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Category: Education

  • MIL-OSI USA: Moolenaar Announces Winners of 2025 Congressional Art Competition

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

    Headline: Moolenaar Announces Winners of 2025 Congressional Art Competition

    Congressman John Moolenaar announced the winner of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition last week at a reception held at the Green Charter Township Hall. Nevada Draper, a 12th grade home schooled student from Hesperia, won the competition’s grand prize with her painting, “One Generation Away.” Her artwork will be placed on display at the United States Capitol for the next year where it will be viewed by visitors from around the world.

    “I congratulate Nevada on this wonderful accomplishment. Her artwork will represent our district well as it is displayed in the U.S. Capitol this year. Thank you to every student from our district who participated in this year’s Congressional Art Competition. I am grateful to see so many talented students showcase their skills and present exceptional artwork,” said Congressman Moolenaar.

    Congressman John Moolenaar and Nevada Draper, the winner of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for Michigan’s Second District, and her painting, “One Generation Away.”

    Moolenaar also announced Gracie Knudsen of Newaygo High School, and Charlotte Torrez of Ludington High School as regional winners for their submissions. Gracie’s painting titled “Clouds over Lake Michigan” and Charlotte’s Acrylic painting titled “Animals of Michigan” will be placed on display at Congressman Moolenaar’s offices in Caledonia and Clare, respectively. 

    Moolenaar with Gracie Knudsen and her painting, “Clouds over Lake Michigan.”

    Charlotte Torrez’s painting, “Animals of Michigan.”

    The Congressional Art Competition takes place annually in districts across the country where students submit original artwork. More information about the Congressional Art Competition can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 20, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: Mediawatch: Jailed Australian foreign correspondent’s life spread across the big screen

    By Colin Peacock, RNZ Mediawatch presenter

    In 1979, Sam Neill appeared in an Australian comedy movie about hacks on a Sydney newspaper.

    The Journalist was billed as “a saucy, sexy, funny look at a man with a nose for scandal and a weakness for women”.

    That would probably not fly these days — but as a rule, movies about Australian journalists are no laughing matter.

    Back in 1982, a young Mel Gibson starred as a foreign correspondent who was dropped into Jakarta during revolutionary chaos in The Year of Living Dangerously. The 1967 events the movie depicted were real enough, but Mel Gibson’s correspondent Guy Hamilton was made up for what was essentially a romantic drama.

    There was no romance and a lot more real life 25 years later in Balibo, another movie with Australian journalists in harm’s way during Indonesian upheaval.

    Anthony La Paglia had won awards for his performance as Roger East, a journalist killed in what was then East Timor — now Timor-Leste — in December 1975. East was killed while investigating the fate of five other journalists — including New Zealander Guy Cunningham — who was killed during the Indonesian invasion two months earlier.

    The Correspondent has a happier ending but is still a tough watch — especially for its subject.

    Met in London newsrooms
    I first met Peter Greste in newsrooms in London about 30 years ago. He had worked for Reuters, CNN, and the BBC — going on to become a BBC correspondent in Afghanistan.

    He later reported from Belgrade, Santiago, and then Nairobi, from where he appeared regularly on RNZ’s Nine to Noon as an African news correspondent. Greste later joined the English-language network of the Doha-based Al Jazeera and became a worldwide story himself while filling in as the correspondent in Cairo.

    Actor Richard Roxburgh as jailed journalist Peter Greste in The Correspondent alongside Al Jazeera colleagues Mohammed Fahmy and Baher Mohammed. Image: The Correspondent/RNZ

    Greste and two Egyptian colleagues, Baher Mohamed and Mohamed Fahmy, were arrested in late 2013 on trumped-up charges of aiding and abetting the Muslim Brotherhood, an organisation labeled “terrorist” by the new Egyptian regime of the time.

    Six months later he was sentenced to seven years in jail for “falsifying news” and smearing the reputation of Egypt itself. Mohamed was sentenced to 10 years.

    Media organisations launched an international campaign for their freedom with the slogan “Journalism is not a crime”. Peter’s own family became familiar faces in the media while working hard for his release too.

    Peter Greste was deported to Australia in February 2015. The deal stated he would serve the rest of his sentence there, but the Australian government did not enforce that. Instead, Greste became a professor of media and journalism, currently at Macquarie University in Sydney.

    Movie consultant
    Among other things, he has also been a consultant on The Correspondent — now in cinemas around New Zealand — with Richard Roxborough cast as Greste himself.

    Greste told The Sydney Morning Herald he had to watch it “through his fingers” at first.

    Australian professor of journalism Peter Greste …. posing for a photograph when he was an Al Jazeera journalist in Kibati village, near Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on 7 August 2013. Image: IFEX media freedom/APR

    “I eventually came to realise it’s not me that’s up there on the screen. It’s the product of a whole bunch of creatives. And the result is … more like a painting rather than a photograph,” Greste told Mediawatch.

    “Over the years I’ve written about it, I’ve spoken about it countless times. I’ve built a career on it. But I wasn’t really anticipating the emotional impact of seeing the craziness of my arrest, the confusion of that period, the claustrophobia of the cell, the sheer frustration of the crazy trial and the really discombobulating moment of my release.

    “But there is another very difficult story about what happened to a colleague of mine in Somalia, which I haven’t spoken about publicly. Seeing that on screen was actually pretty gut-wrenching.”

    In 2005, his BBC colleague Kate Peyton was shot alongside him on their first day in on assignment in Somalia. She died soon after.

    “That was probably the toughest day of my entire life far over and above anything I went through in Egypt. But I am glad that they put it in [The Correspondent]. It underlines … the way in which journalism is under attack. What happened to us in Egypt wasn’t a random, isolated incident — but part of a much longer pattern we’re seeing continue to this day.”

    Supporters of the jailed British-Egyptian human rights activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah take part in a candlelight vigil outside Downing Street in London, United Kingdom, as he begins a complete hunger strike while world leaders arrive for COP27 climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in 2022. Image: RNZ Mediawatch/AFP

    ‘Owed his life’
    Greste says he “owes his life” to fellow prisoner Alaa Abd El-Fattah — an Egyptian activist who is also in the film.

    “There’s a bit of artistic licence in the way it was portrayed but . . .  he is easily one of the most intelligent, astute and charismatic humanitarians I’ve ever come across. He was one of the main pro-democracy activists who was behind the Arab Spring revolution in 2011 — a true democrat.

    “He also inspired me to write the letters that we smuggled out of prison that described our arrest not as an attack on … what we’d actually come to represent. And that was press freedom.

    “That helped frame the campaign that ultimately got me out. So, for both psychological and political reasons, I feel like I owe him my life.

    “There was nothing in our reporting that confirmed the allegations against us. So I started to drag up all sorts of demons from the past. I started thinking maybe this is the universe punishing me for sins of the past. I was obviously digging up that particular moment as one of the most extreme and tragic moments. It took a long time for me to get past it.

    “He’d been in prison a lot because of his activism, so he understood the psychology of it. He also understood the politics of it in ways that I could never do as a newcomer.”

    “Unfortunately, he is still there. He should have been released on September 29th last year. His mother launched a hunger strike in London . . . so I actually joined her on hunger strike earlier this year to try and add pressure.

    “If this movie also draws a bit of attention to his case, then I think that’s an important element.”

    Another wrinkle
    Another wrinkle in the story was the situation of his two Egyptian Al Jazeera colleagues.

    Greste was essentially a stranger to them, having only arrived in Egypt shortly before their arrest.

    The film shows Greste clashing with Fahmy, who later sued Al Jazeera. Fahmy felt the international pressure to free Greste was making their situation worse by pushing the Egyptian regime into a corner.

    “To call it a confrontation is probably a bit of an understatement. We had some really serious arguments and sometimes they got very, very heated. But I want audiences to really understand Fahmy’s worldview in this film.

    “He and I had very different understandings of what was going … and how those differences played out.

    “I’ve got a hell of a lot of respect for him. He is like a brother to me. That doesn’t mean we always agreed with each other and doesn’t mean we always got on with each other like any siblings, I suppose.”

    His colleagues were eventually released on bail shortly after Greste’s deportation in 2015.

    Fahmy renounced his Egyptian citizenship and was later deported to Canada, while Mohamed was released on bail and eventually pardoned.

    Retrial — all ‘reconvicted’
    “After I was released there was a retrial … and we were all reconvicted. They were finally released and pardoned, but the pardon didn’t extend to me.

    “I can’t go back because I’m still a convicted ‘terrorist’ and I still have an outstanding prison sentence to serve, which is a little bit weird. Any country that has an extradition treaty with Egypt is a problem. There are a fairly significant number of those across the Middle East and Africa.”

    Greste told Mediawatch his conviction was even flagged in transit in Auckland en route from New York to Sydney. He was told he failed a character test.

    “I was able to resolve it. I had some friends in Canberra and were able to sort it out, but I was told in no uncertain terms I’m not allowed into New Zealand without getting a visa because of that criminal record.

    “If I’m traveling to any country I have to say … I was convicted on terrorism offences. Generally speaking, I can explain it, but it often takes a lot of bureaucratic process to do that.”

    Greste’s first account of his time in jail — The First Casualty — was published in 2017. Most of the book was about media freedom around the world, lamenting that the numbers of journalists jailed and killed increased after his release.

    Something that Greste also now ponders a lot in his current job as a professor of media and journalism.

    Ten years on from that, it is worse again. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) says at least 124 journalists and media workers were killed last year, nearly two-thirds of them Palestinians killed by Israel in its war in Gaza.

    The book has now been updated and republished as The Correspondent.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Parents get 95 hours back as free Breakfast Clubs are rolled out

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Parents get 95 hours back as free Breakfast Clubs are rolled out

    First 750 breakfast clubs to rollout from Tuesday, delivering on government’s manifesto commitment and promise to put more money in working people’s pockets

    Tens of thousands of working parents will, from Tuesday, be supported with more flexibility and choice from the rollout of free breakfast clubs across England, as the government delivers on its promise of 30 minutes of free childcare every day.

    As children return from the Easter holidays, the first 750 schools across the country are set to begin offering free breakfast clubs. This will help parents get up to 95 hours back a year – giving them more support at a crucial time in the morning as they balance busy lives of work and childcare.

    New government data shows that over half of parents would use this time to juggle parenting with working, training or studying.

    The free breakfast clubs will save parents up to £450 a year and come alongside a raft of measures from government to provide parents with greater choice and help with the cost of living, such as a cap on school uniform costs and expanding free childcare for under-fives to 30 hours per week.

    It comes as major employers like British Airways, Accenture and Rigby Group back the clubs to support parents to work more flexibly.

    The rollout delivers on the government’s manifesto promise to ensure state schools offer free breakfast clubs to all pupils, while supporting its Plan for Change milestone to ensure tens of thousands more children start school ready to learn. 

     Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 

    Free breakfast clubs are at the heart of our Plan for Change, making working parents’ lives easier and more affordable, while breaking down barriers to opportunity for every child.  

    From Tyneside to Truro, England is one of the first countries in Europe to open universal free breakfast clubs, saving parents up to £450 per year and making sure every child starts school ready to learn. 

    This government is delivering on our promises to working parents, rolling out free breakfast clubs, school-based nurseries, and giving every child across the country the best start in life.

    Across the country, school leaders have seen breakfast clubs drive improvements in attendance, attainment and behaviour.

    This government is going further and faster, using the 750 free breakfast clubs as a key tool to tackle barriers to learning in schools, with 500,000 primary school pupils missing at least one day of school every fortnight last year, 1 in every 3 pupils not ready to start school at age 5 and 1 in every 50 pupils suspended at least once. 

    Sean Doyle, Chairman and Chief Executive, British Airways said:

    We welcome the Government’s new free Breakfast Club initiative and any effort to support children’s health and learning, while providing more flexibility for working parents and reducing their childcare costs.

    Shaheen Sayed, Head of Accenture in the UK, Ireland and Africa, said:

    As a major employer in the UK flexibility is a priority, and we understand the importance of creating an environment where everyone can achieve a healthy work-life balance.

    We welcome the government’s roll out of 750 new free breakfast clubs across the country as a targeted investment in the future of the workforce and a major step to reducing pressures on working families.

    Breakfast clubs not only improve educational outcomes for children but also enable greater workforce participation, allowing working parents and carers to achieve their professional and personal aspirations.

    Steve Rigby Co-CEO, Rigby Group said:

    As the West Midlands’ largest philanthropic family working with disadvantaged children, we wholeheartedly support the government’s rollout of breakfast clubs.

    Breakfast clubs provide support to parents, improve attendance and provide an important start to young people in the start of their school day.

    St Benedict’s Primary School, which currently offers breakfast club provision, is going to be one of the early adopter schools to expand the benefits of the club.  

    Emma Nott, Head Teacher at St Benedict’s Primary School said: 

    For us, the funding will help us to offer breakfast clubs for free – which is crucial to encourage take up and for more children to reap the benefits. 

    Our fantastic staff truly believe in this policy, and we are already seeing children’s attendance increase as a result of the club. 

    It also gives pupils time to adjust between home and school life, especially on a Monday morning, prioritising this for 30 minutes makes a whole world of difference.  

    Too many children’s life chances have been scarred by poverty, with a third of children leaving primary school without fundamental reading, writing and maths skills, this increases to over half for disadvantaged pupils.  

    This government has set out a clear commitment to break down barriers to opportunity for every child, with breakfast clubs proven to boost children’s reading, writing and maths by an average of two months.
     
    Craig Jones, Director of the Junior Adventures Group and the PVI Network:

    We can see the positive impact enriching breakfast clubs can have on children and families lives, providing a positive, active start to the day and supporting families with work-life balance.

    As PVI providers we are excited about the launch of the early adopter scheme and are fully supportive of providing valuable feedback and innovative delivery models during this ‘test & learn’ phase of the free breakfast club offer.

    Free breakfast clubs in the early adopter schools will shape the future of the national breakfast club policy, contributing directly to its implementation. Further details on the national roll out of the breakfast clubs programme will follow in due course.

    DfE media enquiries

    Central newsdesk – for journalists 020 7783 8300

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    Published 20 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 147 Status Reports

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Kelly Attacks Trump Administration Agenda in Week of Action

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

    Rep. Kelly to hear constituents’ concerns about public education, Social Security, healthcare at townhalls, roundtables

    MATTESON, ILL. – This week, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) will host a series of events attacking President Donald Trump’s agenda and hearing directly from constituents.

    “I refuse to stand by silently as President Trump wrecks our democracy and attacks the American people. He’s going after senior citizens’ Social Security paychecks, families’ healthcare, children’s education, federal workers’ jobs and hiking up the cost of living,” said Rep. Kelly. “I’m working to ensure my constituents’ concerns are heard and that their voices are represented in Washington. House Republicans are complicit in aiding Trump’s harmful agenda, and they need to know that the American people do not back them.”

    Rep. Kelly kickstarted the week yesterday with a roundtable discussion on protecting public education against President Trump’s plan to eliminate Title 1 grants. Title 1 grants provide the Second District with $412 million — the most out of all the Congressional Districts in Illinois. Rep. Kelly heard from superintendents and public educators who are alarmed about the elimination of these grants, which would effectively fire 6,243 teachers in the Second District, explode class sizes, close schools and hurt students in low-income communities.

    Rep. Kelly will host a telephone town hall Tuesday evening to hear concerns about President Trump’s and Elon Musk’s attacks against Social Security, which affects 151,140 recipients in the Second District. Over 11,000 constituents called into her last telephone town hall in February.

    On Thursday, Rep. Kelly will defend healthcare in the midst of program cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services and House Republicans’ plans to cut Medicaid. She will go live on Instagram to discuss Black maternal health with U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman (NJ-12) and reproductive justice organization In Our Own Voice. The discussion marks the end of Black Maternal Health Week and their continued leadership to save Black mothers from pregnancy-related deaths. Rep. Kelly will also tour the SouthCom Dispatch Center in recognition of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Her bill, Providing Resources and Occupational Training for Emotional Crisis and Trauma (PROTECT) 911 Act, will also be introduced on the same day.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Kelly: ‘The American People are Engaged, Demanding Answers from Trump Administration’

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

    In week of action against President Trump’s actions, Rep. Kelly heard concerns about public education, Social Security, healthcare

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) travelled throughout the Second District this week to hear from constituents concerning President Donald Trump’s agenda.

    “Whether I was in Chicago, the south suburbs, or in rural Pontiac, I heard one clear message from my constituents: President Trump is taking our country down a dangerous, frightening path,” said Rep. Kelly. “Trump has engaged in an unending trade war as our farmers, small business owners and everyday consumers pay the price. As he’s playing a world-stage bully, Elon Musk is on a mission to privatize Social Security, eliminate public education, and terminate federal employees. Meanwhile, Trump’s followers in Republican leadership attack Medicaid and food assistance, making it harder to access healthcare and put food on the table.

    “The American people are engaged and demanding answers from the Trump administration. I will continue to hear their concerns, answer their questions and bring their demands back to Washington, DC. My Republican colleagues need to hear that Trump’s agenda does not align with The People.”

    On Public Education

    Rep. Kelly held a roundtable discussion in Richton Park with public educators and superintendents who are concerned about President Trump’s executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. His plan to eliminate Title 1 grants would effectively fire 6,243 teachers in the Second District and stop $412 million in grants to the district.

    On Social Security

    Over 13,000 concerned constituents called into Rep. Kelly’s telephone town hall on Social Security. There are 151,140 Social Security recipients in the Second District, including widows, children, workers with disabilities and retired senior citizens. Elon Musk has called Social Security a “Ponzi scheme” and fired 7,000 workers at the Social Security Administration, causing chaos and instability.

    On Food Assistance

    On Wednesday, Rep. Kelly toured Free-N-Deed, a food pantry in Dolton, to hear how the facility and the community would be affected by cuts to food assistance. The House Republican budget slashes $230 billion from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which would leave almost 190,000 people in the Second District without a reliable meal. For every meal that a food pantry provides, SNAP provides nine meals. Food pantries like Free-N-Deed would not be able to fill in the gaps if SNAP was cut.

    On the Trump Administration

    Rep. Kelly hosted her second in-person town hall of the year in Pontiac, Illinois, the most western part of the District. She also had a special guest, Ed Yohnka, Director of Communications and Public Policy at ACLU of Illinois, to help give updates on lawsuits against the Trump administration’s unconstitutional actions. About 150 people attended the town hall.

    On Black Maternal Health

    In recognition of Black Maternal Health Week, Rep. Kelly went live on Instagram with reproductive justice organization In Our Own Voice and U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman. They discussed the recent attacks by the Trump administration against healthcare and maternal health, including DOGE-led layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services.

    On Emergency Operators’ Mental Health

    Rep. Kelly toured the SouthCom Combined Dispatch Center in Matteson, Illinois, to hear how she can best support 911 operators and dispatchers. In recognition of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, she also introduced bipartisan legislation to support the mental health and wellbeing of emergency operators.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Crow Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen VA Health Benefits for Veteran Firefighters

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

    WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), a former Army Ranger who served three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, has introduced new bipartisan legislation to strengthen health care benefits for veteran firefighters. 

    Studies have shown that firefighters, as a result of their career, are more likely to suffer from certain illnesses, including higher rates of cancer. However, the VA currently does not recognize the direct connection between military firefighting and higher rates of illness incidence beyond one year following active duty, resulting in denials of VA health care claims.

    Congressman Crow’s Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act would create the presumption that military veteran firefighters who become disabled by serious disease – including heart disease, lung disease, and certain types of cancer – contracted the illness due to their service in the military, allowing them to be approved for VA health care. 

    The legislation was also introduced by Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE-02).

    “I know from my days as an Army Ranger that military firefighters protect the safety of everybody in our ranks,” said Congressman Crow. “Too many of our military firefighters have been denied VA health care for conditions connected to their service, and that’s unacceptable. That’s why I’m introducing bipartisan legislation that expands their access to the care they deserve.”

    “After nearly 30 years in the Air Force, I’ve witnessed hundreds of heroic military firefighters who put their own lives on the line by carrying us out of burning buildings or jets and exposing themselves to toxic substances and deadly fumes,” said Congressman Bacon. “Creating the presumption that those who become disabled from serious disease contracted the illness while serving in the military allows the VA to treat thousands of military firefighters that would normally not be covered. This bill changes that. I fully support this mission, and I will continue to work with Rep. Crow to not only get this over the finish line, but to honor the life of former USAF firefighter, Michael Lecik, to which this bill is named after.”

    The legislation is named in honor of Michael Lecik, a U.S. Air Force firefighter who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2019. Lecik filed a claim with the VA, which was ultimately rejected. He passed away in 2021 at the age of 39. 

    As an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, ensuring America’s military servicemembers and their families get the appropriate care and resources is a top priority for Congressman Crow. In the 117th Congress, he introduced the Justice Involved Veterans Support Act and supported the PACT Act, which expands health care to millions of servicemembers exposed to toxic chemicals. Congressman Crow also supported the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act, which expands health care to federal firefighters who become disabled by serious disease. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Open Learning WV helps students save $9.6 million on course materials, expands to all public colleges and universities – West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission

    Source: US State of West Virginia

    Since its launch in 2021, Open Learning WV has helped West Virginia college students save an estimated $9.6 million on course materials by promoting the adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER), which are low- or no-cost instructional materials that replace traditional, costly textbooks. This state-led initiative, spearheaded by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, continues to drive affordability, accessibility, and innovation across the state’s higher education system.

    With a return on investment of $18 for every $1 in grant funding, Open Learning WV is proving to be a powerful tool in the effort to lower college costs. The initiative has now achieved full participation from 100 percent of the state’s public colleges and universities, with 527 courses transitioned to OER and 307 faculty members redesigning their classes using these resources.

    To date, the Commission has awarded 662 grants to faculty members to support the development and implementation of OER materials. These resources include free or affordable textbooks, workbooks, and digital tools that ensure every student has immediate and equitable access to course content.

    In a survey of nearly 13,000 participating students, 98 percent reported that the OER course materials were easy to access, and 91 percent said having low- or no-cost options is important to their academic success.

    Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor of Higher Education, applauded the program’s momentum and outcomes, stating, “Open Learning WV is more than a cost-saving initiative – it’s a pathway to more accessible education. These savings represent real impact for thousands of West Virginia students who might otherwise struggle to afford their course materials. We’re incredibly proud of the faculty and institutions leading this work, and we’re excited to keep building on this progress.”

    Demonstrating continued commitment to the initiative, the Commission recently brought together higher education partners from across the state for a convening to reflect on progress and map out next steps. During the event, two leaders in the OER movement were honored:

    • Educator Award: Professor David Stoffel from West Virginia Northern Community College, recognized for more than a decade of innovation in OER.
    • Leadership Award: Professor Katherine Bowe from Concord University, celebrated for her role in advancing OER adoption in mathematics.

    In 2019, the West Virginia Legislature passed a bill encouraging the use of OER to reduce financial burdens on students. As a result of this policy and thanks to a more than $1 million collaboration that began with a seed grant from the Ascendium Education Group, the Commission launched Open Learning WV to provide grants for faculty to use OER in their courses. Building on these investments, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito secured $433,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending funds for additional faculty grants and the development of an online repository to give students and faculty free and expanded access to OER materials developed across the state. 

    As Open Learning WV continues to grow, the Commission remains committed to supporting faculty and institutions in their efforts to make higher education more affordable, accessible, and student-centered. Faculty interested in learning more about Open Learning WV can visit https://wvclimb.com/about-oer/ or contact the Higher Education Policy Commission at 304-558-2101.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: GUU to train logisticians for Wildberries: cooperation agreement signed

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    On April 18, 2025, a ceremonial signing of a cooperation agreement between the State University of Management and the Russian online store Wildberries took place.

    On behalf of the State University of Management, the document was signed by the rector of the State University of Management, Vladimir Stroyev. On behalf of the new partner, it was signed by the director of innovation and ecosystem development, Wildberries, Igor Koval.

    Also present at the meeting were vice-rectors of the State University of Management Maria Karelina and Pavel Pavlovsky. From Wildberries there were the head of the department for work with educational organizations Yulia Erofeeva, the head of image projects Daria Mudrova, the head of the internship direction Anastasia Avdeeva, the head of the school direction Daria Danilina.

    At the beginning of the meeting, Vladimir Stroyev told the guests about the history of GUU. And although there were two graduates of our university among them, it was also new for them to hear that its history began almost 40 years earlier than they knew – with the Aleksandrovsky Commercial School.

    “Today we are once again beginning to promote the traditions of domestic entrepreneurship, which were lost in Soviet times. Now few remember that in the Russian Empire there were entire entrepreneurial regions that were exempt from taxes. And the Alexander School was directly connected with many famous representatives of the Moscow merchant class,” the rector said.

    Igor Koval immediately admitted that the famous Russian philanthropist Savva Mamontov is his distant relative, and agreed that it would be very logical for the State University of Management to continue the traditions of entrepreneurship. The WB company also sees its mission in the development of Russian entrepreneurship and strives to develop in different directions. Thus, the company recently opened its own production sector.

    Continuing the conversation, Vladimir Stroyev said that some Russian companies started their business within the walls of our university. For example, the Novard group of companies, which recently opened an “auditorium named after itself” in the administrative building. In addition, the rector mentioned that our university is the operator of the All-Russian competition of projects in the field of social entrepreneurship and socially oriented non-profit organizations “My Good Business”.

    Vice-Rector of the State University of Management Maria Karelina reported fresh news that scientists from our university managed to win the first competition of student design bureaus.

    “The grant is not very big, but for us it is first and foremost an ideological victory and an important step to restore the image of a scientific and technical university. No one expected this victory from us. Meanwhile, we have fresh developments in the field of logistics, unmanned aerial vehicles and a large agro-industrial project. All this can be discussed, but it is a long conversation, and I propose to organize a separate meeting with Wildberries technical specialists,” said Maria Karelina.

    Vice-Rector of the State University of Management Pavel Pavlovsky added that our scientists are developing not only flying drones, but also ground-based ones. Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee Andrey Kartapolov, who visited the university last week, noted this development. Pavel Vladimirovich also noted that few see Wildberries as a high-tech company that provides a huge number of jobs, but this is exactly the case. The State University of Management has already developed a special educational program for the needs of WB, a presentation of which was shown to the guests after the meeting with the management.

    Taking the floor again, Maria Karelina informed the guests that the State University of Management has laboratories for reverse engineering, agriculture, and a section on mechanization, where prominent professors and academics work. The university concludes agreements with agricultural universities and plans to create a world-class scientific and methodological center in the field of agro-industrial complex.

    Igor Koval admitted that this topic is very interesting to him and he is ready to support it, since in the past he managed several agricultural enterprises.

    “Returning to our topic, I want to say that we currently have 5 million square meters of warehouses. We are first in the world in this indicator. The issue of automation is very relevant for us, we are interested in logistics projects, we have our own design bureau for logistics complexes, and the State University of Management can be very useful in this,” the guest said.

    At the end of the conversation, Igor Koval invited Vladimir Stroyev to a Wildberries event at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum. The partners agreed to coordinate their schedules to implement this idea.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/19/2025

    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 –

    April 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Here they train specialists of the future: the Center for the implementation of projects in the social and humanitarian profile has opened at the State University of Management

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    On April 18, the Center for the Implementation of Social and Humanitarian Projects began operating at the State University of Management.

    Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Olga Petrova took part in the grand opening, emphasizing the increased importance of patriotic education of the younger generation.

    “First of all, I want to thank the State University of Management, on the basis of which we are already implementing many initiatives. And this is logical, because this university has many management teams of different levels and in different areas. We cannot protect our students from all negative information, but we can form critical thinking and help them learn to clearly determine what is good and what is bad, so that the children can analyze the incoming data themselves. We must all understand together where we are moving and how we can help each other develop our country,” Olga Petrova noted.

    The rector of the State University of Management, Vladimir Stroev, gave a welcoming speech.

    “I am glad that the Center opened here, we in our team are constantly on the agenda of these issues. We need to constantly work with students, find new ways and forms. We are at such a stage that you all will have to develop a further strategy that concerns the issues of the ideological agenda. Develop an internal educational policy that suits us. It is important that everyone understands where they live, where they are moving and that the country is the most important thing. And you are the people who will deal with this agenda in order to see the results of the implementation of ideas in years to come,” Vladimir Stroyev emphasized.

    Director of the Center for the Implementation of Social and Humanitarian Projects Zaurbek Khugaev spoke about the tasks facing the Center and the role of the structure in strengthening the country’s value sovereignty.

    “In recent months, we have been actively working to unite the potential of specialists in the social and humanitarian fields and practitioners in the socio-political sphere to prepare a new generation of political leaders for the country. This requires joint, coordinated work by many organizations and institutions. Therefore, the most important thing is to create a network interdepartmental structure of interaction with a semantic core in the Center, from which all programs and modules that will be transferred to practice will be meaningfully filled. Thus, the main task of the Center this year is to develop a number of educational programs and implement them in key educational centers, forums and universities of the country,” shared Zaurbek Khugayev.

    Participants were also able to ask the speakers questions of interest. They were interested in the possibilities of using artificial intelligence as an educator, whether neural networks can replace humanities specialists, and how a lecturer can gain the trust of the audience.

    Olga Petrova noted that it is people who train neural networks and it is important to do it correctly so that “the responses of neural networks are synchronized with the value system of coordinates that exists in the country.” Vladimir Stroyev drew attention to the fact that first of all it is necessary to deal with the potential threats that neural networks may pose.

    After the completion of the formal part, the educational program “Civic and educational activities in modern Russia: theory and practice” continued for members of the Digoria Expert Club.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/19/2025

    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 –

    April 20, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Australia: Montrose sudden death update

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Montrose sudden death update

    Saturday, 19 April 2025 – 4:48 pm.

    Police are continuing to investigate the death of a 19 year old man near the Brooker Highway at Montrose overnight.
    Detective Inspector Mark Burke said that following receipt of the autopsy report late this afternoon, evidence suggests the man was likely struck by a vehicle.
    “We’re appealing for anyone who was driving along the Brooker Highway in the vicinity of Montrose Bay High School between 3am-4am this morning who may have witnessed a male pedestrian in the area or been involved in a crash to come forward,” he said.
    “Police are doing everything we can to determine the circumstances of this young man’s death, and it’s vital that we investigate every possibility.’“If you were a driver in the area at the time and noticed anything of note, no matter how small, please reach out and contact Police so we can investigate.”
    Anyone with any information should contact police on 131 444 or report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au. You can do so anonymously.

    MIL OSI News –

    April 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: ​Cultural exchange key to boosting China-Malaysia ties

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Experts emphasized the importance of cultural exchange and education in strengthening China-Malaysia ties during the 2025 Kuala Lumpur Dialogue held Thursday in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.

    A panel discussion is held during the 2025 Kuala Lumpur Dialogue in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 17, 2025. [Photo courtesy of ACCWS]

    The forum highlighted historical and cultural connections between the two countries and outlined plans to enhance collaboration in education, technology and media.

    Wang Xiaohui, editor-in-chief of China.org.cn and a special research fellow at the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies (ACCWS), observed that current conditions present a prime opportunity to enhance bilateral cultural exchange and economic cooperation. Noting the two nations’ thousand-year historical connections and the longstanding Mandarin language presence in Malaysia, he acknowledged persistent gaps in mutual understanding that require dedicated efforts to address.

    “Last year marked 50 years of Malaysia-China cooperation,” Wang said. “As Confucius said, ‘At 50, one knows the mandate of heaven.’ Our task now is to strengthen high-level strategic development — enhancing cultural diplomacy, expanding trade and economic participation and addressing challenges like U.S. tariffs. Through deeper cultural exchange and mutual understanding, we can build prosperity for both nations.”

    He also referenced Chinese Admiral Zheng He’s historic voyage to “Nanyang,” a historical Chinese term for Southeast Asia used during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). The admiral’s fleet visited Malacca (Malaysia), Java (Indonesia) and Siam (Thailand), facilitating cultural exchange by introducing foreign cultures to China while sharing Chinese culture abroad. He noted that language barriers remain the “last mile” of cultural exchange, and that translation is the cornerstone of understanding and connection.

    Wang mentioned that China International Communications Group publishes Chinese cultural content in multiple languages, while China.org.cn delivers stories in 10 languages to promote global understanding. 

    “With modern tools like DeepSeek and other digital platforms, there are now unprecedented opportunities to enhance media, broadcasting and cultural exchange efforts for Malaysia and China,” he said.

    Xiong Chengyu, professor at the Communication University of China and dean of the School of Cultural Development and Communications, also noted that Malaysia and China have a long and rich history of cultural exchanges. Now, the two countries are jointly applying to UNESCO to recognize and protect their shared cultural assets. Additionally, China and Malaysia have made commitments to cooperation in education. These steps represent a move toward a more integrated future.

    “People-to-people connections form the bedrock of meaningful cultural exchange,” Xiong said. “At its core, this work is about touching hearts. We must prioritize grassroots, lived experiences — even the most fundamental human interactions, like smiling at each other, create the foundation for true understanding.”

    Onn Huann Jan, professor at the Department of Chinese Language and Literature of New Era University College, noted that Eastern civilization is characterized by Islam and Confucianism, concepts that intertwine in various philosophical and cultural ways. He cited Zheng He’s voyages, where the admiral built memorials utilizing Islamic elements, highlighting the cultural intersection and commonalities between Confucianism and Islam.

    In terms of cultural exchange, Onn emphasized the role of translation, adding that academic translations between Chinese, Malaysian and English are crucial. Meanwhile, translating Malay documents into Chinese allows more people to understand the Malay world, helping address today’s problems and find solutions, he said.

    “Cultural exchanges come in many forms, including art and food,” Onn explained. “In Malaysia, the mainstream culture serves as a bridge between us and China, fostering trust and understanding between the two countries. Misunderstandings and miscommunications, often rooted in colonization, can lead to negative perceptions. By promoting accurate translations and cultural understanding, we can build a stronger foundation for cooperation and mutual respect.”

    Chin Chong Foh, deputy dean and associate professor at the Institute of Chinese Studies of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, raised the importance of people-to-people bonds in cultural exchange.

    “Malaysia and China’s relationship dates back over 1,000 years, highlighting the harmonious bond between the two countries. The vision is for harmony, security and prosperity,” Chin said. “As a fourth-generation Malaysian Chinese, I advocate for more free interaction between the two countries to avoid extremism and promote bicultural understanding.”

    Wang Dong, professor and executive director of the Institute for Global Cooperation and Development at Peking University, echoed that people-to-people exchanges promote regional peace and harmony, which is crucial. Realizing heart-to-heart connectivity enhances cultural understanding and respectful communication, as reflected in China-Malaysia development and prosperity in education and cooperation, he said.

    “There have been many translations of classic literature in recent years. Our media products, including movies, have received top ratings in Malaysia and Singapore, helping to boost exchanges and enhance mutual understanding,” Wang noted.

    MIL OSI China News –

    April 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Xi’s Southeast Asia visit deepens shared commitment to neighborhood amity, cooperation

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese President Xi Jinping greets the welcoming crowd during a grand welcome ceremony held by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at the airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

    Chinese President Xi Jinping’s just-concluded Southeast Asia visit, his first overseas trip this year, highlighted China’s dedication to deepening traditional ties, expanding practical cooperation and advancing its vision of building a community with a shared future with its neighbors.

    The tour, which took him to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia from Monday to Friday, also signaled China’s renewed push to reinforce regional stability and prosperity, and its determined support for regional economic integration as global protectionism and unilateralism continue to mount.

    Closer community

    Throughout his tour, Xi reaffirmed China’s commitment to fostering friendship and partnership with neighboring nations. He also underscored the importance of building a community with a shared future grounded in mutual respect, win-win cooperation and shared development.

    In a signed article published ahead of his state visit to Vietnam, he stressed that China will ensure continuity and stability of its neighborhood diplomacy, which is guided by the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness.

    Pham Phu Phuc, former deputy head of the World News Desk at the Vietnam News Agency, welcomed China’s commitment to pursuing the policy of forging friendship and partnership with its neighbors.

    In light of unexpected and uncertain changes in the region and across the world in recent years, this vision emphasizes peace, sincerity, mutual benefit and shared development through cooperation, he said.

    In Vietnam, Xi said that building the China-Vietnam community with a shared future carries great global significance, noting that as the two countries jointly pursue peaceful development, their combined population of over 1.5 billion is jointly advancing toward modernization, which will contribute to regional and global peace and stability while promoting common development.

    In Malaysia, Xi said that China is ready to work with the Malaysian side to build a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future, so as to usher in a new “Golden 50 Years” for bilateral ties.

    Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Phnom Penh for a state visit to Cambodia at the invitation of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on April 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

    In Cambodia, Xi and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet agreed to build an all-weather China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era, and designated 2025 the China-Cambodia Year of Tourism.

    China’s development has benefited not only itself but also many other countries, including Malaysia, said Dato’ Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, president of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association (PPMC), noting that the vision of a community with a shared future — “sharing weal and woe” — has won widespread support.

    “As long as we uphold equality, mutual benefit, mutual respect and mutual trust, we will surely walk hand in hand even further on the journey ahead,” he said.

    Thong Mengdavid, a lecturer at the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy of the Royal University of Phnom Penh, said that the deeply-rooted Cambodia-China ties are rock-solid and unbreakable, setting an example for South-South cooperation.

    Greater connectivity

    A focal point of the tour was high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with the aim of enhancing regional connectivity and creating development opportunities through projects spanning a wide range of fields, from infrastructure to digital and green economy.

    In Vietnam, Xi and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam witnessed the launching ceremony of the China-Vietnam railway cooperation mechanism, which is expected to assist Vietnam in aligning its railway gauge with China’s standardized gauge, thereby boosting economic connectivity and development.

    Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh jointly witness the launching ceremony of the China-Vietnam railway cooperation mechanism at the International Convention Center in Hanoi, capital of Vietnam, April 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

    “Railway connectivity and cold-chain transport between China and Vietnam have cut logistics costs, accelerated customs clearance, and ensured fresher, more affordable Vietnamese produce for Chinese consumers,” said Nguyen Ba Hai, an official at the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade.

    In a joint statement on deepening bilateral ties and practical cooperation issued during Xi’s visit, China said it is ready to advance cooperation with Vietnam on three standard-gauge railways in northern Vietnam.

    Upgrading cross-border railways and ports can boost bilateral trade while enhancing regional connectivity and resilience, said Do Thi Thu, a senior lecturer at the Banking Academy of Vietnam.

    In Xi’s state visit to Malaysia, the two sides agreed to promote the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Cooperation Plan signed in 2024 and further synergize development strategies. They also agreed to enhance cooperation on infrastructure connectivity, jointly implement key projects such as the East Coast Rail Link, promote rail-sea transportation and improve regional connectivity.

    Samirul Ariff Othman, an economist at Malaysia’s Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, said that the flourishing economic ties between Malaysia and China demonstrate “the resilience and mutual benefits of our bilateral relationship.”

    Making real difference

    During his visit to Cambodia, Xi said the two sides should deepen practical cooperation across various fields, advance the construction of Cambodia’s Industrial and Technological Corridor and Fish and Rice Corridor, and strengthen collaboration in energy, transportation and other key sectors, enabling Cambodia to share more in China’s development opportunities.

    Over the years, key BRI projects in Cambodia have yielded tangible benefits for local people. The Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone has become a thriving industrial hub, attracting more than 200 international enterprises and institutions while creating 32,000 jobs.

    The Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, Cambodia’s first expressway, has cut travel time between the two cities from over five hours to under two, significantly enhancing connectivity. Meanwhile, the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport has given a strong boost to the tourism sector, operating 17 routes by the end of last year.

    “The future of Cambodia-China relations is bright and full of potential,” said Mengdavid from the Royal University of Phnom Penh. “With the continued efforts of both countries’ leaders, we can expect an even more dynamic, mutually beneficial and resilient partnership that will contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.”

    In Malaysia, Xi and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim witnessed the exchange of more than 30 bilateral cooperation documents, covering a wide range of projects, which are taking root in Malaysia and making a difference for local people.

    Chinese President Xi Jinping and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim jointly witness the exchange of bilateral cooperation documents after their talks in Putrajaya, Malaysia, April 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

    Such projects have not only promoted technology transfer and created numerous jobs, but also helped uplift regions that were previously less developed, which truly reflects the BRI’s vision — always putting people’s well-being first, said Majid, the PPMC president and a former Malaysian ambassador to China.

    MIL OSI China News –

    April 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: China trade exhibitions draw international attention

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Foreign buyers have business talks during the 137th edition of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province, April 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

    In spite of intensified trade protectionism and geopolitical tensions, China’s products and market are still appealing to foreign business people.

    A record-breaking 65 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders are participating in the ongoing fifth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in the tropical island province of Hainan in south China.

    Meanwhile, the Canton Fair, which kicked off on Tuesday in Guangzhou, south China, drew 64,530 overseas buyers on its opening day, an 8.9 percent year-on-year increase and a record high for the first day. This event in Guangdong Province features major international retailers, including Walmart and Target from the United States, Carrefour from France, Tesco and Kingfisher from the UK, and Germany’s Metro.

    According to Niu Huayong, a professor at the International Business School of Beijing Foreign Studies University, the success of this year’s CICPE and Canton Fair highlights that trade and cooperation remain key drivers of global development. All countries benefit from globalization, he said.

    Amid current global trade turbulence, international buyers attending the Canton Fair still consider Chinese products highly attractive and even irreplaceable.

    Dinova, a retail company headquartered in France which finds most of its suppliers at the Canton Fair, has made China the core of its global sourcing strategy, according to its general manager Sonia Ben Behe.

    “We have explored alternative countries, but no other region matches China’s maturity for our product category. That’s why, as part of a global sourcing strategy, China remains at the core,” she said.

    According to Chris Arthan, an exhibitor from the United States, despite the impact of tariffs, China’s role in the global supply chain remains crucial and widely respected.

    In addition to the strong appeal of Chinese products to global buyers, international brands also have confidence in China’s consumer market. For this year’s CICPE, top producers from around the world eagerly flocked to Hainan.

    The UK, as the guest country of honor at the 2025 event, is occupying an exhibition area of more than 1,300 square meters, displaying 53 brands across the fashion, beauty, homeware, health and jewelry industries, and doubling its 2024 presence.

    “I have seen the tremendous innovation and growth taking place within China’s economy in recent years, not least in digital technologies, life sciences and green energy,” said Douglas Alexander, minister of state of the British Department for Business and Trade, while also emphasizing the UK’s commitment to deepening economic ties with China.

    Notably, the expo has managed to draw an array of top-tier global luxury brands. Richemont’s TimeVallée debuted as an independent exhibitor, while LVMH and Kering Group brands made appearances — reflecting confidence in China’s premium consumption growth.

    “Luxury consumers in China are significantly younger than those in many overseas markets, and that presents a major opportunity for us,” said Nancy Liu, president of luxury travel retailer DFS China. The company has introduced tailored services to cater to the expectations of emerging consumer groups.

    People visit the British pavilion during the China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China’s Hainan Province, April 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

    Global trade uncertainties and growing supply chain disruptions have not prevented foreign investors from remaining optimistic about the Chinese market. China’s market size, rising consumer demand and supportive policies continue to offer unique and strong appeal, helping to retain investor confidence.

    According to Yao Zhenguo, global senior vice president of Siemens Energy, the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port is unlocking new opportunities for openness. He noted that Siemens will continue to strengthen collaboration across the full industrial chain, drive innovation, and support Hainan Free Trade Port’s international, green and law-based growth.

    Yao said Siemens has deeply felt the momentum of China’s reform and opening up, a view echoed by many exhibitors. They believe that amid a challenging global economic climate and rising trade protectionism, China’s firm commitment to high-standard opening up delivers much-needed stability and certainty, injecting confidence into the world economy.

    China’s total goods imports and exports in yuan-denominated terms expanded 1.3 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2025, demonstrating stable growth and strong resilience despite external headwinds, customs data showed.

    U.S. tariff increases on Chinese products will exert some pressure on China’s trade and economy in the short term, but won’t alter the Chinese economy’s long-term positive trajectory, said Sheng Laiyun, deputy director of the National Bureau of Statistics.

    Zhang Yansheng, an economist with the Academy of Macroeconomic Research, told Xinhua that based on the trade events in Guangzhou and Hainan, the resilience of China’s foreign trade against the backdrop of growing protectionism in the world is evident. “We can see that foreign business people continue to seek opportunities in China.”

    “China is a country with a large population, a big economy and a huge scale of opening up,” he continued. “At a time when the sentiment of anti-globalization grows, China will stick to the path of opening up at a high level, and promote economic globalization, as well as trade and investment liberalization.”

    MIL OSI China News –

    April 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Events show unique charm of Chinese language

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

    To celebrate the upcoming 2025 International Chinese Language Day, which falls on Sunday, Chinese language learners, enthusiasts of Chinese culture, international Chinese educators and diplomats in China gathered in Beijing on Friday to celebrate the special day dedicated to demonstrating the unique charm of the Chinese language.

    The launch ceremony of the day, themed “Chinese Language: A Gift Across Time and Space” this year, was held at Beijing Foreign Studies University. It featured a variety of rich cultural events, including exhibitions of Chinese calligraphy works and digital art, lectures on Chinese films and sci-fi novels, and demonstrations of traditional Chinese dress. Hundreds of foreign students studying Chinese in China participated in the event.

    The International Chinese Language Day was established in 2020 by the Ministry of Education’s Center for Language Education and Cooperation and ChinesePlus — an organization dedicated to the study and teaching of Chinese language and literature. Over the past five years, more than 1,000 organizations in over 160 countries have organized more than 5,000 activities to celebrate the event.

    Do Thanh Van, head of the Confucius Institute at Hanoi University, said via video that Chinese is more than just a means of communication. It’s a bridge that connects cultures, allows history to speak to the present and helps China and the world understand each other better.

    “In Vietnam, Chinese language education is becoming a bridge of linguistic exchange. From a simple ‘ni hao’ (hello) to sharing their hopes and dreams, countless students are opening doors to Chinese civilization. And also, through Chinese, the beauty of our Vietnamese ao dai (a traditional Vietnamese garment) and the charm of our water puppetry can be shared with friends in China. Language shrinks distances and helps cultures thrive through interaction.”

    Around the 2025 International Chinese Language Day, hundreds of institutions, including Chinese embassies and consulates in various countries, Confucius Institutes, as well as Chinese and foreign universities, have hosted — or are expected to host — thousands of activities.

    On Tuesday, the Confucius Institute in Vietnam held a series of Chinese cultural experience activities for Chinese language fans, including calligraphy, paper cutting, Chinese knot making and face painting, which attracted many participants.

    Vinh Bun Eang, assistant to Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport of Cambodia, said that in Cambodia, Chinese is becoming a very popular foreign language. It’s not only a practical tool for expanding personal development opportunities, but also an important window for appreciating Chinese culture and arts, exploring China’s rich history and wisdom and experiencing China’s modern creative industries.

    “I believe that as the Chinese language continues to spread widely in Cambodia, the friendship between the two nations will grow even stronger, and together we will build an even closer Cambodia-China community with a shared future,” he said.

    Artem Vlasovskiy from Russia has learned Chinese for 11 years and he is pursuing a PhD in intercultural studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University. Vlasovskiy said he has read lots of Chinese classic works in literature and philosophy and found that the way Chinese people handle things has remained largely unchanged for hundreds of years. “Language is the foundation for mutual understanding. By learning Chinese, I can better understand all aspects of your culture and life,” said the 29-year-old.

    Sunday, or April 20, also marks this year’s United Nations Chinese Language Day. In 2010, the UN established Chinese Language Day, as one of the special days for its six official languages. Since 2011, guyu — one of the sixth of the 24 solar terms of the traditional Chinese calendar that starts around April 20 — has been chosen as the date for UN Chinese Language Day to pay tribute to Cang Jie, a mythical figure who is said to have invented Chinese characters 5,000 years ago, according to the UN website.

    A number of activities were held at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Language Day.

    On Friday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian congratulated the UN on the 2025 Chinese Language Day and expressed his delight at seeing more and more people learning Chinese.

    “The Chinese language is a vehicle that traverses history and is a bridge to the future. We look forward to more people using Chinese as a bridge to understand China and the world. We are also willing to work with all countries to use dialogue to overcome opposition,” he said at a regular news conference in Beijing.

    Wang Dinghua, chairman of the university council of Beijing Foreign Studies University, said: “The Chinese language carries the wisdom of thousands of years of Chinese civilization. It transcends the river of history … as well as China and the world. It is a cultural treasure that China offers to the world.” Wang said that language education plays an increasingly important role in promoting cultural exchange and friendship.

    He called on language education partners around the world to strengthen cooperation and continue contributing to the exchange and mutual learning among different civilizations.

    MIL OSI China News –

    April 19, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for April 19, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 19, 2025.

    Google loses online ad monopoly case. But it’s just one of many antitrust battles against big tech
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Nicholls, Senior Research Associate in Media and Communications, University of Sydney Tech giant Google has just suffered another legal blow in the United States, losing a landmark antitrust case. This follows on from the company’s loss in a similar case last year. Social media giant Meta

    What was HMNZS Manawanui doing before it sank? Calls for greater transparency
    By Susana Leiataua, RNZ National presenter There are calls for greater transparency about what the HMNZS Manawanui was doing before it sank in Samoa last October — including whether the New Zealand warship was performing specific security for King Charles and Queen Camilla. The Manawanui grounded on the reef off the south coast of Upolu

    Labor’s poll surge continues in YouGov, but it’s barely ahead in Freshwater
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Labor increased its lead again in a YouGov poll, but Freshwater put the party ahead by just 50.3–49.7. This article also covers the final WA upper house

    ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for April 18, 2025
    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 18, 2025.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Markey, Warren, Pressley Demand State Department Release Memo, Documents Related to Öztürk Arrest

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    State Dept memo reportedly reveals contradictions in Trump Administration’s rationale for revocation of Öztürk’s visa, detention
    Text of Letter (PDF)
    Boston (April 18, 2025) – After a recent report indicated that an internal State Department memo concluded that the key premise underlying Tufts graduate student Rümeysa Öztürk’s arrest and detention was false, U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), pressed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to immediately release the memo and any other relevant documentation.
    “Ms. Öztürk’s case demands transparency. The circumstances of her arrest and detention raise serious concerns about civil liberties, academic freedom, and free speech, as well as the Trump administration’s truthfulness. Congress, universities, legal experts, and other members of the public have a strong and compelling interest in the matter,” wrote the lawmakers.
    On March 25th, plainclothes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents apprehended Rümeysa Öztürk outside her home in Somerville, Massachusetts. Ms. Öztürk, a Tufts University graduate student, was informed that her student visa had been revoked. She was taken into custody and transferred to an immigration detention facility in Louisiana, where she has now been held for three weeks.
    Publicly, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has claimed that Ms. Öztürk “engaged in activities in support of Hamas” and recommended revoking her visa under a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act that permits the deportation of noncitizens who pose “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.” The State Department has suggested that Öztürk’s visa was revoked on foreign-policy grounds because of alleged participation in activities linked to terrorism.
    Reporting from the Washington Post revealed that, days before Öztürk’s arrest, an internal State Department memorandum concluded that the Trump administration lacked “any evidence showing that she engaged in antisemitic activities or made public statements supporting a terrorist organization.” The memo appears to contradict the federal government’s publicly stated rationale for revoking Ms. Öztürk’s visa — and has not been made available to members of Congress or the American public.
    The lawmakers requested a copy of the memo, along with any other documentation regarding the basis for Öztürk’s visa revocation and arrest, no later than April 30, 2025.
    Sens. Markey and Warren, along with Rep. Pressley, have pushed for answers and action since Öztürk’s March arrest. Last month, they led over 30 lawmakers in writing to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Acting Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Todd Lyons, demanding information about Öztürk’s arrest and detention as well as similar incidents across the country. The lawmakers also sounded the alarm on Öztürk’s medical neglect in DHS custody and renewed urgent calls for her release.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Gen. Guetlein, SDA Director Tournear to Visit Grand Forks Air Force Base, Cavalier Space Force Station

    US Senate News:

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

    ***Click here to download audio.***

    BISMARCK, N.D. – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced Space Development Agency (SDA) Director Derek Tournear and General Michael Guetlein, Vice Chief of Space Operations for the United States Space Force, will join him in visiting the University of North Dakota (UND), Grand Forks Air Force Base, and Cavalier Space Force Station.

    “The buildup of ground-based capabilities at Grand Forks Air Force Base and the warfighting support offered by Cavalier Space Force Station are critical to our national security and security around the world,” said Cramer. “The University of North Dakota’s ability to educate students and prepare them for these rewarding jobs in the military, and to support our military, are really another competitive advantage our state has when it comes to attracting cutting-edge defense projects. Dr. Tournear and General Guetlein’s firsthand look at these evolving assets, and staying up with them, really keeps our capabilities in focus.”

    “The greater Grand Forks community has been extremely welcoming to Team SDA as we prepare for operations of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture and strengthen our relationships in the region,” said SDA Director Derek Tournear. “The SDA Operations Center-North has been completed and will be fully operational in time to support the operations of our first Tranche 1 satellites that will launch later this summer. Additionally, our new Technology Acceleration Center is progressing. Once complete it will serve as a satellite support facility to onboard future tranches and as an operating location for future advanced satellite capabilities.” 

    “We are thrilled for this opportunity to strengthen our relationships with the U.S. Space Force and the Space Development Agency,” said UND President Andy Armacost. “As a University, one of our missions is to support these tremendous organizations by producing a highly educated workforce and creating innovations through research that enhance their missions.  We want to thank Senator Cramer for making it possible for Director Tournear and General Guetlein to tour our campus and to see first-hand what the University of North Dakota has to offer.”

    The group will host a media availability on Monday, April 21 at 4:15 p.m. CT in the Robin Hall Atrium, 4275 University Ave, Grand Forks, ND 58202.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Demands Answers From HHS On Mass Firings At HRSA That Imperil Primary Care and Maternal Health

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

    New York Has Over 4,300 HRSA Health Care And Service Delivery Sites

    So Far In FY2025, HRSA Has Awarded Over $256 Million In Funding To Health Programs And Facilities In New York

    Firings Include Workers Who Oversee The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, Which Gillibrand Helped Establish in 2022

    U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) led nine of their colleagues in sending a letter demanding answers from Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. on the abrupt and unprecedented mass firing of Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) employees. HRSA is the primary federal agency tasked with improving access to health care for vulnerable populations, including uninsured and underinsured children and families and individuals living in rural communities.

    New York has over 4,300 HRSA Health Care and Service Delivery Sites, which are facilities that are funded by or participate in HRSA programs. So far in FY2025, HRSA has awarded over $256 million in funding to these facilities and other health programs across New York State. These grants help fund health care facilities in rural areas; support programs that help patients living with HIV/AIDS, substance use disorder, maternal health complications, and cancer; and bolster health care workforce training programs across the state. Firing HRSA employees imperils their ability to provide care to New Yorkers and potentially puts this funding in jeopardy.

    These firings also include layoffs of HRSA workers who run the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, which provides free, 24/7 support to pregnant and postpartum women facing mental health challenges. Senator Gillibrand helped establish the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline in 2022. Since its launch, the hotline has received more than 54,000 calls and texts — a large part of which have been from postpartum moms reporting depression, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed. Maternal mental health issues are the leading cause of pregnancy-related death in the United States. By firing the individuals who keep the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline operational, HHS is jeopardizing the lives of American moms.

    “HRSA employees help struggling mothers, vulnerable children, uninsured patients, and individuals who live in rural areas access critical health care,” said Senator Gillibrand. “By indiscriminately firing these employees, the Trump administration is jeopardizing access to these vital services and threatening programs that help keep New Yorkers healthy. This is unacceptable, particularly at a time when our country is facing a health care workforce crisis. I am proud to work with my fellow senators to demand answers about these egregious firings at HHS, and I will not rest until our concerns are remedied.”

    In addition to Sens. Gillibrand and Blunt Rochester, the letter was also signed by Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

    The full letter can be found here and below:

    Dear Secretary Kennedy:

    We write concerning the abrupt and unprecedented mass firing of Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) employees who serve vulnerable populations including children, seniors, uninsured Americans, and rural communities. Reportedly, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) used spreadsheets to slash entire divisions without fully understanding the critical functions that many of the former employees performed. Therefore, we request detailed information about who was fired, their specific job functions, and the measures you will implement to ensure that at-risk Americans do not suffer due to your Reduction in Force (RIF).

    HRSA is the primary agency tasked with improving access to health care for vulnerable populations, including the un- and underinsured, children, and families. On March 27, 2025, HHS announced a rushed and ill-conceived RIF in accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order 14210, “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative.” This is on top of the firing of seven percent of HRSA staff that occurred on February 14, 2025. These egregious staffing cuts have particularly decimated the Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), which not only runs counter to the administration’s goal of elevating preventative care and reducing the prevalence of chronic disease but comes at a time when the United States ranks last in maternal health outcomes relative to other high-income countries.

    The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has reportedly fired 40 percent of the Bureau of Primary Health Care, which oversees the Health Center Program. This program effectively closes health care access gaps by providing high quality, affordable primary medical, dental, mental health care, and low-cost prescription drugs. Health centers provide care to over 32.5 million patients at 15,000 clinics across every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Pacific Basin. Health centers typically provide a wider array of lifesaving health care services for diverse populations impacted by barriers to care, serving one in five rural residents, one in three living in poverty, and over 400,000 veterans. Of the 32.5 million patients served by health centers, almost one-third are children, and 11 percent are seniors. A strong health center network is integral to increasing primary care access for people at every stage of life.  

    Through the Health Center Program, HRSA not only finances critical health care services, but safeguards patients from low-quality, inaccessible care. HRSA ensures that health centers comply with the highest health care standards to support improved clinical outcomes, improved access to services, and proper financial management. As a result of HHS’s actions, the ability of health centers to carry-out their critical mission of providing safe and accessible care is now in jeopardy, particularly at a time when the U.S. is facing a primary care workforce crisis.

    Combined with the Health Center Program, HRSA administered health workforce programs through the Bureau of Health Workforce are our largest defense against nationwide workforce shortages that are driving preventable deaths. HRSA is critical to adequately staffing health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) with physicians, nurses, dentists, and mental health providers. As an increasing number of rural hospitals close- leaving many Americans without reasonable access to emergency, obstetric, primary, or specialty care- the country cannot afford to lose any investment in the health care workforce.

    HHS has also terminated 20% of the employees at the Maternal and Child Health Bureau. This bureau oversees important programs that support children and pregnant women, such as the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grant and the Healthy Start Program. These initiatives help reduce infant deaths, provide wrap-around services not covered by Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and reach families before, during, and after pregnancy. In 2023, the Title V MCH Services Block Grant helped provide services to an estimated 59 million people. This included 94% of all pregnant women, 98% of infants, and 59% of children nationwide, including children with special health care needs. Although your administration claims to support families, mothers, and children, you are actively undermining the health and wellbeing of these vulnerable groups.

    At your direction, HHS has reportedly fired workers who oversee the Maternal Mental Health Hotline, which offers free and confidential support to the very large proportion of expectant and new mothers experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety, and mothers who simply need a listening ear during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. From October to December 2024, the hotline received 7,500 calls and texts— a majority of which were from postpartum parents, reporting depression, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed. Maternal mental health issues are the leading cause of maternal death in the United States. These firings could disrupt an essential support pathway for saving the lives of American moms. 

    We remain concerned that these indiscriminate firings have destabilized HRSA and reduced the ability of the agency to provide critical, quality services to the vulnerable populations at the core of its mission. We request a full account of the status of HRSA’s workforce and the impact these firings will have on the American people. Please respond to the following questions and requests for information by no later than Monday, April 21st at 5 p.m.: 

    1. Please provide the total number of people terminated or put on administrative leave for all of HRSA, and specifically from each of the following offices as a result of EO 14210. Please provide a complete breakdown of position, GS level, and veteran status, and clearly state the justification for termination. This accounting should include employees who have since been reinstated or placed on administrative leave, noting that change in status.
      1. Maternal and Child Health Bureau
      2. Bureau of Primary Health Care
      3. Bureau of Health Workforce
      4. HIV/AIDS Bureau
      5. Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
      6. Provider Relief Bureau
    2. Please provide the total number of people terminated or put on administrative leave, who accepted the deferred resignation program offer, or accepted the VERA/VSIP offer between January 18, 2025 and April 1, 2025 for all of HRSA and specifically from each of the following divisions. Please provide a complete breakdown of position, GS level, and veteran status, and clearly state the justification for termination. This accounting should include employees who have since been reinstated or placed on administrative leave, noting that change in status.
    1. Maternal and Child Health Bureau
    2. Bureau of Primary Health Care
    3. Bureau of Health Workforce
    4. HIV/AIDS Bureau
    5. Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
    6. Office of Women’s Health
    1. How many people who were terminated or put on administrative leave were the primary or secondary contact for grantees?
    2. What methods and frequency of communication are being used to inform grant recipients about their new points of contact? Have you confirmed that each grantee received notice of the change?
    3. How many people involved with operations or compliance with the following grants or contracts were terminated or put on administrative leave?
      1. Section 330 grants
      2. Early childhood development grants
      3. Cancer screenings grants
      4. School-based health center grants
      5. Maternal health hotline
      6. Home visiting program
      7. Title V Maternal Health Block Grant
      8. Healthy Start
    4. Have grantees been able to draw down funding at the same rate they were able to at this time last year? Please describe the cause of any delays in funding reimbursements experienced by grantees.
    5. Have HRSA project officers or related personnel been instructed to withhold information from grant recipients regarding the continued availability of previously awarded support under EO 14210?
    6. What instructions or communication have been provided to HRSA employees internally regarding program termination and staff reductions related to EO 14210?
    7. What instructions have been given to remaining staff about how to absorb workloads of terminated employees?
    8. What safeguards are in place to ensure that essential functions of HRSA are not harmed as a result of the RIF and proposed restructure of HHS??
    9. How does terminating grants under EO 14210 align with HRSA’s mission to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable populations and all Americans?
    10. Will you commit that, despite these terminations, HRSA will make all funding opportunity announcements for congressionally appropriated funding for Fiscal Year 2025 available immediately to allow communities the time necessary to develop robust proposals and that HRSA will award all congressionally appropriated funding by September 30th?

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff Demand Answers on Trump DHS Attempt to Enter Los Angeles Elementary Schools

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Schiff Demand Answers on Trump DHS Attempt to Enter Los Angeles Elementary Schools

    After meeting with Homeland Security Investigations last week, Senators express serious concerns about fear caused by HSI’s school visit, push for no further visits without a warrant
    LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) demanded additional answers from the Trump Administration regarding last week’s attempt by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents to enter two Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) elementary schools to question students. Their letter follows a meeting with HSI leadership and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials last week that raised additional questions on how and why these visits to LAUSD elementary schools were conducted. The Senators expressed serious concern about the erosion of public trust in the local community and called for assurances that ICE agents do not attempt to visit or enter schools without a warrant.
    In the Senators’ meeting last week with HSI and ICE officials, HSI claimed that they went to LAUSD schools to conduct a “welfare check” on formerly unaccompanied children. Padilla and Schiff questioned why HSI did not coordinate with the California Department of Social Services or the schools if they believed these children were at risk, and pressed HSI leadership not to undertake any further “welfare checks” without a warrant.
    “We are deeply concerned that HSI officers attempted to question several children, between first and sixth grade, during the school day apparently without contacting or coordinating in advance with the schools, parents or guardians, or state or local child welfare agencies,” wrote the Senators. “Though the agents were purportedly there to conduct a ‘welfare check’ on the children, their actions instead terrorized hundreds of thousands of students across Los Angeles and undermine public trust. We urge you to ensure that HSI does not conduct any additional ‘welfare checks’ on school premises and that ICE agents do not attempt to visit or enter schools without a warrant.”
    “These types of ‘welfare checks’ scare children and their family members, rather than promote their safety,” continued the Senators. “If ICE and HSI want to ensure unaccompanied children’s welfare, these agencies should urge the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the Department of Health and Human Services and the White House to restore legal and social services for these children, rather than terrorizing them and their classmates at school.”
    While trying to enter these schools, HSI agents reportedly falsely told staff that they had gotten prior permission from the students’ families to talk to them. The Senators asked for a review of the agents’ alleged conduct, including why they reportedly felt compelled to deceitfully claim they had permission to speak with students.
    Additionally, the Senators demanded a full briefing on the nature, scale, and purpose of these “welfare checks,” the policies and protocols involved, and whether steps were taken to consult with victim services, experts, and children’s attorneys before these visits. They also asked for information on whether ICE has conducted subsequent immigration enforcement in California or across the country during these “welfare checks.”
    In a joint statement last week, Padilla and Schiff expressed their outrage at HSI agents’ attempts to enter LAUSD elementary schools.
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear Acting Executive Associate Director Hammer,
    Thank you for taking the time to speak with us last week. We write to express our continued outrage with the conduct of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents who attempted to enter two Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) elementary schools earlier this month. We are deeply concerned that HSI officers attempted to question several children, between first and sixth grade, during the school day apparently without contacting or coordinating in advance with the schools, parents or guardians, or state or local child welfare agencies. Though the agents were purportedly there to conduct a “welfare check” on the children, their actions instead terrorized hundreds of thousands of students across Los Angeles and undermine public trust. We urge you to ensure that HSI does not conduct any additional “welfare checks” on school premises and that ICE agents do not attempt to visit or enter schools without a warrant.
    We understand from our conversation with you that the stated purpose of HSI agents at the school was not to conduct immigration enforcement, but instead to undertake a “welfare check” on formerly unaccompanied children. We do not understand why, if you obtained evidence that led you to believe that these children were in danger, your agency has not made a referral to the California Department of Social Services and did not coordinate with the school in advance of the “welfare check” regarding potential child welfare or trafficking concerns.
    When we spoke, we informed you that reports indicated that, while attempting to enter the schools, HSI officers falsely told school staff that they received permission from the families to speak with their children. You informed us that you were unfamiliar with those details and would look into the matter. We would like to understand what steps you are taking to review and address your agents’ conduct, including determining why they said they received permission to speak with children from their families when that was not the case.
    We also request that you provide us with a full briefing on the nature, scale, and objectives of, and policies and protocols surrounding these “welfare checks,” including whether there was any officer training, coordination with victim services, or consultation with experts about conducting these visits with a victim-centered approach, as well as whether ICE is contacting children’s attorneys of record prior to conducting “welfare checks” of represented children. We further request information on what, if any, enforcement actions against formerly unaccompanied children and/or their sponsors ICE has performed in connection with the “welfare checks” both in California and nationally, including any initiation of removal proceedings, detentions, or removals.
    These types of “welfare checks” scare children and their family members, rather than promote their safety. If ICE and HSI want to ensure unaccompanied children’s welfare, these agencies should urge the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the Department of Health and Human Services and the White House to restore legal and social services for these children, rather than terrorizing them and their classmates at school.
    We ask that you respond to our questions by May 2, 2025. We urge you to end any efforts to conduct “welfare checks” on school premises and to ensure that ICE agents do not attempt to visit or enter schools without a warrant.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 19, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: Google loses online ad monopoly case. But it’s just one of many antitrust battles against big tech

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Nicholls, Senior Research Associate in Media and Communications, University of Sydney

    Tech giant Google has just suffered another legal blow in the United States, losing a landmark antitrust case. This follows on from the company’s loss in a similar case last year.

    Social media giant Meta is also currently embroiled in a landmark legal battle in the US that could change not only how it operates, but how millions of people around the world communicate.

    Hearings in the Meta case commenced earlier this week in a court in Washington DC, after Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg failed to settle the case for US$450 million. Brought by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the suit alleges Meta broke antitrust laws and illegally secured a monopoly over social media platforms.

    Along with Google and Meta, Amazon and Apple are also currently facing significant antitrust challenges in the US.

    All of these actions are continuing despite major changes in both the FTC and the US Department of Justice as a result of the election of Donald Trump.

    Collectively, these cases represent a substantial regulatory push to examine and potentially curb the market power of big tech. So what are all of these cases about exactly? What are the next steps in each of them? And what might they mean for consumers?

    The cases against Google

    The case Google just lost was related to online advertising.

    The US Department of Justice alleged Google had behaved anticompetitively to monopolise the complex digital advertising technology market. This market facilitates the buying and selling of online ads.

    The US district judge, Leonie Brinkema, agreed Google has a monopoly over the tools used by online publishers to host ad space, and the software that facilitates transactions between online publishers and advertisers.

    In her ruling, Judge Brinkema said Google had “wilfully engaged in a series of anticompetitive acts” which ultimately resulted in it obtaining “monopoly power in the open-web display publisher ad server market”.

    Google has said it will appeal the decision. The Department of Justice will ask the court to require Google to divest parts of its ad tech business when the remedies phase of this trial starts later this month.

    The second case involving Google is related to internet search.

    The Department of Justice argued Google used exclusionary agreements, such as paying Apple billions annually to be the default search engine on iPhones, to lock out competitors.

    In August 2024, a federal judge ruled Google acted illegally to maintain its search monopoly.

    The case has now moved to the remedies phase. A crucial remedies trial is scheduled to begin next week. During this, the court will hear arguments on what actions should be taken against Google. Potential remedies could be significant, with regulators previously suggesting measures such as restrictions on Google’s Android operating system or even forcing the sale of its Chrome browser.

    Google has stated its intention to appeal this ruling as well.

    The case against Meta

    The FTC’s case against Meta alleges the tech giant illegally maintained a monopoly in the market for “personal social networking services”.

    The core of the FTC’s argument is that Meta employed a “buy-or-bury” strategy to eliminate competitive threats.

    This allegedly involved acquiring nascent rivals, most notably Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014, specifically to neutralise them before they could challenge Facebook’s dominance.

    The FTC points to internal communications as evidence of anticompetitive intent. These include Mark Zuckerberg’s statement, “It is better to buy than compete”. They also include an internal memo which showed Zuckerberg considered spinning off Instagram in 2018 over concerns about antitrust scrutiny.

    The commission argues Meta’s actions stifled innovation and harmed consumers by limiting choices. It’s seeking to force Meta to divest, or sell off, both Instagram and WhatsApp.

    Meta vigorously defends its actions. It argues it does not hold a monopoly, facing fierce competition from platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter).

    The company contends the acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp were pro-competitive, allowing Meta to invest billions to improve and scale the apps, ultimately benefiting users. A key defence point is that the FTC itself reviewed and approved both deals over a decade ago.

    The trial is expected to last eight weeks.

    The cases against Apple and Amazon

    In March 2024, the Department of Justice, along with several states, sued Apple, alleging it illegally maintains a monopoly in the smartphone market.

    The lawsuit claims Apple uses its control over the iPhone ecosystem to stifle competition and innovation by, for example, degrading messaging quality between iPhones and Android devices and limiting the functionality of third-party digital wallets and smartwatches.

    Apple filed a motion to dismiss the case in August 2024. The litigation is in its early stages and is expected to continue for several years.

    In September 2023, the FTC, joined by numerous states, also sued Amazon.

    The lawsuit alleges the tech giant unlawfully maintains monopoly power in both the market for “online superstores” (where consumers shop) and “online marketplace services” (for third-party sellers).

    The FTC claims Amazon uses interlocking anticompetitive tactics. These include punishing sellers for offering lower prices elsewhere, coercing sellers into using its services, degrading search results with excessive ads, and charging exorbitant seller fees.

    In late 2024, the presiding judge largely denied Amazon’s attempt to dismiss the core federal claims, allowing the case to proceed.

    A trial is currently scheduled for October 2026.

    Major structural changes could come

    Taken together, these lawsuits represent the most significant antitrust enforcement push against major technology firms in the US in decades. They signal a fundamental re-examination of how competition laws apply to fast-evolving digital platforms and ecosystems.

    The outcomes could potentially lead to major structural changes. These changes could include the forced breakup of companies such as Meta, or significant behavioural remedies restricting how these firms operate.

    Regardless of the specific results, the decisions in these cases will likely set crucial legal precedents. In turn, these will profoundly shape the future competitive landscape for technology. They will also likely influence regulation globally, and impact innovation and investment across the digital economy.

    What the cases do not reflect is the change in independence of regulatory bodies in the US, where consistency with White House policy is now paramount. The outcomes will surely test the relationship between Trump and the “tech bros” who’ve, quite literally, been at his side recently.

    Rob Nicholls is a member of the Sydney University Centre for AI, Trust, and Governance and also receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Google loses online ad monopoly case. But it’s just one of many antitrust battles against big tech – https://theconversation.com/google-loses-online-ad-monopoly-case-but-its-just-one-of-many-antitrust-battles-against-big-tech-254602

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: Scientists found a potential sign of life on a distant planet – an astronomer explains why many are still skeptical

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Daniel Apai, Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences, University of Arizona

    An illustration of the exoplanet K2-18b, which some research suggests may be covered by deep oceans. NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI)

    A team of astronomers announced on April 16, 2025, that in the process of studying a planet around another star, they had found evidence for an unexpected atmospheric gas. On Earth, that gas – called dimethyl sulfide – is mostly produced by living organisms.

    In April 2024, the James Webb Space Telescope stared at the host star of the planet K2-18b for nearly six hours. During that time, the orbiting planet passed in front of the star. Starlight filtered through its atmosphere, carrying the fingerprints of atmospheric molecules to the telescope.

    JWST’s cameras can detect molecules in the atmosphere of a planet by looking at light that passed through that atmosphere.
    European Space Agency

    By comparing those fingerprints to 20 different molecules that they would potentially expect to observe in the atmosphere, the astronomers concluded that the most probable match was a gas that, on Earth, is a good indicator of life.

    I am an astronomer and astrobiologist who studies planets around other stars and their atmospheres. In my work, I try to understand which nearby planets may be suitable for life.

    K2-18b, a mysterious world

    To understand what this discovery means, let’s start with the bizarre world it was found in. The planet’s name is K2-18b, meaning it is the first planet in the 18th planetary system found by the extended NASA Kepler mission, K2. Astronomers assign the “b” label to the first planet in the system, not “a,” to avoid possible confusion with the star.

    K2-18b is a little over 120 light-years from Earth – on a galactic scale, this world is practically in our backyard.

    Although astronomers know very little about K2-18b, we do know that it is very unlike Earth. To start, it is about eight times more massive than Earth, and it has a volume that’s about 18 times larger. This means that it’s only about half as dense as Earth. In other words, it must have a lot of water, which isn’t very dense, or a very big atmosphere, which is even less dense.

    Astronomers think that this world could either be a smaller version of our solar system’s ice giant Neptune, called a mini-Neptune, or perhaps a rocky planet with no water but a massive hydrogen atmosphere, called a gas dwarf.

    Another option, as University of Cambridge astronomer Nikku Madhusudhan recently proposed, is that the planet is a “hycean world”.

    That term means hydrogen-over-ocean, since astronomers predict that hycean worlds are planets with global oceans many times deeper than Earth’s oceans, and without any continents. These oceans are covered by massive hydrogen atmospheres that are thousands of miles high.

    Astronomers do not know yet for certain that hycean worlds exist, but models for what those would look like match the limited data JWST and other telescopes have collected on K2-18b.

    This is where the story becomes exciting. Mini-Neptunes and gas dwarfs are unlikely to be hospitable for life, because they probably don’t have liquid water, and their interior surfaces have enormous pressures. But a hycean planet would have a large and likely temperate ocean. So could the oceans of hycean worlds be habitable – or even inhabited?

    Detecting DMS

    In 2023, Madhusudhan and his colleagues used the James Webb Space Telescope’s short-wavelength infrared camera to inspect starlight that filtered through K2-18b’s atmosphere for the first time.

    They found evidence for the presence of two simple carbon-bearing molecules – carbon monoxide and methane – and showed that the planet’s upper atmosphere lacked water vapor. This atmospheric composition supported, but did not prove, the idea that K2-18b could be a hycean world. In a hycean world, water would be trapped in the deeper and warmer atmosphere, closer to the oceans than the upper atmosphere probed by JWST observations.

    Intriguingly, the data also showed an additional, very weak signal. The team found that this weak signal matched a gas called dimethyl sulfide, or DMS. On Earth, DMS is produced in large quantities by marine algae. It has very few, if any, nonbiological sources.

    This signal made the initial detection exciting: on a planet that may have a massive ocean, there is likely a gas that is, on Earth, emitted by biological organisms.

    K2-18b could have a deep ocean spanning the planet, and a hydrogen atmosphere.
    Amanda Smith, Nikku Madhusudhan (University of Cambridge), CC BY-SA

    Scientists had a mixed response to this initial announcement. While the findings were exciting, some astronomers pointed out that the DMS signal seen was weak and that the hycean nature of K2-18b is very uncertain.

    To address these concerns, Mashusudhan’s team turned JWST back to K2-18b a year later. This time, they used another camera on JWST that looks for another range of wavelengths of light. The new results – announced on April 16, 2025 – supported their initial findings.

    These new data show a stronger – but still relatively weak – signal that the team attributes to DMS or a very similar molecule. The fact that the DMS signal showed up on another camera during another set of observations made the interpretation of DMS in the atmosphere stronger.

    Madhusudhan’s team also presented a very detailed analysis of the uncertainties in the data and interpretation. In real-life measurements, there are always some uncertainties. They found that these uncertainties are unlikely to account for the signal in the data, further supporting the DMS interpretation. As an astronomer, I find that analysis exciting.

    Is life out there?

    Does this mean that scientists have found life on another world? Perhaps – but we still cannot be sure.

    First, does K2-18b really have an ocean deep beneath its thick atmosphere? Astronomers should test this.

    Second, is the signal seen in two cameras two years apart really from dimethyl sulfide? Scientists will need more sensitive measurements and more observations of the planet’s atmosphere to be sure.

    Third, if it is indeed DMS, does this mean that there is life? This may be the most difficult question to answer. Life itself is not detectable with existing technology. Astronomers will need to evaluate and exclude all other potential options to build their confidence in this possibility.

    The new measurements may lead researchers toward a historic discovery. However, important uncertainties remain. Astrobiologists will need a much deeper understanding of K2-18b and similar worlds before they can be confident in the presence of DMS and its interpretation as a signature of life.

    Scientists around the world are already scrutinizing the published study and will work on new tests of the findings, since independent verification is at the heart of science.

    Moving forward, K2-18b is going to be an important target for JWST, the world’s most sensitive telescope. JWST may soon observe other potential hycean worlds to see if the signal appears in the atmospheres of those planets, too.

    With more data, these tentative conclusions may not stand the test of time. But for now, just the prospect that astronomers may have detected gasses emitted by an alien ecosystem that bubbled up in a dark, blue-hued alien ocean is an incredibly fascinating possibility.

    Regardless of the true nature of K2-18b, the new results show how using the JWST to survey other worlds for clues of alien life will guarantee that the next years will be thrilling for astrobiologists.

    Daniel Apai receives funding for astrobiology research from NASA, the Heising-Simons Foundation, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

    – ref. Scientists found a potential sign of life on a distant planet – an astronomer explains why many are still skeptical – https://theconversation.com/scientists-found-a-potential-sign-of-life-on-a-distant-planet-an-astronomer-explains-why-many-are-still-skeptical-254900

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Creates New Federal Employee Category to Enhance Accountability

    Source: The White House

    RESTORING ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE: Today, President Donald J. Trump’s Office of Personnel Management (OPM) took action to implement President Trump’s Executive Action titled “Restoring Accountability to Policy-Influencing Positions Within the Federal Workforce.”

    • OPM proposed a rule to amend the civil service regulations to include Schedule Policy/Career for career employees with important policy-determining, policy-making, policy-advocating, or confidential duties.
      • These employees will serve as at-will employees, without access to cumbersome adverse action procedures or appeals, overturning Biden Administration regulations that protected poor performing employees.
      • Line federal employees who implement those policies, like Border Patrol agents or wage and hour inspectors, will generally be excluded.
    • This rule empowers federal agencies to swiftly remove employees in policy-influencing roles for poor performance, misconduct, corruption, or subversion of Presidential directives, without lengthy procedural hurdles.
    • Schedule Policy/Career positions remain career positions, filled through existing nonpartisan, merit-based hiring processes.
      • These employees will keep their competitive status and are not required to personally or politically support the President, but must faithfully implement the law and the administration’s policies.
    • OPM estimates 50,000 positions will ultimately be moved into Schedule Policy/Career, approximately 2% of the Federal workforce.
      • The proposed rule does not directly move positions into Schedule Policy/Career. That will be done by a subsequent executive order after a final rule issues.

     
    FIXING A BROKEN SYSTEM: The proposed rule tackles systemic issues in federal workforce accountability, addressing unaccountable, policy-determining federal employees who put their own interests ahead of the American people’s.

    • Federal employees report their agencies do not hold employees accountable:
      • The Merit Principles Survey shows less than a quarter of federal employees believe their agencies address poor performers effectively.
      • When asked what typically happens to poor performers in their work unit, federal employees’ most common response is they “remain in the work unit and continue to underperform.”
    • This happens because the process for removing federal employees is lengthy and difficult:
      • The Government Accountability Office reports it takes 6 months to a year to remove poor performers, even before appeals.
      • Only two-fifths of federal managers are confident they could remove employees who committed serious misconduct.
      • Just one-quarter believe they could remove an employee for poor performance in a critical element of their job.
    • Unaccountability allows corruption to fester in agencies:
      • For example, a recent audit of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) found widespread misconduct by senior leaders, such as male supervisors pressuring female subordinates for sexual favors in exchange for career assistance.
      • The FDIC almost never seriously disciplined employees for such corrupt behavior. Not a single complaint to the agency’s Anti-Harassment program resulted in a removal, or even a demotion.
      • The auditors found the FDIC tolerated misconduct because the removal process was too difficult to use. 
    • Some bureaucrats also use the protections the system gives them to oppose presidential policies and impose their own preferences:
      • Recent polling asked senior federal employees in Washington, D.C., what they would do if the President gave them a lawful order they considered bad policy. A plurality said they would ignore the order and do what they thought best.
      • During the first Trump administration career attorneys in the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division would not assist in litigation charging Yale University with racially discriminating against Asian and Caucasian  applicants.
      • In the President’s first term, career employees in the Department of Education would not constructively assist in drafting major rules like the Title IX rules.
      • An Equal Employment Opportunity Commission administrative judge (AJ) recently sent an agency-wide email stating that the agency’s Acting Chair (who was appointed by President Trump) was “not fit to be our chair much less hold a license to practice law” and that the AJ would not implement President Trump’s Executive Orders.
    • Unaccountable bureaucracy undermines democracy. For the government to be accountable to the American people, elected officials must be able to hold policy-determining and policy-making career employees accountable for their performance and conduct.

     
    DRAINING THE SWAMP: President Trump is delivering on his promise to dismantle the deep state and reclaim our government from Washington corruption.

    • In his first term, President Trump signed an Executive Order to reclassify certain federal workers in policy-related roles as “Schedule F” employees, enabling swift accountability for those in influential positions.
    • When President Biden took office, he revoked this Executive Order, reinstating protections that shielded unaccountable bureaucrats.

    President Trump vowed on the campaign trail to reinstate this Executive Order, a promise he kept on his first day returning to office.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Australia: Police investigate suspicious death at Montrose

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Police investigate suspicious death at Montrose

    Saturday, 19 April 2025 – 7:36 am.

    Police are on the scene of a suspicious death in Montrose, in Hobart’s northern suburbs, overnight.Police patrolling in the area located a person lying on the road near the south bound lanes of the Brooker Highway in the vicinity of the Montrose Bay High School about 4am.
    First responders provided CPR however the person was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.Police including officers from CIB, Forensics and Uniform remain on the scene and are conducting examinations.
    Motorists are advised of the following road closures:
    • All access to the Montrose Foreshore is closed (Foreshore Road)
    • The Brooker Highway is closed from Strathaven Road area to all southbound traffic
    • All south bound traffic on the Brooker Highway north of Montrose Bay School is to divert via Main Road
    Police are in place for diversions.Anyone with any information should contact police on 131 444 or report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au. You can do so anonymously.

    MIL OSI News –

    April 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Ryan Ellison Appointed as United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – Ryan Ellison has been appointed as the United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. Mr. Ellison was sworn in by United States District Judge Margaret Strickland on April 18, 2025.

    “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of New Mexico in this role,” said Mr. Ellison. “For however long I serve as United States Attorney, my primary objective will be to keep New Mexicans safe through the vigorous enforcement of Federal law. Under my leadership, the United States Attorney’s Office will do its part to stem the unlawful flow of people and drugs into our country. We will also not lose sight of our responsibility to combat violent crime, gang activity, child predators, and to zealously advocate on behalf of the United States’ civil interests. Together with our federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the United States Attorney’s Office will work tirelessly to make New Mexico a safer place to live, work, raise a family, and run a business. And we will make New Mexico a far less attractive place to commit a crime.”

    Mr. Ellison, born and raised in Alamogordo, New Mexico, graduated from the University of Arizona with a business degree in 2010. He earned his Juris Doctor and MBA from Texas Tech University in 2013. Since 2018, Mr. Ellison has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico in the Las Cruces Branch Office, most recently as Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney of the Violent and General Crimes Section.

    As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Mr. Ellison prosecuted members of the Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico (“SNM”) prison gang. To date, more than 175 SNM gang members and associates have been charged with serious federal crimes, making the ongoing SNM prosecution the largest criminal case ever brought in the District of New Mexico. He has also investigated and prosecuted other violent crimes, including VICAR murder, RICO conspiracy, carjacking resulting in death, kidnapping resulting in death, murder-for-hire, and various firearms, immigration, and national security offenses.

    Prior to joining the Department of Justice, Mr. Ellison worked as an Assistant District Attorney in the 47th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Texas and as an associate attorney in private practice.

    As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Ellison will be responsible for overseeing federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation involving the United States in the District of New Mexico. Ellison leads a dedicated team of over 150 prosecutors and support professionals with offices located in Albuquerque and Las Cruces. The District of New Mexico encompasses 33 counties and shares a 180-mile international border with Mexico. It is home to five National Forests, four major military installations, two National Laboratories, 19 pueblos, two Apache tribes, and one-third of the Navajo Nation.

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins Speaks at Inaugural Patricia and Donald Collins Leadership Award Presentation at UMaine

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

    Published: April 18, 2025

    Click HERE, HERE, or HERE for individual photos

    Orono, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins delivered remarks at the inaugural Patricia M. and Donald F. Collins Leadership Award ceremony at the University of Maine (UMaine). This endowed scholarship award was established in memory of Patricia and Donald Collins, both Class of 1949 graduates of UMaine, former mayors of the City of Caribou, and the parents of six children, including Senator Collins. Patricia Collins also served as the first female chair of the UMaine System Board of Trustees, the Catholic Charities of Maine Board of Directors, and the Catholic Foundation of Maine Board of Trustees. Donald Collins was a Bronze Star and two-time Purple Heart recipient as an infantry sergeant during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, and later served as a member of the Maine State House of Representatives and the Maine State Senate.

    The inaugural recipient of the award is Keegan Tripp, a member of the University of Maine Class of 2026. Keegan is the President of the University of Maine Student Government, a board member of the University of Maine Alumni Association, and a recipient of the John M. Nickerson Scholarship for political science students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement. Keegan also interned at Senator Collins’ state office in Bangor.

    “My parents believed deeply in the value of education, civic responsibility, and giving back to their community, and they exemplified those principles throughout their lives,” said Senator Collins. “It is incredibly meaningful to honor their legacy through this endowed scholarship. I know that they too would be proud of Keegan, whose leadership, character, and outstanding academic achievements made him an excellent candidate to be the first-ever recipient of this award.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Jimmy Gomez Leads Lawmakers in Demanding DHS Reinstate Citizenship Grant Program After Trump Admin Terminates It

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

    Termination of Naturalization Grants Leaves Legal Residents Without Support to Become U.S. Citizens

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) is leading 54 House Democrats in demanding the Trump administration reinstate the Citizenship and Assimilation (C&A) Grant Program after it was fully terminated last month—just weeks after a surprise funding freeze. This move abruptly cut off support for local organizations helping lawful permanent residents become U.S. citizens, despite the fact that these grants were fully funded by Congress and legally awarded. A list of grant recipients impacted by the funding freeze is available — click HERE for FY23 recipients and HERE for FY24 recipients.

    “We write to express our outrage regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decision to terminate all work under the Citizenship and Assimilation (C&A) Grant Program,” wrote Rep. Gomez and the lawmakers. “We demand immediate action to restore funding for the C&A Program and a prompt response to our questions regarding the rationale and legal basis for its termination.”

    “This action marks a significant escalation since an abrupt funding freeze was announced just weeks ago on February 4, 2025,” continued the lawmakers. “The sudden and unilateral decision to terminate legally awarded grants funded by Congressional appropriation, without prior notice to Congress or affected grantees, raises serious concerns about due process, legal authority, and the Department’s commitment to advancing naturalization services for aspiring citizens.”

    The lawmakers’ new letter follows an effort led by Rep. Gomez on March 7 demanding answers after the program was frozen without warning. DHS has still not responded. Then on March 27, grantees were notified the program was being shut down — some immediately, others with just 30 days’ notice. Since 2009, the C&A Grant Program, previously known as the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, has funded organizations that assist immigrants with citizenship applications, English language instruction, and civics education. The lawmakers warn its sudden termination will disrupt services and harm immigrant communities.

    Rep. Gomez was joined in demanding answers by Reps. Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), André Carson (IN-07), Greg Casar (TX-35), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Lou Correa (CA-46), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Jason Crow (CO-06), Danny Davis (IL-07), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Chuy García (IL-04), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), John Larson (CT-01), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Grace Meng (NY-06), Dave Min (CA-47), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Adam Smith (WA-09), Darren Soto (FL-09), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Norma Torres (CA-35), Juan Vargas (CA-52), and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07).

    The letter was supported by the following organizations: National Partnership for New Americans, NALEO Educational Fund, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), UnidosUS, Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition, Language & Communication Workshop, Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, Emerald Isle Immigration Center, CARECEN, Asian Counseling and Referral Service, CASA, Make the Road New Jersey, Make the Road Connecticut, Make the Road New York, Make the Road Pennsylvania, Make the Road Nevada, Make the Road States, Refugee Council USA, Welcoming America, Project Citizenship, Maine Immigrants Coalition Rights, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund, Building Skills Partnership, Refugee Women’s Alliance, Asian Law Alliance, Jones Library, Inc., Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, Hamkae Center, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, MinKwon Center for Community Action, International Rescue Committee, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, Woori Juntos, Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc., HANA Center, The International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit, Inc, Korean Community Service Center (KCSC), Hispanic Federation, Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative, East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, Chinese Mutual Aid Association, GALEO Impact Fund, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project, Refugee Congress.

    You can read the full letter here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper

    Bill would streamline FDA approval process for generic drugs

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Maggie Hassan, Rand Paul, and Mike Lee reintroduced the bipartisan Increasing Transparency in Generic Drug Applications Act to lower prescription drug prices for patients by streamlining the approval process for generic drugs to enter the market more quickly. Last Congress, Hickenlooper voted the bill out of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP).

    “More generic drugs means lower health care costs for Americans. Unnecessary and unclear FDA approval processes delay them from reaching the shelves,” said Hickenlooper. “Our bill speeds up the process to help Americans save more.”

    “Skyrocketing prescription drug prices are forcing too many Granite Staters to choose between their health and their financial security,” said Hassan. “This commonsense, bipartisan legislation will help address a critical obstacle in the generic drug approval process that keeps affordable alternatives off of pharmacy shelves. By requiring more transparency from the FDA and streamlining the drug approval process, this bill will help deliver lower-cost medications to Americans faster.”

    “No one should have to play a complicated guessing game with the FDA simply to bring a safe, effective, and affordable drug to market. The Increasing Transparency in Generic Drug Applications Act will help low-cost generics get to American consumers faster,” said Paul.

    “Generic drugs have made the prescription drug market much more competitive, offering cheaper alternatives to their brand name counterparts. Streamlining the generic drug approval process by eliminating the pointless guessing game manufacturers are forced to play would eliminate red tape and bring down costs for American families,” said Lee.

    Current FDA policy requires certain generic drug manufacturers to demonstrate that their medication has the same levels of active and inactive ingredients as a brand name drug. If the generic drug contains the wrong amount of inactive ingredient, the FDA is not allowed to disclose how the generic comes up short. As a result, manufacturers end up playing a time-consuming guessing game until they reach the right formula. This legislation would require the FDA to clearly identify the formulaic differences between a generic and brand name drug to streamline the approval process.

     “S. 1302 expedites generic submission by creating process efficiencies for FDA and Industry. These efficiencies will enhance patient access to lower-cost medicine. When generic medicines become available, they bring immediately lower prices for lifesaving and life changing medications. We are thankful for the work done thus far by Senators Hassan, Paul, Hickenlooper, and Lee,” said John Murphy, III, President & CEO for the Association for Accessible Medicines.

    Full text of the bill is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Lawler and Gottheimer Reintroduce Gabriel Rosenberg Dyspraxia/DCD Coverage Act

    Source: US Congressman Mike Lawler (R, NY-17)

    Washington, D.C. – 4/14/2025… Today, Reps. Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) reintroduced legislation to help ensure healthcare coverage for children and adults struggling with dyspraxia/DCD.

    The Gabriel Rosenberg Dyspraxia/DCD Coverage Act establishes a GAO study to report to Congress on how dyspraxia/DCD treatment is currently covered by insurance and what barriers to coverage exist. 

    Specifically, the report must include:

    • Whether any coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is provided under Medicare.

    • Whether any coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is provided under States’ Medicaid programs.

    • Whether any coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is provided under other Federal healthcare programs.

    • The extent to which coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is provided under group health plans and group and individual health insurance coverage.

    • What types of such items and services are generally covered when coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is available

    • Whether there are any age cutoffs that are imposed with respect to coverage of such items and services when such coverage is provided.

    • Barriers to coverage of such items and services (such as a lack of providers of such items and services).

    • Whether group health plans and group and individual health insurance coverage are generally in compliance with the requirements of section 2726 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg–26).

    • Whether children with dyspraxia fail to meet the diagnosis criteria for dyspraxia once becoming adults and therefore lose coverage for such items and services.

    • Recommendations as to whether CMS should issue guidance regarding coverage of such items and services under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

    • Recommendations on how group health plans and group and individuals’ health insurance coverage may provide better coverage for such items and services.

    Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also referred to as dyspraxia, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects fine and gross motor skills such as balance, coordination, and manual dexterity. While dyspraxia is as common as ADHD and affects approximately 5 to 6 percent of the population, it is unfamiliar to many parents, teachers, and health care professionals. This leads individuals with dyspraxia to go underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, and largely untreated. That is why raising awareness right now is key.

    The bill’s namesake, Gabriel Rosenberg, was diagnosed with dyspraxia/ DCD at the age of three. His parents had noticed early on that he wasn’t hitting his physical milestones. As an infant, he could not pull up, crawl or sit upright unassisted. Despite raising these concerns with their pediatrician, they were brushed off. 

    After years of struggling to find support for their child, Gabriel’s parents, Danielle and Sidney Rosenberg, founded The Spotlight Foundation for Dyspraxia and DCD in 2019, which was rebranded as “Dyspraxia DCD America” in 2023. Through this nonprofit, they have tirelessly advocated on behalf of and provided resources for many families struggling with dyspraxia/DCD.

    “This bipartisan initiative is about access and ensuring that families don’t have to fight for the care their loved ones need. By understanding where coverage falls short, we can take meaningful steps to fix it. Every child and adult living with dyspraxia deserves to be seen, heard, and supported—not left behind due to gaps in our healthcare system,” said Congressman Lawler (NY-17).

    “We know that individuals with dyspraxia are left largely untreated. We must do more to provide support and hope to the millions of Americans who struggle every day with this disorder. Our bipartisan legislation will help close the coverage gap and ensure that children and adults struggling with dyspraxia have access to the care they need and deserve,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05).

    “On behalf of Dyspraxia DCD America, I am writing to express our heartfelt gratitude for the bipartisan leadership and commitment of Congressman Mike Lawler and Congressman Josh Gottheimer in proposing this bill to study insurance coverage of dyspraxia in the United States,” said Danielle Rosenberg, founder of Dyspraxia DCD America. “This initiative represents a significant step forward in raising awareness and improving the lives of individuals affected by this often misunderstood life-long neurological condition. The bill, named in honor of Gabriel Rosenberg, holds special significance for our organization. Gabriel, is the son of the founders of the Organization, who was diagnosed with Dyspraxia early in life. Thanks to early diagnosis and access to essential services, Gabriel was able to overcome significant challenges, including learning to walk. His journey underscores the critical importance of awareness, timely diagnosis, and early intervention for individuals with Dyspraxia. Your efforts to bring attention to the need for comprehensive insurance coverage for Dyspraxia-related services are invaluable. By ensuring that individuals with Dyspraxia have access to the necessary resources and support, we can foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for all those affected by this condition. We are deeply appreciative of your dedication to this cause and your recognition of the importance of addressing the needs of the Dyspraxia community. Your work not only honors Gabriel’s legacy but also paves the way for countless others to receive the support they need to thrive.”

    Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

    ###

    Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

    Washington, D.C. – 4/14/2025… Today, Reps. Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) reintroduced legislation to help ensure healthcare coverage for children and adults struggling with dyspraxia/DCD.

    The Gabriel Rosenberg Dyspraxia/DCD Coverage Act establishes a GAO study to report to Congress on how dyspraxia/DCD treatment is currently covered by insurance and what barriers to coverage exist. 

    Specifically, the report must include:

    • Whether any coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is provided under Medicare.

    • Whether any coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is provided under States’ Medicaid programs.

    • Whether any coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is provided under other Federal healthcare programs.

    • The extent to which coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is provided under group health plans and group and individual health insurance coverage.

    • What types of such items and services are generally covered when coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is available

    • Whether there are any age cutoffs that are imposed with respect to coverage of such items and services when such coverage is provided.

    • Barriers to coverage of such items and services (such as a lack of providers of such items and services).

    • Whether group health plans and group and individual health insurance coverage are generally in compliance with the requirements of section 2726 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg–26).

    • Whether children with dyspraxia fail to meet the diagnosis criteria for dyspraxia once becoming adults and therefore lose coverage for such items and services.

    • Recommendations as to whether CMS should issue guidance regarding coverage of such items and services under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

    • Recommendations on how group health plans and group and individuals’ health insurance coverage may provide better coverage for such items and services.

    Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also referred to as dyspraxia, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects fine and gross motor skills such as balance, coordination, and manual dexterity. While dyspraxia is as common as ADHD and affects approximately 5 to 6 percent of the population, it is unfamiliar to many parents, teachers, and health care professionals. This leads individuals with dyspraxia to go underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, and largely untreated. That is why raising awareness right now is key.

    The bill’s namesake, Gabriel Rosenberg, was diagnosed with dyspraxia/ DCD at the age of three. His parents had noticed early on that he wasn’t hitting his physical milestones. As an infant, he could not pull up, crawl or sit upright unassisted. Despite raising these concerns with their pediatrician, they were brushed off. 

    After years of struggling to find support for their child, Gabriel’s parents, Danielle and Sidney Rosenberg, founded The Spotlight Foundation for Dyspraxia and DCD in 2019, which was rebranded as “Dyspraxia DCD America” in 2023. Through this nonprofit, they have tirelessly advocated on behalf of and provided resources for many families struggling with dyspraxia/DCD.

    “This bipartisan initiative is about access and ensuring that families don’t have to fight for the care their loved ones need. By understanding where coverage falls short, we can take meaningful steps to fix it. Every child and adult living with dyspraxia deserves to be seen, heard, and supported—not left behind due to gaps in our healthcare system,” said Congressman Lawler (NY-17).

    “We know that individuals with dyspraxia are left largely untreated. We must do more to provide support and hope to the millions of Americans who struggle every day with this disorder. Our bipartisan legislation will help close the coverage gap and ensure that children and adults struggling with dyspraxia have access to the care they need and deserve,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05).

    “On behalf of Dyspraxia DCD America, I am writing to express our heartfelt gratitude for the bipartisan leadership and commitment of Congressman Mike Lawler and Congressman Josh Gottheimer in proposing this bill to study insurance coverage of dyspraxia in the United States,” said Danielle Rosenberg, founder of Dyspraxia DCD America. “This initiative represents a significant step forward in raising awareness and improving the lives of individuals affected by this often misunderstood life-long neurological condition. The bill, named in honor of Gabriel Rosenberg, holds special significance for our organization. Gabriel, is the son of the founders of the Organization, who was diagnosed with Dyspraxia early in life. Thanks to early diagnosis and access to essential services, Gabriel was able to overcome significant challenges, including learning to walk. His journey underscores the critical importance of awareness, timely diagnosis, and early intervention for individuals with Dyspraxia. Your efforts to bring attention to the need for comprehensive insurance coverage for Dyspraxia-related services are invaluable. By ensuring that individuals with Dyspraxia have access to the necessary resources and support, we can foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for all those affected by this condition. We are deeply appreciative of your dedication to this cause and your recognition of the importance of addressing the needs of the Dyspraxia community. Your work not only honors Gabriel’s legacy but also paves the way for countless others to receive the support they need to thrive.”

    Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

    ###

    Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

    Washington, D.C. – 4/14/2025… Today, Reps. Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) reintroduced legislation to help ensure healthcare coverage for children and adults struggling with dyspraxia/DCD.

    The Gabriel Rosenberg Dyspraxia/DCD Coverage Act establishes a GAO study to report to Congress on how dyspraxia/DCD treatment is currently covered by insurance and what barriers to coverage exist. 

    Specifically, the report must include:

    • Whether any coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is provided under Medicare.

    • Whether any coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is provided under States’ Medicaid programs.

    • Whether any coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is provided under other Federal healthcare programs.

    • The extent to which coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is provided under group health plans and group and individual health insurance coverage.

    • What types of such items and services are generally covered when coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is available

    • Whether there are any age cutoffs that are imposed with respect to coverage of such items and services when such coverage is provided.

    • Barriers to coverage of such items and services (such as a lack of providers of such items and services).

    • Whether group health plans and group and individual health insurance coverage are generally in compliance with the requirements of section 2726 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg–26).

    • Whether children with dyspraxia fail to meet the diagnosis criteria for dyspraxia once becoming adults and therefore lose coverage for such items and services.

    • Recommendations as to whether CMS should issue guidance regarding coverage of such items and services under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

    • Recommendations on how group health plans and group and individuals’ health insurance coverage may provide better coverage for such items and services.

    Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also referred to as dyspraxia, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects fine and gross motor skills such as balance, coordination, and manual dexterity. While dyspraxia is as common as ADHD and affects approximately 5 to 6 percent of the population, it is unfamiliar to many parents, teachers, and health care professionals. This leads individuals with dyspraxia to go underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, and largely untreated. That is why raising awareness right now is key.

    The bill’s namesake, Gabriel Rosenberg, was diagnosed with dyspraxia/ DCD at the age of three. His parents had noticed early on that he wasn’t hitting his physical milestones. As an infant, he could not pull up, crawl or sit upright unassisted. Despite raising these concerns with their pediatrician, they were brushed off. 

    After years of struggling to find support for their child, Gabriel’s parents, Danielle and Sidney Rosenberg, founded The Spotlight Foundation for Dyspraxia and DCD in 2019, which was rebranded as “Dyspraxia DCD America” in 2023. Through this nonprofit, they have tirelessly advocated on behalf of and provided resources for many families struggling with dyspraxia/DCD.

    “This bipartisan initiative is about access and ensuring that families don’t have to fight for the care their loved ones need. By understanding where coverage falls short, we can take meaningful steps to fix it. Every child and adult living with dyspraxia deserves to be seen, heard, and supported—not left behind due to gaps in our healthcare system,” said Congressman Lawler (NY-17).

    “We know that individuals with dyspraxia are left largely untreated. We must do more to provide support and hope to the millions of Americans who struggle every day with this disorder. Our bipartisan legislation will help close the coverage gap and ensure that children and adults struggling with dyspraxia have access to the care they need and deserve,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05).

    “On behalf of Dyspraxia DCD America, I am writing to express our heartfelt gratitude for the bipartisan leadership and commitment of Congressman Mike Lawler and Congressman Josh Gottheimer in proposing this bill to study insurance coverage of dyspraxia in the United States,” said Danielle Rosenberg, founder of Dyspraxia DCD America. “This initiative represents a significant step forward in raising awareness and improving the lives of individuals affected by this often misunderstood life-long neurological condition. The bill, named in honor of Gabriel Rosenberg, holds special significance for our organization. Gabriel, is the son of the founders of the Organization, who was diagnosed with Dyspraxia early in life. Thanks to early diagnosis and access to essential services, Gabriel was able to overcome significant challenges, including learning to walk. His journey underscores the critical importance of awareness, timely diagnosis, and early intervention for individuals with Dyspraxia. Your efforts to bring attention to the need for comprehensive insurance coverage for Dyspraxia-related services are invaluable. By ensuring that individuals with Dyspraxia have access to the necessary resources and support, we can foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for all those affected by this condition. We are deeply appreciative of your dedication to this cause and your recognition of the importance of addressing the needs of the Dyspraxia community. Your work not only honors Gabriel’s legacy but also paves the way for countless others to receive the support they need to thrive.”

    Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

    ###

    Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

    Washington, D.C. – 4/14/2025… Today, Reps. Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) reintroduced legislation to help ensure healthcare coverage for children and adults struggling with dyspraxia/DCD.

    The Gabriel Rosenberg Dyspraxia/DCD Coverage Act establishes a GAO study to report to Congress on how dyspraxia/DCD treatment is currently covered by insurance and what barriers to coverage exist. 

    Specifically, the report must include:

    • Whether any coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is provided under Medicare.

    • Whether any coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is provided under States’ Medicaid programs.

    • Whether any coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is provided under other Federal healthcare programs.

    • The extent to which coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is provided under group health plans and group and individual health insurance coverage.

    • What types of such items and services are generally covered when coverage for dyspraxia/DCD treatment is available

    • Whether there are any age cutoffs that are imposed with respect to coverage of such items and services when such coverage is provided.

    • Barriers to coverage of such items and services (such as a lack of providers of such items and services).

    • Whether group health plans and group and individual health insurance coverage are generally in compliance with the requirements of section 2726 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg–26).

    • Whether children with dyspraxia fail to meet the diagnosis criteria for dyspraxia once becoming adults and therefore lose coverage for such items and services.

    • Recommendations as to whether CMS should issue guidance regarding coverage of such items and services under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

    • Recommendations on how group health plans and group and individuals’ health insurance coverage may provide better coverage for such items and services.

    Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also referred to as dyspraxia, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects fine and gross motor skills such as balance, coordination, and manual dexterity. While dyspraxia is as common as ADHD and affects approximately 5 to 6 percent of the population, it is unfamiliar to many parents, teachers, and health care professionals. This leads individuals with dyspraxia to go underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, and largely untreated. That is why raising awareness right now is key.

    The bill’s namesake, Gabriel Rosenberg, was diagnosed with dyspraxia/ DCD at the age of three. His parents had noticed early on that he wasn’t hitting his physical milestones. As an infant, he could not pull up, crawl or sit upright unassisted. Despite raising these concerns with their pediatrician, they were brushed off. 

    After years of struggling to find support for their child, Gabriel’s parents, Danielle and Sidney Rosenberg, founded The Spotlight Foundation for Dyspraxia and DCD in 2019, which was rebranded as “Dyspraxia DCD America” in 2023. Through this nonprofit, they have tirelessly advocated on behalf of and provided resources for many families struggling with dyspraxia/DCD.

    “This bipartisan initiative is about access and ensuring that families don’t have to fight for the care their loved ones need. By understanding where coverage falls short, we can take meaningful steps to fix it. Every child and adult living with dyspraxia deserves to be seen, heard, and supported—not left behind due to gaps in our healthcare system,” said Congressman Lawler (NY-17).

    “We know that individuals with dyspraxia are left largely untreated. We must do more to provide support and hope to the millions of Americans who struggle every day with this disorder. Our bipartisan legislation will help close the coverage gap and ensure that children and adults struggling with dyspraxia have access to the care they need and deserve,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05).

    “On behalf of Dyspraxia DCD America, I am writing to express our heartfelt gratitude for the bipartisan leadership and commitment of Congressman Mike Lawler and Congressman Josh Gottheimer in proposing this bill to study insurance coverage of dyspraxia in the United States,” said Danielle Rosenberg, founder of Dyspraxia DCD America. “This initiative represents a significant step forward in raising awareness and improving the lives of individuals affected by this often misunderstood life-long neurological condition. The bill, named in honor of Gabriel Rosenberg, holds special significance for our organization. Gabriel, is the son of the founders of the Organization, who was diagnosed with Dyspraxia early in life. Thanks to early diagnosis and access to essential services, Gabriel was able to overcome significant challenges, including learning to walk. His journey underscores the critical importance of awareness, timely diagnosis, and early intervention for individuals with Dyspraxia. Your efforts to bring attention to the need for comprehensive insurance coverage for Dyspraxia-related services are invaluable. By ensuring that individuals with Dyspraxia have access to the necessary resources and support, we can foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for all those affected by this condition. We are deeply appreciative of your dedication to this cause and your recognition of the importance of addressing the needs of the Dyspraxia community. Your work not only honors Gabriel’s legacy but also paves the way for countless others to receive the support they need to thrive.”

    Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

    ###

    Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 19, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Developing Oxychalcogenide Membranes for Superconducting Power Transmission

    Source: NASA

    ECF 2024 Quadchart Yang.pdf
    Shuolong Yang
    University of Chicago
    This effort will leverage the latest developments in superconductors to build a power transmission cable that can operate in the extreme cold temperatures found on the Moon with very low electrical losses. The team will use novel manufacturing techniques to grow alternating layers of FeSe SrTiO3 films onto a substrate and the resulting, superconducting tape can be fashioned into electrical transmission lines. The project will culminate with a demonstration 1-meter-long superconducting transmission line which supports 1 amp of power transmission at 1,000 volts.
    Back to ECF 2024 Full List

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 19, 2025
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