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Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI Security: Chinese Nationals Charged with Conspiracy to Defraud Elderly Victims

    Source: US FBI

    WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that eight Chinese nationals who obtained student visas to attend college in the United States were indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Those indicated include: Yankun Jiang, 24, of State College, PA, Hanlin Yang, 24, of State College; Chenhao Chen, 25, of California; Xiaoqing Tu, 24, of California; Dongjie Lu, 35, of California; Lei Bao, 22, of New York; Kuo Zhang, 31, of New Jersey; and Jiacheng Zhang, 25, of Florida.

    According to Acting United States Attorney John Gurganus, the indictment alleges that beginning in or about August of 2023 and continuing until on or about February 22, 2024, the defendants orchestrated a wide-scale computer “pop-up” scam targeting elderly victims falsely claiming that their computer or bank accounts had been compromised.  The indictment further alleges that members of the conspiracy traveled to victims’ homes and posed as federal law enforcement officers to collect large sums of cash from the victims claiming that the assets would be protected, among other falsehoods.  It is alleged that more than 50 victims across 19 states were defrauded of more than $10,000,000.

    “These indictments highlight the relentless efforts of Homeland Security Investigations to safeguard our elderly population from complex fraud operations,” stated Special Agent in Charge Edward V. Owens of HSI Philadelphia. “Schemes like these cause significant emotional and financial harm to elderly victims across the country. HSI, in partnership with the FBI, remains steadfast in our commitment to securing justice for the victims and ensuring that those responsible are held fully accountable.”

    “As outlined in the indictment, this criminal enterprise not only exploited elderly victims but did so by impersonating federal law enforcement—an egregious abuse of trust,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office. “We urge older Americans and their families to remain alert to these kinds of scams. The FBI will never ask for money or payment of any kind. We are grateful to our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations for their dedicated work in bringing this case forward.”

    The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Lloyd is prosecuting the case.

    The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

    Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Luzerne County Man Sentenced to 15 Years’ Imprisonment on Drug Trafficking and Firearms Charges

    Source: US FBI

    SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher Essameddin Birry, age 43, of Hanover Township, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on July 9, 2025, to 15 years’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Julia K. Munley on drug trafficking and firearms charges.

    According to Acting United States Attorney John Gurganus, between May 31, 2023, and July 27, 2023, Birry distributed methamphetamine on multiple occasions in the Wilkes-Barre area within Luzerne County. On September 11, 2023, Birry was involved in a motor vehicle stop in Olyphant, Lackawanna County. Birry attempted to flee on foot from law enforcement but was apprehended and found to be in possession of distribution amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl and possessed a loaded handgun. Birry was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior felony drug trafficking convictions. At the time of this offense, Birry was on probation for a prior drug trafficking conviction.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) a nationwide initiate that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, the Pennsylvania State Police and Olyphant Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jenny P. Roberts and Patrick Bannon prosecuted the case.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 07.15.2025 Cruz-Led Bipartisan Bill to Protect Livelihoods of Texas Fishermen Passes the Senate

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate passed the Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act, which was introduced by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.). The bipartisan bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop a standard methodology for identifying the country of origin of red snapper and certain species of tuna imported into the United States.
    Technology exists to chemically test and find the geographic origin of many foods, but not for red snapper and tuna. The legislation supports the development of a field test kit that can be used to accurately ascertain whether fish were caught in U.S. or foreign waters, thus allowing federal and state law enforcement officers to identify the origin of the fish and confiscate illegally caught red snapper and tuna before it is imported back into the U.S.
    The Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Act was reintroduced in January and advanced out of the Senate Commerce Committee the following month. The legislation was also co-sponsored by Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).
    Sen. Cruz said, “Hardworking Texas fishermen in the Gulf of America are being undercut by cartel-backed entities who illegally catch and smuggle red snapper into U.S. markets, using profits to fund other illicit activities. I am proud to lead the fight on this bipartisan legislation to crack down on these corrupt operations, stand up for Texas fishermen, and protect our communities. Now, it’s time for the House to act and help us put an end to this illegality.”
    Sen. Schatz said, “Seafood that’s caught illegally or intentionally mislabeled rips off consumers and makes it harder for law-abiding U.S. fishermen to compete. Our bill will help fight against anyone who tries to pass off cheap foreign tuna for high-quality ahi from local Hawai‘i fishermen.”
    BACKGROUND
    Mexican fishermen cross the maritime border between Texas and Mexico on small boats called “lanchas” to illegally catch red snapper in U.S. waters and return to Mexico. The fish are sold in Mexico or mixed in with legally-caught red snapper then exported back into the United States across land borders. Red snapper is one of the most well-managed and profitable fish in the Gulf, but illegal fishing by Mexican lanchas puts law-abiding U.S. fishermen and seafood producers at a competitive disadvantage.
    Last year, the Coast Guard seized more than 18 tons of illegally caught fish from Mexican lanchas. As of June of this year, the Coast Guard has arrested more than 50 Mexican fishermen and seized thousands of pounds of illegally caught fish, further underscoring the need for additional measures to protect our resources.
    In Hawaii, commercial fishermen have long fought to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and human trafficking in the seafood industry. IUU fishing activities violate both national and international fishing regulations.
    Sens. Cruz, Britt, and Tuberville previously introduced similar legislation during the 118th Congress, which passed the Commerce Committee in July of last year.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: CPPCC National Committee Holds Consultative Meeting on Improving, Renewing Social Governance

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) — The National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held a thematic consultation meeting on improving and innovating social governance in Beijing on Tuesday.

    Speaking at the meeting, Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, called on political consultants to rely on a people-centered approach when improving social governance.

    Wang Huning called for developing a social governance system based on joint construction, joint management and joint use, shifting the focus of social governance to the grassroots level, and improving the quality and effectiveness of policy consultation and professional proposals.

    The chairman of the CPPCC National Committee stressed the need to continuously deepen research on key issues in social governance, strengthen the reflection of public opinion in social governance, and properly carry out the work of consolidating forces in social governance.

    About 100 members of the CPPCC National Committee attended the meeting, of whom 22 delivered speeches.

    Chen Wenqing, member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, also attended the event and delivered a speech.

    Chen Wenqing called for raising the level of modernization of social governance, turning the Party’s leadership advantages into the effectiveness of social governance, better responding to public concerns and protecting public interests, and enhancing the rule of law in social governance. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Debtors Who Failed to Disclose Foreign Assets Lose Bankruptcy Discharge After U.S. Trustee Program Investigation

    Source: US State of California

    A Texas couple who failed to disclose assets in Dubai and Pakistan waived their bankruptcy discharge of more than $14.6 million in unsecured debt after an investigation by the Department of Justice’s U.S. Trustee Program (USTP).

    On May 30, the Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas approved a waiver of discharge by chapter 7 debtors Hasan Farid Hashmi and Umme Salma Hashmi. As a result, the Hashmis remain personally liable for their debts, and creditors are free to pursue payment from them after the case is closed.

    “The bankruptcy system depends on transparency,” said Lisa Lambert, U.S. Trustee for Region 6, which includes the Northern District of Texas. “Debtors who intentionally undermine that system should not receive the benefit of a fresh start.”

    The Hashmis filed for bankruptcy in September 2023 after the closure of several Texas hospitals owned by Hasan Hashmi, a physician. Among their assets, the couple listed a $2 million Dallas home as their only real estate and two American bank accounts with small balances. They also disclosed that they had established a trust for their descendants — which Dr. Hashmi managed as trustee — but claimed no interest in the trust’s assets as owners or beneficiaries. An investigation by the USTP’s Dallas office, however, revealed that the Hashmis owned several other properties and bank accounts in Dubai and Pakistan and that they used funds from the trust to pay personal expenses.

    In February 2024, the USTP filed a complaint seeking to bar the Hashmis’ bankruptcy discharge for making false oaths; concealing assets; failing to maintain financial records; failing to cooperate with the chapter 7 trustee’s document requests; and refusing to obey a court order requiring the Hashmis to comply with the U.S. Trustee’s document requests. One day before trial, the Hashmis agreed to waive their discharge.

    The USTP’s mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders — debtors, creditors and the public. The USTP consists of 21 regions with 88 field offices nationwide and an Executive Office in Washington, D.C. Learn more about the USTP at www.justice.gov/ust. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Young Kim Leads Bipartisan Bill to Bolster Nursing Workforce 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Young Kim (CA-39)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Today, U.S. Reps. Young Kim (CA-40), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Sarah McBride (DE-At Large) introduced the National Nursing Workforce Center Act to address the nationwide nursing shortage and sustain a resilient healthcare workforce. 

    The National Nursing Workforce Center Act would establish a pilot program to support the development of state-based nursing workforce centers. These centers serve as critical hubs for research, planning, and programs that strengthen the nursing pipeline and improve workforce planning across states.  

    “Unsustainable schedules are hurting our nurses, who play a vital role in delivering care across the nation,” said Rep. Young Kim. “We must strengthen our nursing workforce to meet evolving healthcare needs. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan bill to support these heroes who care for us every day.” 

    “This bill helps to establish and promote nursing workforce centers, as we try to address the skilled nursing shortage,” said Rep. Marilyn Strickland. “We must support nurses at all stages of their careers, so we can grow a strong nursing workforce.” 

    “State-based nursing workforce centers help improve the pipeline for nursing education programs because of the data-driven solutions they research,” said Rep. Don Bacon. “I’m thankful to join Rep. Kim on this legislation that will focus on localized research, data analysis and strategic planning to improve nursing education.” 

     “Nurses are the backbone of our health care system—and they’re burned out and stretched thin,” said Rep. Sarah McBride. “I’m proud to join Rep. Young Kim in introducing this bipartisan bill to strengthen nursing education, expand mental health support, and build the workforce patients count on. I’m grateful to Senator Blunt Rochester for her leadership in the Senate as we work to ensure nurses have the resources they need to keep our communities healthy.”  

    The National Nursing Workforce Center Act would:   

    • Create a two-year pilot program through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to help states establish or expand nursing workforce centers; 
    • Support research, planning, and programs that address nursing shortages and strengthen nursing education; 
    • Direct HRSA to create a national center focused on nursing workforce research and solutions. 

    Read the bill here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: President Meloni meets with Federal Chancellor of Austria

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    15 Luglio 2025

    The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, met with the Federal Chancellor of Austria, Christian Stocker, at Palazzo Chigi today. Following their meeting, the two leaders issued statements to the press.

    [Press statements by President Meloni and Federal Chancellor Stocker (Original audio)]

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada invests $13.4 million in Rogers Pass Centre and Trans-Canada Highway 

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Work will improve safety for visitors, the traveling public, and wildlife

    July 15, 2025                            Rogers Pass/Glacier, BC                    Parks Canada

    The Government of Canada is committed to protecting natural and cultural treasures in Canada and advancing infrastructure projects at Parks Canada administered sites to conserve the environment, create economic and tourism opportunities and ensure the safety of visitors travelling to and through these iconic places.

    Today, the Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, announced $13.4 million for infrastructure improvements to the Rogers Pass Centre in Glacier National Park and key assets along the Trans-Canada Highway through Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks.

    The Rogers Pass Centre is an essential visitor experience and public safety node and rest point for travellers along this busy national corridor. During the rehabilitation, a temporary facility called Summit Station will provide travellers with visitor experience and safety information, park pass sales and merchandise, thereby ensuring minimal disruption to these services.

    This funding will also support critical roadway improvements along the Trans-Canada Highway, including:

    ·        Upgrades to the Mount Revelstoke National Park entrance overpass to meet current safety standards

    ·        Installation of an eco-passage to enable wildlife of all sizes to cross more safely

    ·        Slope stabilization in Glacier National Park to address landslide impacts to the highway

    ·        Drainage and surfacing improvements to improve safety

    This Government of Canada investment is ensuring that future generations can safely connect with the cultural and natural heritage of Rogers Pass National Historic Site and Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks while helping to protect and conserve important infrastructure, support the local economy and contribute to growth in the tourism sector.

                                                                                                       -30-

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Debtors Who Failed to Disclose Foreign Assets Lose Bankruptcy Discharge After U.S. Trustee Program Investigation

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    A Texas couple who failed to disclose assets in Dubai and Pakistan waived their bankruptcy discharge of more than $14.6 million in unsecured debt after an investigation by the Department of Justice’s U.S. Trustee Program (USTP).

    On May 30, the Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas approved a waiver of discharge by chapter 7 debtors Hasan Farid Hashmi and Umme Salma Hashmi. As a result, the Hashmis remain personally liable for their debts, and creditors are free to pursue payment from them after the case is closed.

    “The bankruptcy system depends on transparency,” said Lisa Lambert, U.S. Trustee for Region 6, which includes the Northern District of Texas. “Debtors who intentionally undermine that system should not receive the benefit of a fresh start.”

    The Hashmis filed for bankruptcy in September 2023 after the closure of several Texas hospitals owned by Hasan Hashmi, a physician. Among their assets, the couple listed a $2 million Dallas home as their only real estate and two American bank accounts with small balances. They also disclosed that they had established a trust for their descendants — which Dr. Hashmi managed as trustee — but claimed no interest in the trust’s assets as owners or beneficiaries. An investigation by the USTP’s Dallas office, however, revealed that the Hashmis owned several other properties and bank accounts in Dubai and Pakistan and that they used funds from the trust to pay personal expenses.

    In February 2024, the USTP filed a complaint seeking to bar the Hashmis’ bankruptcy discharge for making false oaths; concealing assets; failing to maintain financial records; failing to cooperate with the chapter 7 trustee’s document requests; and refusing to obey a court order requiring the Hashmis to comply with the U.S. Trustee’s document requests. One day before trial, the Hashmis agreed to waive their discharge.

    The USTP’s mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders — debtors, creditors and the public. The USTP consists of 21 regions with 88 field offices nationwide and an Executive Office in Washington, D.C. Learn more about the USTP at www.justice.gov/ust. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cramer, Peters Urge FAA to Expedite Delivery of Airport Entitlement Funds

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The formula-based Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) Program funds are regularly awarded to nearly 3,300 public-use airports across the nation annually. Since these funds are often not awarded until late June and July, it’s challenging for airports to implement the projects during the summer construction season, leading to project delays, cancellations, and cost escalations, especially at small and rural airports.

    U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Gary Peters (D-MI) sent a bipartisan letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford urging him to expedite the disbursement of AIP and AIG entitlement funds to help airports deliver projects more efficiently and better serve travelers.

    “Despite their guaranteed nature, AIP and AIG entitlement funds are often not available to airports until late June or July,” the senators wrote. “For small airports with limited resources and in states with truncated construction seasons due to severe weather, this delay poses significant challenges. It results in project cancellations, increased costs, and makes each federal dollar less effective. Further, for states that participate in the FAA’s Block Grant program, agency actions to limit which AIP funds are provided via block grant challenge the usefulness of the program and increase administrative burden.

    “We urge the FAA to take steps to disburse entitlement funds earlier in the fiscal year and to work with block grant states to maximize the utility of the program moving forward,” the senators concluded.  “We look forward to your response on this important matter.”

    Supporters of the letter include the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, National Association of State Aviation Officials, the American Association of Airport Executives, and the Transportation Construction Coalition.

    Cosigners include U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), John Boozman (R-AR), Ted Budd (R-NC), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Jim Justice (R-WV), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jim Risch (R-ID), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

    Click here for the letter.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Coast Guard, Mexican Navy collaborate to disrupt suspected maritime smuggling venture off the coast of San Diego

    Source: United States Coast Guard

     

    07/15/2025 12:55 PM EDT

    SAN DIEGO — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Robert Ward (WPC 1130) and the Mexican Navy vessel ARM Revolución successfully collaborated to deter a suspected maritime smuggling attempt approximately 11 miles southwest of Point Loma, Sunday. At approximately 4 p.m., the crew of Robert Ward detected a vessel transiting north from Mexican waters into U.S. territorial waters. As the cutter prepared to deploy its small boat to conduct a boarding, the suspected smuggling vessel suddenly reversed course and fled south at a high rate of speed.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cramer, Alsobrooks Lead Bipartisan Effort to Permanently Add Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Armed Services and Banking Housing and Urban Affairs Committees, and U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and John Fetterman (D-PA) introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen food and national security. A companion bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee and the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously.

    The Agricultural Risk Review Act codifies a key plank of the Trump administration’s National Farm Security Action Plan by permanently adding the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) for agriculture transactions. CFIUS is an interagency committee tasked with reviewing transactions involving foreign investment in the United States to determine the national security implications. 

    “We’ve made tremendous progress over the last few years in our efforts to safeguard our agricultural systems and food supply chains against adversaries,” said Cramer. “After Grand Forks’ experience with Fufeng, we now know how essential it is to add the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS. Foreign land purchases, especially near sensitive sites, are a threat to both our national and food security. Republicans and Democrats both understand the importance of protecting food supply chains. President Trump was right to put Secretary Rollins on CFIUS. I look forward to making his effort permanent with the Agricultural Risk Review Act.”

    “Formalizing the Secretary of Agriculture’s role in the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States is critical to our national security,” said Alsobrooks. “Maryland is home to many vital, sensitive sites including Fort Meade, Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Camp David, and more. I will do everything in my power to make sure these locations are safe from foreign adversaries so that Maryland’s agricultural communities can remain resilient and continue to support our nation’s food security.”

    “Now more than ever, it is imperative we protect our farmland and secure our food supply,” said Lummis. “This commonsense legislation ensures the Secretary of Agriculture has a seat on the committee that reviews foreign acquisitions of American land and gives the secretary a voice when it comes to safeguarding our agriculture industry. Farm and food security are national security, and I am proud to join my colleagues in protecting Wyoming land and agriculture.”  

    “Food security is national security,” said Fetterman. “The bipartisan Agriculture Risk Review Act finally locks in what I’ve said before: the Agriculture Secretary belongs at the CFIUS table every time a deal touches our farms, our food supply, or the businesses that keep them moving. The White House directive is a good start, but this bill makes it permanent because safeguarding our fields and our food shouldn’t depend on who’s sitting in the Oval Office. I’ll keep working to limit CCP and other adversary investment in our nation’s farmland.”

    “Senator Cramer understands that food security is national security,” said Ethan Lane, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for National Cattleman’s Beef Association. “The cattle industry greatly appreciates his leadership to ensure our food security by adding the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS. This is a critical step in protecting American farm and ranch land from foreign actors.”

    In 2021, the Chinese Fufeng Group purchased 370 acres of land for a wet-corn milling plant 12 miles from Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB). Cramer was a vocal opponent of the purchase due to national security concerns, given the food manufacturer’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party and the sensitive work performed at the base. He requested CFIUS review the investment, however the committee ultimately concluded it lacked the legal jurisdiction to make a determination, regardless of the merits of the case. In a January 2023 letter, the U.S. Air Force officially asserted the Fufeng project “presents a significant threat to national security with both near- and long-term risks of significant impacts to our operations in the area.”

    Following the Fufeng controversy, CFIUS expanded jurisdiction over GFAFB and seven other bases. The Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations minibus included language Cramer supported to add the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS to review foreign agricultural and biotechnology purchases of national concern.

    Click here for bill text.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: One Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Charged, Another Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Violate Civil Rights While Providing Off-Duty Security for Clients

    Source: US FBI

    LOS ANGELES – Federal prosecutors today secured a guilty plea from a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) deputy and charged and filed a plea agreement with another LASD deputy – both of whom used their positions in law enforcement while acting as private security for their off-duty clients, including a now-jailed cryptocurrency businessman who proclaimed himself “The Godfather.” 

    David Anthony Rodriguez, 43, of La Verne, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy against rights.

    Relatedly, Christopher Michael Cadman, 33, of Fullerton, agreed to plead guilty to a two-count information charging him with conspiracy against rights and subscribing to a false tax return. Cadman, who will face up to 13 years in federal prison at his sentencing hearing after he pleads guilty, is expected to make his initial appearance in United States District Court in the coming days.

    Rodriguez and Cadman formerly were employed by Adam Iza, 24, who resided in Beverly Hills and Newport Beach, a cryptocurrency businessman who has been in federal custody since September 2024. Iza pleaded guilty on January 30 to one count of conspiracy against rights, one count of wire fraud, and one count of tax evasion. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 15.

    According to court documents, in August 2021, Cadman and a law enforcement officer identified as “LASD Deputy 6” intimidated and threatened a victim who was one of Iza’s adversaries. LASD Deputy 6 held the victim at gunpoint during a meeting at Iza’s office inside his Bel Air mansion. Immediately afterward, the victim transferred approximately $25,000 from his bank account to Iza’s bank account in response to the threat and demand.

    In September 2021, Cadman and other law enforcement officers orchestrated a traffic stop in Paramount to arrest the same victim. Cadman admitted in his plea agreement to helping organize the traffic stop and arrest on Iza’s behalf and to receiving cash payments while he worked for Iza.

    Cadman also received income he knowingly failed to report – at least $40,500 – on his 2021 federal tax return, which he signed and filed with the IRS in February 2022. Cadman admitted to owing approximately $11,000 in federal taxes for that year.

    In a separate plea agreement, Rodriguez admitted to using his powers as a law enforcement officer in July 2022 to improperly obtain a court-authorized search warrant, lying to a judge that it was related to a robbery investigation, to obtain GPS location information associated with another victim’s cellular phone on behalf of a client – other than Iza – who hired Rodriguez as a private security guard. 

    After securing the GPS location information for the victim’s phone, Rodriguez shared the coordinates with co-conspirators, including Eric Chase Saavedra, 42, of Chino, an LASD deputy and former federal task force officer who ran a private security company, who pleaded guilty on February 6 to one count of conspiracy against rights and one count of subscribing to a false tax return. LASD deputies and other co-conspirators would use information obtained from the court-authorized search warrant to harass, threaten, and intimidate the victim.

    Saavedra, who is free on $50,000 bond, is expected to be sentenced in the coming months.

    United States District Judge Percy Anderson scheduled a November 10 sentencing hearing for Rodriguez, who faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

    The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating this matter. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has assisted.

    Assistant United States Attorney Maxwell K. Coll of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section is prosecuting these cases.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Leads Legislation to Provide Rural Communities with Funding for Emergency Recovery Technical Assistance After Disasters Hit 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, and U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), reintroduced the Rural Recovery Act, legislation that will create a new program at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) to provide RD state offices with automatic funding for emergency recovery technical assistance after disasters take place in their jurisdiction. The Rural Recovery Act was inspired and shaped by the need to bolster capacity of towns and cities across Vermont recovering from historic floods in 2023 and 2024. 
    “Vermont is still reeling from brutal back-to-back floods that tore through our state in July of 2023 and 2024. Just last week, towns were hit with flash flooding for the third year—it’s a painful reminder that these disasters are becoming more frequent, and we need to be ready for them. A critical part of the recovery process is ensuring every town has the resources necessary to access emergency relief funds when disasters strike. But many rural communities often don’t have the capacity to apply for disaster relief when they’re still trying to dig out their driveways and make sure their neighbors are safe after a major flood,” said Senator Welch. “The Rural Recovery Act will deliver vital assistance and improve the post-disaster recovery process for rural communities impacted by extreme weather across the country.” 
    “Climate change is making extreme weather more frequent, severe and damaging. Vermonters know this all too well following years of devastating flooding. What they also know is that the recovery process is difficult and slow, and that working with the various federal agencies involved is complicated and time-consuming. Many of our small towns simply don’t have the time or staff resources to manage the endless paperwork and apply for the resources available to help in recovery. The Rural Recovery Act will help ensure communities can access the disaster relief they need to recover and rebuild,” said Senator Sanders. 
    “New Hampshire has been hit hard by a number of severe storms in recent years that caused flooding and other serious damage to residences and businesses across the state, including in rural areas,” said Senator Shaheen. “The technical expertise needed to apply for emergency assistance is often a huge barrier for smaller, rural communities. Our legislation would allow USDA Rural Development to provide assistance, which will help more Granite Staters access recovery funds when they’re needed most.” 
    The Rural Recovery Act would provide automatic funding to USDA RD state offices in disaster impacted states, following a disaster declaration by the president. States can use funding to administer disaster recovery technical assistance to towns. The technical assistance funding—generally available up to three years after a disaster occurs—could be used by state RD offices to hire internal employees or contractors to provide technical assistance to towns for their recovery efforts. The program is modeled after a pilot program spearheaded by USDA RD and the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) which provides towns with technical assistance for disaster recovery. 
    Technical assistance providers could also assist with any federal agency funding applications for disaster-damaged infrastructure, including U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Economic Development Administration (EDA), USDA, or state agency funding applications to address disaster damage.  
    Learn more about the Rural Recovery Act of 2025. 
    Read and download the full text of the bill. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Taurine could power your energy drink – and maybe cancer cells too. Here’s what you need to know

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gulshanara (Rumy) Begum, Senior Lecturer in Nutrition & Exercise Science, University of Westminster

    shutterstock New Africa/Shutterstock

    Energy drinks are big business. Marketed as quick fixes for fatigue and performance dips, energy drinks are especially popular among young people, athletes, sports enthusiasts, and so-called “weekend warriors” – people who pack their workouts into the weekend instead of exercising regularly. Gamers are now a major target too.

    But as the market grows, so do concerns about what’s actually in these drinks – and what these ingredients might be doing to our bodies.

    Many energy drinks contain some combination of three familiar stimulants: caffeine, found naturally in coffee, tea and cacao; guarana, an Amazonian plant rich in caffeine; and taurine, a naturally occurring amino acid found in scallops, mussels, turkey and chicken.

    Taurine, in particular, has drawn both hype and hope. It is credited with performance-enhancing properties and potential health benefits. But new research is raising important questions about how it behaves in the body – and when it might do more harm than good.

    In May 2025, a study published in Nature sparked headlines and unease in equal measure. It found that taurine may fuel the progression of leukaemia, a group of blood cancers that begin in the bone marrow.

    The study showed that while healthy bone marrow cells naturally produce taurine, leukaemia cells cannot. But they can absorb taurine from their surroundings and use it as a fuel source to grow and multiply. Research on mice and in human leukaemia cell samples demonstrated that taurine in the tumour microenvironment – the area around a tumour that includes blood vessels, immune cells and structural support – accelerated the progression of leukaemia.

    Crucially, when researchers blocked taurine uptake by leukaemia cells (using genetic techniques), cancer progression slowed significantly. The authors suggest taurine supplements could potentially worsen outcomes in people with leukaemia and propose that developing targeted ways to block taurine uptake by cancer cells might offer a new treatment strategy.

    Taurine: friend or foe?

    Taurine is one of the most abundant free amino acids in the human body, found in especially high concentrations in the heart, muscles and brain. In healthy people, it’s mainly obtained through diet, but the body can also synthesise taurine from the amino acids methionine and cysteine, provided it has enough vitamin B6, which is found in foods such as salmon, tuna, chicken, bananas and milk.

    Most people consuming a typical western diet take in 40mg–400mg of taurine a day from food alone. This figure refers only to taurine that is directly ingested, not including the additional amount the body can synthesise internally, which may vary depending on age, diet and health.

    Scallops contain high levels of taurine.
    barmalini/Shutterstock

    Taurine is listed on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) generally recognised as safe (GRAS) database, and according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), it’s safe to consume up to six grams per day. By comparison, a serving of Red Bull or Monster contains around one gram – comfortably below that threshold.

    Despite recent concerns about a possible link to blood cancer progression, taurine isn’t inherently harmful. In fact, some people may benefit from supplementation, especially those receiving long-term parenteral nutrition, where nutrients are delivered directly into the bloodstream because the gut isn’t working properly. People with chronic liver, kidney or heart failure may also have trouble producing or holding on to enough taurine, making supplementation helpful in specific clinical settings.

    Ironically, some research suggests taurine may actually help reduce the side effects of chemotherapy in leukaemia patients – even as emerging studies raise concerns that it could also fuel the disease. This contradiction underscores how much context matters: the effects of taurine depend not just on dosage and delivery, but also on the patient’s underlying condition. What helps in one context, could harm in another.

    But here’s the catch: taking taurine as a supplement for particular health reasons is very different from consuming large quantities through energy drinks, which often combine taurine with high levels of caffeine and sugar. This combination can put strain on the heart, interfere with sleep and increase the risk of side effects, particularly for people with underlying health conditions or those taking other stimulants.

    The latest research raises important questions about whether taurine-heavy products could be harmful in some cases, especially for people with, or at risk of, blood cancers.

    So, should you worry?

    According to the current evidence, if you’re a healthy adult who occasionally sips an energy drink, there’s little cause for alarm. But moderation is key. Consuming multiple high-taurine drinks daily or taking taurine supplements (without prior professional consultation), on top of a taurine-rich diet might not be wise, especially if future research confirms links between taurine and cancer progression.

    Until more is known, the safest approach would be to enjoy your energy boosts by consuming a nutritious diet rather than consuming energy drinks. If you have any underlying health conditions – or a family history of cancer – it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional before diving into taurine supplementation or consumption of energy drinks.

    Gulshanara (Rumy) Begum 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. Taurine could power your energy drink – and maybe cancer cells too. Here’s what you need to know – https://theconversation.com/taurine-could-power-your-energy-drink-and-maybe-cancer-cells-too-heres-what-you-need-to-know-256957

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Feenstra Leads Legislation to Support Rural Behavioral Health by Fully Funding Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) introduced the Farmers First Act, which would expand and improve behavioral health services in rural communities and connect those in times of crisis with trained medical professionals to receive the personalized care that they need.

    This legislation would reauthorize the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN), increase funding to a total of $15,000,000 annually over the next five years, and allow FRSAN regional centers to establish referral connections with certified community behavioral health clinics, critical access hospitals, and rural health centers.

    “Agriculture is the economic engine of Iowa, and our farmers and producers work long hours and make unseen sacrifices to feed and fuel our country and the world. Those sacrifices can take a toll on our farm producers, especially when commodity prices tumble or severe weather destroys crops,” said Rep. Feenstra. “It’s why I’m glad to lead legislation to fully fund the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, providing farmers with real support in times of crisis. I will always stand with our producers and ensure that they have access to the high-quality healthcare they deserve.”

    “Dairy farmers routinely endure volatile economic environments that are naturally cause for emotional stress. The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network provides vital resources that can support producers and their families during times of crisis. We commend Representative Randy Feenstra and Ranking Member Angie Craig for leading the bipartisan Farmers First Act to continue and strengthen FRSAN for the betterment of all farmers and rural communities,” said Gregg Doud, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation.

    “On behalf of over 60,000 pork producers nationwide, we commend Congressman Feenstra and Ranking Member Craig for addressing the critical issue of mental and behavioral health in agriculture. As farmers and ranchers, we face unique stressors that are often beyond our control. By prioritizing these resources, we can strengthen the resilience of rural communities and ensure long-term support for both producers today and future generations,” said Duane Stateler, President of National Pork Producers Council.

    “Farmers face incredible stressors in their day-to-day work and often feel as though the weight of the world rests on their shoulders as they navigate tough times while maintaining farms that have been passed down through multiple generations of family members,” said Kenneth Hartman Jr., Illinois farmer and President of the National Corn Growers Association. “Yet, they often find it hard to access the mental health tools they need to cope with these challenges. That’s why we are deeply appreciative for the sponsors of this legislation for working to extend mental health resources to growers through this important legislation.”

    “From trade uncertainty to labor shortages and natural disasters, many stressors are weighing heavily on the minds of farmers and ranchers. Resources supported through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network are more critical now than at any time in recent memory. Farm Bureau appreciates Representatives Craig and Feenstra, as well as Senators Baldwin and Ernst for their tireless commitment to supporting farmer and rancher mental health across the country,” said Sam Kieffer, Vice President of Public Policy at the American Farm Bureau Federation.

    “U.S. soybean farmers face serious pressures, from the impacts of ongoing tariffs to looming, unscientific threats to crop protection tools and seed oils. These policy and market challenges take a toll, not just financially, but mentally. Mental health remains an often-unspoken crisis in rural communities, and ASA is committed to addressing it head-on. The Farmers First Act of 2025 would provide critical support by reauthorizing the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network and strengthening mental health resources farmers can count on. We thank Representative Feenstra for championing this legislation and standing with farm families,” said Caleb Ragland, President of the American Soybean Association and soybean farmer from Magnolia, Kentucky.

    “Farmers and ranchers across the United States face unique and extreme stresses in their work to feed, fuel, and clothe the world. NASDA applauds the bipartisan Farmers First Act, which bolsters access to critical mental health resources through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network. State departments of agriculture play an important role in coordinating FRSAN operations and NASDA looks forward to continuing to support these invaluable activities,” said Ted McKinney, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

    “When farmers struggle, ag retailers feel it too—financially, emotionally, and as part of the same rural fabric. The Farmers First Act recognizes that mental health is a shared concern in agriculture, and strengthening the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network helps support not just our customers, but our communities and our own teams as well,” said Hunter Carpenter, Senior Director of Public Policy at the Agricultural Retailers Association.

    “The Farmer Veteran Coalition strongly supports the reauthorization of the Farmers First Act. Expanding and strengthening the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network is essential to ensuring farmers, ranchers have access to the mental health resources they need to thrive. We commend Representatives Feenstra and Craig, as well as Senators Baldwin and Ernst, for their bipartisan leadership in prioritizing the well-being of those who feed our nation. This bill will provide critical support for agricultural producers facing stress, isolation, and mental health challenges, and we urge swift passage this Congress,” said Jeanette Lombardo, Chief Executive Officer of the Farmer Veteran Coalition.

    “The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) applauds Congressman Feenstra and Ranking Member Craig for their leadership on ensuring access to mental health care for rural agricultural communities. The Farmers First Act supports the continuation of the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, expanding the network of rural providers to deliver critical services to farming and ranching populations. We look forward to working with Congress to continue bringing much-needed resources to our agricultural populations,” said Alan Morgan, Chief Executive Officer of the National Rural Health Association.

    “Farmers in rural communities face unique mental health and substance use challenges, often with limited access to care,” said Chuck Ingoglia, President and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. “The reintroduction of the Farmer’s First Act by Representatives Feenstra and Craig is a meaningful step toward expanding access to high-quality behavioral health services in agricultural communities. By supporting programs that leverage proven models like Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), this bill will help ensure that farmers and their families can access comprehensive, coordinated care no matter where they live.”

    “Farming and the financial insecurity associated with farming can be very stressful. Farmers dealing with stress-related mental health challenges often feel stigmatized if they seek help, which only compounds the problem. We applaud Representatives Feenstra (R-IA) and Craig (D-MN) and Senators Baldwin (D-WI) and Ernst (R-IA) for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the Farmers First Act to increase resources available to farmers and rural communities to address mental health challenges,” said Steve Etka, Policy Director, Midwest Dairy Coalition. 

    “Farmers are daily facing the changing and unpredictable weather patterns that can devastate the best laid plans. They must deal with rising cost of inputs, uncertainty about trade, uncertainty about support services, uncertainty about the role of the USDA and managing difficult financial decisions against a backdrop of uncertainty around the domestic economy. Organic dairy farmers care for the environment, care for their livestock and for the health and welfare of their family and their customers every day. Dairy farming is many times a solitary occupation and farmers need access to all the resources possible to deal with the stress and uncertainty in their lives. We wholeheartedly support the Farmers First Act and all the assistance it can provide to care for our farm families,” said Ed Maltby, Executive Director of the Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance.

    “Ensuring sufficient access to evidence-based mental health services continues to be a challenge in many rural and agricultural communities, in many cases a challenge that has endured over generations,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., CEO of the American Psychological Association Services, Inc. (APA Services). “The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network program continues to be a lifeline to many of these communities. APA Services applauds Representatives Feenstra and Craig and Senators Baldwin and Ernst for their efforts to ensure adequate mental health resources in rural communities, and we ask Congress to swiftly enact the Farmers First Act.”

    “Any farmer will tell you—agriculture is an incredibly demanding and often stressful profession, especially during times of economic hardship. Tragically, suicide rates among farmers are two to five times higher than the national average. One of the biggest challenges in addressing this crisis is the persistent stigma around mental health in rural communities, which too often prevents individuals from seeking help. NAWG is deeply grateful to Congressman Feenstra for his leadership on this critical legislation and for his unwavering commitment to expanding access to mental health resources for farmers and rural communities across the country,” said Chandler Goule, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Wheat Growers.

    “The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network helps provide essential support to our nation’s producers” said Doug O’Brien, President and CEO of the National Cooperative Business Association. “The National Cooperative Business Association applauds the bipartisan leadership to increase access to mental health services for rural communities while providing a critical lifeline to our farmers and ranchers”

    “The Organic Trade Association applauds Congressman Feenstra for recognizing that a healthy farm system begins with healthy farmers,” said Matthew Dillon, Co-CEO of the Organic Trade Association. “We proudly support the Farmers First Act which safeguards the well-being of farmers.”

    “Farming is a stressful job, even in good times, and rural residents often face unique barriers to seeking mental health care,” said Christy Seyfert, Farm Credit Council President and CEO. “FRSAN brings valuable stress assistance services and expertise to the farm and ranch communities most in need of resources. Farm Credit commends Ranking Member Craig, Representative Feenstra, and Senators Baldwin and Ernst for their leadership on the Farmers First Act.”

    “Since it was funded in the 2018 Farm Bill, the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) has been an essential lifeline for farmers, ranchers and farmworkers, who face increased levels of stress and often lack access to mental health support services,” said Hannah Tremblay, Farm Aid’s Policy & Advocacy Manager. “Farm Aid enthusiastically supports the Farmers First Act of 2025 which continues the crucial work of the FRSAN to support and strengthen the agricultural workers we all depend upon. Importantly, the increased funding will allow for deeper support networks and increased outreach to underserved farmers and agricultural workers. As farmers struggle with an uncertain farm economy, FRSAN is now more critical than ever.”

    “We are grateful to Representatives Randy Feenstra and Angie Craig for reaffirming the clear and present need for increased funding of the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance network. Many reasons exist for ongoing farm stress and mental health challenges for farmers and farm workers. Continued FRSAN funding is essential to ensure critical support services and programming reach populations where the need is great, and resources are often limited,” said David Howard, Policy Development Director at Young Farmers.

    “Farming can be incredibly stressful, and too many rural communities still don’t have the mental health support they need,” said Rob Larew, President of National Farmers Union. “The Farmers First Act will help get essential resources to farmers who are struggling. We thank Representatives Feenstra and Craig and Senators Baldwin and Ernst for leading the charge and urge Congress to reauthorize FRSAN with increased funding.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Feenstra Leads Legislation to Support Rural Behavioral Health by Fully Funding Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) introduced the Farmers First Act, which would expand and improve behavioral health services in rural communities and connect those in times of crisis with trained medical professionals to receive the personalized care that they need.

    This legislation would reauthorize the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN), increase funding to a total of $15,000,000 annually over the next five years, and allow FRSAN regional centers to establish referral connections with certified community behavioral health clinics, critical access hospitals, and rural health centers.

    “Agriculture is the economic engine of Iowa, and our farmers and producers work long hours and make unseen sacrifices to feed and fuel our country and the world. Those sacrifices can take a toll on our farm producers, especially when commodity prices tumble or severe weather destroys crops,” said Rep. Feenstra. “It’s why I’m glad to lead legislation to fully fund the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, providing farmers with real support in times of crisis. I will always stand with our producers and ensure that they have access to the high-quality healthcare they deserve.”

    “Dairy farmers routinely endure volatile economic environments that are naturally cause for emotional stress. The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network provides vital resources that can support producers and their families during times of crisis. We commend Representative Randy Feenstra and Ranking Member Angie Craig for leading the bipartisan Farmers First Act to continue and strengthen FRSAN for the betterment of all farmers and rural communities,” said Gregg Doud, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation.

    “On behalf of over 60,000 pork producers nationwide, we commend Congressman Feenstra and Ranking Member Craig for addressing the critical issue of mental and behavioral health in agriculture. As farmers and ranchers, we face unique stressors that are often beyond our control. By prioritizing these resources, we can strengthen the resilience of rural communities and ensure long-term support for both producers today and future generations,” said Duane Stateler, President of National Pork Producers Council.

    “Farmers face incredible stressors in their day-to-day work and often feel as though the weight of the world rests on their shoulders as they navigate tough times while maintaining farms that have been passed down through multiple generations of family members,” said Kenneth Hartman Jr., Illinois farmer and President of the National Corn Growers Association. “Yet, they often find it hard to access the mental health tools they need to cope with these challenges. That’s why we are deeply appreciative for the sponsors of this legislation for working to extend mental health resources to growers through this important legislation.”

    “From trade uncertainty to labor shortages and natural disasters, many stressors are weighing heavily on the minds of farmers and ranchers. Resources supported through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network are more critical now than at any time in recent memory. Farm Bureau appreciates Representatives Craig and Feenstra, as well as Senators Baldwin and Ernst for their tireless commitment to supporting farmer and rancher mental health across the country,” said Sam Kieffer, Vice President of Public Policy at the American Farm Bureau Federation.

    “U.S. soybean farmers face serious pressures, from the impacts of ongoing tariffs to looming, unscientific threats to crop protection tools and seed oils. These policy and market challenges take a toll, not just financially, but mentally. Mental health remains an often-unspoken crisis in rural communities, and ASA is committed to addressing it head-on. The Farmers First Act of 2025 would provide critical support by reauthorizing the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network and strengthening mental health resources farmers can count on. We thank Representative Feenstra for championing this legislation and standing with farm families,” said Caleb Ragland, President of the American Soybean Association and soybean farmer from Magnolia, Kentucky.

    “Farmers and ranchers across the United States face unique and extreme stresses in their work to feed, fuel, and clothe the world. NASDA applauds the bipartisan Farmers First Act, which bolsters access to critical mental health resources through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network. State departments of agriculture play an important role in coordinating FRSAN operations and NASDA looks forward to continuing to support these invaluable activities,” said Ted McKinney, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

    “When farmers struggle, ag retailers feel it too—financially, emotionally, and as part of the same rural fabric. The Farmers First Act recognizes that mental health is a shared concern in agriculture, and strengthening the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network helps support not just our customers, but our communities and our own teams as well,” said Hunter Carpenter, Senior Director of Public Policy at the Agricultural Retailers Association.

    “The Farmer Veteran Coalition strongly supports the reauthorization of the Farmers First Act. Expanding and strengthening the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network is essential to ensuring farmers, ranchers have access to the mental health resources they need to thrive. We commend Representatives Feenstra and Craig, as well as Senators Baldwin and Ernst, for their bipartisan leadership in prioritizing the well-being of those who feed our nation. This bill will provide critical support for agricultural producers facing stress, isolation, and mental health challenges, and we urge swift passage this Congress,” said Jeanette Lombardo, Chief Executive Officer of the Farmer Veteran Coalition.

    “The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) applauds Congressman Feenstra and Ranking Member Craig for their leadership on ensuring access to mental health care for rural agricultural communities. The Farmers First Act supports the continuation of the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, expanding the network of rural providers to deliver critical services to farming and ranching populations. We look forward to working with Congress to continue bringing much-needed resources to our agricultural populations,” said Alan Morgan, Chief Executive Officer of the National Rural Health Association.

    “Farmers in rural communities face unique mental health and substance use challenges, often with limited access to care,” said Chuck Ingoglia, President and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. “The reintroduction of the Farmer’s First Act by Representatives Feenstra and Craig is a meaningful step toward expanding access to high-quality behavioral health services in agricultural communities. By supporting programs that leverage proven models like Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), this bill will help ensure that farmers and their families can access comprehensive, coordinated care no matter where they live.”

    “Farming and the financial insecurity associated with farming can be very stressful. Farmers dealing with stress-related mental health challenges often feel stigmatized if they seek help, which only compounds the problem. We applaud Representatives Feenstra (R-IA) and Craig (D-MN) and Senators Baldwin (D-WI) and Ernst (R-IA) for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the Farmers First Act to increase resources available to farmers and rural communities to address mental health challenges,” said Steve Etka, Policy Director, Midwest Dairy Coalition. 

    “Farmers are daily facing the changing and unpredictable weather patterns that can devastate the best laid plans. They must deal with rising cost of inputs, uncertainty about trade, uncertainty about support services, uncertainty about the role of the USDA and managing difficult financial decisions against a backdrop of uncertainty around the domestic economy. Organic dairy farmers care for the environment, care for their livestock and for the health and welfare of their family and their customers every day. Dairy farming is many times a solitary occupation and farmers need access to all the resources possible to deal with the stress and uncertainty in their lives. We wholeheartedly support the Farmers First Act and all the assistance it can provide to care for our farm families,” said Ed Maltby, Executive Director of the Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance.

    “Ensuring sufficient access to evidence-based mental health services continues to be a challenge in many rural and agricultural communities, in many cases a challenge that has endured over generations,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., CEO of the American Psychological Association Services, Inc. (APA Services). “The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network program continues to be a lifeline to many of these communities. APA Services applauds Representatives Feenstra and Craig and Senators Baldwin and Ernst for their efforts to ensure adequate mental health resources in rural communities, and we ask Congress to swiftly enact the Farmers First Act.”

    “Any farmer will tell you—agriculture is an incredibly demanding and often stressful profession, especially during times of economic hardship. Tragically, suicide rates among farmers are two to five times higher than the national average. One of the biggest challenges in addressing this crisis is the persistent stigma around mental health in rural communities, which too often prevents individuals from seeking help. NAWG is deeply grateful to Congressman Feenstra for his leadership on this critical legislation and for his unwavering commitment to expanding access to mental health resources for farmers and rural communities across the country,” said Chandler Goule, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Wheat Growers.

    “The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network helps provide essential support to our nation’s producers” said Doug O’Brien, President and CEO of the National Cooperative Business Association. “The National Cooperative Business Association applauds the bipartisan leadership to increase access to mental health services for rural communities while providing a critical lifeline to our farmers and ranchers”

    “The Organic Trade Association applauds Congressman Feenstra for recognizing that a healthy farm system begins with healthy farmers,” said Matthew Dillon, Co-CEO of the Organic Trade Association. “We proudly support the Farmers First Act which safeguards the well-being of farmers.”

    “Farming is a stressful job, even in good times, and rural residents often face unique barriers to seeking mental health care,” said Christy Seyfert, Farm Credit Council President and CEO. “FRSAN brings valuable stress assistance services and expertise to the farm and ranch communities most in need of resources. Farm Credit commends Ranking Member Craig, Representative Feenstra, and Senators Baldwin and Ernst for their leadership on the Farmers First Act.”

    “Since it was funded in the 2018 Farm Bill, the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) has been an essential lifeline for farmers, ranchers and farmworkers, who face increased levels of stress and often lack access to mental health support services,” said Hannah Tremblay, Farm Aid’s Policy & Advocacy Manager. “Farm Aid enthusiastically supports the Farmers First Act of 2025 which continues the crucial work of the FRSAN to support and strengthen the agricultural workers we all depend upon. Importantly, the increased funding will allow for deeper support networks and increased outreach to underserved farmers and agricultural workers. As farmers struggle with an uncertain farm economy, FRSAN is now more critical than ever.”

    “We are grateful to Representatives Randy Feenstra and Angie Craig for reaffirming the clear and present need for increased funding of the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance network. Many reasons exist for ongoing farm stress and mental health challenges for farmers and farm workers. Continued FRSAN funding is essential to ensure critical support services and programming reach populations where the need is great, and resources are often limited,” said David Howard, Policy Development Director at Young Farmers.

    “Farming can be incredibly stressful, and too many rural communities still don’t have the mental health support they need,” said Rob Larew, President of National Farmers Union. “The Farmers First Act will help get essential resources to farmers who are struggling. We thank Representatives Feenstra and Craig and Senators Baldwin and Ernst for leading the charge and urge Congress to reauthorize FRSAN with increased funding.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor backs Zane’s Law following pressure from Zack Polanski AM to tackle contaminated land crisis

    Source: Mayor of London

    The Mayor has finally confirmed his support for Zane’s Law following sustained pressure from Green Party London Assembly Member Zack Polanski. This marks a significant step forward in addressing the urgent and long-overlooked issue of contaminated land.

    Zane Gbangbola, aged seven, tragically died during the catastrophic 2014 floods in Chertsey, Surrey. Since then his parents, Kye Gbangbola and Nicole Lawler, have led a tireless campaign for justice to better protect the public from contaminated land.

    In November 2024, Zack Polanski AM proposed a motion in calling for the London Assembly to support Zane’s Law which was unanimously approved and agreed upon, it’s encouraging to now see the mayor share the same position as the Assembly.

    The Mayor’s support signals growing momentum for legislative change, and increasing recognition of the Zane’s family’s decade-long campaign.

    Zane’s Law would ensure that all potentially contaminated land is identified, made public, regularly inspected and properly cleaned up. It would mean local authorities would be given the funding, resources and powers to act, with the Government upholding the ‘polluter pays’ principle, where those responsible for the pollution can be identified.

    Zack Polanski AM, who has championed the cause within City Hall said:

    “Contaminated Land is a huge public health issue that needs urgent action but is too often ignored. We’re talking about lives at risk, families unknowingly living alongside toxic and dangerous contamination.

    “The Mayor has made an important step in backing Zane’s Law, but there’s still so much more that can be done. The Mayor should use his influence to urge the Government to bring in this Law and ensure its full support and implementation.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Donalds Commends USTR For Addressing Fairness In Pharmaceutical Pricing And Putting The American People First

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL)

    WASHINGTON – Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) joined Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Congressman Jodey Arrington (R-TX), and thirty-two additional House colleagues in commending the Office of the US Trade Representative for addressing issues of fairness in pharmaceutical pricing and reciprocal trade. Congressman Donalds released the following statement:

    “Our country makes up less than five percent of the world’s population, yet we fund seventy-five percent of the world’s pharmaceutical profits. This is wrong, this is unfair, and this cannot stand. Government must put the American people first and I’m proud to join my colleagues in this critical initiative.”

    Read the full text of the letter here or below:

    Ambassador Jamieson Greer
    United States Trade Representative
    Office of the United States Trade Representative
    600 17th Street NW, Washington DC, 20508

    Dear Ambassador Greer,

    We write to applaud you for demonstrating strong leadership by issuing the “Request for Comments Regarding Foreign Nations Freeloading on American-Financed Innovation” to address discriminatory policies and practices by foreign entities that cause American patients to pay a disproportionate share of the cost of global pharmaceutical research and development (R&D). We believe this is unsustainable because it both threatens the resiliency of the U.S. biopharmaceutical supply chain and increases costs for American patients.

    The American health care system bears the burden of subsidizing pharmaceutical R&D that is used across the world. In fact, despite the U.S. having less than 5 percent of the world’s population, the American patients fund approximately 75 percent of global pharmaceutical profits.

    Pharmaceutical R&D is both a costly and risky endeavor. For example, in 2019, the pharmaceutical industry spent $83 billion on R&D, with $62 billion spent domestically across all companies operating within the U.S. When adjusted for inflation, this is 10 times what the biopharmaceutical industry spent on R&D in the 1980s. In 2023, manufacturers invested over $96 billion in R&D, with over $71 billion in U.S. investments alone. This has led to an increased number of new medicines and potential cures for patients. Yet, only about 10 percent of assets that are in development are ultimately approved by world-wide regulatory bodies, and the expected cost to develop and bring a new drug to market can range from $1 billion to $2 billion.

    The U.S. is the world leader in biopharmaceutical innovation. New medicines are most often developed and launched first in the U.S., including life-saving therapies for cancers and rare diseases. Nearly 90 percent of all medicines launched between 2012 and 2021 were reimbursed in and available to patients in America; however, fewer patients had access to the same medicines abroad—for example, 48 percent of new medicines in the United Kingdom, 24 percent in Australia and 21 percent in Canada. Anti-innovation policies in other countries not only end up costing American patients more, but they threaten global access to medicines and potential cures.

    We are encouraged by USTR’s public comment process on this important issue, and we support utilizing the full force of the U.S. government to ensure other countries appropriately value American innovation. We look forward to working collaboratively with the Executive Branch to address foreign freeloading while ensuring the U.S. remains the clear world leaders when it comes to innovative pharmaceutical products. One Congressional proposal worth considering is the creation of a Chief Pharmaceutical Negotiator within USTR. This role would be specifically tasked with ensuring trade negotiations prioritize reimbursement for innovative medicines and our trading partners are held accountable when they adopt price control measures or other discriminatory practices that shift a disproportionate share of R&D costs back onto American patients.

    The price setting policies that other countries frequently adopt both undervalue medicines in the non-U.S. market and ultimately make life-saving therapies more expensive for U.S. patients. We applaud the Trump Administration for highlighting the impact foreign “freeloaders” have on drug prices for American patients. Simply put: the U.S. should not be forced to subsidize medicine costs for the rest of the world at the expense of American patients.

    Sincerely,

    Vern Buchanan (R-FL) Member of Congress 
     Jodey C. Arrington (R-TX) Member of Congress
     Byron Donalds (R-FL) Member of Congress
     Adrian Smith, (R-NE) Member of Congress
    Aaron Bean (R-FL) Member of Congress
    Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) Member of Congress
    Charles J. Fleischmann (R-TN) Member of Congress
    Carol D. Miller (R-WV) Member of Congress
    David D. Valadao (R-CA) Member of Congress
    Jeff Crank (R-CO) Member of Congress
    Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) Member of Congress
    Pat Harrigan (R-NC) Member of Congress
    Mike Bost (R-IL) Member of Congress
    Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA) Member of Congress
    Claudia Tenney (R-NY) Member of Congress
    Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) Member of Congress
    Kat Cammack (R-FL) Member of Congress
    Rob Bresnahan Jr. (R-PA) Member of Congress
    Randy Feenstra (R-IA) Member of Congress
    Rich McCormick (R-GA) Member of Congress
    Michelle Fischbach (R-MN) Member of Congress
    Gabe Evans (R-CO) Member of Congress
    Mike Carey (R-OH) Member of Congress
    Max L. Miller (R-OH) Member of Congress
    Tim Moore (R-NC) Member of Congress
    Blake D. Moore (R-UT) Member of Congress
    Rick W. Allen (R-GA) Member of Congress
    Derek Schmidt (R-KS) Member of Congress
    Thomas H. Kean Jr. (R-NJ) Member of Congress
    Darin LaHood (R-IL) Member of Congress
    Don Bacon (R-NE) Member of Congress
    Richard Hudson (R-NC) Member of Congress
    Pete Stauber (R-MN) Member of Congress
    Mark B. Messmer (R-IN) Member of Congress
    Neal P. Dunn (R-FL) Member of Congress

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Duckworth Announce $400K For Willard Airport

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    July 11, 2025
    CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $400,000 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Authority for the University of Illinois Willard Airport to be used for runway rehabilitation.
    “By improving airport infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for increased connectivity and reliability,” said Durbin. “This federal funding for Willard Airport will upgrade the airport’s infrastructure and promote economic growth. I will continue working with Senator Duckworth to ensure our state’s regional airports have the necessary federal resources.”
    “Illinois’s airports are critical economic engines for our state,” Duckworth said. “I’m proud to join Senator Durbin in announcing this federal funding to help modernize and improve infrastructure at Willard Airport. I will continue working to make traveling safer and more reliable for all passengers while ensuring that our communities are receiving the much-needed federal resources they deserve.”
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: 3 ways Canadians can take control of their finances in an age of economic uncertainty

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Omar H. Fares, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Business, University of New Brunswick

    Canadian consumers are beginning to move from short-term economic concerns to a more persistent mindset of financial precarity, and it’s starting to affect how they live.

    People are delaying major purchases and starting to show signs of subscription fatigue, according to recent findings. One recent survey found that 70 per cent of Canadians are deferring major life decisions, including home ownership and family planning, as a consequence of this sustained economic uncertainty.

    This anxiety is now reflected in broader sentiment. The Bank of Canada’s latest Consumer Expectations Survey found a sharp rise in economic pessimism. About two-thirds of Canadians now anticipate a recession within the year, up from 47 per cent in late 2024.

    Concerns about job security, debt repayment and access to credit are also mounting. For the first time since early 2024, more consumers report cutting back on spending. Home-buying intentions are declining, especially among those expecting a downturn, and an increasing share of mortgage holders plan to reduce expenses ahead of higher renewal payments.

    Consumers are no longer just reacting to inflation or interest rates, but adjusting to the idea that financial uncertainty may be here to stay.

    Why today’s economic anxiety feels different

    While the link between economic uncertainty and reduced spending is well established, what makes today’s situation different is the convergence of multiple pressures facing consumers.

    This includes a challenging job market — particularly for younger Canadians — concerns about the disruptive effects of AI-driven automation, the threat of tariffs from the United States, ongoing global conflicts and the growing cost of living.

    With economic uncertainty now a defining feature of everyday life for many Canadians, the sense of financial precarity is shaping how people think, plan and spend.

    Addressing this new reality will require equipping ourselves with tools and mental habits that can help develop financial stability, even in unpredictable times. Here are three research-backed ways to do this.

    A Global News segment about how half of Canadians are living bill-to-bill.

    1. Budget based on values

    With many people feeling the pinch or uncertainty around money, a more deliberate, values-based approach to personal finance is needed beyond traditional budgeting methods. If you’re looking for more control over your finances, it can help to shift your focus from just tracking where your money goes to making sure it goes where you actually want it to.

    Research in consumer behaviour supports this shift in mindset. Mental accounting, introduced by economist Richard Thaler, explains how people naturally divide their money into mental categories like stability, family or learning. Budgeting then becomes less about cutting back and more about making intentional choices.

    Studies have found that pairing this kind of values-based budgeting with simple practices, such as setting clear goals and automating transfers, can lead to lower spending and more consistent long-term behaviour. The goal is not to manage every dollar perfectly, but to make sure your money aligns with what matters most to you.

    Since values tend to guide sustainable decision-making, a practical starting point is to identify three to five core values, such as financial security, personal development or time with family. Next, review your recent transactions and group them by the value they support. This reframes budgeting as a way to assess whether your current spending aligns with what you consider most important.

    From there, assign a reasonable monthly amount to each category based on your income and fixed obligations. You don’t need to track every detail, but having value-based benchmarks will improve day-to-day choices.

    Renaming categories in your budgeting app or spreadsheet is another important approach. For example, changing “discretionary” to “family time” or “well-being” can reinforce the link between spending and values. Set up automated transfers that reflect your goals; this might include creating a savings buffer, funding education or contributing to a low-risk investment account. Automation helps reduce decision fatigue and supports consistency.

    2. Use pessimism to your advantage

    While recognizing economic risks is entirely rational, how people respond to that risk makes a significant difference. Psychologists have studied a mindset known as “defensive pessimism,” a strategy that involves anticipating potential problems in order to plan effectively, rather than being overwhelmed by uncertainty.

    Unlike chronic anxiety or fear, which can impair decision-making and lead to poorer financial and consumption choices, defensive pessimism encourages people to take a more measured, thoughtful approach. It combines realism with preparation and helps individuals stay focused and responsive in uncertain conditions.

    People are more resilient when they focus on what can be changed. In practical terms, this might include learning a new skill, starting a side project or strengthening personal or professional networks.

    To apply defensive pessimism, start by clearly identifying what could go wrong, then outline specific actions to address those possibilities. Break big tasks into smaller, manageable steps, create a backup plan and regularly reassess progress. This approach helps maintain focus, reduce surprises and turn worry into preparation.

    These small, proactive steps with detailed personal reflection can offer a sense of agency that counters feelings of helplessness. Rather than ignoring challenges, defensive pessimism coupled with consistent reflection is about figuring out how to work around them.

    3. Adopt a long-term outlook

    Despite ongoing uncertainty, maintaining a long-term financial perspective remains very important. Research consistently shows that people who engage in long-term planning tend to accumulate greater wealth over time.

    Long-term planning involves continuing to plan for future goals such as retirement or education, even when timelines need to shift due to changing circumstances.

    One of the greatest challenges with this approach is known as the “sour grape effect.” This refers to the tendency people have to downplay a future goal or reward after experiencing early setbacks or failures.

    A 2020 study with 1,304 participants in Norway and the U.S. found that setbacks can lead individuals to disengage from their goals. Participants were given either positive or negative feedback on an initial task and then asked to predict how much happiness they would feel if they succeeded in a later round.

    Those who experienced failure anticipated much less happiness from future success. When everyone actually did succeed, their levels of happiness were the same regardless of initial feedback. Setbacks can lead people to devalue their goals as a self-protective strategy. However, participants with high achievement motivation did not show this bias.

    In other words, when short-term disappointments are interpreted as failure, there is a risk that people may give up on long-term plans altogether. In these moments, the most effective course of action is staying consistent and committed, while still remaining agile enough to adapt as needed.

    Omar H. Fares 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. 3 ways Canadians can take control of their finances in an age of economic uncertainty – https://theconversation.com/3-ways-canadians-can-take-control-of-their-finances-in-an-age-of-economic-uncertainty-260785

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Judiciary Democrats Request Hearing With Whistleblower Erez Reuveni Ahead Of Bove Nomination Vote

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    July 15, 2025
    In a letter to Chairman Grassley, SJC Democrats: “Mr. Reuveni has made credible allegations against Mr. Bove, which, if true, clearly disqualify him for a lifetime appointment to the federal bench. Thus, it is imperative that the Committee hear from Mr. Reuveni, under oath, before we vote on Mr. Bove’s nomination.”
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led all members of the Senate Judiciary Committee in calling for Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to schedule a hearing to collect testimony from Erez Reuveni, the former Acting Deputy Director for the Office of Immigration Litigation at the Department of Justice, who recently disclosed serious misconduct allegations and further documentation regarding judicial nominee Emil Bove.
    In a letter to Grassley, the Senators wrote: “We respectfully request that you call Erez Reuveni to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee prior to the Committee’s vote on the nomination of Emil J. Bove III to be a U.S. Circuit Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Mr. Reuveni has made credible allegations against Mr. Bove, which, if true, clearly disqualify him for a lifetime appointment to the federal bench. Thus, it is imperative that the Committee hear from Mr. Reuveni, under oath, before we vote on Mr. Bove’s nomination.”
    The Senators then cited Mr. Reuveni’s document production related to J.G.G. v. Trump, Abrego Garcia v. Noem, and D.V.D. v. DHS, writing: “Documentation provided by Mr. Reuveni demonstrates that he unsuccessfully attempted to secure government compliance with court orders in three separate cases being overseen by Mr. Bove in his role as Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General.”
    The Senators concluded by highlighting the importance of understanding Mr. Bove’s role in these concerning episodes before voting on his judicial nomination and requested testimony, writing: “Mr. Bove repeatedly gestured at but never invoked deliberative process privilege at his hearing and in answers to written questions, undermining our ability to assess whether Mr. Bove engaged in the alleged misconduct and continuing executive branch officials’ use of ‘non-assertion’ assertions of privilege to defy congressional inquiries.  Calling Mr. Reuveni to testify under oath will allow members of this Committee to appraise the veracity of his claims while defending the Committee’s prerogative to assess Mr. Bove’s qualifications…It is critical that this Committee understands the full scope of Mr. Bove’s actions at the Justice Department prior to voting on his nomination to a lifetime appointment on the federal bench. Given that Mr. Reuveni is willing to testify regarding this matter, we urge you to invite him before the Committee before proceeding to a vote on Mr. Bove’s nomination.”
    For a PDF of the letter to Chairman Grassley, click here.
    Following Mr. Bove’s judicial nomination hearing, Durbin requested documents from Mr. Reuveni in a private letter to his attorneys regarding his allegations. Durbin also led all Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats in further investigation of the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and Defense regarding Mr. Reuveni’s accounts.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: 3 ways Canadians can take control of their finances in an age of economic uncertainty

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Omar H. Fares, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Business, University of New Brunswick

    Canadian consumers are beginning to move from short-term economic concerns to a more persistent mindset of financial precarity, and it’s starting to affect how they live.

    People are delaying major purchases and starting to show signs of subscription fatigue, according to recent findings. One recent survey found that 70 per cent of Canadians are deferring major life decisions, including home ownership and family planning, as a consequence of this sustained economic uncertainty.

    This anxiety is now reflected in broader sentiment. The Bank of Canada’s latest Consumer Expectations Survey found a sharp rise in economic pessimism. About two-thirds of Canadians now anticipate a recession within the year, up from 47 per cent in late 2024.

    Concerns about job security, debt repayment and access to credit are also mounting. For the first time since early 2024, more consumers report cutting back on spending. Home-buying intentions are declining, especially among those expecting a downturn, and an increasing share of mortgage holders plan to reduce expenses ahead of higher renewal payments.

    Consumers are no longer just reacting to inflation or interest rates, but adjusting to the idea that financial uncertainty may be here to stay.

    Why today’s economic anxiety feels different

    While the link between economic uncertainty and reduced spending is well established, what makes today’s situation different is the convergence of multiple pressures facing consumers.

    This includes a challenging job market — particularly for younger Canadians — concerns about the disruptive effects of AI-driven automation, the threat of tariffs from the United States, ongoing global conflicts and the growing cost of living.

    With economic uncertainty now a defining feature of everyday life for many Canadians, the sense of financial precarity is shaping how people think, plan and spend.

    Addressing this new reality will require equipping ourselves with tools and mental habits that can help develop financial stability, even in unpredictable times. Here are three research-backed ways to do this.

    A Global News segment about how half of Canadians are living bill-to-bill.

    1. Budget based on values

    With many people feeling the pinch or uncertainty around money, a more deliberate, values-based approach to personal finance is needed beyond traditional budgeting methods. If you’re looking for more control over your finances, it can help to shift your focus from just tracking where your money goes to making sure it goes where you actually want it to.

    Research in consumer behaviour supports this shift in mindset. Mental accounting, introduced by economist Richard Thaler, explains how people naturally divide their money into mental categories like stability, family or learning. Budgeting then becomes less about cutting back and more about making intentional choices.

    Studies have found that pairing this kind of values-based budgeting with simple practices, such as setting clear goals and automating transfers, can lead to lower spending and more consistent long-term behaviour. The goal is not to manage every dollar perfectly, but to make sure your money aligns with what matters most to you.

    Since values tend to guide sustainable decision-making, a practical starting point is to identify three to five core values, such as financial security, personal development or time with family. Next, review your recent transactions and group them by the value they support. This reframes budgeting as a way to assess whether your current spending aligns with what you consider most important.

    From there, assign a reasonable monthly amount to each category based on your income and fixed obligations. You don’t need to track every detail, but having value-based benchmarks will improve day-to-day choices.

    Renaming categories in your budgeting app or spreadsheet is another important approach. For example, changing “discretionary” to “family time” or “well-being” can reinforce the link between spending and values. Set up automated transfers that reflect your goals; this might include creating a savings buffer, funding education or contributing to a low-risk investment account. Automation helps reduce decision fatigue and supports consistency.

    2. Use pessimism to your advantage

    While recognizing economic risks is entirely rational, how people respond to that risk makes a significant difference. Psychologists have studied a mindset known as “defensive pessimism,” a strategy that involves anticipating potential problems in order to plan effectively, rather than being overwhelmed by uncertainty.

    Unlike chronic anxiety or fear, which can impair decision-making and lead to poorer financial and consumption choices, defensive pessimism encourages people to take a more measured, thoughtful approach. It combines realism with preparation and helps individuals stay focused and responsive in uncertain conditions.

    People are more resilient when they focus on what can be changed. In practical terms, this might include learning a new skill, starting a side project or strengthening personal or professional networks.

    To apply defensive pessimism, start by clearly identifying what could go wrong, then outline specific actions to address those possibilities. Break big tasks into smaller, manageable steps, create a backup plan and regularly reassess progress. This approach helps maintain focus, reduce surprises and turn worry into preparation.

    These small, proactive steps with detailed personal reflection can offer a sense of agency that counters feelings of helplessness. Rather than ignoring challenges, defensive pessimism coupled with consistent reflection is about figuring out how to work around them.

    3. Adopt a long-term outlook

    Despite ongoing uncertainty, maintaining a long-term financial perspective remains very important. Research consistently shows that people who engage in long-term planning tend to accumulate greater wealth over time.

    Long-term planning involves continuing to plan for future goals such as retirement or education, even when timelines need to shift due to changing circumstances.

    One of the greatest challenges with this approach is known as the “sour grape effect.” This refers to the tendency people have to downplay a future goal or reward after experiencing early setbacks or failures.

    A 2020 study with 1,304 participants in Norway and the U.S. found that setbacks can lead individuals to disengage from their goals. Participants were given either positive or negative feedback on an initial task and then asked to predict how much happiness they would feel if they succeeded in a later round.

    Those who experienced failure anticipated much less happiness from future success. When everyone actually did succeed, their levels of happiness were the same regardless of initial feedback. Setbacks can lead people to devalue their goals as a self-protective strategy. However, participants with high achievement motivation did not show this bias.

    In other words, when short-term disappointments are interpreted as failure, there is a risk that people may give up on long-term plans altogether. In these moments, the most effective course of action is staying consistent and committed, while still remaining agile enough to adapt as needed.

    Omar H. Fares 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. 3 ways Canadians can take control of their finances in an age of economic uncertainty – https://theconversation.com/3-ways-canadians-can-take-control-of-their-finances-in-an-age-of-economic-uncertainty-260785

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO Secretary General meets President Trump to bolster support for Ukraine

    Source: NATO

    NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House yesterday (14 July 2025) to advance critical efforts in support of Ukraine’s defence against Russian aggression. Speaking to press in the Oval Office, Rutte hailed President Trump’s pivotal decision to ensure Ukraine receives essential military resources, with NATO coordinating the effort with funding from Allies in Europe and Canada.

    Mr. Rutte highlighted the momentum from the recent NATO Summit in The Hague, where Allies agreed to a 5% GDP defence spending target and increased defence industrial production as well as continued support to Ukraine. He underscored how this effort brings all three together just weeks after the historic decisions were made. NATO is now working on substantial military equipment packages, including air defence systems, missiles, and ammunition. Rather than a single, finite package, the announcement yesterday marks new impetus, focused on rapid, substantial equipment transfers to Ukraine. “This is Europe stepping up,” he stated, noting commitments from Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Canada, with more expected to follow. 

    While in Washington, the Secretary General also had meetings with the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, as well as Members of Congress. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Decisions We Take Now ‘Will Shape Development Trajectories for Decades to Come’, Deputy Secretary-General Tells High-Level Political Forum

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks at the opening of the 2025 high-level political forum on sustainable development, in New York today:

    In 2015, the world made a landmark commitment to achieve sustainable development and ensure that no one is left behind.

    The 2030 Agenda built on previous decades of development efforts and carried forward the vision and lessons of the Millenium Development Goals.

    It framed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) around a paradigm shift that integrates the three core dimensions of sustainable development — economic growth, social inclusion and environmental sustainability — and underscored the vital role of effective governance and strong institutions.

    It carried a promise to everyone, everywhere, to live in dignity, on a safe and healthy planet.

    Today, a decade later, we meet again as the world grapples with conflicts and deepening geopolitical tensions.

    The fabric of multilateralism is fading, and the SDGs seem out of reach.  Hard-won development gains are at serious risk, as a multitude of challenges, exacerbated by the chronic shortfall in adequate financing.

    Alarmingly, half of the world’s poorest countries have yet to return to their pre-pandemic income levels.

    Inequalities have amplified.  Trade tensions are escalating.  The climate crisis is worsening.  Democracy is under threat.  And the debt crisis continues to tighten its grip on the world’s poorest countries.

    The situation is truly sobering.  Yet, the latest data show that while progress on SDGs has been uneven and limited, there is reason for hope.

    Social protection and health systems are expanding, especially in middle-income countries, where they are reaching more people.

    More mothers are surviving childbirth and more children are living beyond their fifth birthday.

    Education access is broadening, creating new pathways for young people.

    The number of girls who are in school and studying STEM subjects is higher than ever before.

    Countries are investing in better data and technology, for policies to reach the furthest behind.

    There are promised investments in digital connectivity and clean energy, to serve those in the most remote areas.

    Meanwhile, the world has united behind an ambitious global agreement to confront deep-seated structural challenges and unlock faster, more inclusive progress.

    The Pact for the Future, adopted last September, builds on existing reforms and commitments and charts a bold way forward to revive multilateralism and collective action, anchored in peace, solidarity and cooperation.

    The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development renewed our commitment to deliver on the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, take forward debt solutions and tackle the international financial architecture.

    The Ocean Conference in Nice generated important consensus on critical issues, from marine protected areas to plastic pollution, illegal fishing and maritime security.

    The thirtieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Beijing+30) and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the women, peace and security agenda, reignited political drive for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

    And there are many more opportunities this year to push our agenda forward:

    The Second Stocktake of the UN Food System Summit.

    The Second World Summit on Social Development.

    The Biennial Summit on Finance.

    The thirtieth UN Climate Change Conference, and ahead of that, new, updated and economy-wide nationally determined contributions to get our climate goals back on track.

    We must build on these achievements.  Make the most of the momentum and drive action — particularly through this high-level political forum.

    We are under pressure because the truth is:  expectations are high, trust is eroding and crises are deepening, as we strive to deliver on our promise of the 2030 Agenda.

    This forum is an important opportunity to reflect, exchange and course correct.  It is our space to amplify the momentum, share lessons and good practice, deepen partnerships and reignite our collective ambition to fulfil the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals.

    Over the coming days, we must reflect honestly and constructively on progress.  Particularly on SDG3 on health and well-being; SDG5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment; SDG8 on decent work and economic growth; SDG14 on life below water; and SDG 17 on partnerships and means of implementation — this all with human rights at the centre of everything we do and hope to achieve.

    And we must focus on the theme of this year’s meeting:  “Inclusive solutions, based in science and evidence,” and take heed of key findings of the Secretary-General’s Report on the SDGs.

    We need solutions that address persistent challenges, that can be adapted and applied across diverse contexts and that improve the lives of billions of people who are left behind:  the 800 million people living in extreme poverty; the 2.2 billion people without safe drinking water; the 2.3 billion suffering food insecurity; the 3.4 billion without safely managed sanitation; and the countless women, Indigenous Peoples, smallholder farmers and other marginalized groups unable to access formal health and protection systems.

    This forum will also welcome the tenth set of voluntary national reviews, or VNRs.  They present a temperature check of every country’s journey.

    Since 2016, a total of 190 countries have conducted close to 400 VNRs.

    This voluntary national exercise has been almost universally adopted:  a heartening sign of commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs and evidence that the SDGs are now deeply woven into national plans, policies and monitoring frameworks.

    These reviews are powerful road maps to achieve the SDGs and mobilize all stakeholders.  Across regions, we have seen civil society’s engagement deepen — driving progress nationally and locally.  VNRs have helped build knowledge and data and offered practical pathways to dismantle structural barriers that hold us back.  Over the past decade, they have inspired action through inclusive, scalable approaches, grounded in local realities.

    I look forward to the 37 VNR presentations at this forum, and I encourage other countries to engage and foster a meaningful exchange of experiences. It is up to all of us to build on our successes and make this forum count.

    We have come far.  And have even further to go.  But we have much further to go if we are to honour the promise of the SDGs.

    The pathway to 2030 is narrowing.  And the decisions we take now — where we invest, what we prioritize, and where we reform — will shape development trajectories for decades to come.

    With five years to go, the Secretary-General’s UN80 initiative marks a historic step to build on recent reforms and ensure that the United Nations remains a trusted, agile partner, ready to tackle today’s challenges and tomorrow’s uncertainties, and drive our collective push for the 2030 Agenda nationally, regionally and globally.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Minister Ntshavheni releases historic National Security Strategy to strengthen people-centred security

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has released the public versions of key national intelligence documents, in what she described as a historic milestone in South Africa’s democratic journey and a significant step towards greater transparency, accountability and institutional reform. 

    The Minister released the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) 2019 – 2024, the National Intelligence Priorities (NIPs), and the National Security Strategy (NSS) 2024 – 2029 during a media briefing in Cape Town on Tuesday. 

    The Minister had earlier in the day tabled the 2025 State Security Agency Budget Vote in Parliament.

    At the briefing, she underscored that this was the first time in the country’s history that such core national intelligence instruments were being published in a manner that is both transparent and structured, while preserving the integrity of national security.

    “It is not only a profound step forward, but a clear paradigm shift in how the intelligence community relates to the State, to Parliament, and to the people,” Ntshavheni said. 

    The Minister framed the public release of the NIE and NSS as part of a broader shift towards constitutional accountability, transparency and national resilience, in line with Section 198 of the Constitution and the recommendations of the 2018 High-Level Review Panel on the State Security Agency (SSA).

    “The release of the NIE, NIPs and NSS represents not only compliance with that directive but a deliberate act of democratic renewal. It is our commitment to building a modern, ethical, and professional intelligence capability, guided by law, oversight, and strategic foresight. 

    “This is part of our commitment to transform the sector to serve the Constitution, not partisan interests,” she said. 

    Key threats and priorities identified

    The NIE 2019 – 2024 provides a comprehensive assessment of the threats facing the nation, ranging from illegal migration, cybercrime, transnational organised crime, to climate and domestic instability. The Estimate is built around five core themes: threats to the economy, territorial integrity, the authority of the State, citizen well-being, and foreign influences.

    The Minister detailed how the National Intelligence Priorities were aligned with government’s Medium-Term Strategic Framework, and focused on challenges such as:

    • Countering border-based threats and foreign infiltration in strategic sectors.
    • Strengthening cyber forensic capabilities to curb illicit financial flows.
    • Investigating threats to South Africa’s sovereign economic capacity.
    • Preventing terror financing, drug trafficking, and human smuggling.

    On the foreign intelligence front, the focus includes consolidating South Africa’s continental leadership role, defending its interests in multilateral fora, and countering espionage and hostile foreign interference.

    A whole-of-society security strategy

    Central to the Minister’s announcement was the unveiling of the new National Security Strategy (2024 – 2029), which introduces a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to security.

    “The NSS is grounded in the principle that national security is inseparable from human security, economic stability, democratic governance, social justice and above all national interest,” the Minister said. 

    The strategy is underpinned by eight critical pillars, including:

    • Protection of South Africans or Public Security (Well-being of South Africans).
    • Protection of Territorial Integrity of the Republic.
    • Protection and Projection of the Country’s Sovereignty.
    • Protection of the Economy or Economic Security.
    • Protection of Cyberspace and the Environment.
    • Protection and Promotion of Technology and Innovation.
    • Protection of the Environment and Natural Resources or Environmental Security.
    • Protection of South Africa’s Culture and Heritage (Cultural Security).

    Each pillar speaks to the State’s responsibility to safeguard not only physical borders, but also economic sovereignty, digital resilience and social cohesion.

    Intelligence in Service of the People

    Ntshavheni emphasised that the publication of these documents is not the end, but rather “the beginning of a new, progressive chapter” in national intelligence.

    “We do so in a world of rapidly evolving threats, hybrid warfare, misinformation, climate-induced instability, and shifting geopolitical dynamics. Our national security response must be anticipatory, inclusive, and adaptive,” she said. 

    She concluded by honouring the national intelligence community and reaffirming the importance of principled intelligence that serves the people and the Constitution, not partisan interests.

    “Let history reflect that we chose transparency over secrecy, service over self-interest, and reform over inertia, and this is done within the constraints of our national security interests.

    “Let us now work together to protect and advance our democratic gains through intelligence that is principled, professional, and people-centred,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Vanishing data in the U.S. undermines good public policy, with global implications

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Kristi Thompson, Research Data Management Librarian, Western University

    The recent tragic floods in Texas have focused attention on the human impact of the cuts to government infrastructure and services in the United States by Donald Trump’s administration.

    Although initial analyses suggest that recent budget cuts and loss of staff played no role in the timeliness of the warnings, many are concerned that a lack of data used to make critical predictions and decisions will increasingly become apparent as a serious problem.

    As researchers focused on data management (Kristi) and behavioural sciences (Albert) and whose work tackles the significance of research with open access data, we have been concerned about how the data sets that scholars around the world rely on have been vanishing from U.S. government sites.

    Vanishing data is of dire concern far beyond the U.S., including for Canadians.

    Danielle Goldfarb, an expert on trade, real-time data, economics and public policy, notes that cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Arctic monitoring programs weaken Canada’s ability to assess shared climate risks and global shipping impacts. The American dismantling of key weather reporting also threatens the availability of crucial data for Canada’s disaster preparedness.

    The Canadian data community is watching U.S. events closely, and this has led to the recent founding of the Canadian Data Rescue Project. The project has a dual focus: to support data rescue efforts in the U.S. and to set up preventative life support for Canadian government data.

    Attack on knowledge

    The attack on knowledge in the U.S. began in January 2025 when Trump signed executive orders mandating the removal of information on topics such as diversity and “gender ideology” from government websites.

    Next, entire websites, data distribution systems and data collection systems began to disappear. The result was not only growing alarm over how the needs of marginalized populations are represented in democratic life and how public safety could be affected, but also concerns about a research and public policy crisis.

    Environmental data was a major target, with climate change tracking tools disappearing.

    And as part of the defunding of the Department of Education, nearly all of the staff, including the commissioner at the National Center for Education Statistics, were fired.



    Read more:
    Trump orders a plan to close Education Department – an anthropologist who studies MAGA explains 4 reasons why Trump and his supporters want to eliminate it

    Fundamental records

    Government data provides the most fundamental record of how a society works. Health, social, economic and education data collections show a clear picture of how people live, and allow researchers to track how public policy changes affect everyday lives.

    Government data is a unique resource because governments can require and enforce the collection of accurate information. This data also provides records of the activities of elected governments.

    Eliminating data collection breaks the system of knowledge that allows governments to work well, and lets the public transparently see how they are working well.

    Accuracy of data affects how people live

    Data and budget cuts are already undermining economic policy in the U.S.

    Inflation is a key indicator of economic health, and was an important electoral issue for Americans, with egg prices and other indicators coming up repeatedly in election campaigns.

    But the Bureau of Labor Statistics, responsible for monitoring price changes, has been forced by staffing shortages to rely on less accurate data-collection methods. Now, according to the Wall Street Journal, economists are questioning the accuracy of the government’s inflation data.

    Similar budget pressures hit climate science. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration decommissioned its Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters Database as of May 8.



    Read more:
    Three scientists speak about what it’s like to have research funding cut by the Trump administration

    This data tracked weather disasters where damages or costs reached or exceeded $1 billion and helped local and state governments plan, allocate budgets and advocate for funding. Employment losses are also expected.

    Internationally, shuttering the U.S. Agency for International Development has led to data losses that will severely hinder global development goals. The Demographic and Health Surveys program helped governments of many low- and middle-income countries collect health and service data.

    Losing aid funding will harm people directly. Losing the data will worsen that harm by preventing governments from making informed decision on allocating scarce resources, and it will hide how much harm is being done.

    Limiting what can be known

    Data destruction is a way to disrupt and control discourse by limiting what can be known. Without data, questions like “What impact are climate-related disasters having?” or “What’s the inflation rate?” are unanswerable. It becomes harder to effectively critique government actions.

    If data destruction is an act of political suppression, then data preservation can be an act of political resistance.

    In February 2025, several U.S. academic and non-profit associations got together to form the Data Rescue Project. They have worked to download data files, create documentation and prepare the data for publication on donated platforms.

    While researchers are unable to change the termination of data collection programs, they are preserving as much data as possible so researchers and critics can at least access information.

    The Canadian Data Rescue Project has hosted three data rescue events to create documentation for rescued American data sets, and is setting up processes to download and archive Canadian government data as a safeguarding measure.

    Canadian data concerns

    Disappearing data could happen here, and similar events have. Stephen Harper’s Conservative government cut data collection programs and issued gag orders to federal scientists.

    The federal government reduced funding for environmental data collection and eliminated the First Nations Statistical Institute.

    Researcher Melonie Fullick noted in 2012 that since 2009, “research on post-secondary education in Canada has been undermined by a systematic elimination of resources.” With the termination of varied education bodies or councils also came a scarcity of data.

    The Harper government also eliminated the 2011 long-form census, replacing it with a voluntary survey, leading to the resignation of Canada’s national statistician and disrupting the baseline for all social and health data collection in Canada over the next few years.

    Subsequent governments restored the census and some other data-collection programs, but in the case of education, researchers say some of the pains now being felt in the sector can be traced back to this period.

    Canada at crossroads

    A society knows itself through data, and makes a declaration about what it values by what it chooses to count.

    Canada is now at a crossroads. Our researchers and policy analysts have piggybacked on U.S. data collection in critical areas from health to climate and weather forecasting. We now need a national response to help mitigate the effects of data destruction.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Vanishing data in the U.S. undermines good public policy, with global implications – https://theconversation.com/vanishing-data-in-the-u-s-undermines-good-public-policy-with-global-implications-258230

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Vanishing data in the U.S. undermines good public policy, with global implications

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Kristi Thompson, Research Data Management Librarian, Western University

    The recent tragic floods in Texas have focused attention on the human impact of the cuts to government infrastructure and services in the United States by Donald Trump’s administration.

    Although initial analyses suggest that recent budget cuts and loss of staff played no role in the timeliness of the warnings, many are concerned that a lack of data used to make critical predictions and decisions will increasingly become apparent as a serious problem.

    As researchers focused on data management (Kristi) and behavioural sciences (Albert) and whose work tackles the significance of research with open access data, we have been concerned about how the data sets that scholars around the world rely on have been vanishing from U.S. government sites.

    Vanishing data is of dire concern far beyond the U.S., including for Canadians.

    Danielle Goldfarb, an expert on trade, real-time data, economics and public policy, notes that cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Arctic monitoring programs weaken Canada’s ability to assess shared climate risks and global shipping impacts. The American dismantling of key weather reporting also threatens the availability of crucial data for Canada’s disaster preparedness.

    The Canadian data community is watching U.S. events closely, and this has led to the recent founding of the Canadian Data Rescue Project. The project has a dual focus: to support data rescue efforts in the U.S. and to set up preventative life support for Canadian government data.

    Attack on knowledge

    The attack on knowledge in the U.S. began in January 2025 when Trump signed executive orders mandating the removal of information on topics such as diversity and “gender ideology” from government websites.

    Next, entire websites, data distribution systems and data collection systems began to disappear. The result was not only growing alarm over how the needs of marginalized populations are represented in democratic life and how public safety could be affected, but also concerns about a research and public policy crisis.

    Environmental data was a major target, with climate change tracking tools disappearing.

    And as part of the defunding of the Department of Education, nearly all of the staff, including the commissioner at the National Center for Education Statistics, were fired.



    Read more:
    Trump orders a plan to close Education Department – an anthropologist who studies MAGA explains 4 reasons why Trump and his supporters want to eliminate it

    Fundamental records

    Government data provides the most fundamental record of how a society works. Health, social, economic and education data collections show a clear picture of how people live, and allow researchers to track how public policy changes affect everyday lives.

    Government data is a unique resource because governments can require and enforce the collection of accurate information. This data also provides records of the activities of elected governments.

    Eliminating data collection breaks the system of knowledge that allows governments to work well, and lets the public transparently see how they are working well.

    Accuracy of data affects how people live

    Data and budget cuts are already undermining economic policy in the U.S.

    Inflation is a key indicator of economic health, and was an important electoral issue for Americans, with egg prices and other indicators coming up repeatedly in election campaigns.

    But the Bureau of Labor Statistics, responsible for monitoring price changes, has been forced by staffing shortages to rely on less accurate data-collection methods. Now, according to the Wall Street Journal, economists are questioning the accuracy of the government’s inflation data.

    Similar budget pressures hit climate science. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration decommissioned its Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters Database as of May 8.



    Read more:
    Three scientists speak about what it’s like to have research funding cut by the Trump administration

    This data tracked weather disasters where damages or costs reached or exceeded $1 billion and helped local and state governments plan, allocate budgets and advocate for funding. Employment losses are also expected.

    Internationally, shuttering the U.S. Agency for International Development has led to data losses that will severely hinder global development goals. The Demographic and Health Surveys program helped governments of many low- and middle-income countries collect health and service data.

    Losing aid funding will harm people directly. Losing the data will worsen that harm by preventing governments from making informed decision on allocating scarce resources, and it will hide how much harm is being done.

    Limiting what can be known

    Data destruction is a way to disrupt and control discourse by limiting what can be known. Without data, questions like “What impact are climate-related disasters having?” or “What’s the inflation rate?” are unanswerable. It becomes harder to effectively critique government actions.

    If data destruction is an act of political suppression, then data preservation can be an act of political resistance.

    In February 2025, several U.S. academic and non-profit associations got together to form the Data Rescue Project. They have worked to download data files, create documentation and prepare the data for publication on donated platforms.

    While researchers are unable to change the termination of data collection programs, they are preserving as much data as possible so researchers and critics can at least access information.

    The Canadian Data Rescue Project has hosted three data rescue events to create documentation for rescued American data sets, and is setting up processes to download and archive Canadian government data as a safeguarding measure.

    Canadian data concerns

    Disappearing data could happen here, and similar events have. Stephen Harper’s Conservative government cut data collection programs and issued gag orders to federal scientists.

    The federal government reduced funding for environmental data collection and eliminated the First Nations Statistical Institute.

    Researcher Melonie Fullick noted in 2012 that since 2009, “research on post-secondary education in Canada has been undermined by a systematic elimination of resources.” With the termination of varied education bodies or councils also came a scarcity of data.

    The Harper government also eliminated the 2011 long-form census, replacing it with a voluntary survey, leading to the resignation of Canada’s national statistician and disrupting the baseline for all social and health data collection in Canada over the next few years.

    Subsequent governments restored the census and some other data-collection programs, but in the case of education, researchers say some of the pains now being felt in the sector can be traced back to this period.

    Canada at crossroads

    A society knows itself through data, and makes a declaration about what it values by what it chooses to count.

    Canada is now at a crossroads. Our researchers and policy analysts have piggybacked on U.S. data collection in critical areas from health to climate and weather forecasting. We now need a national response to help mitigate the effects of data destruction.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Vanishing data in the U.S. undermines good public policy, with global implications – https://theconversation.com/vanishing-data-in-the-u-s-undermines-good-public-policy-with-global-implications-258230

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Vanishing data in the U.S. undermines good public policy, with global implications

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Kristi Thompson, Research Data Management Librarian, Western University

    The recent tragic floods in Texas have focused attention on the human impact of the cuts to government infrastructure and services in the United States by Donald Trump’s administration.

    Although initial analyses suggest that recent budget cuts and loss of staff played no role in the timeliness of the warnings, many are concerned that a lack of data used to make critical predictions and decisions will increasingly become apparent as a serious problem.

    As researchers focused on data management (Kristi) and behavioural sciences (Albert) and whose work tackles the significance of research with open access data, we have been concerned about how the data sets that scholars around the world rely on have been vanishing from U.S. government sites.

    Vanishing data is of dire concern far beyond the U.S., including for Canadians.

    Danielle Goldfarb, an expert on trade, real-time data, economics and public policy, notes that cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Arctic monitoring programs weaken Canada’s ability to assess shared climate risks and global shipping impacts. The American dismantling of key weather reporting also threatens the availability of crucial data for Canada’s disaster preparedness.

    The Canadian data community is watching U.S. events closely, and this has led to the recent founding of the Canadian Data Rescue Project. The project has a dual focus: to support data rescue efforts in the U.S. and to set up preventative life support for Canadian government data.

    Attack on knowledge

    The attack on knowledge in the U.S. began in January 2025 when Trump signed executive orders mandating the removal of information on topics such as diversity and “gender ideology” from government websites.

    Next, entire websites, data distribution systems and data collection systems began to disappear. The result was not only growing alarm over how the needs of marginalized populations are represented in democratic life and how public safety could be affected, but also concerns about a research and public policy crisis.

    Environmental data was a major target, with climate change tracking tools disappearing.

    And as part of the defunding of the Department of Education, nearly all of the staff, including the commissioner at the National Center for Education Statistics, were fired.



    Read more:
    Trump orders a plan to close Education Department – an anthropologist who studies MAGA explains 4 reasons why Trump and his supporters want to eliminate it

    Fundamental records

    Government data provides the most fundamental record of how a society works. Health, social, economic and education data collections show a clear picture of how people live, and allow researchers to track how public policy changes affect everyday lives.

    Government data is a unique resource because governments can require and enforce the collection of accurate information. This data also provides records of the activities of elected governments.

    Eliminating data collection breaks the system of knowledge that allows governments to work well, and lets the public transparently see how they are working well.

    Accuracy of data affects how people live

    Data and budget cuts are already undermining economic policy in the U.S.

    Inflation is a key indicator of economic health, and was an important electoral issue for Americans, with egg prices and other indicators coming up repeatedly in election campaigns.

    But the Bureau of Labor Statistics, responsible for monitoring price changes, has been forced by staffing shortages to rely on less accurate data-collection methods. Now, according to the Wall Street Journal, economists are questioning the accuracy of the government’s inflation data.

    Similar budget pressures hit climate science. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration decommissioned its Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters Database as of May 8.



    Read more:
    Three scientists speak about what it’s like to have research funding cut by the Trump administration

    This data tracked weather disasters where damages or costs reached or exceeded $1 billion and helped local and state governments plan, allocate budgets and advocate for funding. Employment losses are also expected.

    Internationally, shuttering the U.S. Agency for International Development has led to data losses that will severely hinder global development goals. The Demographic and Health Surveys program helped governments of many low- and middle-income countries collect health and service data.

    Losing aid funding will harm people directly. Losing the data will worsen that harm by preventing governments from making informed decision on allocating scarce resources, and it will hide how much harm is being done.

    Limiting what can be known

    Data destruction is a way to disrupt and control discourse by limiting what can be known. Without data, questions like “What impact are climate-related disasters having?” or “What’s the inflation rate?” are unanswerable. It becomes harder to effectively critique government actions.

    If data destruction is an act of political suppression, then data preservation can be an act of political resistance.

    In February 2025, several U.S. academic and non-profit associations got together to form the Data Rescue Project. They have worked to download data files, create documentation and prepare the data for publication on donated platforms.

    While researchers are unable to change the termination of data collection programs, they are preserving as much data as possible so researchers and critics can at least access information.

    The Canadian Data Rescue Project has hosted three data rescue events to create documentation for rescued American data sets, and is setting up processes to download and archive Canadian government data as a safeguarding measure.

    Canadian data concerns

    Disappearing data could happen here, and similar events have. Stephen Harper’s Conservative government cut data collection programs and issued gag orders to federal scientists.

    The federal government reduced funding for environmental data collection and eliminated the First Nations Statistical Institute.

    Researcher Melonie Fullick noted in 2012 that since 2009, “research on post-secondary education in Canada has been undermined by a systematic elimination of resources.” With the termination of varied education bodies or councils also came a scarcity of data.

    The Harper government also eliminated the 2011 long-form census, replacing it with a voluntary survey, leading to the resignation of Canada’s national statistician and disrupting the baseline for all social and health data collection in Canada over the next few years.

    Subsequent governments restored the census and some other data-collection programs, but in the case of education, researchers say some of the pains now being felt in the sector can be traced back to this period.

    Canada at crossroads

    A society knows itself through data, and makes a declaration about what it values by what it chooses to count.

    Canada is now at a crossroads. Our researchers and policy analysts have piggybacked on U.S. data collection in critical areas from health to climate and weather forecasting. We now need a national response to help mitigate the effects of data destruction.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Vanishing data in the U.S. undermines good public policy, with global implications – https://theconversation.com/vanishing-data-in-the-u-s-undermines-good-public-policy-with-global-implications-258230

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Innovation Saskatchewan Issues RFP for R+T Parks Master Plan Development

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on July 15, 2025

    Innovation Saskatchewan has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) to support the development of two Master Plans for its Research and Technology (R+T) Parks in Regina and Saskatoon.  

    The Master Plans will shape the long-term vision for the R+T Parks, positioning Saskatchewan as a hub for innovation and economic growth.  

    “Our Research and Technology Parks are dynamic, collaborative communities designed to support the growth of tech and research companies in Saskatchewan,” Minister Responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan Warren Kaeding said. “We are proud to advance this work and ensure the R+T Parks help researchers, entrepreneurs, industry and investors succeed.”  

    The Master Plans will aim to achieve the following:  

    • Expand capacity for high-demand, specialized innovation spaces
    • Support the shift toward more flexible, modern work environments
    • Align development with government priorities
    • Strengthen collaboration with industry and the University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

    Each R+T Park will have its own Master Plan tailored to its strengths, partnerships and governance structures. Together, they will form a unified framework to guide park development over the next 25 years, identifying opportunities to modernize infrastructure, optimize land use and align with Innovation Saskatchewan priority areas: agriculture, life sciences, energy, mining and critical minerals and information and communications technology.  

    “The R+T Parks have helped build a vibrant innovation community in Saskatchewan,” Innovation Saskatchewan CEO Kari Harvey said. “With momentum growing, now is the time to evolve our parks into globally competitive, future-ready centres of excellence.”  

    Established in 1977 (Saskatoon) and 1998 (Regina), the R+T Parks span 1.8 million square feet across 26 buildings and host more than 150 tenant companies, employing over 3,700 people. With a focus on growing ideas and scaling companies, both R+T Park locations offer lab spaces, offices, greenhouses and numerous other resources to support research and testing.  

    The RFP outlines details relating to criteria, process, timelines and other relevant information and can be found at www.sasktenders.ca. 

    The submission deadline is 2:00 p.m. Aug. 19, 2025.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –