. Details about the award recipients are available at: https://novascotia.ca/nonprofitsector/provincialvolunteerawards/2024-Program.pdf

    The ceremony is available to watch at: https://vimeo.com/event/4565912/32e0d9e5a9

    Quotes:

    “Winning the Nova Scotia Strong Award is such an incredible honour for the Ultimate Online Nova Scotia Kitchen Party. Our exceptional online community was built by 285,000 people with a shared love of music, a lot of trust, and a common goal of spreading joy when we needed it most. Four and a half years later, it continues to have a positive impact on people all over the world both online and in person, while shining a bright light on the beautiful people of Nova Scotia. I am grateful to be a little part of something so very extraordinary and am proud to accept this award on behalf of all of our group members.”
    — Heather Thomson, founder, Ultimate Online Nova Scotia Kitchen Party

    Quick Facts:

    • more than 410,000 Nova Scotians volunteer each year, contributing almost 79 million hours to their communities
    • the awards program is administered by the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
    • the representative (individual) volunteer awards are selected by each municipality and Mi’kmaw community

    Additional Resources:

    Provincial Volunteer Awards: https://novascotia.ca/nonprofitsector/provincialvolunteerawards/

    Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage: – website: https://cch.novascotia.ca – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NOVASCOTIACULTURE – X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/NS_CCTH

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Government of Canada proudly celebrates Asian Heritage Month

    Source: Government of Canada News

    OTTAWA – The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, will host the official Government of Canada celebration for Asian Heritage Month on Wednesday.

    This year’s theme, “Unity in Diversity: The Impact of Asian Communities in Shaping Canadian Identity,” celebrates the abundance of diversity present among Asian-Canadian communities, and the ways this richness has contributed to building our Canadian identity.

    The evening will feature performances and inspiring speeches, paying tribute to the achievements and outstanding contributions of Asian communities across Canada.

    Please note that all details are subject to change. All times are local.

    The details are as follows:

    DATE:
    Wednesday, May 28, 2025

    TIME:
    7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:00 p.m.)

    Journalists who wish to attend this event must confirm their participation by submitting their full name and the name of their organization to media@pch.gc.ca by 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28. Information on the location and how to attend will be provided after registering.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ecobank named Best Bank in Africa 2025 in Global Finance Awards

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    LOMÉ, Togo, May 27, 2025/APO Group/ —

    Ecobank (www.Ecobank.com), the leading private pan-African financial services Group which has unrivalled African expertise, is delighted to have been named Best Bank in Africa 2025 in Global Finance’s World’s Best Banks 2025 Awards. The Awards also selected Ecobank Gambia and Ecobank Togo as the Best Banks 2025 in their respective countries. 

    Jeremy Awori, Chief Executive Officer, Ecobank Group, said, “Driving intra-African trade is an important focus of our Growth, Transformation and Returns strategy and we are continuously leveraging technology and partnerships to further enhance our continental digital payments platform and to position Ecobank as Africa’s trade bank of choice. 

    “These awards are a testament to Ecobank’s intense focus on putting our customers at the centre of our decision making, and the quality of our comprehensive suite of financial products, services and solutions that we provide to global and regional corporates, financial institutions and international organisations. Our expertise and integrated coverage, which is networked across our 35-African country footprint, enable us to structure complex local and cross-border transactions. We maximise our impact across our markets by deploying our key product pillars of cash management; trade finance; fixed income currencies and commodities; loans and liquidity; investment banking; and securities, wealth and asset management.” 

    In selecting the best bank winners, Global Finance’s judges considered factors including growth in assets, profitability, geographic reach, strategic relationships, new business development and innovation in products. They also sought the opinions of equity analysts, credit rating analysts, banking consultants and others involved in the industry, and held extensive consultations with corporate financial executives, bankers, banking consultants and analysts. The winners are banks that attend carefully to their customers’ needs in difficult markets and accomplish strong results while laying the foundations for future success.  

    Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Ecobank Gambia and Ecobank Togo will be presented with their awards at the Global Finance Awards Ceremony at the National Press Club in Washington DC, USA, on 18 October 2025, which is being held during the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings. 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CISA Adopts OEM Public-Private Partnerships (P3) Sponsored Webinar Series as New Curricula Component

    Source: US State of Oregon

    n a significant step toward strengthening private sector preparedness, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has incorporated the Private Sector Preparedness Response and Recovery (PSPR2) Seminar Series, titled “Mass Casualty Impact and Recovery” into the revamped e-learning course Active Shooter: What You Can Do (IS-907 .A), which can be found on FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI).

    This addition underscores both the return on investment and the importance of collaboration between businesses and government agencies in responding to and recovering from mass casualty events. These efforts also demonstrate the tangible long-term value that Public-Private Partnerships can deliver.

    Each 90-minute seminar features subject matter experts from across industries and government sharing critical infrastructure best practices, lessons learned, and planning tools to enhance emergency preparedness. Tailored for companies and organizations seeking to bolster their response capabilities, the seminar provides actionable insights for navigating the complexities of mass casualty events.

    The PSPR2 Seminar Series was delivered in partnership with multiple organizations, including the Alaska Partnership for Infrastructure Protection, Albertsons Crisis and Business Continuity Management, the American Red Cross, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Idaho Office of Emergency Management, New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services, Oregon Department of Emergency Management Public-Private Partnerships (P3) Program, and Washington Emergency Management Division, with logistics provided by G&H International, Inc.

    OEM’s P3 program is a cornerstone in fostering collaboration between the private and public sectors, ensuring that communities are better prepared to manage crises. Public-Private Partnerships enable the seamless sharing of resources, expertise, and networks, making disaster response and recovery more efficient. From supply chain coordination to infrastructure support, these partnerships play a vital role in safeguarding communities.

    As Sonya McCormick, Public-Private Partnership Manager at Oregon Department of Emergency Management, aptly puts it, “Collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential for a resilient emergency response. By bringing stakeholders together, we create stronger, more adaptable solutions for managing crises.”

    For more information on the OEM P3 Program, contact Sonya McCormick at Sonya.MCCORMICK@oem.oregon.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bay Roberts — Driver arrested for impaired operation by Bay Roberts RCMP

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    A 32-year-old man was arrested for impaired operation by Bay Roberts RCMP during a traffic stop that was conducted in Bay Roberts on May 27, 2025.

    Shortly after 12:30 a.m. today, police stopped a vehicle on Conception Bay Highway in Bay Roberts. The officer noted a smell of alcohol coming from the driver and administered a roadside breath test, which resulted in a failure. The driver was arrested and transported to the detachment where he provided further breath tests that were one and half times the legal limit.

    The man’s licence was suspended and the vehicle was seized and impounded.

    He is scheduled to appear in court at a later date to answer to charges of impaired operation.

    RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

    If you suspect a driver is operating a vehicle while impaired, please immediately call your local police or 911 and be prepared to provide a description of the vehicle, including a licence plate if possible, and the vehicle’s current location.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hebron — Yarmouth Rural RCMP seeking information after shots fired in Hebron

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Yarmouth Rural RCMP Detachment is seeking information in relation to shots fired in Hebron.

    On May 27 at approximately 2:40 a.m., Yarmouth Rural RCMP Detachment received a report of shots fired at a residence on Greenville Rd. The incident resulted in damage to the home.

    There were no reports of injuries.

    As part of the ongoing investigation, officers would like to hear from anyone with surveillance video or doorbell cameras showing Hwy. 1 (south from Greenville Rd.) and Main St. in Yarmouth between 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on May 27. The investigation is being led by Yarmouth Rural RCMP Detachment with support from the RCMP Forensic Identification Section and RCMP Police Dog Services.

    Anyone with information about this incident or video surveillance is asked to contact police at 902-742-9106. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Make Transportation More Cost-Effective For Disabled Veterans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) reintroduced the Deliver for Veterans Act. The bipartisan legislation expands an existing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) grant program to cover shipping costs for disabled veterans who require modified vehicles for transportation.
    “Disabled veterans deserve access to every benefit they have earned – regardless of where they live,” said Senator Schatz. “Our bill is about basic fairness and will help disabled veterans in Hawai‘i and other isolated areas receive the specialized vehicles they need to go about their daily lives.”
    “Our veterans in rural Alaska, deserve the same access to the specialized grant programs and services that they would get if they lived elsewhere in the country,” said Senator Murkowski. “There is a significant financial burden associated with transporting a car to many of the rural communities around Alaska. As the state with the highest number of veterans per capita, I want those with disabilities living in Alaska to be able to benefit from the VA’s many excellent programs. Ensuring that they can affordably transport handicapped-modified vehicles to their homes is an important step.”
    Currently, the program provides eligible veterans with a stipend of roughly $26,400 to purchase or modify accessible vehicles. However, those funds cannot be used to ship their vehicles, making it exceedingly difficult for veterans in places such as Hawai‘i and Alaska to acquire these vehicles. The Deliver for Veterans Act would amend the grant program to allow coverage of these additional costs.
    The full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s West Point speech brought partisanship to the home of the US military − 3 essential reads

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jeff Inglis, Environment + Energy Editor, The Conversation US

    President Donald Trump delivers the commencement address at West Point on May 24, 2025. AP Photo/Adam Gray

    President Donald Trump’s speech at the graduation of the class of 2025 from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point included segments that were clearly scripted and portions that were obviously not.

    During the unscripted portions, Trump, who wore a bright red “Make America Great Again” campaign hat during his entire appearance on May 24, 2025, delivered remarks that hit many of his frequent partisan political talking points. That included attacking presidential predecessors Barack Obama and Joe Biden, describing immigrants to the U.S. as “criminals” and trumpeting other policy accomplishments in his first and second terms.

    That level of partisanship in a military setting – on the campus of the nation’s first military academy, and before an audience of cadets and their families, many of whom are veterans – is unusual in the United States.

    The Conversation U.S. has published several articles discussing the importance to democracy of keeping the military and partisan politics separate. Here are three highlights from that coverage.

    1. Cadets focus on the Constitution

    During the West Point ceremony, the graduates themselves took an oath to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” And all of them had studied the significance of that oath, including in classes like those taught by Joseph G. Amoroso and Lee Robinson, active-duty Army officers who graduated from West Point and later served as professors there.

    As Amoroso and Robinson wrote, those classes teach cadets that, like all military personnel, they serve the Constitution and the American people, not a particular person or political party:

    “(O)ur oath forms the basis of a nonpartisan ethic. In the U.S., unlike in many other countries, the oath implies military leaders should be trusted for their expertise and judgment, not for their loyalty to an individual or political party. We emphasize to cadets the rules and professional expectations associated with this profound responsibility.”



    Read more:
    Military personnel swear allegiance to the Constitution and serve the American people – not one leader or party

    2. A tradition of nonpartisanship

    Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Samuel C. Mahaney, who teaches history, national security and constitutional law at Missouri University of Science and Technology, observed:

    “(S)ince the days of George Washington, the military has been dedicated to serving the nation, not a specific person or political agenda. … (N)onpartisanship is central to the military’s primary mission of defending the country.”

    Mahaney wrote that if Trump’s actions during his second term meant a change from the centuries of precedent, “military personnel at all levels would face a crucial question: Would they stand up for the military’s independent role in maintaining the integrity and stability of American democracy or follow the president’s orders – even if those orders crossed a line that made them illegal or unconstitutional?”

    Presenting a key question for military personnel.



    Read more:
    Trump’s firings of military leaders pose a crucial question to service members of all ranks

    3. Dating back to the founding of the nation

    Marcus Hedahl and Bradley Jay Strawser, professors of philosophy who teach military ethics at the U.S. Naval Academy and the Naval Postgraduate School, respectively, explain the reason for this long-standing focus on keeping politicians and politics separate from military action.

    “To minimize the chance of the kind of military occupation they suffered during the Revolutionary War, the country’s founders wrote the Constitution requiring that the president, an elected civilian, would be the commander in chief of the military. In the wake of World War II, Congress went even further, restructuring the military and requiring that the secretary of defense be a civilian as well.”

    As they observed, “… the framers always intended it to be the people’s military – not the president’s.”



    Read more:
    Threatening ‘the enemy within’ with force: Military ethicists explain the danger to important American traditions

    This story is a roundup of articles from The Conversation’s archives.

    – ref. Trump’s West Point speech brought partisanship to the home of the US military − 3 essential reads – https://theconversation.com/trumps-west-point-speech-brought-partisanship-to-the-home-of-the-us-military-3-essential-reads-257673

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –