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Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI Europe: VATICAN – The online missiology course in Spanish promoted by the Pontifical Mission Societies begins in October

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Thursday, 3 July 2025

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – In the context of the Jubilee Year and the Jubilee of the Missionary World, scheduled for October 4 and 5, 2025, the Pontifical Missionary Union, in collaboration with the National Directions of the Pontifical Mission Societies of Spain and Costa Rica, is promoting and organizing a 100% online missiological refresher course in Spanish.The course will run from October 2025 to June 2026, with a total of 25 sessions divided into three blocks. Each session will last approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes and will be held on Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. in Spain (1:00 p.m. in Costa Rica).The first block, scheduled from October 28 to December 16, 2025, will address the foundations of missiology, as well as the biblical and theological aspects of the Lord’s missionary mandate. The second block, from February 10 to April 14, 2026, will be dedicated to the study of the history of evangelization and current issues related to the Church’s missionary approach. Finally, the third block, which will take place from April 21 to June 30, 2026, will focus on missionary pastoral care and spirituality, structures and tools of an ecclesial nature used in mission territories, and Marian spirituality, with an emphasis on the Virgin Mary as Queen of the Missions.The subjects taught include: fundamental, biblical, historical, and exegetical missiology; mission on the different continents; contemporary missiology; emerging challenges in the field of missiology; missiological and ecumenical pastoral care; Missionary spirituality and contemporary missionary catechesis.At the end of the course, participants will receive a certificate of participation issued by the International Secretariat of the Pontifical Missionary Union.For more information and registration details, please visit the following link: https://omp.es/curso-de-actualizacion-en-misionologia/ (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 3/7/2025)

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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Remarks by President António Costa at the joint press conference following the meeting with Prime Minister Frederiksen, President von der Leyen and President Zelenskyy in Aarhus (Denmark)

    Source: Council of the European Union

    President António Costa travelled to Aarhus (Denmark) to attend the opening ceremony of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU. On the sides of this event he had a meeting with Prime Minister Frederiksen, President von der Leyen and President Zelenskyy followed by a joint press conference.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Company Fined $120,000 for Serious Worker Injury

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on July 3, 2025

    On June 17, 2025, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. pleaded guilty in Saskatoon Provincial Court to one violation of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020.

    The company was charged with contravening section 11-13 (1) of the regulations (being an employer or contractor, where a worker may be endangered by the swinging movement of a load or a part of a unit of powered mobile equipment, did require or permit a worker to remain within range of the swinging load or part, resulting in the serious injury of a worker).

    As a result, the Court imposed a fine of $85,714.29, along with a surcharge of $34,285.71, for a total amount of $120,000.

    The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on December 9, 2022, near Allan, Saskatchewan when a worker was struck by a metal crane rail that was being dragged along the ground by a telehandler. 

    The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety works with employers and workers to eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses through education, intervention and enforcement.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Company Fined $120,000 for Serious Worker Injury

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on July 3, 2025

    On June 17, 2025, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. pleaded guilty in Saskatoon Provincial Court to one violation of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020.

    The company was charged with contravening section 11-13 (1) of the regulations (being an employer or contractor, where a worker may be endangered by the swinging movement of a load or a part of a unit of powered mobile equipment, did require or permit a worker to remain within range of the swinging load or part, resulting in the serious injury of a worker).

    As a result, the Court imposed a fine of $85,714.29, along with a surcharge of $34,285.71, for a total amount of $120,000.

    The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on December 9, 2022, near Allan, Saskatchewan when a worker was struck by a metal crane rail that was being dragged along the ground by a telehandler. 

    The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety works with employers and workers to eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses through education, intervention and enforcement.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Company Fined $120,000 for Serious Worker Injury

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on July 3, 2025

    On June 17, 2025, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. pleaded guilty in Saskatoon Provincial Court to one violation of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020.

    The company was charged with contravening section 11-13 (1) of the regulations (being an employer or contractor, where a worker may be endangered by the swinging movement of a load or a part of a unit of powered mobile equipment, did require or permit a worker to remain within range of the swinging load or part, resulting in the serious injury of a worker).

    As a result, the Court imposed a fine of $85,714.29, along with a surcharge of $34,285.71, for a total amount of $120,000.

    The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on December 9, 2022, near Allan, Saskatchewan when a worker was struck by a metal crane rail that was being dragged along the ground by a telehandler. 

    The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety works with employers and workers to eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses through education, intervention and enforcement.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Neal Statement on the Passing of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA)

    Neal Statement on the Passing of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym

    Washington, D.C., July 2, 2025

    Congressman Richard E. Neal released the following statement on the passing of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a Granby-native, graduate of Pope Francis Preparatory School, and student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

    “I was heartbroken to hear of the tragic shooting that took the life of Granby-native Eric Tarpinian-Jachym. A rising senior at UMass Amherst, Eric was in D.C. interning on Capitol Hill, pursuing his passion for public service. As a lecturer at UMass, I know firsthand the caliber of students who walk through those doors. Eric embodied what it means to be part of a community committed to learning, growth, and civic engagement.

    “Any parent will tell you there is no greater pain than the pain of losing as a child. As a father, my thoughts and prayers are with Eric’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Neal Statement on the Passing of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA)

    Neal Statement on the Passing of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym

    Washington, D.C., July 2, 2025

    Congressman Richard E. Neal released the following statement on the passing of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a Granby-native, graduate of Pope Francis Preparatory School, and student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

    “I was heartbroken to hear of the tragic shooting that took the life of Granby-native Eric Tarpinian-Jachym. A rising senior at UMass Amherst, Eric was in D.C. interning on Capitol Hill, pursuing his passion for public service. As a lecturer at UMass, I know firsthand the caliber of students who walk through those doors. Eric embodied what it means to be part of a community committed to learning, growth, and civic engagement.

    “Any parent will tell you there is no greater pain than the pain of losing as a child. As a father, my thoughts and prayers are with Eric’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: At 4 AM, Neal Leads Floor Debate with a Reality Check for the GOP

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA)

    (As delivered)

    WATCH HERE

    Thank you. Mr. Speaker. I yield myself two minutes. So we might have visited a lot of places, tonight or this morning,  I should say, why don’t we visit reality? 

    Here’s the reality because we’re going to talk about facts for the next 15 minutes on our side. One thing you can understand very clearly the Republicans in the House surrendered to the Republican to the Senate and once again when the going got tough both institutions surrendered to the president. 

    This bill became worse along the way when it was already a pretty bad product. 

    In terms of expertise, Republicans said let’s reject what the Congressional Budget Office says. Let’s reject what the Joint Committee on Taxation might have to say and of course, when the going gets tough, let’s blame the Federal Reserve Board because of interest rates. 

    Under this bill, here’s a fact, Mr. Speaker, if you made a million dollars last year you’re gonna make a plus of $96,000 in the next tax filing season. That’s a fact, but here’s the real fact in the scam that’s being presented to the American people with this legislation. If you made under $50,000 last year, you’re gonna get 68 cents a day in terms of your tax relief. The Senate was too generous. They were at 73 percent. So, the House wanted to go back to on the Republican side, 68 cents. 

    Here’s the real kicker for a party that has preached fiscal rectitude that I’ve listened to it all my years here. All my years here, voting for the balanced budget amendment, taking up all of these pursuits in terms of fiscal rectitude, they’re borrowing $5 trillion additional dollars to pay for a tax cut for the wealthiest amongst us. $5 trillion is being added to the debt. 

    I call attention to that because they’re taking away health insurance from poor people, hospitals are going to suffer, Medicare is going to be cut, the Child Tax Credit will leave out the poorest, and seniors are threatened with much of the necessities of everyday life. SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare, and the ACA are all about to be gutted in the name of a tax cut for the wealthiest amongst us.”

    WATCH HERE

    “I can’t wait with the Republican Party to meet that waitress who’s making $32 ,000 a year and tell her in this tax bill the Republican Party just gave her 68 cents more a day ’cause that’s the reality of what this tax bill is about. 

    But we can also say in the next breath, if you made a million dollars last year, you’re gonna get $96,000. This is a fact -free argument. 

    They’re making this argument out that the person at the bottom is gonna do well in contrast to the person at the top. There’s simply no factual basis to that. 

    And by the way, the party of fiscal rectitude, they’re borrowing $5 trillion to pay for a tax cut for the wealthiest amongst us.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CFS urges public not to consume kinds of imported turkey bacon suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    CFS urges public not to consume kinds of imported turkey bacon suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenesPlace of origin: US
    Pack size (Universal Product Code/Lot number) and use-by dates: 
    (1) 12oz (071871548601/RS40), July 18 to August 2, 2025;
    (2) 36oz (071871548748/RS19, RS40 and RS42), July 23 to September 4, 2025; and
    (3) 48oz (071871548793/RS19, RS40 and RS42), July 18 to September 4, 2025Issued at HKT 23:22

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Construction sector expo launched

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The launch ceremony of the Infrastructure x Education Exhibition and the first phase of achievement of the STEAM UP project, jointly organised by the Development Bureau and the Construction Industry Council, was held today.

    This is the first time the construction industry has collaborated with the education sector to organise a large-scale exhibition featuring infrastructure projects in Hong Kong to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) education related to the construction industry, helping students apply STEAM knowledge through the examples of infrastructure projects and encouraging the youngsters to join the construction industry.

    Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn said at the ceremony that she hopes infrastructure can tell the good stories of Hong Kong and share STEAM knowledge via the exhibition, arousing students’ interest towards the construction industry and the exploration of STEAM knowledge.

    A first three-dimensional Infrastructure Map supporting STEAM education was launched at the event, introducing 32 types of infrastructure projects in Hong Kong and related STEAM knowledge. The map will be exhibited in various districts to let the public understand the city’s infrastructure.

    A set of architecture-themed learning and teaching materials of the STEAM UP project, including teachers’ lesson plans and teaching materials as well as story books, games and e-learning platforms, was also rolled out.

    Another eight sets of learning and teaching materials, covering architecture, surveying, planning, landscape architecture and engineering, will be launched progressively for use in classrooms in primary and secondary schools starting from 2025-26 school year.

    Ten thematic zones are set up in the exhibition. In addition to the aforementioned major projects, it also introduces the work, careers and development prospects of in the construction industry. Interactive games with construction robots are also available.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: National Impact for CT AHEC and its Urban Service Track/AHEC Scholars from UConn Health

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    “I was amazed to see just how large of an organization AHEC really is,” said Max Marks, UConn School of Dental Medicine student and Urban Service Track/AHEC (UST/AHEC) scholar alum. Marks was one of four UST/AHEC alumni who attended the recent biennial AHEC (Area Health Education Centers) conference in Lexington, Kentucky. The theme of the conference was Racing Toward Health Workforce Solutions. “I could see that all the people at the conference shared a common goal of improving health in their communities, in addition to training the health care providers of tomorrow.”

    The National AHEC Organization (NAO) represents a network of more than 300 AHEC program offices and centers that serve over 85% of United States counties. Connecticut’s AHEC office is located at UConn Health in Farmington. AHEC’s mission is to enhance access to quality health care, particularly primary and preventive care, by improving the supply and distribution of health care professionals.

    Director of the Connecticut AHEC, Petra Clark-Dufner traveled with the UST/AHEC scholar alums from UConn’s medical and dental school to the national AHEC conference (CT AHEC Photo).

    The two-year Urban Service Track/AHEC Scholars (UST/AHEC) program is one of the key initiatives of the UConn Health-based AHEC program. UST/AHEC scholars include students from UConn Schools of Pharmacy, Nursing, Medicine, Dental Medicine, Social Work and Quinnipiac University’s Physician Assistant program.

    UConn medical student and UST/AHEC scholar alum, Julia Levin, also attended the conference and appreciates the opportunities extended to her as part of UST/AHEC.  “UST/AHEC prepares future health care professionals to practice medicine beyond the confines of textbooks and lecture halls—by connecting them with their communities and equipping them with the skills, perspective, and compassion needed to become truly effective, empathetic clinicians,” said Levin.

    The director of the Connecticut AHEC, Petra Clark-Dufner, says that “through the Urban Service Track, AHEC Scholars learn with, from and about each other.  In addition to expanding their clinical/patient care toolkit, Scholars learn and apply leadership and communication skills.”

    Student panel at the national AHEC conference (Photo Credit: Abell Media).

    The two UConn UST/AHEC alum that were on stage at the conference were medical student Renee Taylor and dental medicine student Evan Perlroth. They participated in the conference’s student plenary panel entitled “In full stride: Students leading workforce transformation.” Perlroth said that “attending my first national conference and speaking on a panel during a plenary session was a unique experience. It was empowering to share my perspective as an AHEC scholar in front of leaders and other professionals nationally.”

    Barbara O’Neill, UConn School of Nursing UST/AHEC coordinator, adds that the NAO student panel is just one of many examples of how the UST/AHEC program provides a platform for interprofessional collaborative practice and educates students and professionals nationally. “It is important to be reminded that every member of the health care team is valuable, including the health professions student in training,” says O’Neill.

    Perlroth sums up the benefits of the program well. “UST/AHEC has opened my eyes to a whole different side of health care that I was unaware of previously.  Without it, I would not be the health care student and future clinician I am today.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Conclusion of misconduct hearing for two PCs

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Two serving Met police officers have been dismissed without notice for making homophobic, racist and sexualised comments to colleagues.

    PCs Ben Jeffries and Wayne Samson, attached to the North West Command, appeared before a nine-day hearing, which concluded on Thursday, 3 July. It found that both officers had breached the standards of professional behaviour in relation to discreditable conduct, authority, respect and courtesy, and equality and diversity.

    These breaches amounted to gross misconduct.

    It was heard that on multiple occasions, dating back to 2020, the officers made racist, misogynistic, sexual and homophobic remarks to several colleagues while on duty.

    PC Jeffries was also found to have sent a colleague an unsolicited picture of his genitals in August 2021.

    In November 2021, PC Sansom performed an offensive act towards a colleague.

    Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing for the North West Command, said: “The actions and comments made by both PC Jeffries and PC Samson were disgusting, wholly inappropriate and fell far below the standards expected of Met police officers. It is right they have been dismissed.

    “I would encourage our staff to continue to report any wrongdoing so that we can take action.”

    The officers will now both be added to the Barred List held by the College of Policing. Those appearing on the list cannot be employed by police, local policing bodies, the Independent Office for Police Conduct or His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • PM Modi presents handcrafted Indian artefacts to Ghanaian leaders on historic visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up his two-day visit to Ghana on Thursday by gifting handcrafted artefacts to the country’s top leaders, underlining India’s rich craft traditions and centuries-old artisanal legacy.

    The Prime Minister gifted Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama a pair of Bidriware vases from Bidar, Karnataka. Crafted by skilled artisans using a centuries-old technique, the vases feature a zinc-copper alloy base with a distinctive black finish and fine silver inlay. Engraved with floral motifs, they symbolise beauty, prosperity and harmony.

    To Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, PM Modi presented an elegant silver filigree purse from Cuttack, Odisha. Known for its Tarakasi work, the region’s delicate silver filigree craft has been practised for over five centuries. The handcrafted purse combines intricate floral and vine designs with modern style, blending tradition with contemporary elegance.

    Ghana’s Vice-President, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, received a Kashmiri Pashmina shawl — woven from the fine undercoat of the Changthangi goat. Celebrated for its softness and warmth, genuine Pashmina is hand-spun, woven and embroidered by artisans in Kashmir, with each piece taking weeks or months to complete.

    PM Modi also gifted a miniature Ambawari elephant to Ghana’s Speaker, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin. Handcrafted in West Bengal from polished synthetic ivory — an ethical alternative to natural ivory — the piece draws inspiration from royal processions where elephants carried nobility in ornate howdahs.

    (With agency inputs)

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: Cope Angel 2025: US, Japan sharpen search, rescue skills

    Source: United States Airforce

    U.S. Air Force Airmen, assigned to the 33rd and 31st Rescue Squadrons, partnered with Japan Air Self-Defense Force members from the Naha Air Rescue Squadron for exercise Cope Angel 25-1 at Kadena and Naha Air Bases.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK and Peru hold sixth iteration of bilateral Political Consultations Mechanism in London

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    UK and Peru hold sixth iteration of bilateral Political Consultations Mechanism in London

    The Minister for International Development, Latin America and Caribbean and Peruvian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs co-chaired the 6th session of the Peru-UK Political Consultations in London on 3 July.

    The Rt. Hon Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister for International Development, Latin America and Caribbean welcomed Peruvian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Felix Denegri to London on 3 July, where the two Ministers co-chaired the 6th session of the Peru-UK Political Consultations.

    A historic relationship rooted in shared values dating back over 200 years, the UK and Peru reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their modern partnership.

    Successes celebrated since the last meeting include the successful ratification of the UK’s CPTPP accession; the signing of a Double Taxation Agreement; and signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Climate Change. The two countries celebrated the  culmination of the 200-year anniversary of Peru-UK relations in 2023 and numerous high-level visits both ways.

    1. On security and defence, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based international order and willingness to jointly tackle global insecurity. The UK and Peru agreed to drive collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding on Security cooperation, addressing transnational drug trafficking, illicit financial flows, corruption and environmental crime.

    2. On growth, the parties celebrated the strengthening of bilateral trade and investment, supported by a growing framework of trade and government-to-government agreements (G2Gs). Peru acknowledged the UK’s valuable contribution to Peru’s infrastructure on health, education and flood defences. This includes the UK’s position as the largest foreign direct investor in mining in Peru. The UK also presented its recently launched Industrial Strategy and the two sides discussed collaboration on Peru’s clean energy transition, including unlocking green hydrogen potential.

    3. The parties highlighted their joint efforts to address climate change, protect the Amazon Rainforest, promote green investment and tackle environmental crime. They celebrated the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Climate and Biodiversity and discussed Peru’s leadership as a key partner in Latin America ahead of COP30. The UK offered to continue supporting Peru in developing a National Bioeconomy Strategy by 2026.

    4. Lastly, the UK and Peru stressed the value of shared cultural experiences as a foundation to the bilateral relationship. They celebrated the promotion of English Language learning through the British Council and academic excellence through the UK’s Chevening scholarships programme. The parties will soon drive this further through the signing of two Memorandum’s of Understanding to collaborate on quality higher education in Peru delivered by the British Council.

    Speaking after the Consultations, Baroness Chapman said:

    The UK and Peru share a warm and historic friendship – over 200 years strong,  grounded in our values, mutual respect and common ambitions.

    Today we are working closer than ever for shared growth and prosperity. The UK is already Peru’s largest foreign investor and I had a fantastic discussion with Ambassador Denegri today on how we can build on this, from trade, to climate and security.

    Vice minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru, Félix Denegri said:

    We had very fruitful discussions with Baroness Chapman, in which we ratified our commitment to continuously expand and strengthen our bilateral agenda, based on our shared principles, values and interests.

    I am greatly satisfied with the level of bilateral engagement between Peru and the UK, shown in reciprocal ministerial, vice-ministerial and high authorities visits in the last two years. We both highlighted the continuity of our Political Consultations Mechanism, being this the sixth since its establishment in 2018.

    We look forward to welcome Baroness Chapman for our next round of Consultations, in Peru.

    The UK and Peru will continue to strengthen bilateral ties across security, growth, climate and education, invigorated through their new agreements and MOUs. The parties agreed to reconvene in Peru in 2026.

    Media enquiries

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    Email the FCDO Newsdesk (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: GUU student to compete for victory at International Student Media Conference

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On July 2, 2025, the III International Student Media Conference, organized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, started on the territory of the Ethnomir Russian Park-Museum.

    The National University of Management is represented at the event by a foreign student from China, first-year master’s student Zhou Jingfan, studying in the field of “International Business Management”.

    The opening ceremony of the gathering was attended by Deputy Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate Vakhtang Khiklandze and Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo Pavel Shevtsov. The goal of the event was to create a platform for the exchange of experience and knowledge between foreign student journalists and bloggers from 50 Russian universities, to improve the level of professional competencies and to develop international cooperation in the field of media and education.

    Over the course of five days, students will learn about new tools for working in the media space, take part in master classes from leading media industry experts, attend lectures from both Russian and foreign experts, and apply the knowledge they have gained in practice by creating their own media projects dedicated to the culture and values of Russia.

    Based on the results of the completed projects, the best team and winners in individual nominations will be determined, who will have the opportunity to go on a press tour to Teriberka, a village in the Murmansk region on the shore of the Barents Sea.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: AI projects to help Nova Scotia companies innovate and boost productivity

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Halifax, Nova Scotia · July 3, 2025 · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

    The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and Member of Parliament for Halifax West, will announce significant support to help three businesses harness the power of AI and seize new growth opportunities. 

    The announcement will be made on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

    A representative of Bluedrop Training & Simulation will also speak to the positive impact AI adoption has had on their business.

    Date: July 4, 2025  

    Time: 11 a.m.         

    Location:
    Oberland Agriscience Inc.  
    71 Grassy Lake Drive
    Halifax, Nova Scotia
    B3S 0E8

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • PM Modi invites Ghana’s legislators to visit new Indian Parliament

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday invited Ghanaian lawmakers to visit India’s new Parliament building, calling it a symbol of India’s commitment to inclusivity and democratic reforms.

    Addressing Ghana’s Parliament during his visit to Accra, PM Modi highlighted the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 — the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act — which earmarks one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and the Delhi Assembly for women, including those reserved for SCs and STs.

    “I invite you to visit the new Parliament of India. You will see the bold step we have taken to reserve one-third of the seats in Parliament and state assemblies for women,” he said.

    The Prime Minister underscored that India is set to become the world’s third-largest economy and highlighted the political stability that has enabled this growth. “Last year, the people of India re-elected the same government for a third consecutive term — something that has happened after more than six decades,” he said.

    Drawing a symbolic link between Africa and India’s strides in space, PM Modi recalled that India’s Chandrayaan mission touched down on the Moon’s South Pole while he was in Africa. “Today, as an Indian astronaut conducts experiments on board a space station for the welfare of humanity, I am once again in Africa,” he said.

    Calling for urgent reform in global governance, the Prime Minister said institutions set up in the last century were struggling to tackle challenges such as climate change, pandemics, terrorism and cybersecurity. “Progress cannot come without giving voice to the Global South. We are proud that the African Union became a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency,” he said.

    Describing India as the “Mother of Democracy”, the PM said democracy was deeply rooted in the country’s civilisational ethos. Quoting the Rigveda, he said, “Let good thoughts come to us from all directions — this openness to ideas is the core of democracy.”

    Citing India’s diversity as a testament to its democratic vibrancy, PM Modi said, “India has over 2,500 political parties, twenty different parties governing various states, 22 official languages and thousands of dialects.”

    He added that this spirit of openness helps Indians integrate wherever they go. “Even in Ghana, they have blended into society, just like sugar in tea,” the Prime Minister said.

    On a lighter note, PM Modi said that the bond between India and Ghana is “sweeter than your famous Sugarloaf Pineapple”, earning warm applause from the lawmakers.

    ANI

  • PM Modi invites Ghana’s legislators to visit new Indian Parliament

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday invited Ghanaian lawmakers to visit India’s new Parliament building, calling it a symbol of India’s commitment to inclusivity and democratic reforms.

    Addressing Ghana’s Parliament during his visit to Accra, PM Modi highlighted the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 — the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act — which earmarks one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and the Delhi Assembly for women, including those reserved for SCs and STs.

    “I invite you to visit the new Parliament of India. You will see the bold step we have taken to reserve one-third of the seats in Parliament and state assemblies for women,” he said.

    The Prime Minister underscored that India is set to become the world’s third-largest economy and highlighted the political stability that has enabled this growth. “Last year, the people of India re-elected the same government for a third consecutive term — something that has happened after more than six decades,” he said.

    Drawing a symbolic link between Africa and India’s strides in space, PM Modi recalled that India’s Chandrayaan mission touched down on the Moon’s South Pole while he was in Africa. “Today, as an Indian astronaut conducts experiments on board a space station for the welfare of humanity, I am once again in Africa,” he said.

    Calling for urgent reform in global governance, the Prime Minister said institutions set up in the last century were struggling to tackle challenges such as climate change, pandemics, terrorism and cybersecurity. “Progress cannot come without giving voice to the Global South. We are proud that the African Union became a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency,” he said.

    Describing India as the “Mother of Democracy”, the PM said democracy was deeply rooted in the country’s civilisational ethos. Quoting the Rigveda, he said, “Let good thoughts come to us from all directions — this openness to ideas is the core of democracy.”

    Citing India’s diversity as a testament to its democratic vibrancy, PM Modi said, “India has over 2,500 political parties, twenty different parties governing various states, 22 official languages and thousands of dialects.”

    He added that this spirit of openness helps Indians integrate wherever they go. “Even in Ghana, they have blended into society, just like sugar in tea,” the Prime Minister said.

    On a lighter note, PM Modi said that the bond between India and Ghana is “sweeter than your famous Sugarloaf Pineapple”, earning warm applause from the lawmakers.

    ANI

  • PM Modi invites Ghana’s legislators to visit new Indian Parliament

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday invited Ghanaian lawmakers to visit India’s new Parliament building, calling it a symbol of India’s commitment to inclusivity and democratic reforms.

    Addressing Ghana’s Parliament during his visit to Accra, PM Modi highlighted the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 — the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act — which earmarks one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and the Delhi Assembly for women, including those reserved for SCs and STs.

    “I invite you to visit the new Parliament of India. You will see the bold step we have taken to reserve one-third of the seats in Parliament and state assemblies for women,” he said.

    The Prime Minister underscored that India is set to become the world’s third-largest economy and highlighted the political stability that has enabled this growth. “Last year, the people of India re-elected the same government for a third consecutive term — something that has happened after more than six decades,” he said.

    Drawing a symbolic link between Africa and India’s strides in space, PM Modi recalled that India’s Chandrayaan mission touched down on the Moon’s South Pole while he was in Africa. “Today, as an Indian astronaut conducts experiments on board a space station for the welfare of humanity, I am once again in Africa,” he said.

    Calling for urgent reform in global governance, the Prime Minister said institutions set up in the last century were struggling to tackle challenges such as climate change, pandemics, terrorism and cybersecurity. “Progress cannot come without giving voice to the Global South. We are proud that the African Union became a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency,” he said.

    Describing India as the “Mother of Democracy”, the PM said democracy was deeply rooted in the country’s civilisational ethos. Quoting the Rigveda, he said, “Let good thoughts come to us from all directions — this openness to ideas is the core of democracy.”

    Citing India’s diversity as a testament to its democratic vibrancy, PM Modi said, “India has over 2,500 political parties, twenty different parties governing various states, 22 official languages and thousands of dialects.”

    He added that this spirit of openness helps Indians integrate wherever they go. “Even in Ghana, they have blended into society, just like sugar in tea,” the Prime Minister said.

    On a lighter note, PM Modi said that the bond between India and Ghana is “sweeter than your famous Sugarloaf Pineapple”, earning warm applause from the lawmakers.

    ANI

  • PM Modi invites Ghana’s legislators to visit new Indian Parliament

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday invited Ghanaian lawmakers to visit India’s new Parliament building, calling it a symbol of India’s commitment to inclusivity and democratic reforms.

    Addressing Ghana’s Parliament during his visit to Accra, PM Modi highlighted the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 — the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act — which earmarks one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and the Delhi Assembly for women, including those reserved for SCs and STs.

    “I invite you to visit the new Parliament of India. You will see the bold step we have taken to reserve one-third of the seats in Parliament and state assemblies for women,” he said.

    The Prime Minister underscored that India is set to become the world’s third-largest economy and highlighted the political stability that has enabled this growth. “Last year, the people of India re-elected the same government for a third consecutive term — something that has happened after more than six decades,” he said.

    Drawing a symbolic link between Africa and India’s strides in space, PM Modi recalled that India’s Chandrayaan mission touched down on the Moon’s South Pole while he was in Africa. “Today, as an Indian astronaut conducts experiments on board a space station for the welfare of humanity, I am once again in Africa,” he said.

    Calling for urgent reform in global governance, the Prime Minister said institutions set up in the last century were struggling to tackle challenges such as climate change, pandemics, terrorism and cybersecurity. “Progress cannot come without giving voice to the Global South. We are proud that the African Union became a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency,” he said.

    Describing India as the “Mother of Democracy”, the PM said democracy was deeply rooted in the country’s civilisational ethos. Quoting the Rigveda, he said, “Let good thoughts come to us from all directions — this openness to ideas is the core of democracy.”

    Citing India’s diversity as a testament to its democratic vibrancy, PM Modi said, “India has over 2,500 political parties, twenty different parties governing various states, 22 official languages and thousands of dialects.”

    He added that this spirit of openness helps Indians integrate wherever they go. “Even in Ghana, they have blended into society, just like sugar in tea,” the Prime Minister said.

    On a lighter note, PM Modi said that the bond between India and Ghana is “sweeter than your famous Sugarloaf Pineapple”, earning warm applause from the lawmakers.

    ANI

  • PM Modi invites Ghana’s legislators to visit new Indian Parliament

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday invited Ghanaian lawmakers to visit India’s new Parliament building, calling it a symbol of India’s commitment to inclusivity and democratic reforms.

    Addressing Ghana’s Parliament during his visit to Accra, PM Modi highlighted the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 — the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act — which earmarks one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and the Delhi Assembly for women, including those reserved for SCs and STs.

    “I invite you to visit the new Parliament of India. You will see the bold step we have taken to reserve one-third of the seats in Parliament and state assemblies for women,” he said.

    The Prime Minister underscored that India is set to become the world’s third-largest economy and highlighted the political stability that has enabled this growth. “Last year, the people of India re-elected the same government for a third consecutive term — something that has happened after more than six decades,” he said.

    Drawing a symbolic link between Africa and India’s strides in space, PM Modi recalled that India’s Chandrayaan mission touched down on the Moon’s South Pole while he was in Africa. “Today, as an Indian astronaut conducts experiments on board a space station for the welfare of humanity, I am once again in Africa,” he said.

    Calling for urgent reform in global governance, the Prime Minister said institutions set up in the last century were struggling to tackle challenges such as climate change, pandemics, terrorism and cybersecurity. “Progress cannot come without giving voice to the Global South. We are proud that the African Union became a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency,” he said.

    Describing India as the “Mother of Democracy”, the PM said democracy was deeply rooted in the country’s civilisational ethos. Quoting the Rigveda, he said, “Let good thoughts come to us from all directions — this openness to ideas is the core of democracy.”

    Citing India’s diversity as a testament to its democratic vibrancy, PM Modi said, “India has over 2,500 political parties, twenty different parties governing various states, 22 official languages and thousands of dialects.”

    He added that this spirit of openness helps Indians integrate wherever they go. “Even in Ghana, they have blended into society, just like sugar in tea,” the Prime Minister said.

    On a lighter note, PM Modi said that the bond between India and Ghana is “sweeter than your famous Sugarloaf Pineapple”, earning warm applause from the lawmakers.

    ANI

  • PM Modi invites Ghana’s legislators to visit new Indian Parliament

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday invited Ghanaian lawmakers to visit India’s new Parliament building, calling it a symbol of India’s commitment to inclusivity and democratic reforms.

    Addressing Ghana’s Parliament during his visit to Accra, PM Modi highlighted the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 — the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act — which earmarks one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and the Delhi Assembly for women, including those reserved for SCs and STs.

    “I invite you to visit the new Parliament of India. You will see the bold step we have taken to reserve one-third of the seats in Parliament and state assemblies for women,” he said.

    The Prime Minister underscored that India is set to become the world’s third-largest economy and highlighted the political stability that has enabled this growth. “Last year, the people of India re-elected the same government for a third consecutive term — something that has happened after more than six decades,” he said.

    Drawing a symbolic link between Africa and India’s strides in space, PM Modi recalled that India’s Chandrayaan mission touched down on the Moon’s South Pole while he was in Africa. “Today, as an Indian astronaut conducts experiments on board a space station for the welfare of humanity, I am once again in Africa,” he said.

    Calling for urgent reform in global governance, the Prime Minister said institutions set up in the last century were struggling to tackle challenges such as climate change, pandemics, terrorism and cybersecurity. “Progress cannot come without giving voice to the Global South. We are proud that the African Union became a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency,” he said.

    Describing India as the “Mother of Democracy”, the PM said democracy was deeply rooted in the country’s civilisational ethos. Quoting the Rigveda, he said, “Let good thoughts come to us from all directions — this openness to ideas is the core of democracy.”

    Citing India’s diversity as a testament to its democratic vibrancy, PM Modi said, “India has over 2,500 political parties, twenty different parties governing various states, 22 official languages and thousands of dialects.”

    He added that this spirit of openness helps Indians integrate wherever they go. “Even in Ghana, they have blended into society, just like sugar in tea,” the Prime Minister said.

    On a lighter note, PM Modi said that the bond between India and Ghana is “sweeter than your famous Sugarloaf Pineapple”, earning warm applause from the lawmakers.

    ANI

  • PM Modi invites Ghana’s legislators to visit new Indian Parliament

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday invited Ghanaian lawmakers to visit India’s new Parliament building, calling it a symbol of India’s commitment to inclusivity and democratic reforms.

    Addressing Ghana’s Parliament during his visit to Accra, PM Modi highlighted the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 — the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act — which earmarks one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and the Delhi Assembly for women, including those reserved for SCs and STs.

    “I invite you to visit the new Parliament of India. You will see the bold step we have taken to reserve one-third of the seats in Parliament and state assemblies for women,” he said.

    The Prime Minister underscored that India is set to become the world’s third-largest economy and highlighted the political stability that has enabled this growth. “Last year, the people of India re-elected the same government for a third consecutive term — something that has happened after more than six decades,” he said.

    Drawing a symbolic link between Africa and India’s strides in space, PM Modi recalled that India’s Chandrayaan mission touched down on the Moon’s South Pole while he was in Africa. “Today, as an Indian astronaut conducts experiments on board a space station for the welfare of humanity, I am once again in Africa,” he said.

    Calling for urgent reform in global governance, the Prime Minister said institutions set up in the last century were struggling to tackle challenges such as climate change, pandemics, terrorism and cybersecurity. “Progress cannot come without giving voice to the Global South. We are proud that the African Union became a permanent member of the G20 during India’s presidency,” he said.

    Describing India as the “Mother of Democracy”, the PM said democracy was deeply rooted in the country’s civilisational ethos. Quoting the Rigveda, he said, “Let good thoughts come to us from all directions — this openness to ideas is the core of democracy.”

    Citing India’s diversity as a testament to its democratic vibrancy, PM Modi said, “India has over 2,500 political parties, twenty different parties governing various states, 22 official languages and thousands of dialects.”

    He added that this spirit of openness helps Indians integrate wherever they go. “Even in Ghana, they have blended into society, just like sugar in tea,” the Prime Minister said.

    On a lighter note, PM Modi said that the bond between India and Ghana is “sweeter than your famous Sugarloaf Pineapple”, earning warm applause from the lawmakers.

    ANI

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Oklahoma Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Residents Affected by May Storms

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses, nonprofits, and residents in Oklahoma of the Aug. 5 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset physical damage caused by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding occurring May 19.

    The disaster declaration covers the Oklahoma counties of Atoka, Coal, Haskell, Hughes, Latimer, McIntosh, Pittsburg and Pushmataha.

    Small businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

    Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

    Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage.

    “One distinct advantage of SBA’s disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future storm damage,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “I encourage businesses and homeowners to work with contractors and mitigation professionals to improve their storm readiness while taking advantage of SBA’s physical damage loans.”

    SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

    Interest rates can be as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.62% for PNPs, and 2.81% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms, based on each applicant’s financial condition.

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

    The deadline to return physical damage applications is Aug. 5.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CSO highlights increased demand for union Boilermakers

    Source: US International Brotherhood of Boilermakers

    Our great country was built on the backs of our highly skilled union workers, union skill, union pride and union craftsmanship.

    Captain Edward Bartlett, CEO and Founder, Bartlett Maritime Corporation

    Ron Traxler, Executive Director of the National Association of Construction Boilermaker Employers, shares results from NACBE’s annual safety index.

       View Photo Gallery (6 photos)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CSO highlights increased demand for union Boilermakers

    Source: US International Brotherhood of Boilermakers

    Our great country was built on the backs of our highly skilled union workers, union skill, union pride and union craftsmanship.

    Captain Edward Bartlett, CEO and Founder, Bartlett Maritime Corporation

    Ron Traxler, Executive Director of the National Association of Construction Boilermaker Employers, shares results from NACBE’s annual safety index.

       View Photo Gallery (6 photos)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein Takes Action on 12 Bills

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Stein Takes Action on 12 Bills

    Governor Stein Takes Action on 12 Bills
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today Governor Stein signed eight bills into law and vetoed four bills.  

    Governor Stein made the following statement on his vetoes of Senate Bill 558, Senate Bill 227, House Bill 171, and House Bill 805:  

    “At a time when teachers, law enforcement, and state employees need pay raises and people need shorter lines at the DMV, the legislature failed to pass a budget and, instead, wants to distract us by stoking culture wars that further divide us. These mean-spirited bills would marginalize vulnerable people and also undermine the quality of public services and public education. Therefore, I am vetoing them. I stand ready to work with the legislature when it gets serious about protecting people and addressing North Carolinians’ pressing concerns.” 

    Governor Stein made the following statement on signing Senate Bill 600:  

    “This bill enables people to sign up to be organ donors while doing tax returns and keeps patients safe from toxic chemicals. It also helps schools recruit and retain school nurses and gives schools more tools to quickly treat children with severe allergies.” 

    Governor Stein also signed the following bills into law: 

    • House Bill 763
    • Senate Bill 442
    • House Bill 357
    • Senate Bill 125 
    • Senate Bill 655  
    • Senate Bill 307 
    • Senate Bill 133 
    Jul 3, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ahead of Holiday weekend, Californians see lowest prices at the pump in 3 years

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jul 3, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Ahead of an expected record-breaking holiday weekend for travel, Californians are seeing the lowest prices at the pump in years. This comes after Governor Gavin Newsom has taken repeated actions to increase transparency on Big Oil’s balance sheets — putting people over record profits — and another that will give the state more tools to require petroleum refiners backfill supplies and plan ahead for maintenance, helping keep supply and demand more stable.

    Additionally, Republicans spent the last 6+ months fearmongering about a supposed “65 cent jump” in price at the pump on July 1, which DID NOT happen. In fact, prices at the pump have gone down leading up to, on, and after July 1, 2025 — the opposite of what Big Oil Republicans claimed would happen.

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    Jul 2, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – As House Republicans vote on the measure as soon as tonight, President Trump’s “big beautiful” national debt-adding bill is a massive tax break for the wealthiest Americans, at the cost of programs and services used by everyday families. It gives tax…

    Jul 2, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments: Tamie McGowen, of Folsom, has been appointed Senior Advisor for Strategy and Operations for the California State Transportation Agency. McGowen has been Deputy Secretary of…

    Jul 2, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement regarding the death of California Highway Patrol Officer Miguel Cano:“Officer Miguel Cano dedicated his life to serving our communities, and his passing is a heartbreaking loss for the state and…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI-DOD Program Enlists, Equips International Partners to Help Crush Cartel Violence

    Source: US FBI

    The FBI and our interagency partners have been long-committed to using vetted teams to stay ahead of the TOC threat. 

    The Bureau created its first two TOC-West vetted teams in Colombia and the Dominican Republic more than 10 years ago. Our partners at the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have their own versions of vetted teams, too.  

    Eric Geressy, a U.S. Army veteran and current senior Defense Department civilian official who has conducted training exercises with vetted teams for years, called TOC-West’s iteration “a finishing force” in the U.S. government’s pursuit of some of the worst offenders. 

    “For DOD, like the FBI and all interagency partners, we see the joint training efforts as critical to everyone’s success and survival—it needs to be hard and realistic, so we’re all ready to go whenever we’re called on,” Geressy said. “Training and working together is how we can best protect the people of the United States and all our partner nations.” 

    The FBI trains its TOC-West vetted teams as much as possible because it is critical to their safety and our shared success.  

    Vetted team training exercises—hosted on the ground in partner countries and conducted in Spanish by bilingual instructors—educate our international law enforcement partners on how the FBI approaches investigations and conducts related activity. Trainings also review critical skillsets that can save their lives when they’re on the job. 

    Medical care under fire is a prominent part of the training. The U.S. Department of Defense developed the training based on lessons learned from combat, Mike explained, and the Bureau and other federal law enforcement have adopted it. This training aims to empower vetted teams to keep injured individuals alive until they can be treated by a doctor or at a hospital. And, Mike recalled from his FBI Academy training, the quicker someone can get an injured person to a trauma center, the more likely they are to survive. 

    For this reason, he added, every vetted team member receives a medical kit—the kind of resource that our international law enforcement partners might not otherwise have access to. “This helps everybody have the best chance possible to go home alive,” he said. 

    The training exercises also cover the basics of firearms safety, marksmanship, and building good instincts to make split-second decisions wisely—such as how to react if someone unexpectedly draws a gun and starts shooting at you. “We make it individualized and vary the training by country and to make sure we’re hitting the right training points” for each team’s needs, Mike said of this portion of the training. 

    Additionally, vetted team members learn basic hand-to-hand combat skills—both to help them defend themselves without the use of a weapon and to empower them to more easily apprehend individuals who might resist arrest—and how to respond to attacks on vehicles they might be riding in.  

    The instruction at these international training exercises is a team effort between Bureau personnel and U.S. Special Operations Command troops from the U.S. Army’s 7th Special Forces Group.  

    “We’ve been very appreciative and grateful for the opportunity to work with U.S. Southern Command and the Department of Defense,” Mike said. “They do annual joint training internationally—one training in Central America, one in the Caribbean, and another one in South America. And so, we’ve partnered up with them since 2023 to bring our vetted teams and instructors to their exercises to cross-train our teams with other teams; to work with the 7th Special Forces Group; and to do firearms, tactics, and medical care together.” 

    The Bureau aims to hold two or three of its own international trainings every year, with support from FBI’s International Operations Division and the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. These trainings cover the same ground as our bilateral trainings with DOD. 

    And for the past two years, the Bureau has brought TOC-West vetted-team partners to the United States for a collective training opportunity at Quantico, Virginia, known as the Basic Investigator Course. The TOC-West Operations Unit hopes to continue this training annually.  

    “It’s important for interoperability that the training we provide is the same for everybody because we don’t know when we’re all going to be working together,” he said. 

    The need for this kind of interoperability training was underscored by real-life tragedy when a member of the TOC-West vetted team in the Dominican Republic was killed in the line of duty while responding to an attempted robbery alongside FBI agents. He died while working to defend them and other civilians, Mike recalled. More recently, in 2024, two members of the Bureau’s vetted team in Colombia were ambushed, with one officer killed and the other wounded. Last month, representatives of IOD and CID presented the fallen officer’s family with the FBI Medal of Valor. 

    “It’s not just for camaraderie,” he said. “We don’t know when we’re all going to find ourselves in the same fight at the same time.” 

    MIL Security OSI –