Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Message of the Holy Father Leo XIV to the Bishops’ Conference of France on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the canonization of Saint John Eudes, Saint John Mary Vianney, and Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus

    Source: The Holy See

    Message of the Holy Father Leo XIV to the Bishops’ Conference of France on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the canonization of Saint John Eudes, Saint John Mary Vianney, and Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, 31.05.2025
    The following is the Message sent by the Holy Father Leo XIV to the Bishops’ Conference of France on the occasion of the one hundredth anniversary of the canonization of Saint John Eudes, Saint John Mary Vianney, and Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus:

    Message of the Holy Father
    I am happy to be able to address you for the first time, pastors of the Church of France, and through you, all your faithful, as this month of May 2025 marks the one hundredth anniversary of the canonization of three Saints whom, by the grace of God, your country has given to the universal Church: Saint John Eudes (1601-1680), Saint John Mary Vianney (1786-1859) and Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (1873-1897). In raising them to the glory of the altars, my predecessor Pius XI wanted to present them to the People of God as teachers to listen to, models to imitate, and powerful supporters to pray to and invoke. The scale of the challenges facing the Church in France a century later, and the continuing relevance of these three holy figures in meeting them, lead me to invite you to give special prominence to this anniversary.
    In this brief Message, I will mention just one spiritual trait that John Eudes, John Mary Vianney and Thérèse have in common and present in a very meaningful and attractive way to the men and women of today: they loved Jesus unreservedly in a simple, strong and authentic way; they experienced his goodness and tenderness in a special daily closeness, and they bore witness to it in an admirable missionary drive.
    The late Pope Francis left us, rather like a testament, a beautiful Encyclical on the Sacred Heart in which he states: “That stream which is never exhausted, never passes away … offers itself time and time again to all those who wish to love as he did. For his love alone can bring about a new humanity” (Dilexit nos, 219). There could be no more beautiful and simple programme of evangelization and mission for your country: to help everyone discover the tender and devoted love that Jesus has for them, to the point of transforming their lives.
    And in this respect, our three Saints are undoubtedly masters whose life and doctrine I invite you to constantly make known and appreciated by the People of God. Was Saint John Eudes not the first to celebrate the liturgical worship of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary? Was Saint John Mary Vianney not the priest who gave himself passionately to his ministry and who said: “The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus”? and finally, was Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face not the great Doctor of scientia amoris that our world needs, she who “breathed” the Name of Jesus at every moment of her life, with spontaneity and freshness, and who taught the little ones an “easy” way to access it?
    Celebrating the centenary of the canonization of these three saints is first and foremost an invitation to give thanks to the Lord for the marvels he has accomplished in this land of France over long centuries of evangelization and Christian life. Saints do not appear spontaneously but, by grace, emerge from living Christian communities that have been able to transmit the faith to them, to kindle in their hearts the love of Jesus and the desire to follow him. This Christian heritage still belongs to you, it still deeply permeates your culture and remains alive in many hearts.
    This is why I express the hope that these celebrations will not merely evoke nostalgia for a past that might seem bygone, but that they will awaken hope and give rise to a new missionary impetus. With the help of the saints he has given you and whom you celebrate, God can renew the marvels he has accomplished in the past. Will Saint Thérèse not be the Patroness of the missions in the very lands where she was born? Will Saint John Mary Vianney and Saint John Eudes not be able to speak to the conscience of many young people about the beauty, greatness and fruitfulness of the priesthood, to inspire their enthusiastic desire for it, and to give them the courage to respond generously to the call, at a time when the lack of vocations is harshly felt in your dioceses and priests are under increasing strain? I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the priests of France from the bottom of my heart for their courageous and persevering commitment, and to express my paternal affection for them.
    Dear brother Bishops, I invoke the intercession of Saint John Eudes, Saint John Mary Vianney and Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, for your country and the People of God who are courageous pilgrims there, despite the contrary and sometimes hostile winds of indifference, materialism and individualism. May they give courage to these People, in the certainty that Christ, the Saviour of the world, is truly risen.
    Imploring upon France the maternal protection of her powerful Patroness, Our Lady of the Assumption, I impart to each of you, and to all those entrusted to your pastoral care, the Apostolic Blessing.
    From the Vatican, 28 May 2025
    Leo XIV

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Southfield Doctor Convicted of Fraudulently Obtaining $1.7M PPP Loan

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DETROIT – On May 29, 2025, a federal jury convicted Dr. Reginald Eburuche of Southfield of bank fraud, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. announced.

    Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division.

    Dr. Eburuche was found guilty of fraudulently obtaining a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan in July 2020, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, for his start-up business Renovis Healthcare.  According to evidence presented at trial, after being unsuccessful in obtaining a line of credit for this new business venture in 2019, Eburuche looked to the PPP program as a source of potential seed-funding—$1.7M at 1% interest.  In order to get that money though, he grossly inflated the number of employees and the average monthly payroll for his fledgling company.  In support of his application, he also created and uploaded fraudulent tax documents, meant to make it appear as though his stated headcount and salary expenditures were legitimate.  A large portion of the funds were frozen and seized in advance of trial.

    “When a licensed professional choses fraud over integrity, the harm runs deeper than dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Gorgon. “Dr. Eburuche stole money meant to keep workers afloat during a time of crisis. This Office will continue to pursue those who exploited these programs for personal gain.”

    “Dr. Reginald Eburuche’s conviction for Bank Fraud represents not only an abuse of taxpayer dollars but a betrayal of public trust during a time of national hardship,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “I commend the dedicated efforts of our Oakland County Resident Agency members and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, whose contributions were vital in concluding this case. We remain fully committed to collaborating with our community and law enforcement allies to identify, investigate, and bring to justice those who exploit government relief programs for personal financial gain.”

    This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carl Gilmer-Hill and was investigated by special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The United States Attorney’s Office also thanks the Small Business Administration and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration for their support.

    MIL Security OSI

  • India’s active Covid cases rise to 2,710; seven deaths reported across states

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s active Covid-19 caseload has climbed to 2,710, with seven deaths reported across states in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday. A total of 1,170 patients have been discharged during the same period.

    Most fatalities involved patients with multiple comorbidities. Delhi reported the death of a 60-year-old woman who had undergone surgery for acute intestinal obstruction. Covid-19 was detected incidentally. Gujarat reported one death; details are awaited.

    In Karnataka, a 70-year-old man with several underlying conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease, died of acute cardiorespiratory arrest. His Covid-19 status is pending RT-PCR confirmation.

    Maharashtra recorded two deaths. One was a 67-year-old man with ARDS and pneumonia, who tested positive for Covid-19 and had several comorbidities. The second was a 21-year-old man with diabetic ketoacidosis and a lower respiratory tract infection. One of the deaths was reconciled from previous data.

    Punjab reported the death of a 39-year-old man with Hepatitis B and respiratory complications. Tamil Nadu recorded one fatality — a 60-year-old man with diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease.

    Kerala continues to report the highest number of active cases at 1,147. Reconciliation of mortality data is ongoing. Bihar is yet to provide its daily update.

    Union Minister of State for Health and AYUSH (Independent Charge), Prataprao Jadhav, said the Centre is “fully prepared” to manage any potential rise in infections.

    “We have reviewed the infrastructure developed during earlier Covid-19 waves, such as oxygen plants and ICU beds. Preparations are in place, and health systems are equipped to respond effectively,” he said.

    ANI

  • MIL-OSI: Free Psychic Medium Readings | Chat with Real Mediums Online – Special 2025 Announcement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    San Francisco, CA, May 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — – In today’s digital age, connecting with a psychic medium is easier and more accessible than ever. Whether you’re seeking comfort after a loss, clarity on life’s deeper questions, or simply curious about the spiritual world, psychic medium readings offer profound insight. Through psychic mediums chat services, users can experience meaningful conversations with gifted individuals from the comfort of their homes — no travel, no waiting rooms, just real-time guidance.

    ⇒ Speak with a psychic medium who understands your loss

    Losing a loved one can leave behind a profound sense of emptiness, unanswered questions, and emotional pain. For those navigating the difficult journey of grief, connecting with a psychic medium can bring comfort, closure, and a renewed sense of peace. Through psychic mediums chat and live sessions, you can reach out to compassionate professionals who specialize in psychic medium readings, offering messages from the spirit world and helping you heal.

    ⇒ Experience powerful healing with a real psychic medium

    In a major step toward making spiritual guidance more accessible, The-Psychic-Experts.com has unveiled its 2025 rankings for the trusted Psychic Medium Services, along with the launch of a new free psychic medium reading program available via chat or phone. This initiative represents a powerful move toward democratizing spirit communication and intuitive healing, especially at a time when more people are turning to trusted psychic mediums for emotional clarity, comfort, and connection.

    ⇒ Discover trusted psychic medium readings to ease your grief

    Now live, this intuitive platform allows users to connect with a psychic medium online and ask heartfelt questions about departed loved ones, unresolved emotions, or spiritual healing. For the first time, select services are offering verified psychic medium readings through free trial sessions, giving new users a chance to experience the comfort and clarity of mediumship without financial pressure.

    The trusted Psychic Mediums of 2025 list was developed after an in-depth evaluation of hundreds of practitioners worldwide. Each reader was reviewed for spiritual authenticity, reading accuracy, communication skills, and emotional sensitivity. This year’s rankings also focus on digital accessibility, highlighting mediums who excel in live chat and phone-based readings, making the experience both convenient and deeply meaningful.

    ⇒ Connect with a real psychic medium for comfort and clarity

    Among the standout features of the 2025 launch:

    • No credit card is required for initial free sessions with selected mediums
    • Instant access to High-rated psychic mediums via chat or phone
    • Mobile-friendly design for seamless connection anywhere
    • Handpicked experts with verified experience in mediumship, clairvoyance, and spirit channeling
    • Free resource guides on how to prepare for your first medium reading

    Whether you’re looking for healing, closure, or answers, this new service ensures that even a few minutes with the trusted psychic medium can lead to lasting emotional clarity.

    ⇒ Chat instantly with a verified psychic medium for answers

    Ready to Connect?

    With trusted and verified experts ranked by The-Psychic-Experts.com, finding the trusted psychic medium for your needs has never been easier. Your first psychic medium reading can offer clarity, healing, and a deep sense of peace.

    What Is a Psychic Medium? Understanding the Gift of Spirit Communication

    In today’s spiritual landscape, the terms “psychic” and “psychic medium” are often used interchangeably, but they represent distinct abilities. A psychic medium is someone who not only possesses heightened intuitive senses but also serves as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. While a general psychic might focus on predicting future events, interpreting energy, or giving insight into relationships, a psychic medium specializes in spirit communication—connecting with souls who have passed on.

    ⇒ Find peace through psychic medium readings with High-rated advisors

    What Is a Psychic Medium?

    A psychic medium is an individual with the unique spiritual gift of perceiving and relaying messages from people in the afterlife. While all mediums are psychics, not all psychics are mediums. Psychics receive intuitive insight about a person’s life, but mediums go deeper by channeling spirits, helping clients receive messages from deceased loved ones or spiritual guides.

    This form of intuitive communication has been a part of human culture for centuries, from ancient shamans to modern-day mediums and psychics conducting readings via online platforms or spiritual centers. In 2025, digital technology has brought this practice to even more people, with psychic mediums online offering accessible, one-on-one medium readings through chat or phone.

    ⇒ Get a psychic medium reading now and feel connected again

    How Do Psychic Mediums Connect With the Spirit World?

    Psychic mediums use a combination of heightened senses, energetic alignment, and spiritual attunement to receive information from beyond the veil. Many report entering altered states of consciousness, clearing their energy fields, and opening their mind to receive intuitive impressions from spirits.

    Some common types of mediumship include:

    • Clairaudience – the ability to “hear” messages from spirits as internal voices or sounds.
    • Clairsentience – the ability to “feel” a spirit’s emotions, pain, or personality.
    • Clairvoyance – the ability to “see” symbols, images, or scenes sent by the spirit world.
    • Trance Mediumship – where the medium enters a deep state of altered consciousness, allowing spirits to speak through them directly.
    • Physical Mediumship – rarer today, this form involves physical manifestations like raps, knocks, or moving objects during sessions.

    Each medium reader develops their own skill set, and many use a combination of these abilities during a session. The result is often a powerful, validating experience that brings emotional comfort and insight.

    ⇒ Experience powerful healing with a real psychic medium

    The Role of a Medium Reader in Healing and Closure

    Many people turn to psychic mediums during times of loss, confusion, or emotional turmoil. A session can help bring closure, understanding, or even answers to questions left unresolved after a loved one’s passing.

    A skilled medium psychic can offer:

    • Validation that the spirit still exists and is aware of the person’s life
    • Specific messages or memories known only to the client and the deceased
    • Encouragement and emotional release for those in mourning
    • Spiritual guidance from ancestors, guardians, or spirit guides

    In short, a good medium acts as both a translator and a healer—someone who interprets subtle energies and transforms them into human language.

    ⇒ Talk to trusted psychic mediums for spiritual comfort

    Finding Your Ideal Psychic Medium

    Because mediumship is such a profoundly personal and emotional experience, it’s essential to find the right psychic medium for you—someone whose energy, approach, and abilities align with your needs. Some mediums specialize in grief support, others in past-life exploration, while some offer free introductory sessions to help you decide whether they fit.

    If you’re ready to connect with the spirit world or simply want to explore spiritual insights with a gifted medium reader, The Psychic Experts offers a curated list of trusted psychic mediums that you can explore.

    ⇒ Get messages from beyond with psychic mediums chat

    Free Psychic Medium Readings Online: What’s Included?

    As interest in spiritual guidance grows in 2025, more and more people are turning to the internet to connect with a psychic medium online. The good news? You don’t always need to pay upfront to experience the insights of a professional medium reader. Thanks to trusted platforms like The-Psychic-Experts.com, anyone can now access a free psychic medium reading to receive spiritual clarity, emotional healing, or connection with a departed loved one—no credit card required.

    But what exactly is included in a free online medium reading, and how does it differ from a full-length, paid session? Here’s what you can expect.

    ⇒ Connect to loved ones with psychic medium readings online

    What Happens in a Free Psychic Medium Reading?

    A free medium reading typically offers a brief but powerful introduction to a medium’s skills. It might be a 3–6 minute live chat or phone call where you can ask one specific question or allow the medium to tune into your energy.

    During this brief session, a gifted psychic medium online may:

    • Relay initial impressions from the spirit world
    • Offer messages from a loved one who has passed
    • Provide insights into your emotional energy field
    •  Confirm details or symbols associated with someone in spirit

    This taste of spiritual connection is designed to help you experience the unique style and ability of the medium before committing to a more extended session. While time is limited, the value can be deep, especially if you’re emotionally open and know what you want to ask.

    ⇒ Receive guidance through psychic mediums chat 24/7

    Common Questions Asked During Free Psychic Medium Readings

    Even in a short session, free psychic medium readings can be significant. People often use them to ask:

    • “Is my loved one at peace?”
    • “Does my grandmother have a message for me?”
    • “Why do I keep dreaming about someone who has passed?”
    • “Am I being guided by a spirit right now?”
    • “Can anyone in spirit tell me what to do about a tough decision?”

    Some mediums will offer validation by sharing a name, date, personality trait, or symbolic message from a spirit. Others may help you sense the presence of someone around you, giving you comfort and connection, even in just a few minutes.

    ⇒ Discover online psychic mediums with proven accuracy

    The Value of Short Readings with No Commitment

    One of the most important benefits of free psychic medium reading services is that they break down the financial and emotional barriers to spiritual guidance. You don’t need a credit card or an hour-long session to experience absolute comfort or insight.

    For people grieving, searching for closure, or just curious about spirit communication, a free online medium session can be the first step toward healing. These short, focused sessions are:

    • Low-risk and pressure-free
    • Ideal for spiritual beginners
    • A great way to test a medium’s energy and approach
    • Often available 24/7 for immediate access

    If you’re ready to connect with a psychic medium online, now is the perfect time to explore the spirit world, without spending a penny.

    ⇒ Chat with psychic mediums experienced in grief support

    Most Popular Types of Medium and Psychic Readings Available in 2025

    In 2025, the world of spiritual guidance will be more diverse and accessible than ever. Whether you’re seeking closure from a departed loved one, clarity about your life path, or insight into a past life, there’s a style of reading tailored to your needs. At The-Psychic-Experts.com, seekers can explore a wide range of medium and psychic readings, many of which are now free to first-time users.

    Here’s a breakdown of the most popular types of psychic medium readings offered today—and how you can explore them based on your spirituality.

    ⇒ Trusted psychic mediums available now for grieving hearts

    1. Medium Readings (Spirit Communication)

    Medium readings are the heart of spirit communication. In these sessions, a psychic medium online connects with souls who have passed on, delivering messages from the other side.

    You might hear from:

    • A deceased family member with a message of comfort
    • A friend offering guidance or an apology
    • Ancestors or spirit guides give wisdom and protection

    Mediums often rely on clairvoyance, clairaudience, or clairsentience to receive these messages. This medium reading is beneficial for grief healing, emotional closure, or validation that your loved ones are still around.

    Offered for free? Yes, many platforms now offer limited-time free psychic medium readings—ideal for experiencing this form of spirit connection without commitment.

    ⇒ Reconnect spiritually with psychic mediums chat sessions

    2. Psychic Readings (Life Path and Love Predictions)

    Not all psychics are mediums. Psychic readings typically focus on the energy surrounding your current and future life situations, like love, career, or personal growth.

    In these sessions, a psychic may use intuition, tarot cards, numerology, or energy reading to explore:

    • When your soulmate may appear
    • Whether a relationship will succeed
    • What career move is aligned with your energy
    • The emotional blocks holding you back

    These psychic medium readings can bring clarity and confidence, especially when you feel lost, anxious, or unsure about what’s ahead.

    Offered for free? Yes, many psychic platforms offer short, medium, and psychic readings with no credit card required.

    ⇒ Feel the comfort of a psychic medium reading today

    3. Past Life Readings

    Have you ever felt drawn to a specific period, culture, or even a person, without knowing why?

    Past life readings explore your soul’s journey across previous incarnations. A psychic or medium may receive visions or impressions that help explain current fears, relationships, or life patterns.

    These readings often help clients:

    • Understand soul contracts and karmic ties
    • Heal phobias or emotional wounds that seem unexplainable
    • Recognize lifelong soulmates or twin flames

    Offered for free? Some psychics provide a glimpse into one’s past life or a brief overview in free psychic medium readings, though deeper past life work may require a full session.

    ⇒ Connect with Certified psychic mediums offering free trial minutes

    4. Channeling

    In channeling sessions, a psychic medium online becomes a conduit for higher spiritual entities, guides, or even specific souls who wish to speak directly.

    It may include:

    • Messages from angels or ascended masters
    • Guidance from universal consciousness
    • Symbolic language or healing codes

    Channeling can be highly specific or abstract, depending on the psychic’s skill and the message’s source.

    Offered for free? It is less common as a free trial, but introductory medium readings may provide brief channeling messages.

    5. Automatic Writing

    Automatic writing is a form of channeled communication where the medium writes down messages from the spirit in real time, often without consciously thinking.

    It can include:

    • Personal letters from loved ones who’ve passed
    • Advice from spirit guides
    • Symbolic messages for reflection

    It’s a powerful method for people who resonate with written words or want something tangible to revisit.

    Offered for free? Occasionally provided as a sample message in free psychic medium readings.

    Discover Your Ideal Reading Style

    Whether you’re drawn to spirit communication, future predictions, or soul-level insight, there’s a reading format that matches your needs. And with more opportunities than ever to try these services risk-free, now is the perfect time to explore.

    ⇒ Get the support you need with accurate psychic readings

    How to Prepare for Your First Psychic Medium Session

    A psychic medium reading can be a deeply emotional and transformative experience, especially if it’s your first time connecting with a medium reader. Whether you’re seeking closure, guidance, or simply exploring your spiritual side, proper preparation can enhance the quality and clarity of your session.

    Below are expert-backed steps from The-Psychic-Experts.com to help you get the most out of your first medium reading, from preparation through reflection.

    ⇒ Find clarity through psychic mediums chat today

    Before Your Reading: Mindset, Setting & Intentions

    1. Clear Your Mindset
    Approach the session with openness, not expectation. Spirit communication doesn’t always follow a script—sometimes, the message you need is different from the one you want. Let go of rigid demands and allow the energy to flow naturally.

    2. Choose a Calm Setting
    Whether your session is over the phone or with a psychic medium online, pick a quiet, comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed. Light a candle, play soft music, or sit silently for a few minutes to center yourself.

    3. Set Clear Intentions

    Ask yourself:

    • What am I hoping to understand or heal?
    • Is there a specific loved one I’d like to connect with?
    • Am I seeking closure, guidance, or reassurance?

    You don’t need to share your full intentions with the medium, but having clarity in your heart can help guide the session’s energy.

    ⇒ Discover real psychic mediums online you can trust

    During the Reading: Stay Open & Observe Validation

    1. Expect a Variety of Messages
    Psychic medium readings often start with small validations—names, memories, or details only you would know. These are signs that a loved one or spirit guide is present. Messages can be symbolic, metaphorical, or very direct.

    2. Ask Open-Ended Questions
    Instead of “Will I get the job?” ask, “What energy surrounds my career path right now?” It allows the medium reader to share insights without being boxed into a yes/no framework and invites a more intuitive flow of guidance.

    3. Don’t Try to “Test” the Medium
    Skepticism is natural, but challenging a medium with trick questions can block the connection. Spirit communication requires trust, patience, and cooperation on both ends.

    ⇒ Explore psychic medium readings that bring healing

    After the Reading: Reflect, Record & Integrate

    1. Take Notes Immediately
    Write down everything you remember—names, phrases, images, emotions. Even if something seems unclear, it may click later or carry meaning in future days.

    2. Reflect on the Energy
    How did the experience make you feel? Did you sense peace, relief, surprise, or deep emotion? Trust those responses—they’re part of your spiritual journey.

    3. Allow for Ongoing Guidance
    The trusted psychic medium sessions often leave a lasting impression. Messages may continue to unfold through dreams, signs, or spontaneous memories. Stay aware and open.

    ⇒ Discover insights through psychic mediums chat platforms

    How Accurate Are Psychic Mediums? Debunking Myths & Understanding Validation

    In a world where spiritual guidance and emotional healing are increasingly sought after, many wonder: How accurate are psychic mediums? Are they truly connecting with spirit, or is it all just clever guesswork?

    At The-Psychic-Experts.com, we’ve researched and reviewed countless psychic medium readings to understand what makes a session authentic. Here’s what you need to know about accuracy, common myths, and how real medium readers validate their gift.

    Understanding How Psychic Mediums Work

    A psychic medium is not just a general psychic who reads energy—they are spiritual communicators who connect with the spirit realm. Unlike tarot readers or astrologers who use tools, psychic mediums receive messages through extrasensory channels such as:

    • Clairvoyance (seeing images)
    • Clairaudience (hearing messages)
    • Clairsentience (feeling emotions or physical sensations)
    • Claircognizance (knowing without knowing how)

    These messages often come in symbols or sensations that the medium reader interprets based on intuition and experience.

    ⇒ Talk to real psychic mediums online, anytime

    Common Myths About Medium Accuracy

    MYTH 1: All Mediums Should Be 100% Accurate

    No psychic medium is perfect. The spirit world communicates through energy, which can be subtle, symbolic, or fragmented. Accuracy can also depend on the connection between the client and the medium, the presence of spirit, and even emotional readiness to receive a message.

    MYTH 2: If They Ask Questions, They’re Faking It

    Good medium psychics may ask clarifying questions to ensure they interpret symbols correctly. It’s not fishing—it’s collaboration. Spirit often gives vague or layered imagery that needs client feedback to make sense.

    MYTH 3: All Psychics Are Scammers

    While frauds exist, the trusted psychic mediums are honest about their limitations. They’ll never guarantee specific outcomes or manipulate emotions. Look for transparency, empathy, and a clear code of ethics.

    ⇒ Receive messages from loved ones with psychic medium chat

    Real Signs of Accuracy in a Medium Reading

    When a psychic medium is truly tuned in, you may experience:

    • Personal Validations: Names, dates, physical traits, or habits of loved ones who’ve passed.
    • Symbolic Details: Items like “a red balloon” or “an old photograph” mean something unique to you.
    • Emotional Resonance: You feel deeply moved, not scared or confused, by the messages received.
    • Unexpected Connections: A message or detail you didn’t expect but later discovered to be true.

    Accuracy isn’t just about “getting things right”—it’s about delivering meaningful, healing messages that feel genuine.

    ⇒ Find affordable and trusted psychic mediums near you

    Can Online Mediums Be Accurate?

    Absolutely. The spirit realm transcends physical space so that psychic medium online sessions can be as powerful as in-person ones. Whether through free online medium chats or phone sessions, what matters most is the medium’s ability to receive and interpret energy.

    How The-Psychic-Experts.com Measures Accuracy

    Our experts evaluate medium and psychic readings based on the following:

    • Client reviews and testimonials
    • Consistency of validations
    • Ethical practices
    • Empathy and communication style
    • Clarity of spiritual messages

    Only high-performing medium psychics make it to our list of 2025’s most trusted advisors.

    Ready to Experience an Accurate Psychic Medium Reading?

    An accurate psychic medium reading can be life-changing if you’re looking for clarity, connection, or closure. But accuracy also depends on your openness, energy, and trust.

    ⇒ Begin your healing with a psychic medium today

    Benefits of Free Psychic Medium Readings: Emotional Healing, Clarity & Connection

    In a time where uncertainty feels constant, many people are turning to psychic mediums not just for predictions, but for peace. Whether seeking messages from a departed loved one or spiritual clarity, a free psychic medium reading can offer unexpected emotional relief and validation.

    At The-Psychic-Experts.com, our mission is to help users connect with the trusted psychic mediums online, at no cost to get started. Let’s explore the surprising and profound benefits of trying a free medium reading in 2025.

    ⇒ Free psychic medium readings available for new users

    1. Grief Relief & Emotional Closure

    One of the most potent benefits of a medium reading is the potential to find closure after loss. Whether it’s a parent, partner, sibling, or friend who passed away, messages from spirit, delivered with care by a skilled medium reader, can offer comfort, forgiveness, and even laughter.

    A psychic medium may share symbols, words, or gestures that confirm your loved one is safe, aware, and still present in your life. This kind of connection can ease long-held pain and shift your perspective on death and healing.

    2. Clarity in Life’s Crossroads

    While mediums are primarily known for spirit communication, many psychic mediums are intuitively gifted in reading energy patterns. It means your free psychic medium reading could also offer clarity on the following:

    • Relationships and heartbreak
    • Life purpose and spiritual blocks
    • Family patterns and ancestral energy
    • Important decisions or timelines

    Instead of giving “answers,” the trusted medium psychics guide you toward your truth through insight, validation, and symbolic messages.

    ⇒ Explore psychic medium readings focused on grief healing

    3. A Spiritual Wake-Up Call

    Connecting with a psychic medium online can feel like a reset. These sessions often trigger emotional release, goosebumps, or even a sense of inner awakening. Many people report feeling:

    • Reconnected to their intuition
    • Less afraid of death
    • Inspired to heal family wounds
    • Aligned with a greater purpose

    A free online medium reading can spark spiritual growth, even if you feel skeptical or unsure.

    4. Free Readings: Remove Financial Barriers

    At The-Psychic-Experts.com, we believe everyone deserves access to spiritual guidance, regardless of budget. Our 2025 rankings highlight services that offer genuine, no-credit-card-required free psychic medium readings to help you explore without pressure.

    These complimentary sessions (often 3–5 minutes or one free question) let you:

    • Test if a medium resonates with you
    • Receive an initial spirit message
    • Get a taste of what a full session might bring

    And while time-limited, a free medium reading can still be deeply impactful, especially if the connection is strong.

    ⇒ Chat with a certified psychic medium in seconds

    5. Peace of Mind—Even When You Don’t Hear from Spirit

    Not every session delivers the message you hoped for. Sometimes, spirit doesn’t come through immediately, or the medium interprets symbols differently than expected. But even in silence, many clients walk away with peace.

    Why? Because the medium reading process itself invites mindfulness, reflection, and a shift in awareness. It’s about being open, not about guaranteed answers.

    6. Try Before You Commit

    Choosing a psychic medium online can feel intimidating. Free trials are a risk-free way to evaluate:

    • Communication style
    • Empathy and professionalism
    • Connection quality
    • Comfort with the process

    It ensures you only pay for deeper sessions with someone you trust.

    ⇒ Connect spiritually through psychic medium chat services

    Start with a Free Psychic Medium Reading Today

    Whether you’re grieving, seeking clarity, or simply curious, a free psychic medium reading can provide the emotional release and spiritual alignment you didn’t know you needed.

    How to Tell If a Psychic Medium Is Real or Fake

    Finding someone truly gifted can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack in the growing world of psychic medium readings. As more people explore medium and psychic readings online, it’s crucial to separate genuine psychic mediums from those using cold reading tricks or vague guesswork.

    Here’s how to tell if a psychic medium is the real deal—and how to protect yourself from scams, especially when trying a free psychic medium reading online.

    ⇒ Find trusted guidance through psychic medium readings

    1. They Offer Specific, Validating Information

    A real medium doesn’t rely on broad generalizations like “I sense someone with the letter J.” Instead, they may deliver:

    • Names or nicknames
    • Unique personality traits of the deceased
    • Private memories or inside jokes
    • Specific symbols that hold meaning to you

    A credible medium reader may also ask you to validate the information instead of fishing for clues.

    2. They’re Transparent About Their Process

    Authentic medium psychics don’t pretend to be all-knowing. They’ll likely explain how spirit messages come through (e.g., clairaudience, clairsentience, symbols, impressions) and will humbly admit if they don’t understand something.

    Avoid anyone who:

    • Promises 100% accuracy
    • Claims to remove curses for extra fees
    • Pushes you to book additional sessions
    • Uses fear-based language (e.g., “You’re in danger unless you…”)

    The trusted psychic medium reads with compassion, not pressure.

    ⇒ Get peace of mind with psychic mediums chat support

    3. Their Energy Feels Safe and Grounded

    Intuition is your strongest tool. Ask yourself:

    • Do you feel emotionally safe talking to this person?
    • Are they kind, respectful, and focused on helping, not impressing?
    • Do their messages feel uplifting, even if emotional?

    Genuine psychic mediums offer messages with empathy, not ego.

    4. They Don’t Need to Know Anything About You

    A real psychic medium doesn’t need your full name, birth date, or backstory to connect with the spirit. Many prefer to know as little as possible to keep the reading pure.

    Be wary if a reader asks excessive personal questions before your session, especially during a free medium reading trial.

    5. Their Free Reading Has Real Value

    Legit psychic medium online services often offer a free psychic medium reading to demonstrate their ability and help you decide whether to continue.

    Even in a short 3–5-minute session, a real medium may:

    • Deliver one powerful message
    • Mention a spirit around you
    • Share a meaningful sign or detail
    • It might be brief, but it will feel personal, not scripted.

    ⇒ Get peace of mind with psychic mediums chat support

    6. They Don’t Play on Grief or Fear

    Mediums work with delicate emotional territory. Reputable mediums and psychics never use your grief as leverage. They won’t tell you your loved one is “trapped” or that you must pay more to “complete” a message.

    Authentic psychic medium readings bring healing and empowerment, not dependency or fear.

    7. Reviews Focus on Connection, Not Hype

    Look for testimonials that describe:

    • Accurate messages
    • Emotional breakthroughs
    • Validation of specific details
    • A sense of peace or clarity afterward

    Be cautious of reviews that overuse buzzwords like “miracle” or “life-changing” without explaining why.

    Trust Your Gut. Then Trust Spirit.

    Ultimately, your intuition is the most important filter for finding the trusted psychic medium. If something feels off, it probably is. If something feels warm, peaceful, and resonant, it’s likely worth exploring.

    ⇒ Discover comfort with psychic medium readings online

    Discover the Power of a Psychic Medium Reading in 2025

    In 2025, the path to spiritual clarity and healing is more accessible than ever. Whether you’re seeking closure from a passed loved one, guidance about your life journey, or a deeper connection with your intuition, a psychic medium can provide profound support. Thanks to The-Psychic-Experts.com, you can now experience a free psychic medium reading with no credit card required—just an open mind and a willingness to explore.

    The rise of psychic medium online platforms means you don’t have to wait weeks or travel far for answers. Trusted medium psychics are available at your fingertips, offering compassionate insights through chat, phone, or video. With the site’s 2025 rankings, you can easily find the trusted psychic medium tailored to your needs, whether you’re drawn to clairaudience, trance channeling, past life exploration, or spirit communication.

    As we’ve seen throughout this guide, there’s no one-size-fits-all regarding medium and psychic readings. The key is to stay curious, prepared, and honest with your intentions. Even a short free medium reading can spark emotional breakthroughs, healing, or new perspectives that change how you see your life and relationships.

    If you’ve ever wondered what messages might be waiting for you from the other side—or simply need guidance through life’s uncertainties—there’s no better time to take that first step.

    FAQs

    Can a psychic medium help with grief?

    Yes, many people find comfort and closure through psychic medium readings, especially after the loss of a loved one. Mediums can relay messages from the spirit world that provide peace and reassurance.

    How does a psychic mediums chat work online?

    You can connect instantly with a psychic medium via live chat or phone. These real-time sessions are private, secure, and often available 24/7, especially during emotional moments.

    What should I expect during a psychic medium reading?

    Expect a calm, compassionate session where the medium may share specific messages, symbols, or insights that resonate with your loved one’s energy or memory.

    Is a free psychic medium reading free?

    Many online platforms, including The-Psychic-Experts.com, offer free psychic medium readings as introductory sessions. These free readings allow you to experience the process without financial commitment—no credit card is required. However, free sessions often have time limits (like 5 minutes) or question limits to give you a taste before deciding whether to book a longer paid reading.

    Are online psychic mediums as accurate as in-person?

    Absolutely. Many gifted psychic mediums work exclusively online and provide highly accurate readings through chat or phone, using energy rather than physical presence.

    Can I choose a psychic medium who specializes in grief?

    Yes, most platforms allow you to browse profiles and choose mediums with experience in grief support, afterlife communication, or spiritual healing.

    How soon after a loss should I speak to a psychic medium?

    There’s no right or wrong time. Some people wait weeks or months, while others reach out sooner. It depends entirely on your emotional readiness and comfort.

    Are psychic medium readings safe?

    Yes, when done through trusted platforms with certified professionals, psychic medium readings are safe, private, and conducted with compassion and care.

    What makes a good psychic medium for grief?

    Empathy, experience with grieving clients, strong communication skills, and spiritual clarity are key traits of a good medium for those in mourning.

    Where can I find the trusted psychic mediums for grief?

    You can find certified, highly rated psychic mediums on reputable platforms offering free trials, verified reviews, and chat or phone options tailored to your needs.

    Can a psychic medium help me talk to a loved one who passed?

    A psychic medium specializes in connecting with spirits from the other side to deliver comfort, guidance, and closure messages. While mediums cannot guarantee direct “talks,” many people find peace and healing through their messages. If you’re seeking communication with a deceased loved one, a medium reading can be a valuable experience.

    Do I need to believe for it to work?

    Belief is not a requirement for a psychic medium reading to be compelling. Mediums connect to spirit energy independent of your skepticism or faith. Being open-minded and receptive can enhance the experience, but many clients report insightful readings regardless of their initial beliefs.

    Are psychic mediums safe or legit online?

    The rise of psychic medium online services has made it easier to find gifted readers. While many reputable platforms offer verified mediums, using trusted sites like The-Psychic-Experts.com is essential to avoid scams. Look for transparent policies, clear pricing, and authentic testimonials. Always trust your intuition and discontinue any session that feels uncomfortable.

    Can I get an accurate psychic medium reading without paying?

    Free psychic medium readings often provide a snapshot of a medium’s abilities and usually include one or two meaningful messages. While these are valuable, complete, in-depth readings typically require payment due to the time and skill involved. The free sessions are an accessible introduction to decide whether to explore further.

    Media Contact
    Company: The Psychic Experts
    Contact Person: Anthony C. Bedoya
    Email: support@the-psychic-experts.com
    Address: 1 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101, USA
    URL: https://the-psychic-experts.com/
    Phone: +1 414-203-2598

    Content Accuracy Disclaimer
    Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in this article. However, due to the dynamic nature of product formulations, promotions, and availability, details may change without notice. The publisher makes no warranties or representations as to the current completeness or accuracy of any content, including product claims, pricing, or ingredient lists.

    It is the responsibility of the reader to verify product information directly through the official website or manufacturer prior to making a purchasing decision. Any reliance placed on the information in this article is done strictly at your own risk.

    Affiliate Disclosure
    This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service through these links, the publisher may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support the creation of in-depth reviews and educational wellness content.

    The publisher only promotes products that have been independently evaluated and deemed potentially beneficial to readers. However, this compensation may influence the content, topics, or products discussed in this article. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any affiliate partner or product provider.
    All product reviews and descriptions reflect the author’s honest opinion based on available public data, user feedback, and scientific references at the time of writing. The inclusion of affiliate links does not influence the objectivity or integrity of the content. However, readers are encouraged to independently verify product information and consult with healthcare professionals prior to purchase or use.

    No warranties, either expressed or implied, are made about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the content provided. The publisher and all affiliated parties expressly disclaim any and all liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of any information contained herein.

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    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Condemn Labor Department’s Abrupt Closing of Job Corps Centers, Including Two in Virginia

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, (both D-VA) condemned the Department of Labor’s decision to shut down contractor-run Job Corps centers across the country, which will abruptly eliminate crucial job training for thousands of young Americans and cut nearly 13,000 jobs across the program’s 99 centers.
    Two affected Job Corps centers in Virginia – Old Dominion and Blue Ridge – serve 163 students between them, many homeless or aging out of foster care. Job Corps students aged 16-24 receive education, vocational training, and job placement assistance through the program, and more than 80 percent of program graduates are employed within six months – which in turn leads to as much as a 20 percent reduction in unemployment in areas with a Job Corps center.
    “For decades, the Job Corps program has transformed lives in Virginia and across the country by helping to equip young people with the skills and resources they need to succeed,” said Warner. “It’s deeply frustrating, and incredibly short-sighted, to see the Trump administration pause operations. We should be investing more in opportunities that lift up our young people, strengthen our workforce, and have a tremendous economic impact in the Commonwealth.”
    “Job Corps is a lifeline for thousands of youths in need – many of whom are homeless, in the foster care system, or facing dire socioeconomic circumstances. For decades, the program has given them direction, taught them hard skills, and set them up for success,” said Kaine. “Of course fiscal and safety concerns with the program need to be addressed. But instead of working to further invest in the program, the Labor Department has made the shameful choice to give up on thousands of vulnerable young Americans, including 163 in Virginia.”
    Warner and Kaine have vigorously opposed Donald Trump and his Administration’s efforts to roll back crucial federal programs. In January 2025, the senators excoriated the Trump Administration’s illegal order to stop all federal grants and loans, which the Administration subsequently rescinded amid massive public pressure.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Slam Department of Homeland Security for Issuing Erroneous List of ‘Sanctuary Jurisdictions’ in Virginia

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statements slamming an erroneous list released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that includes 20 counties—including Martinsville County, which does not exist—and 13 “cities”—including Duffield, a town with roughly 70 residents and no dedicated police department—as being “sanctuary jurisdictions defying federal immigration law.” There are no sanctuary cities in Virginia and various jurisdictions, including Martinsville and Tazewell County, have released statements to share their confusion regarding being included on the list.
    “This list is further proof that the Trump administration’s obsession with government efficiency is nothing but cheap talk. The White House should get its basic facts straight before attempting to come after Virginia’s localities and its hardworking public servants,” said Warner. 
    “The list is riddled with egregious errors—Martinsville isn’t a county and Duffield isn’t a city,” said Kaine. “Coupled with the Department of Health and Human Services’ report this week that cites nonexistent studies, I’m concerned that the Administration is turning to artificial intelligence to replace the work of dedicated civil servants that are being fired. This is yet another reminder of why it’s important that agencies be staffed by experts, because putting inaccurate information out only sows chaos and confusion, and puts commonsense solutions to real problems further out of reach.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Ahead of Duanwu Festival, International Students Discover New Cultural Experience Through Traditional Chinese Medicine

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    On May 27, Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Changsha organized a cultural and practical event called “Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine on the Eve of Duanwu Festival”. International students dressed in Chinese costumes took photos, cooked “zongzi” – a traditional dish made of glutinous rice with various fillings – goji, red dates and other products with medicinal properties. Students also learned traditional gongfu at the “Eight Pieces of Brocade Training Camp”. Fragrant bags with mugwort leaves, calamus and other medicinal herbs were very popular among them, and herbal tea tasting, a master class on making a herbal photo album and riddles on the topic of medicinal plants allowed international students to immerse themselves in the customs of Duanwu Festival and feel the charm of traditional Chinese medicine.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for May 31, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 31, 2025.

    Detroit’s population grew in 2023, 2024 − a strategy to welcome immigrants helps explain the turnaround from decades of population decline
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul N. McDaniel, Associate Professor of Geography, Kennesaw State University The Mexican-American community in southwest Detroit held a rally in March 2025, asking ICE to leave the immigrant community alone. Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Detroit’s population grew in 2024 for the second year in

    Hurricane season is here, but FEMA’s policy change could leave low-income areas less protected
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ivis García, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University Hurricane Harvey inundated the Cottage Grove neighborhood of Houston in 2018. Scott Olson/Getty Images When powerful storms hit your city, which neighborhoods are most likely to flood? In many cities, they’re typically low-income areas.

    Shock NSW Senate result as One Nation beats Labor to win final seat
    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 The button was pressed to electronically distribute preferences for the New South Wales Senate today. All analysts expected Labor to win the final seat, for a three

    GPs will be a great help for managing ADHD medications. But many patients will still need specialists
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Guastella, Professor and Clinical Psychologist, Michael Crouch Chair in Child and Youth Mental Health, University of Sydney The New South Wales government this week announced reforms that will allow some GPs to treat and potentially diagnose attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This aims to make ADHD care

    Will elections for judges make Mexico the ‘most democratic country in the world’? Critics fear the opposite
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luis Gómez Romero, Senior Lecturer in Human Rights, Constitutional Law and Legal Theory, University of Wollongong On Sunday, Mexico will hold an unprecedented election, becoming the first country in the world to allow voters to elect judges at every level. Voters will elect approximately half the judges

    What is mantle cell lymphoma? Magda Szubanski’s ‘rare and fast-moving’ cancer, explained
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John (Eddie) La Marca, Senior Research Officer, Blood Cells and Blood Cancer, WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Beloved Australian actor, Magda Szubanski, has revealed she’s been diagnosed with a “very rare, very aggressive, very serious” blood cancer called mantle cell

    Keith Rankin Analysis – Who, neither politician nor monarch, executed 100,000 civilians in a single night?
    Analysis by Keith Rankin. Who, neither politician nor monarch, executed 100,000 civilians in a single night? Answer: Curtis LeMay, American Air Force General, in the wee hours of 10 March 1945. While authorised by his immediate superior, this firebombing of Tokyo was a decentralised military operation which received subsequent popular approval. It was called ‘Operation

    ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for May 30, 2025
    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 30, 2025.

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI USA: May 30th, 2025 Heinrich Invites U.S. Forest Service Chief to Pecos Watershed

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, sent a letter inviting U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz to visit the Upper Pecos Watershed in Northern New Mexico and hear from local leaders, Tribes, community members, farmers, business owners, and recreationists about the importance of protecting the Upper Pecos Watershed from new mining operations.
    “For decades, the community in the Upper Pecos Watershed of New Mexico has been united in an effort to protect the river basin from the very real threat of mine waste pollution. Everyone in the community can agree that the Pecos River is an invaluable lifeline. With headwaters in Northern New Mexico, the Pecos supports a wide range of uses from recreation and agriculture to traditional use by the Pueblos in the area. Unfortunately, this region has a history of poorly managed mining projects,”Heinrich wrote to U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz.
    “The area is still recovering from a devastating 1991 mine spill, which threatened the health and economic survival in the immediate community and for hundreds of miles throughout the state. Thanks to decades of hard work and millions of dollars, this watershed is once again one of the cleanest and most productive in the state – though the remediation is not complete,” Heinrich stated.
    In 1991, a toxic waste spill from a closed mine in the Upper Pecos Watershed caused more than 11 miles of fish kill in the river and required a clean up effort that took decades and millions of dollars to complete. For years, there has been a community-led effort to protect the area from future mining claims to avoid similar threats and pollution.
    In response to a letter sent by Heinrich and the N.M. Congressional Delegation, in December 2024, President Biden’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service initiated a process to propose a 20-year withdrawal to help secure the region’s water and air quality, cultural resources, critical fish and wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities. The withdrawal, for lands in San Miguel and Santa Fe counties, encompassed multiple Pecos River tributaries, including Dalton Canyon, Macho Canyon, Wild Horse Creek, Indian Creek, and Doctor Creek.
    On December 16, 2024, the BLM and Forest Service initiated a 90-day public comment period to gather input on the proposal. During the comment period, the two agencies were scheduled to host a public meeting for the proposed Upper Pecos River Watershed Protection Area withdrawal on February 26, 2025. This public meeting was cancelled by the Trump Administration on February 19, 2025, with no further explanation. Despite the cancellation, the Administration received hundreds of public comments in support of the mineral withdrawal.
    On April 7, 2025, reporting from Source New Mexico revealed the Trump Administration plans to reverse the BLM and the Forest Service’s decision to protect the Upper Pecos Watershed from new mining operations.
    “I am concerned by the Forest Service’s decision to reverse the temporary protection and discontinue the process for a longer-term withdrawal. This decision was made without proper community engagement or review of the hundreds of positive comments that were submitted during the public comment period,” Heinrich continued in his letter to Chief Schultz.
    In response to the Trump Administration’s reversal, Heinrich reintroduced his Pecos Watershed Protection Act to permanently withdraw all federally managed minerals in the watershed from development — preventing the leasing, patent, or sale of all publicly owned minerals.
    To continue the effort to protect the Pecos, Heinrich invited Chief Schultz at the end of his letter, writing, “I would like to extend an invitation to you to visit New Mexico and the Pecos area so you can hear firsthand from local leaders, Tribes, community members, farmers, business owners, recreationists, and others while experiencing the beauty of this watershed. While there, you can see why this river is so valuable and witness the very real threat of mining pollution that still exists.”
    At the end of his letter, Heinrich included invitations to Chief Schultz from local and Tribal leaders that show the widespread community support for permanently protecting the Pecos.
    Read the community letter from over 20 local leaders and members of the Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council here.
    Read the invitation from the Pueblo of Jemez here.
    Read the invitation from the Pueblo of Tesuque here.
    Read Heinrich’s full letter here and below:
    Dear Chief Schultz:
    For decades, the community in the Upper Pecos Watershed of New Mexico has been united in an effort to protect the river basin from the very real threat of mine waste pollution. Everyone in the community can agree that the Pecos River is an invaluable lifeline. With headwaters in Northern New Mexico, the Pecos supports a wide range of uses from recreation and agriculture to traditional use by the Pueblos in the area. Unfortunately, this region has a history of poorly managed mining projects. The area is still recovering from a devastating 1991 mine spill, which threatened the health and economic survival in the immediate community and for hundreds of miles throughout the state. Thanks to decades of hard work and millions of dollars, this watershed is once again one of the cleanest and most productive in the state – though the remediation is not complete.
    To New Mexicans who are facing a threat to their way of life and cultural heritage, there is no doubt that this area should be permanently protected. The spill in 1991 left scars on the landscape and with those who depend on the river. We celebrated when the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management announced last year that they would be pursuing a 20-year mineral withdrawal in the basin. The long-overdue action by the last Administration was a major victory for the Pecos Valley.
    However, I am concerned by the Forest Service’s decision to reverse the temporary protection and discontinue the process for a longer-term withdrawal. This decision was made without proper community engagement or review of the hundreds of positive comments that were submitted during the public comment period. The Administration also cancelled a public forum that would have allowed for discussion of the administrative withdrawal and demonstrated to your agency that this community is united by the beauty and health of the Pecos River.
    Therefore, I would like to extend an invitation to you to visit New Mexico and the Pecos area so you can hear firsthand from local leaders, Tribes, community members, farmers, business owners, recreationists, and others while experiencing the beauty of this watershed. While there, you can see why this river is so valuable and witness the very real threat of mining pollution that still exists.
    I am including letters and invites from local and tribal leaders that show the widespread support for this effort in the area. They represent just a few of many examples of community support for protecting the Pecos. Thank you for your attention to this request and I hope I can see you in New Mexico soon.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Oregonians Should Plan Ahead for Evacuations During the 2025 Wildfire Awareness Month

    Source: US State of Oregon

    s Wildfire Awareness Month comes to a close the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is urging residents to take action now to prepare for the upcoming wildfire season by being ready to evacuate.

    Last year’s wildfire season was the most destructive in Oregon’s recorded history. The 2025 season is shaping up to be just as formidable. Wildfires can spread rapidly, threatening lives, homes and communities, so it’s vital the Oregonians be prepared ahead of time to receive timely notices and to evacuate if asked.

    OEM has provided resources to help Oregonians take small preparedness steps today can make a life-saving difference tomorrow. For more information about preparing your household and community visit the OEM Be2WeeksReady Community Preparedness webpages. In the meantime, here are some key tips to help you be ready should evacuation be necessary.

    Stay Informed

    Sign up for emergency alerts to receive evacuation notifications. Visit ORAlert.gov to find the local alert system for your city, county, or zip code. If you’re already registered, take a moment to log in and update your contact information. Also, check your phone settings to ensure wireless emergency alerts are enabled.

    Know where to find local emergency information, such as your county’s emergency management website and TripCheck.com. Follow local emergency services on social media, including the sheriff’s office, fire agencies, and city or county pages.

    Also, make sure the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled on your phone.

    Create a Wildfire Evacuation Plan

    Being prepared starts with a plan. Visit Ready.gov/plan to create a family emergency plan. OEM offers a wildfire evacuation checklist at wildfire.oregon.gov/prepare that can serve as a guide.

    Your plan should include:

    • A list of emergency contacts.
    • A safe meeting place in case family members get separated.
    • Multiple evacuation routes from home, work, or school. TripCheck.com can help with this.
    • Transportation arrangements, including pets and livestock.
    • A discussion with loved ones, friends, and neighbors to ensure everyone understands the plan.

    Individuals with disabilities should plan ahead for transportation, equipment, and service animal needs. Visit the Red Cross for tailored resources. If you have special medical needs, make sheltering arrangements some place that can accommodate your needs, as not all standard shelters can.

    For pet and livestock evacuation planning, visit Ready.gov/pets. Prepare a pet emergency kit with essentials like food, water, medications, identification, and medical records. Livestock owners should arrange transportation and shelter options in advance—resources are available at Oregon Department of Agriculture.

    Assemble a Wildfire Go-Kit

    A go-kit contains essential items you may need to take with you in a hurry. Each household member should have an easy-to-carry emergency bag with:

    • Food and water.
    • Medications and medical supplies.
    • Flashlights and phone chargers.
    • Extra clothing and personal items.
    • Copies of vital documents and prescriptions.

    For a comprehensive emergency kit checklist, visit Ready.gov/kit or refer to the American Red Cross recommendations.

    Know Evacuation Levels

    Oregon uses a three-level evacuation system to keep residents informed and safe. Be familiar with “Be Ready, Be Set, Go!” notifications:

    • Level One – BE READY (Green): Stay aware of the wildfire threat and get prepared. Pack your go-kit, check emergency contacts, and ensure those in vulnerable situations (older adults, children, individuals with disabilities, and livestock owners) are ready to evacuate if needed.
    • Level Two – BE SET (Yellow): Be prepared to leave at any moment. This indicates significant wildfire danger. Voluntary evacuation is encouraged—especially for those needing extra time to relocate safely.
    • Level Three – GO (Red): Evacuate immediately! This means extreme danger is present, and it is unsafe to remain in place. Emergency responders may not be able to assist further. Leave immediately without gathering belongings and check TripCheck.com or call 511 for evacuation routes.

    After evacuating, do not return until officials declare it safe. You can find additional wildfire preparedness resources at wildfire.oregon.gov.

    Additional Wildfire Preparedness Resources

    Getting an insurance check-up. Your insurance policy may not cover floods or wildfires. Talk to your agent to make sure you have the right kind and amount of insurance.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Update on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s actions at an HPAI infected premise at a British Columbia ostrich farm

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Canada’s national poultry sectors have been responding to detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Canada since December 2021. Industry has been highly supportive of the CFIA in its response to HPAI, working collaboratively to implement control measures and protect animal health.

    The CFIA has acted to minimize the risk of the virus spreading within Canadian flocks and to other animals. All avian influenza viruses, particularly H5 and H7 viruses, have the potential to infect mammals, including humans. Our disease response aims to protect public and animal health, minimize impacts on the domestic poultry industry, and the Canadian economy.

    The CFIA’s response to highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic poultry is based on an approach known as “stamping-out”, as defined by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Stamping-out is the internationally recognized standard and is a primary tool to manage the spread of HPAI and mitigate risks to animal and human health as well as enable international trade. It includes steps to eliminate the virus from an infected premises, including the humane depopulation and disposal of infected animals, and disinfection of premises. 

    There are ongoing risks to animal and human health and Canada’s export market access

    Allowing a domestic poultry flock known to be exposed to HPAI to remain alive means a potential source of the virus persists. It increases the risk of reassortment or mutation of the virus, particularly with birds raised in open pasture where there is ongoing exposure to wildlife.

    CFIA’s National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease (NCFAD) identified that the current HPAI infection in these ostriches is a novel reassortment not seen elsewhere in Canada. This assortment includes the D1.3 genotype, which has been associated with a human infection in a poultry worker in Ohio.

    A human case of H5N1 in BC earlier this year required critical care, and an extended hospital stay for the patient, and there have been a number of human cases in the United States, including a fatality.

    Stamping-out and primary control zones enable international trade as it allows Canada to contain outbreaks within a specific area, meet the requirements of zoning arrangements with trading partners, and permit Canada’s poultry industry to export from disease-free regions. Continued export market access supports Canadian families and poultry farmers whose livelihoods depend on maintaining international market access for $1.75 billion in exports.

    Current status of the infected premise at Universal Ostrich Farm

    Universal Ostrich Farm has not cooperated with the requirements set out under the Health of Animals Act including failure to report the initial cases of illness and deaths to the CFIA and failure to adhere to quarantine orders. Universal Ostrich Farm was issued two notices of violations with penalty, totaling $20,000.
     
    The farm also failed to undertake appropriate biosecurity risk mitigation measures such as limiting wild bird access to the ostriches, controlling water flow from the quarantine zone to other parts of the farm, or improving fencing. These actions significantly increase the risk of disease transmission and reflect a disregard for regulatory compliance and animal health standards.

    Universal Ostrich Farm has not substantiated their claims of scientific research. CFIA has not received any evidence of scientific research being done at the infected premises.

    Research documentation was not provided during the review of their request for exemption from the disposal order based on unique genetics or during the judicial review process. Further, the current physical facilities at their location are not suitable for controlled research activities or trials.

    On May 13, 2025, the Federal court dismissed both of Universal Ostrich Farm’s applications for judicial review. The interlocutory injunction pausing the implementation of the disposal order was also vacated.

    Following the May 13 court ruling, the farm owners and supporters have been at the farm in an apparent attempt to prevent the CFIA from carrying out its operations at the infected premises. This has delayed a timely and appropriate response to the HPAI infected premises, resulting in ongoing health risks to animals and humans.

    CFIA’s next steps at the infected premises 

    Given that the flock has had multiple laboratory-confirmed cases of H5N1 and the ongoing serious risks for animal and human health, and trade, the CFIA continues planning for humane depopulation with veterinary oversight at the infected premises.

    The CFIA takes the responsibility to protect the health of animals and Canadians extremely seriously as we conduct these necessary disease control measures to protect public health and minimize the economic impact on Canada’s poultry industry.

    For more detailed information on the CFIA’s continued response to HPAI at this infected premises, please visit our website

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrest – Domestic violence offences – Palmerston

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 41-year-old male in relation to a domestic violence incident in Palmerston yesterday.

    About 12:30pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports of a female being stabbed multiple times at the back of a shopping centre nearby Kilgour Lane.

    The male and female are known to each other.

    Police arrived and arrested the male nearby. St John Ambulance conveyed the female to Royal Darwin Hospital in a stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.

    The incident is still under investigation and charges are expected to follow.

    Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to contact police on 131 444 and reference job number NTP2500055552. You can anonymously report crime via Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Operation Purple – anti-social road user gathering in Levin

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Attributable to Inspector Ash Gurney, Manawatū  Area Prevention Manager:

    Ten people were arrested during a large anti-social road user event in the Levin and Palmerston North areas overnight, which saw five members of the public and two Police officers injured.

    Police were out on the streets overnight with plans in place to keep the gathering in check, including air support from the Police Eagle helicopter, however faced physical attacks on the ground from those present.

    A crowd of around 1000 people gathered in Levin late last night, many performing burnouts and other driving offences.

    Fireworks, physical aggression, and a vehicle were all used against Police who were attempting to break up the gathering. Two Police officers received minor injuries from the fireworks that did not require hospitalisation.

    Five people were arrested at this location and will face Levin District Court in coming days, on disorderly behaviour and driving charges.

    The large group then moved to the State Highway 57/Tavistock Road intersection, where Police were again confronted with more unruly behaviour, including a number of burnouts.

    A pedestrian bystander was hit by a car doing a burnout. People and vehicles blocking the roads delayed an ambulance getting to this person, forcing Police to employ tactical options – including deploying sponge rounds to disperse the crowd- to allow it through.

    During this period, several Police vehicle were damaged and had tyres slashed.

    Police moved this crowd on, which then moved to the intersection of State Highway 56 and Tiakitahuna Road.

    Further burnouts and unsafe driving took place, and four bystanders – aged 16-20 years old – were hit by cars. One female had both of her legs run over. The group were taken to Palmerston North Hospital for treatment for their injuries.

    The Police Eagle helicopter assisted staff on the ground in tracking one of the drivers who hit the bystanders. The 18-year-old man was taken into custody after a lengthy foot pursuit by officers, and he is due in Levin District Court on Tuesday on a range of serious charges.

    Diesel was poured on an intersection in Palmerston North city where the group set up again around 2am – numbers were estimated at around 200 by this stage. The crowd dispersed shortly after the diesel was set alight.

    Several other instances of single vehicles seen doing skids and burnouts in the Levin area were identified by officers over the next hour or so, with the Police Eagle helicopter proving invaluable in giving officers on the ground relevant information.

    “The escalation in the level of violence committed against officers at these events is incredibly reckless and will not be tolerated,” Inspector Gurney says.

    “The fact that members of the public were injured should send a strong warning to people intending to take part or observe – this is dangerous and stupid behaviour which can very easily result in multiple serious injuries or even death.

    “On this occasion, given the size and unruly nature of the crowds involved, it is fortunate no other people were seriously hurt or worse, and that no Police officers were seriously injured,” Inspector Gurney says.

    Police intend to hold everyone identified as having committed an offence to account, with the Eagle helicopter proving vital in helping gather relevant information to help us follow up.

    Officers will have staff deployed from Central District and from Wellington ready to respond to any potential further activity this weekend.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis Signs Bills In Grand Junction and Western Slope to Support Outdoor Recreation and Protect the Great Outdoors

    Source: US State of Colorado

    GRAND JUNCTION – Today, Governor Polis signed bills in Grand Junction to support outdoor recreation and protect the great outdoors that Colorado is known for. Governor Polis signed the bipartisan SB25-174 – Sunset Outfitters & Guides, sponsored by Senators Dylan Roberts and Cleave Simpson and Representatives Meghan Lukens and Matt Soper and the bipartisan HB25-1215 – Redistribution of Lottery Fund, sponsored by Representatives Rick Taggart and Junie Joseph and Senators Jeff Bridges and Barbara Kirkmeyer to support local outdoor recreation businesses and workers, and increase opportunities for every Coloradan to experience the outdoors. 

    “Protecting and enjoying Colorado’s great outdoors is an important part of who we are. These new laws will protect our outdoors, support our outdoor recreation businesses and economy, and expand opportunity to ensure all Coloradans for generations can enjoy our state’s world-class great outdoors,” said Governor Polis. 

    Governor Polis also signed the bipartisan HB25-1021 – Tax Incentives for Employee-Owned Businesses, sponsored by Reps William Lindstedt and Rick Taggart and Senators Jeff Bridges and Mark Baisley. 

    “Employee-owned businesses provide good-paying jobs and support our strong economy. Ownership opportunities for employees are good for businesses and employees, driving growth, creating opportunity, and strengthening recruitment and retention. I am proud of our work to help businesses embrace the benefits of employee ownership,” said Governor Polis. 

    At Grand Junction Community Hospital, Governor Polis signed the bipartisan SB25-071 – Prohibit Restrictions on 340B Drugs, sponsored by Senators Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Janice Rich and Reps Matthew Martinez and Rick Taggart. 

    “We are focused on saving people money on health care, and costly prescription drugs can force Coloradans to decide between paying for prescriptions over food, housing, and other necessities. I am proud to sign a major new law to expand drug discounts and enable hospital providers to expand access to affordable care, including by lowering prescription medication costs. I continue to call on the federal government to grant Colorado’s waiver to import lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada,” said Governor Polis. 

    This afternoon, Governor Polis visited Glenwood Springs to sign the bipartisan SB25-272 – Regional Transportation Authority Sales and Use Tax Exemption, sponsored by Senators Faith Winter and Marc Catlin and Representatives Elizabeth Velasco and Meg Froelich. 

    “Building more housing near transit and expanding transit options is important for our goals to reduce pollution and make our high quality of life more affordable and liveable. This bill will help local governments and regional and local transit agencies build more workforce housing and provide more transportation options that save Coloradans time and money in all four corners of the state,” said Governor Polis. 

    Governor Polis then traveled to Colorado Mountain College to sign the bipartisan HB25-1186 – Work-Based Learning Experiences in Higher Education, sponsored by Representatives Matthew Martinez and Meghan Lukens, and Senators Janice Rich and Dafna Michaelson Jenet. 

    “Expanding opportunities for work-based learning for all students, whether they’re in K-12 or higher education, is important for our workforce, economy, and each student’s future. This bill will expand access to work-based learning in the classroom and in the workforce, helping students gain the skills to get good-paying jobs,” said Governor Polis. 

    Governor Polis also signed the following bipartisan bills into law: 

    • HB25-1080 – Wireless Telephone Infrastructure Deployment Incentives, sponsored by Representatives Meghan Lukens and Matt Soper, and Senator Nick Hinrichsen
    • HB25-1006 – School District Solar Garden Lease Term, sponsored by Representatives Meghan Lukens and Anthony Hartsook and Senators Jeff Bridges and Chris Kolker
    • HB25-1153 – Statewide Government Language Access Assessment, sponsored by Representatives Elizabeth Velasco and Junie Joseph and Senator Iman Jodeh 

    The Governor signed the following bills administratively: 

    • SB25-144 – Change Paid Family Medical Leave Insurance Program, sponsored by Senators Winter and Bridges, and Representatives Willford and Zokaie.
      • “This new law will lower the payroll tax rate and provide a stable, workable pathway for setting premiums and safeguarding the solvency of this fund going forward. It will also provide support to families with children in the NICU, ensuring parents and loved ones can take the time away from work needed to be with their families,” said Governor Polis. Read the Governor’s signing statement.
    • HB25-1094 – Pharmacy Benefit Manager Practices, sponsored by Representatives Brown and Johnson, and Senators Pelton and Roberts. Read the Governor’s signing statement.
    • HB25-1259 – In Vitro Fertilization Protection & Gamete Donation Requirements, sponsored by Representatives Froelich and Brown, and Senators Cutter and Daugherty
    • HB25-1285 – Veterinary Workforce Requirements, sponsored by Representatives McCormick and Johnson, and Senators Kipp and Pelton
    • HB25-1301 – Authorizing Voice Court Reporter to Give Oath, sponsored by Representatives Carter and Espenoza, and Senators Roberts and Gonzales
    • HB25-1304 – Extension of Restitution Deadlines, sponsored by Representatives Froelich and Soper, and Senators Snyder and Bright
    • HB25-1318 – Species Conservation Trust Fund Projects, sponsored by Representatives McCormick and Soper, and Senators Roberts and Catlin
    • HB25-1326 – Updating Safety Net Provider Terminology, sponsored by Representatives Espenoza and Bradley, and Senator Ball
    • SB25-158 – State Agency Procurement & Disposal Certain Items, sponsored by Senators Sullivan and Gonzales, and Representatives Froelich and Brown
    • SB25-278 – Epinephrine Administration in Schools, sponsored by Senator Mullica, and Representatives Stewart and Bradley
    • SB25-285 – Updating Food Establishment Inspection Fees, sponsored by Senator Roberts, and Representatives Lukens and Soper
    • SB25-292 – Workforce Capacity Center, sponsored by Senators Amabile and Bridges, and Representatives Sirota and Taggart
    • SB25-308 – Medicaid Services Related to Federal Authorizations, sponsored by Senators Amabile and Kirkmeyer, and Representatives Taggart and Sirota
    • SB25-309 – Authorize Legislative Fellows, sponsored by Senator Simpson, and Representatives Brown and Bradfield
    • SB25-298 – Remove Term Homosexuality from Criminal Code, sponsored by Senators Daugherty and Lundeen, and Representatives Lindsay and Lukens
    • SB25-312 – American Rescue Plan Act Funds, sponsored by Senators Amabile and Kirkmeyer, and Representatives Bird and Sirota
    • SB25-313 – Proposition 123 Revenue Uses, sponsored by Senators Amabile and Bridges, and Representatives Bird and Sirota 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former CEO Of Silver State Health Services And Real Estate Investor Indicted For Embezzling Over $2 Million Dollars In Federal Grant Money

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LAS VEGAS – The former Chief Executive Officer of Silver State Health Services, LLC, a not-for-profit federally qualified health center, made his court appearance today for allegedly embezzling over $2 million of federal grant money intended for the health care center to provide health care items, benefits, and services to indigent persons in Las Vegas.

    According to allegations contained in the superseding indictment, from June 2019 and continuing through April 2022, David Ryan Linden, 36, who served as the Chief Executive Officer of Silver State Health Services (SSHS), and Rich Kiran Saga, 53, a real estate investor who affiliated himself with SSHS, conspired to engage in a scheme to steal money belonging to SSHS, including federal grant money earmarked for employee salaries, by funneling grant money belonging to SSHS into bank accounts controlled by the defendants. They then used the stolen grant money to purchase commercial real estate properties.

    SSHS was a Nevada corporation operating as a Federally Qualified Community Health Center; and SSHS received federal grant money from the Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

    A federal grand jury returned the 13-count superseding indictment on May 13, 2025, charging Linden and Saga each with one count of conspiracy to commit offense against the United States; six counts of federal program theft; one count of conspiracy to violate Sections 1956 and 1957; two counts of money laundering; two counts of money transactions in criminally derived property; and one count of false document.

    Saga was arrested on May 14, 2025, and arraigned on the charges on May 15, 2025.

    A jury trial is set to begin on December 2, 2025, before United States District Judge Jennifer Dorsey.

    If convicted, Linden and Saga each face the maximum statutory penalty of 121 months in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada made the announcement.

    This case was a joint investigation by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorneys Steven Myhre and Justin Washburne are prosecuting the case.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    ###

     

     

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Single-use vapes banned from 1 June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Single-use vapes banned from 1 June 2025

    Under the Government’s Plan for Change, move will stop the flood of litter on to nation’s streets and protect young people from getting hooked on nicotine

    Discarded single-use vape in a field

    Single-use vapes will be banned from the shelves of all shops from tomorrow (Sunday 1 June) thanks to a government blitz on sale and supply.

    The new crackdown makes it illegal to sell single-use vapes at corner shops and supermarkets, putting an end to their alarming rise in school playgrounds and the avalanche of rubbish flooding the nation’s streets.

    The government’s announcement of its intention to ban the use of disposable vapes has already had real effects – with retailers and consumers shifting away from environmentally destructive single-use options.

    New data from charity Action on Smoking and Health shows the number of vapers in Great Britain who mainly use single-use devices fell from 30% in 2024 to 24% in 2025, while the use of disposables by 18-24-year-old vapers fell from 52% in 2024 to 40% in 2025. However, usage among young vapers remains too high and with the coming ban into force tomorrow it will continue to drive these figures down further.

    As part of tough enforcement measures, any rogue traders breaking the rules will be hit with a fine of £200 in the first instance, and all products will be seized. Those who show a blatant disregard for the rules and reoffend face being slapped with an unlimited fine or jail time.

    Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said:

    For too long, single-use vapes have blighted our streets as litter and hooked our children on nicotine. That ends today.

    The Government calls time on these nasty devices.

    Caroline Cerny, Deputy Chief Executive, Action on Smoking and Health said:

    It’s promising to see that many people switched away from disposable vapes to re-usable products well ahead of the ban. This is particularly marked among young people, who were more likely to use disposable products due to their attractiveness, affordability, and heavy marketing.

    This new law is a step towards reducing vaping among children, while ensuring products are available to support people to quit smoking. It will be up to manufacturers and retailers to ensure customers are informed and able to reuse and recycle their products securing a real change in consumer behaviour and a reduction in environmental waste. If behaviour does not change then further regulations will be possible following the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

    The Government has worked closely with retailers to ensure they are ready for the ban coming into force. This includes producing clear guidance on the devices they cannot sell or supply, as well as how to deplete their stock before 1 June.

    Association of Convenience Stores Chief Executive James Lowman said:

    Convenience retailers have been preparing for the disposables ban for several months, adapting their ranges and training colleagues on the products that they can sell.

    We have been working with Trading Standards officers across the country to ensure they know what to look for once the ban comes into force, and support robust enforcement activity to take illegal vapes off the streets.

    Libby Peake, senior fellow and head of resources at Green Alliance, said:

    Single use vapes should never have been allowed on the market. They’ve been a blight on our countryside, wasted resources needed for important uses like EV batteries and caused scores of fires at waste sites. And they’ve done all this while having a lasting impact on the health of young people, creating a new generation of nicotine addicts.

    The government should rightly be proud of taking this vital step to get rid of these polluting products and encourage people who want to quit smoking to opt for reusable and refillable options instead.

    Justin Greenaway, Commercial Manager at SWEEEP Kuusakoski, said:

    We hope this ban will succeed in reducing the amount of vapes being discarded. Every vape has potential to start a fire if incorrectly disposed of. Logically vape unit waste will reduce as single use stops and multi-use must start but it does rely on consumers changing from a disposable mindset to refilling.

    Unrefillable and unable to be recharged, single-use vapes have been typically thrown away with general waste in black bins or littered rather than recycled, contributing to the flood of litter blighting the country.

    Even when they are recycled, the process is notoriously arduous, slow and costly, with waste industry workers required to take them apart by hand. Their batteries also present a fire risk to recycling facilities and can leak harmful chemicals into the environment.

    With the looming ban already encouraging users to seek alternatives, making the sale of single-use vapes illegal will now prevent these toxic products from littering the country’s streets.

    The ban complements the Government’s world-leading Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will further tackle youth vaping and safeguard children’s health.

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Fort Belvoir soldier pleads guilty to assaulting and permanently injuring a newborn child, sexually abusing an adult

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A former U.S. Army private pled guilty today to two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and one count of sexual abuse.

    According to court documents, from October 2010 to September 2013, Austin Blair Johnson, while he was an active duty soldier, resided on Fort Belvoir. On June 25, 2012, Johnson was watching an infant, identified as Minor Victim 1 (MV1), who was born prematurely only 16 days earlier. MV1 was crying, so Johnson picked her up and carried her, but she continued to cry. While holding MV1 in front of him with one hand under each of her arms, Johnson rapidly and forcefully shook MV1 multiple times before letting go of her, causing her to flip and land on her head.

    Johnson then picked up MV1 and ran with her upstairs to a bedroom where he woke MV1’s mother, identified as Adult Victim 1 (AV1). Johnson falsely told AV1 that he had accidentally dropped MV1 and that he had successfully broken her fall with his foot. AV1 and Johnson took MV1 to the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital emergency room where she presented with a fever, bruising on her head and shoulder, and blood coming out of her mouth. A CT scan conducted there revealed that MV1’s skull had been fractured. MV1 was transferred later to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Walter Reed Medical Center. MV1 was diagnosed with extensive injuries and remained hospitalized at Walter Reed for the next 10 days.

    The day she was discharged, MV1 was left in Johnson’s care while AV1 was out. Johnson again rapidly and forcefully shook MV1 and dropped her. MV1 was 26 days old. The following morning, AV1 took MV1 to a previously scheduled follow-up appointment with a pediatrician at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital. At the appointment, MV1 began having seizures and was sent directly to the emergency room. MV1 was transferred later to the PICU at Children’s National Medical Center, where doctors discovered myriad injuries, including a second skull fracture, and identified extensive brain damage.

    When she was finally discharged on July 20, 2012, MV1 was placed in the custody of Child Protective Services, where she remained for approximately 14 months until she was returned to the custody of Johnson and AV1. On June 22, 2015, MV1 was forced to undergo a hemispherectomy during which the entire left hemisphere of her brain was removed in an effort to control her irrepressible seizures.

    MV1 is now legally blind, non-verbal, and the entire right side of her body is paralyzed. Cognitively, MV1 functions at the level of a mature infant.

    In addition to his assaults on MV1, in 2013, at their residence on Fort Belvoir, after AV1 had rebuffed Johnson’s requests to be intimate with her, Johnson proceeded without her consent. AV1 protested and tried to hit Johnson to get him to stop, which he did.

    Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 22, 2025. He faces up to life in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Emily Odom, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton accepted the plea.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander E. Blanchard is prosecuting the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-151.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen Discusses Local Effects of Proposed Medicaid and Affordable Care Act Cuts with Health Care Leaders, Marks Introduction of Legislation to Protect Connecticut River Watershed at Kilham Bear Center

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
    (Lyme, NH) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) hosted a roundtable in Lebanon to discuss the local impacts of Congressional Republicans’ bill to make unprecedented cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Shaheen also visited the Kilham Bear Center in Lyme to mark the recent introduction of her Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act (CRWPA) to restore and protect the Watershed. Photos from both of today’s events can be found here.
    At West Central Behavioral Health in Lebanon, Shaheen hosted a roundtable with local health care leaders to highlight the impacts Congressional Republicans’ bill will have on patients and providers in the Upper Valley region. The bill adds unnecessary red tape and guts funding for Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
    “Republican-led cuts to Medicaid and the ACA will have real costs for Granite Staters, and that’s why I’m continuing to speak with health care leaders, caregivers and patients across New Hampshire,” said Senator Shaheen. “What I heard from folks at West Central Behavioral Health cements what we already know to be true: If the Republican tax bill is signed into law, the impact will be felt in every corner of our state through higher costs and less accessibility for the health care Granite Staters need.”
    The roundtable was the latest stop on Shaheen’s “Medicaid Impact Tour”—a series of discussions across the Granite State to underscore the harm cuts to Medicaid and the ACA would have on New Hampshire, including by raising the cost of health care and leaving tens of thousands uninsured. 
    Later in Lyme, Shaheen toured the Kilham Bear Center and hosted a roundtable discussion to highlight how her Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act would promote conservation, restoration, education and recreation efforts along the Watershed by formalizing collaboration among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, states, local communities and nonprofit partners.
    “It was great to visit the Kilham Bear Center in Lyme to see their work to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned and injured black bear cubs,” said Senator Shaheen. “New Hampshire’s wildlife and treasured outdoor spaces would benefit from the formal collaboration that my legislation would create to protect and restore the Connecticut River Watershed.”
    Shaheen has led efforts to safeguard our natural environment and invest in climate resiliency while boosting New Hampshire’s recreation economy, including by securing full funding and permanent authorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which has helped protect more than 2.5 million acres of land and supported tens of thousands of state and local outdoor recreation projects throughout the nation. In 2022, Shaheen helped to secure $3.7 million in Congressionally Directed Spending from the LWCF for a large conservation easement for Bear Hill. In 2020, Shaheen helped lead the Great American Outdoors Act into law to permanently fund the LWCF and provide mandatory funding for deferred maintenance on public lands. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA News: MADE IN THE USA: President Trump’s Vision is Revitalizing American Industry

    Source: US Whitehouse

    President Donald J. Trump heads to Pennsylvania today, where he’ll champion the partnership he brokered between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel — a $14 billion investment that will create at least 70,000 jobs and ensure steel is made in America for decades to come.

    AMERICAN JOBS, AMERICAN STEEL.

    The landmark agreement comes alongside a host of companies from across industries that are onshoring their production and investing in American manufacturing as President Trump relentlessly pursues his America First trade policies.

    Look no further than the automotive industry:

    • Stellantis announced a $5 billion investment in its U.S. manufacturing network, including re-opening its Belvidere, Illinois, plant and a $388 “megahub” in Detroit, Michigan.
    • General Motors announced an $888 million investment at its propulsion plant in Tonawanda, New York.
    • Volkswagen is planning to make a “massive” investment in its U.S. production.
    • Toyota announced it will boost hybrid vehicle production at its West Virginia plant.
    • Mercedes-Benz announced it will add a new vehicle to its Tuscaloosa, Alabama, manufacturing plant.
    • Honda plans to shift production of the Civic from Japan to the U.S.
    • Hyundai announced a $20 billion investment to support its U.S. vehicle production.
    • Kia plans to produce hybrid vehicles at its affiliate Hyundai’s Georgia factory.

    It’s not just the auto industry; scores of others are lining up to invest in America:

    • Project Stargate, led by Japan-based Softbank and U.S.-based OpenAI and Oracle, announced a $500 billion private investment in U.S.-based artificial intelligence infrastructure.
    • Apple announced a $500 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing and training.
    • NVIDIA, a global chipmaking giant, announced it will invest $500 billion in U.S.-based AI infrastructure over the next four years amid its pledge to manufacture AI supercomputers entirely in the U.S. for the first time.
    • IBM announced a $150 billion investment over the next five years in its U.S.-based growth and manufacturing operations.
    • Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) announced a $100 billion investment in U.S.-based chips manufacturing.
    • Johnson & Johnson announced a $55 billion investment over the next four years in manufacturing, research and development, and technology.
    • Roche, a Swiss drug and diagnostics company, announced a $50 billion investment in U.S.-based manufacturing and research and development, which is expected to create more than 12,000 jobs.
    • Bristol Myers Squibb announced a $40 billion investment over the next five years in its research, development, technology, and U.S.-based manufacturing operations.
    • Eli Lilly and Company announced a $27 billion investment to more than double its domestic manufacturing capacity.
    • United Arab Emirates-based ADQ and U.S.-based Energy Capital Partners announced a $25 billion investment in U.S. data centers and energy infrastructure.
    • Novartis, a Swiss drugmaker, announced a $23 billion investment to build or expand ten manufacturing facilities across the U.S., which will create 4,000 new jobs.
    • John Deere announced plans to invest $20 billion over the next decade in American expansion, production, and manufacturing.
    • United Arab Emirates-based DAMAC Properties announced a $20 billion investment in new U.S.-based data centers.
    • France-based CMA CGM, a global shipping giant, announced a $20 billion investment in U.S. shipping and logistics, creating 10,000 new jobs.
    • Sanofi announced it will invest at least $20 billion over the next five years in manufacturing and research and development.
    • Venture Global LNG announced an $18 billion investment at its liquefied natural gas facility in Louisiana.
    • Gilead Sciences announced an $11 billion boost to its planned U.S.-based manufacturing investment.
    • AbbVie announced a $10 billion investment over the next ten years to support volume growth and add four new manufacturing plants to its network.
    • Pratt Industries announced a $5 billion investment to create 5,000 new manufacturing jobs in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Arizona.
    • GlobalWafers, a Taiwanese silicon wafer manufacturer, announced a $4 billion investment in its U.S.-based production.
    • Thermo Fisher Scientific announced it will invest an additional $2 billion over the next four years to enhance and expand its U.S. manufacturing operations and strengthen its innovation efforts.
    • Merck & Co. announced it will invest a total of $9 billion in the U.S. over the next several years after opening a new $1 billion North Carolina manufacturing facility — including in a new state-of-the-art biologics manufacturing plant in Delaware, which will create at least 500 new jobs.
    • Clarios announced a $6 billion plan to expand its domestic manufacturing operations.
    • In addition to its overall investments, Amazon announced it is investing $4 billion in small towns across America, creating more than 100,000 new jobs and driving opportunities across the country.
    • Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, a leader in biotechnology, announced a $3 billion agreement with Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies to produce drugs at its North Carolina manufacturing facility.
    • Kraft Heinz announced a $3 billion investment to upgrade its U.S. factories — its largest investment in its plants in decades.
    • NorthMark Strategies, a multi-strategy investment firm, announced a $2.8 billion investment to build a supercomputing facility in South Carolina.
    • Kimberly-Clark announced a $2 billion investment to expand its U.S. manufacturing operations, including a new advanced manufacturing facility in Warren, Ohio, an expansion of its Beech Island, South Carolina, facility, and other upgrades to its supply chain network.
    • Chobani, a Greek yogurt giant, announced $1.7 billion to expand its U.S. operations.
      • $1.2 billion to build its third U.S. dairy processing plant in New York, which is expected to create more than 1,000 new full-time jobs.
    • Corning announced it is expanding its Michigan manufacturing facility investment to $1.5 billion, adding 400 new high-paying advanced manufacturing jobs for a total of 1,500 new jobs.
    • Carrier announced an additional $1 billion investment in its U.S. manufacturing, innovation, and workforce expansion, which is expected to create 4,000 new jobs.
    • GE Aerospace announced a $1 billion investment in manufacturing across 16 states — creating 5,000 new jobs.
    • Anduril Industries announced a $1 billion investment for a new autonomous weapon system facility in Ohio.
    • Williams International announced a $1 billion investment for a new high-volume aviation gas turbine engine manufacturing facility in Okaloosa County, Florida.
    • Amgen announced a $900 million investment in its Ohio-based manufacturing operation.
    • Merck Animal Health announced an $895 million investment to expand their manufacturing operations in Kansas.
    • Schneider Electric announced it will invest $700 million over the next four years in U.S. energy infrastructure.
    • GE Vernova announced it will invest nearly $600 million in U.S. manufacturing over the next two years, which will create more than 1,500 new jobs.
    • Abbott Laboratories announced a $500 million investment in its Illinois and Texas facilities.
    • AIP Management, a European infrastructure investor, announced a $500 million investment to solar developer Silicon Ranch.
    • London-based Diageo announced a $415 million investment in a new Alabama manufacturing facility.
    • Lego announced a $366 million investment to build a new distribution center in Prince George County, Virginia.
    • The Bel Group announced a $350 million investment to expand its U.S.-based production, including at its South Dakota, Idaho and Wisconsin facilities — which will create 250 new jobs.
    • Dublin-based Eaton Corporation announced a $340 million investment in a new South Carolina-based manufacturing facility for its three-phase transformers.
    • Anheuser-Busch announced a $300 million investment in its manufacturing facilities across the country.
    • Germany-based Siemens announced a $285 million investment in U.S. manufacturing and AI data centers, which will create more than 900 new skilled manufacturing jobs.
    • Clasen Quality Chocolate announced a $230 million investment to build a new production facility in Virginia, which will create 250 new jobs.
    • Fiserv, Inc., a financial technology provider, announced a $175 million investment to open a new strategic fintech hub in Kansas, which is expected to create 2,000 new high-paying jobs.
    • Paris Baguette announced a $160 million investment to construct a manufacturing plant in Texas.
    • Siemens Healthineers announced a $150 million investment to expand production, including relocating manufacturing operations for its Varian company from Mexico to California. 
    • JBS USA announced a $135 million investment for a new sausage production facility in Perry, Iowa.
    • TS Conductor announced a $134 million investment to build an advanced conductor manufacturing facility in South Carolina, which will create nearly 500 new jobs.
    • Switzerland-based ABB announced a $120 million investment to expand production of its low-voltage electrification products in Tennessee and Mississippi.
    • Saica Group, a Spain-based corrugated packaging maker, announced plans to build a $110 million new manufacturing facility in Anderson, Indiana.
    • Hotpack, a Dubai-based maker of food packaging materials and related products, announced a $100 million investment to establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Edison, New Jersey.
    • Charms, LLC, a subsidiary of candymaker Tootsie Roll Industries, announced a $97.7 million investment to expand its production plant and distribution center in Tennessee.
    • Toyota Motor Corporation announced an $88 million investment to boost hybrid vehicle production at its West Virginia factory, securing employment for the 2,000 workers at the factory.
    • AeroVironment, a defense contractor, announced a $42.3 million investment to build a new manufacturing facility in Utah.
    • Paris-based Saint-Gobain announced a new $40 million NorPro manufacturing facility in Wheatfield, New York.
    • India-based Sygene International announced a $36.5 million acquisition of a Baltimore biologics manufacturing facility.
    • Asahi Group Holdings, one of the largest Japanese beverage makers, announced a $35 million investment to boost production at its Wisconsin plant.
    • Valbruna Slater Stainless announced a $28 million investment in its stainless steel and nickel alloys bars manufacturing plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
    • Cyclic Materials, a Canadian advanced recycling company for rare earth elements, announced a $20 million investment in its first U.S.-based commercial facility, located in Mesa, Arizona.
    • Guardian Bikes announced a $19 million investment to build the first U.S.-based large-scale bicycle frame manufacturing operation in Indiana.
    • Amsterdam-based AMG Critical Minerals announced a $15 million investment to build a chrome manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania.
    • NOVONIX Limited, an Australia-based battery technology company, announced a $4.6 million investment to build a synthetic graphite manufacturing facility in Tennessee.
    • LGM Pharma announced a $6 million investment to expand its manufacturing facility in Rosenberg, Texas.
    • ViDARR, a defense optical equipment manufacturer, announced a $2.69 million investment to open a new facility in Virginia.

    That doesn’t even include the U.S. investments planned by foreign countries:

    • United Arab Emirates committed to investing $1.4 trillion in the U.S. over the next decade.
    • Qatar committed to generating $1.2 trillion in an economic exchange between the two countries.
    • Japan announced a $1 trillion investment in the U.S.
    • Saudi Arabia committed investing $600 billion in the U.S. over the next four years.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Denis Manturov and the Head of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov took part in the launch of the industrial technopark “Olimp”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Previous news Next news

    Denis Manturov and Rustam Minnikhanov visited the KAMAZ automobile plant and took part in the opening ceremony of the industrial technopark in Tatarstan

    First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, as part of a working trip to Tatarstan, together with the head of the republic Rustam Minnikhanov, visited the KAMAZ automobile plant and also took part in the opening ceremony of a new industrial technology park.

    At the KAMAZ scientific and technical center, the First Deputy Prime Minister and the head of the republic were presented with a number of the latest high-tech vehicles of the K5 generation, as well as quarry dump trucks of the Atlant family, a KAMAZ-6290 water truck and a KAMAZ-53199 (Chistogor) flatbed electric garbage truck.

    KAMAZ presented a set of technical solutions that allow drivers with disabilities to operate trucks. The vehicle is equipped with a device that lifts and places the driver in the cabin. The vehicle is fully controlled using the steering wheel. Denis Manturov instructed the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Rosstandart, and the Ministry of Health to develop regulatory framework to ensure that drivers with disabilities are allowed to carry out commercial transportation in specially equipped vehicles. Such solutions may be in demand, including for participants in the SVO.

    Denis Manturov and Rustam Minnikhanov took part in the grand opening ceremony of the industrial technopark “Olimp”, the residents of which will be enterprises in the field of radio-electronic industry. In particular, the Electronics and Power Elements Center of PJSC “KAMAZ” will be opened here, specializing in the development and production of electronic components for freight and passenger vehicles with hydrogen fuel cells and electric traction. In total, the federal authorities, the Republic of Tatarstan and KAMAZ invested over 2 billion rubles in the project to create a new technopark.

    “Today we had the opportunity to get acquainted with the results of research and development work on technologies related to the development of hydrogen engines or accumulators. This area is developing quite actively in our country. At the same time, the application areas are very wide. This is not only the automotive industry, but also river vessels. We must maintain our potential without slowing down. This is an interdepartmental task. Today, colleagues identified a number of issues that need to be resolved. We will actively work on this area,” Denis Manturov emphasized.

    “This is the result of systematic work to create a high-tech infrastructure for the development of the republic and the entire country. The project was implemented with federal support, and thanks to this, the first stage of the construction of the technology park was completed in the shortest possible time. It is important for us that the technology park is also an educational platform and a center for training engineering personnel. In recent years, much has been done in terms of supporting higher education. I am confident that “Olimp” will become a place of innovation, where breakthrough technologies will be born and a new generation of engineers will grow up. We will always support. I want to wish that those discoveries appear here that will ensure the technological independence of the country,” said Rustam Minnikhanov.

    A meeting of the organizing committee for preparations for the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the founding of the city of Naberezhnye Chelny and the 50th anniversary of the release of the company’s first truck was also held at the KAMAZ site, chaired by the First Deputy Prime Minister.

    “The significance of these events not only for Tatarstan, but for the entire country is emphasized by the President’s decree. Therefore, it is important for us to do everything necessary to ensure that the celebrations are held at the proper level. And most importantly, to leave behind a legacy in the form of new and overhauled facilities. We are talking about educational, cultural, sports and medical institutions. About the street and road network and residential buildings,” Denis Manturov noted.

    “We are grateful to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin for the decision to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the city’s foundation and the 50th anniversary of the first KAMAZ vehicle at the federal level. The plan of the main events for the preparation and celebration of these significant dates has already been approved. And the main objective of the plan is to preserve human capital in the city, create comfortable conditions for life and work in production,” the head of the republic said.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin Slams Trump Administrations’ Cuts to Vital Job Training Program for Wisconsin Workers, Businesses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, released the following statement after the Trump Administration announced it is cutting funding for Job Corps and closing centers nationwide, including in Milwaukee.
    “Wisconsin is a state that makes things, but without a skilled workforce, our state risks losing that vital part of our identity and economy. Job training programs like Job Corps are a proven way to connect more Wisconsinites with careers that in turn fuel our economy,” said Senator Baldwin. “Congress appropriated funding for Job Corps, and the Trump Administration can’t just decide to not spend it because they want to make room for tax cuts for billionaires. At a time when Wisconsin businesses are demanding more skilled workers, the Trump Administration is cutting vital resources that put Wisconsinites on a fast-track to good-paying jobs in nursing, manufacturing, and the trades. Gutting Job Corps is a step in the wrong direction, exacerbating our state’s workforce shortage, locking students out of good-paying jobs, and hurting our Made in Wisconsin economy and businesses who rely on skilled workers to compete and grow.”
    Job Corps is the nation’s largest free, residential career training and education program for low-income young adults ages 16 through 24. Since 1964, three million students graduated from Job Corps. However, Thursday the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced it will begin shutting down contractor operated Job Corp centers nationwide, including in Milwaukee, jeopardizing job training for Wisconsin students and local communities.
    Senator Baldwin has been a champion for workforce training and apprenticeship programs, including Job Corps. During President Trump’s first term, Senator Baldwin blocked the administration from trying to close a Job Corps center near Laona that provides economic opportunities in rural Wisconsin. At a hearing for President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal last week, Senator Baldwin pressed DOL Secretary Lori Chavez-Deremer on proposed cuts to workforce training programs, including the Job Corps program.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Collin County physician agrees to pay $3.5 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations of billing false claims to the COVID-19 Uninsured Program for evaluation & management services not rendered

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PLANO, Texas – A Frisco physician has agreed to pay $3.5 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

    Samad Khan, M.D. has agreed to pay the United States $3.5 million to resolve allegations that he violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting or causing the submission of false claims to the Health Resources & Services Administration COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement to Health Care Providers and Facilities for Testing, Treatment, and Vaccine Administration for the Uninsured Program (the “Uninsured Program”) for evaluation and management services that were not performed.

    Between approximately May 2020 and April 2022, the Uninsured Program reimbursed eligible providers for COVID-19 tests, testing-related items and services, treatment, and vaccines performed on uninsured individuals.  Khan is a physician who owns SK Primary Care, PLLC (“SK Primary Care”), a medical clinic in Frisco.  During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (“PHE”), SK Primary Care provided healthcare services, including specimen collection for COVID-19 tests.  The settlement announced today resolves allegations that from April 2020 through October 2021, Khan knowingly submitted or caused the submission of false claims to the Uninsured Program by billing evaluation and management services (E/M Services) that were not performed.

    As alleged by the United States, claims for E/M Services, sometimes referred to as “office visits,” are submitted under Current Procedural Terminology (“CPT”) Codes, and vary in level of complexity. Higher level codes reflect increased complexity, such as a higher level of decision-making, more detailed history, or longer duration of time.  E/M Services levels 2 through 5 (e.g. CPT Codes 99202 through 99205, and 99212 through 99215) (“Higher Level E/M Services”) can only be performed by physicians or other qualified health care professionals (“QHPs”).  These professionals are distinct from clinical staff, such as medical assistants. A level 1 E/M Service, under CPT Code 99211, may not require the presence of a physician or other QHP. During the PHE, CMS approved the use of CPT Code 99211 for COVID-19 test specimen collection. Physicians and non-physician practitioners, such as nurse practitioners (NPs) were required to use CPT Code 99211 to bill for COVID-19 specimen collection billed by clinical staff incident to their services.

    The United States contends that during the PHE, SK Primary Care provided services at dozens of COVID-19 testing sites in Texas, operated by SK Primary Care and its management company, the majority of which were walk up or drive through testing sites (the “COVID test sites”).   Patients could register to receive a test at the COVID test sites by registering online through a website called “GoGetTested.Com.” The United States alleges that the COVID test sites were staffed with medical assistants who performed specimen collection services through nasal swabs on patients for COVID-19 tests. Khan knew that the appropriate CPT Codes for the services provided at the COVID test sites were specimen collection codes, including CPT Code 99211, but instead submitted claims under CPT Codes for Higher Level E/M Services. The United States contends that patients who went to the COVID test sites were never seen by Khan or any other QHP, and at no time was Khan or any other QHP providing any E/M Services to patients at the COVID test sites either in person or by audiovisual means.  From April 2020 through October 2021, for the services provided at the COVID test sites, Khan submitted or caused the submission of approximately 400,000 claims by SK Primary Care to the Uninsured Program for Higher Level E/M Services, the majority of which were level 2 and 3 E/M services.  Khan is the only rendering provider listed on SK Primary Care’s claims.

    The United States further alleges that Khan, in conjunction with and at the direction of SK Primary Care’s management company, coded the COVID specimen collection services as Higher Level E/M Services.  Reimbursements for E/M Services were substantially higher than reimbursements for specimen collection.  Moreover, in conjunction with and at the direction of SK Primary Care’s management company, SK Primary Care and Khan often submitted two claims for E/M Services for COVID-19 test specimen collection—the first “encounter” for the test, and a second “encounter” for providing results. The second “encounter” of providing results was not Khan providing E/M Services. Instead, an employee or contractor of SK Primary Care or SK Primary Care’s management company, such as nurse practitioners (NPs) and medical assistants, would provide tests results via telephone based on a courtesy call script.  NPs were not providing medical services, did not have any audiovisual connection to patients, and in many instances never even spoke to the patients to provide results, which were emailed or sent by text message.  As a result of these false claims for payment for E/M Services that were not performed, Khan received payments from the Uninsured Program to which he was not entitled.

    “The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic required both beneficiaries and the government to place their trust in front-line healthcare providers, even more than usual,” said Jay R. Combs, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas. “Unfortunately, some of those providers abused that trust and instead took advantage of the crisis to artificially inflate profits. It is these individuals that the Eastern District of Texas will hold accountable for their greed.”

    “When health care professionals receive payments for false claims they submit to federal health care programs, they erode public trust and divert taxpayer-funded resources away from those who truly need them,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).  “This settlement demonstrates our steadfast commitment to safeguarding taxpayer funds and working with our law enforcement partners to use all tools in our arsenal to hold accountable those who steal from the American public.”

    The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas with assistance from HHS-OIG.  This matter was handled by Civil Division Fraud Section Trial Attorney Elizabeth J. Kappakas and by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Gillingham and Kevin McClendon.

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – Experts examine climate impacts on Pacific health – UoA

    Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

    The devastating impacts of climate change on health in the Pacific Islands will be discussed at a symposium at the University of Auckland on 5 June.

    Dr Roannie Ng Shiu, a director of the university’s Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa – Centre for Pacific and Global Health, says the symposium will not only examine the health impacts of climate change in the Pacific, but share potential solutions.

    Climate change is driving up temperatures in the islands – and heat is a “silent killer”, says Ng Shiu, a key speaker at the symposium.

    “More than 2000 people died of heat-related conditions in the Pacific Islands between 2000 and 2022. Heat stroke is the main cause of death,” she says.

    While health services can advise people to stay cool and hydrated, poor access to clean drinking water in many Pacific Islands makes that more difficult, Ng Shiu says.

    “What we really need is a better international commitment to reducing greenhouse gases.

    “Pacific people are resilient. We’ve been adapting for years, but our adaptation measures can’t keep up with the rate the climate is changing,” she says.

    Increasingly hot, wet weather is causing spikes of diseases, such as dengue fever, zika, chikungunya, which are spread throughout the Pacific by Aedes mosquitos. In Papua New Guinea, malaria is also a growing risk.

    “Two young people have died from dengue fever in Fiji and Samoa over the past few weeks – one was a 12-year-old boy – and there’s an outbreak in Tonga too.”

    Ng Shiu says one solution to infectious diseases rising as the climate warms is to better integrate health and meteorological surveillance systems.

    She says more funding is needed so weather services can provide warnings to Pacific health services about upcoming periods of wet, hot weather, enabling agencies to fumigate areas where mosquitos breed.

    Funding is also required for research into the mental health impacts of climate change in the Pacific, Ng Shiu says.

    “We’re hearing about children in Fiji who have been traumatised by cyclones destroying their villages, so as soon as they hear strong winds, they run away from school in terror.”

    New Zealand government policies are exacerbating climate change, rather than turning the tide, she says.

    “New Zealand is supposed to be the heart of the Pacific, so they should be doing more to protect it.”

    Speakers at the symposium will include Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa director Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga, Te Whatu Ora Director of Public Health Dr Corina Grey, University of Auckland Professor Cliona Ni Mhurchu, and Fred Hollows Foundation NZ chief executive Dr Audrey Aumua.

    Pacific Islands experts travelling to Aotearoa to speak at the event include director of the Fiji Institute of Pacific Health Research at Fiji National University Associate Professor Donald Wilson and Samoa’s Director General of Health Aiono Professor Alec Ekeroma.

    Te Poutoko council chair and former New Zealand Director-General of Health Professor Sir Ashley Bloomfield will facilitate a panel discussion at the symposium, featuring University of Auckland Professors Jemaima Tiatia-Siau and Dame Teuila Percival, and Ekeroma, Wilson and Grey.

    Tagata Pasifika director and reporter John Pulu will be MC and Reverend Igasiatama Mokele will offer opening and closing prayers.

    The symposium on Vulnerability to Vitality – Pacific and Global Health responses in a changing climate is on 5 June from 9am to 4pm at Fale Pasifika, 22 Wynyard Street, Auckland.

    The public and media are welcome to attend. Register here: http://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/te-poutoko-ora-a-kiwa-research-symposium-2025-tickets-1235148936719

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Smith and Fitzpatrick Introduce Legislation to Create and Expand Mobile Crisis Response Programs Across the Country

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) introduced the 911 Community Crisis Responders Act, which would create a grant program for states, tribes, and localities to create and expand mobile crisis response programs, made up of specialized service providers, that serve as a first response to nonviolent emergency calls. These programs enable communities to enhance public safety, deliver better outcomes for community members, and reduce strain on the resources police departments expend on responding to these calls. 
     
    “We need to fundamentally reimagine what public safety looks like in our country. A critical step in this process is reexamining our approach to responding to 911 calls by providing specialized services to nonviolent calls rather than law enforcement,” said Congressman Smith. ”Funding from the federal government is critical and urgently needed to advance this public safety model across the country and more effectively address the nationwide mental and behavioral health, substance use, and homelessness crises we are seeing in our communities. The time has come to institute a holistic, equitable approach to public safety that centers on connecting individuals to resources and services they need. ” 

    “As a former FBI agent and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health Task Force, I’m working to modernize how we respond to crisis,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “Not every 911 call requires a police response—some require a different kind of help. This bill expands access to trained crisis teams, reduces pressure on law enforcement, and gets people the care they need, when they need it. It’s a key part of my broader effort to deliver smart, bipartisan solutions that make our communities safer and our response systems stronger.”

    Background

    911 receives more than 240 million calls every year. The overwhelming majority of these calls involve nonviolent, non-criminal incidents such as neighbor disputes, nuisance complaints, and mental health crises. Both the police and policing reform advocates often assert that specialized service providers—such as social workers, paramedics, and peer support counselors—are better equipped to handle such situations than armed officers. 
     
    The bill text can be found here and further background can be found here.  
     

    Support for the Bill

    The  911 Community Crisis Responders Act is endorsed by the American Association on Health and Disability, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Drug Policy Alliance, Alternative Mobile Services Association, National Association for Rural Mental Health, National Association of County Behavioral Health & Developmental Disability Directors, Lakeshore Foundation, Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority, Puget Sound Fire, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Valley Communications 911, and Seattle Fire Department.
     
    “I am proud to endorse the 911 Community Crisis Responders Act, which establishes a vital grant program to support states, tribes, and localities in building and expanding mobile crisis response teams,” said Vonnie Mayer, Executive Director of Valley Com 911. “Every day, our 911 professionals serve as the first point of contact for individuals experiencing emergencies, including mental health and substance use crises. This legislation recognizes the evolving nature of emergency response and aligns with the growing consensus that public safety and public health must work hand in hand. By supporting this bill, Congress can help us deliver better outcomes for our communities, reduce the strain on law enforcement and EMS, and provide safer, more specialized care for those in crisis.” 
     
     
    “The 911 Community Crisis Responders Act would provide the vital funding needed to strengthen and scale programs like FD Cares nationwide,” said Brian Carson, Fire Chief of Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority. “By supporting local agencies in hiring unarmed professional responders, upgrading 911 dispatch protocols, and coordinating with 988 mental health services, this legislation delivers a modern and compassionate approach to emergency response.” 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Legislation considered under suspension of the Rules of the House of Representatives during the week of June 2, 2025

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives announces bills that will be considered under suspension of the rules in that chamber. Under suspension, floor debate is limited, all floor amendments are prohibited, points of order against the bill are waived, and final passage requires a two-thirds majority vote.

    At the request of the Majority Leader and the House Committee on the Budget, CBO estimates the effects of those bills on direct spending and revenues. CBO has limited time to review the legislation before consideration. Although it is possible in most cases to determine whether the legislation would affect direct spending or revenues, time may be insufficient to estimate the magnitude of those effects. If CBO has prepared estimates for similar or identical legislation, a more detailed assessment of budgetary effects, including effects on spending subject to appropriation, may be included.

    CBO’s estimates of the bills that have been posted for possible consideration under suspension of the rules during the week of June 2, 2025, include:

    • H.R. 787, Plain Language in Contracting Act, as amended
    • H.R. 789, Transparency and Predictability in Small Business Opportunities Act, as amended
    • H.R. 1621, Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Reporting Act of 2025, as amended
    • H.R. 1634, ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act, as amended
    • H.R. 1642, Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act of 2025
    • H.R. 1804, 7(a) Loan Agent Oversight Act
    • H.R. 1816, WOSB Accountability Act, as amended
    • H.R. 3490, Gerald E. Connolly Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act of 2025, as amended
    • S. 160, Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: US Department of Labor cites Orlando Salvation Army after worker falls, suffers fatal injuries

    Source: US Department of Labor

    ORLANDO, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited The Salvation Army after a 54-year-old maintenance worker suffered fatal injuries following a fall while working at an Orlando donation center and store in November 2024. 

    An investigation by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found the worker was repairing a roof leak when the fall occurred on Nov. 7. OSHA cited The Salvation Army for a repeat violation of exposing workers to fall hazards. A similar citation was previously issued at the employer’s Princeton, West Virginia, location in January 2020.

    OSHA also cited the company for five serious violations, including failure to assess workplace hazards, provide fall protection training, and ensure proper machine guarding. Two other-than-serious violations were issued for failing to report the fatality to OSHA within eight hours of the incident and lacking a hazard communication program

    The Salvation Army will pay $120,817 in penalties to address the violations.

    OSHA’s fall prevention campaign offers training materials and resources to help employers protect workers. Employers can also contact OSHA for free compliance assistance resources and guidance on complying with OSHA standards. 

    Learn more about OSHA. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: “We all are going to die:” 6 catastrophic ways Trump’s Big Ugly Bill threatens Californians

    Source: US State of California 2

    May 30, 2025

    SACRAMENTO — In a callous moment during a townhall this morning, Republican U.S. Senator Joni Ernst shrugged off the devastating human toll of President Donald Trump’s proposed plan to fund tax breaks for the rich by gutting Medicaid and food assistance — saying, “Well, we all are going to die” when warned by her own constituents that slashing these programs would cost lives.

    Unfortunately, she’s right about one thing: people will die if President Trump’s Big Ugly Bill becomes law. President Trump’s bill is an all-out assault on America’s safety net, targeting the most vulnerable communities in every state, including California. 

    Here are 6 catastrophic cuts in the bill that would do real damage to Californians:

    ❌ Eliminate coverage for up to 3.4 million Californians, largely among those covered under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expansion

    ❌ Cut at least $22 billion in federal Medicaid funding by imposing burdensome job loss penalties on low-income adults

    ❌ Punish states like California that use state funding to cover undocumented residents for non-emergency benefits by slashing federal support by at least $4 billion annually

    ❌ Restrict vital funding mechanisms, such as provider taxes and certain other payments that support hospitals and providers across California, that would result in the loss of billions of dollars

    ❌ Shut down nonprofit providers like Planned Parenthood by cutting them off from Medicaid funding

    ❌ Cut federal funding for SNAP in California by at least $2.3 to $4.9 billion annually, with at least 250,000 recipients likely to lose this benefit

    Governor Gavin Newsom recently spoke about the impacts of the Big Ugly Bill on the MeidasTouch Network: “No state, incidentally, has more to lose on that. 3.4 million Americans will lose support if that bill passes in its existent form in the United States Senate, here in California.”

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    News What you need to know: With unprecedented speed, Governor Newsom is today announcing the availability of $800 million in competitive grant funding as part of Proposition 1 Bond Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 2 to develop a wide…

    News What you need to know: CAL FIRE is awarding $72 million to projects across the state that help reduce catastrophic wildfire risk across California. Governor Newsom also announced 13 vegetation management projects spanning nearly 7,000 acres have already been…

    News What you need to know: California is launching CalHeatScore – a groundbreaking tool to help protect vulnerable populations from dangerous heatwaves. The state’s new tool provides localized warnings and resources for extreme heat events. Governor Newsom is also…

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: As Trump cuts U.S. Forest Service, California deploys an extra $72 million to reduce wildfire risk and ‘rake the forest,’ fast-tracks critical projects

    Source: US State of California 2

    May 30, 2025

    What you need to know: CAL FIRE is awarding $72 million to projects across the state that help reduce catastrophic wildfire risk across California. Governor Newsom also announced 13 vegetation management projects spanning nearly 7,000 acres have already been approved for fast-tracking under his emergency proclamation.

    SACRAMENTO – As the Trump administration cuts the U.S. Forest Service and creates rampant uncertainty ahead of peak wildfire season, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the state is continuing to ramp up its efforts to reduce wildfire risk and increase forest health. 

    CAL FIRE awarded nearly $72 million today to support large-scale, regionally based land management projects aimed at restoring forest health and resilience throughout California, while enhancing long-term carbon storage.

    Additionally, Governor Newsom announced that under his wildfire prevention emergency proclamation, which became operational on April 17, the state has already fast-tracked approval for 13 projects totaling nearly 7,000 acres, on top of the 2 million acres treated in recent years. These projects involve tribes and other partners, natural resource managers and fire districts. This is part of statewide efforts to advance projects in key locations to help protect communities from catastrophic wildfires. One week after applications opened to fast-track critical wildfire safety projects in mid-April, the state began issuing fast-track approvals for wildfire safety projects.

    “California is ‘raking the forests’ at a faster pace than ever before. Where’s the federal government?”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    While 57% of California’s forests are federally managed, the state government manages only 3% of the forestland. The other 40% is privately owned and this work relies on partnership with private forestland owners. 

    More than 2,200 vegetation management projects are complete or underway, and in recent years, California has treated nearly 2 million acres – made possible by scaling up investments to 10 times the amount from when the Governor took office in 2019. California has funded over $350 million worth of projects on federal lands in the same time. CAL FIRE estimates that 83% of all tree mortality in California, which poses a significant wildfire risk, is on national forest lands. 

    ‘Raking the forest’ 

    Through its Forest Health Program, CAL FIRE is awarding 12 grants to local and regional partners carrying out projects on state, local, tribal, federal, and private lands. Designed to address critical forest health needs, these initiatives will reduce wildfire risk, improve ecosystem resilience, and enhance carbon sequestration across California’s diverse landscapes.

    Forest health grant projects focus on large, landscape-scale forestlands – no less than 800 acres in size – that are composed of one or more landowners and may cover multiple jurisdictions. 

    “CAL FIRE is proud to award Forest Health grants that will increase the wildfire resilience of California’s landscapes and communities and help restore ecosystems following wildfire,” said Alan Talhelm, Assistant Deputy Director of Climate and Energy at CAL FIRE. “These grants will provide our partners around the state with funds to complete projects that support local economies, protect watersheds, increase public safety, and sequester carbon.”

    The projects will employ a wide array of forest management strategies, with goals of wildfire resilience, watershed protection, habitat conservation for endangered species, recovery of fire-scarred and drought-impacted forests, and the reintroduction of fire as a natural ecological process. Projects include:

    • The Upper Mokelumne River Watershed Authority will conduct fuels reduction on 1,288 acres in El Dorado National Forest using mastication and hand thinning. This aims to lower wildfire risk, protect communities, improve forest resilience, and enhance wildlife habitat.
    • The Redwood Forest Foundation, Inc. will treat 867 acres of forest fuel in a rural, low-income area in Northern Mendocino County. This will create over 80 forestry jobs and additional jobs/learning for young adults via California Conservation Corps trail work.

    The majority of CAL FIRE’s Forest Health grants are funded through the Timber Regulation and Forest Restoration Fund (TRFRF), with additional support provided by California Climate Investments (CCI), a statewide initiative that directs billions of Cap-and-Invest dollars toward achieving the state’s climate goals.

    Fast-tracking critical wildfire prevention projects

    The approved projects for fast-tracking are focused on removing flammable dead or dying trees, creating strategic fuel breaks, creating safe egress along roadways, manual and mechanical removal of ladder fuels and beneficial fire use. Some of the approved projects include:  

    • The Prosper Ridge Community Wildfire Resilience Project in Humboldt County is the first approved project under the Governor’s emergency proclamation on wildfire. This collaborative state, federal, and tribal project will treat nearly 450 acres with a combination of mechanical thinning, manual treatments, and prescribed fire.
    • The Tonner Canyon South Vegetation Management Project aims to reduce wildfire risk on 354 acres south of Diamond Bar in Los Angeles County through hazardous vegetation removal, fuel break creation, and defensible space improvement.
    • The Scott Valley/Callahan Fuels Reduction and Forest Resiliency Project located on 2,917 acres in the Scott River watershed in Siskiyou County will use mechanical and manual treatments to increase vigor of the residual stands of timber for improved carbon sequestration, fire resiliency and individual tree health.
    • The Weed Community Forest Restoration and Enhancement Project located on 1,923 acres near the 2022 Mill Fire and is designed to protect the surrounding the community of Weed in Siskiyou County and provide safe ingress/egress to emergency responders.
    • The Sycuan Wildfire Resiliency Project covers over 240 acres in San Diego County and aims to protect the Sycuan Reservation from wildfire by reducing fire hazard, ensuring defensible space, and providing safe egress with the use of 300 grazing goats. 

    To move faster without compromising important environmental protections, the state developed a new Statewide Fuels Reduction Environmental Protection Plan. State agencies will monitor and oversee these projects from initiation to completion to provide support and ensure environmental protections and best management practices are followed.

    Accelerating investments in fuels reduction and wildfire resilience

    Following action by Governor Newsom and the Legislature last month, state conservancies are moving to deploy $170 million in voter-approved funding for wildfire resilience projects. The accelerated funding is part of the “early action” 2025 budget package. Governor Newsom signed the funding bill along with an executive order to ensure the wildfire safety projects benefit from the streamlining process created under the March 1 State of Emergency proclamation.

    Building on unprecedented progress 

    This builds on consecutive years of intensive and focused work by California to confront the severe ongoing risk of catastrophic wildfires, and Governor Newsom’s emergency proclamation signed in March to fast-track forest and vegetation management projects throughout the state. Additionally, to bolster the state’s ability to respond to fires, Governor Newsom announced last week that the state’s second C-130 Hercules airtanker is ready for firefighting operations, adding to the largest aerial firefighting fleet in the world. 

    New, bold moves to streamline state-level regulatory processes builds long-term efforts already underway in California to increase wildfire response and forest management in the face of a hotter, drier climate. A full list of California’s progress on wildfire resilience is available here.

    Highlights of achievements to date include:

    • Historic investments — Overall, the state has more than doubled investments in wildfire prevention and landscape resilience efforts, providing more than $2.5 billion in wildfire resilience since 2020, with an additional $1.5 billion to be allocated from the 2024 Climate Bond.
    • On-the-ground progress — More than 2,200 landscape health and fire prevention projects are complete or underway, and from 2021-2023, the State and its partners treated nearly 1.9 million acres, including nearly 730,000 acres in 2023.
    • Increasing transparency — The Governor’s Task Force launched an Interagency Treatment Dashboard to display wildfire resilience work across federal, state, local, and privately managed lands across the State. The Dashboard, launched in 2023, provides transparency, tracks progress, facilitates planning, and informs firefighting efforts.
    • Hardening communities — Adding to California’s nation-leading fire safety  standards, Governor Newsom signed an executive order to further improve community hardening and wildfire mitigation strategies to neighborhood resilience statewide. Since 2019, CAL FIRE has awarded more than $450 million for 450 wildfire prevention projects across the state and conducts Defensible Space Inspections on more than 250,000 homes each year.
    • Leveraging cutting-edge technology — On top of expanding the world’s largest aerial firefighting fleet, CAL FIRE has doubled its use of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) and the state is utilizing AI-powered tools to spot fires quicker.

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    News What you need to know: California is launching CalHeatScore – a groundbreaking tool to help protect vulnerable populations from dangerous heatwaves. The state’s new tool provides localized warnings and resources for extreme heat events. Governor Newsom is also…

    News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring May 2025, as “Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.”The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below: PROCLAMATIONCalifornia is home to more than 6…

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:LaCandice Ochoa, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Director of the Independent Living and Community Access Division at the Department of Rehabilitation. Ochoa has been Dean of…

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Africa: In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the African Development Bank is accelerating the transformation of infrastructure and access to basic social services

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

    ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, May 30, 2025/APO Group/ —

    Roads in Kenge, Kikwit, Tshikapa, Kamuensha, and Mbuji-Mayi have been completely rehabilitated, new stretches of road built, and urban roads modernized. Numerous examples of socioeconomic infrastructure have also benefited from the financial support of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org), helping to transform the daily lives of hundreds of thousands of Congolese.

    A multi-sectoral mission from the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the African Development Bank witnessed the impact of these investments during field visits to the five municipalities in western DRC between 5 and 19 May 2025. More specifically, the three projects, financed by the Bank, focus on rehabilitating road infrastructure, enhancing air safety, and improving access to basic social services.

    Health centres, hydraulic structures equipped with modern technology, provincial rural markets, schools, a refurbished runway in Mbuji-Mayi, and air safety equipment meeting international standards are just some of the successes the joint mission was able to witness.

    “The mission measured the concrete impact of the projects supported by the Bank in Kasai. From roads to social infrastructure and air safety, progress is visible and is transforming the lives of the population. We pay tribute to the work completed and remain committed to consolidating the gains achieved, in particular with the extension of the Mbuji-Mayi runway to make it a hub that meets international standards,” commented Mohamed Coulibaly, Country Programme Manager in charge of the Bank Group’s Office in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    Opening a key route in the road network

    The first stage of the mission concerned the project to rehabilitate the Kinshasa/Ndjili-Batshamba section of national road no. 1. The project involves the rehabilitation of 622 kilometres of road between Kinshasa and Batshamba via Kenge and Kikwit, a key route in the Congolese road network. In the past, this strategic corridor was virtually impassable due to the advanced deterioration of the road surface and a series of sinkholes, and took several days or in some cases weeks, to drive along. Thanks to $68.57 million in funding from the African Development Bank, the work carried out now means the route can be travelled safely in less than a day. This improves connectivity between the capital and the provinces of Mai-Ndombe, Kwango, Kwilu and Kasaï.

    “In addition to asphalting the road, the Bank has financed the construction and equipping of schools, health centres, boreholes, rural markets, social reintegration centres, administrative buildings, a modern market and weigh stations along the route, as well as the rehabilitation of over 700 kilometres of rural roads,” explains Jean Luemba, the RN1 project coordinator. The Bank has also provided substantial logistical support (vehicles and IT equipment) to the state structures involved in the projects.

    Ultimately, this initiative will benefit over 19 million people by facilitating access to markets, improving the availability of agricultural products and food security, and supporting mobility and economic activities.

    Significant progress in social infrastructure

    In terms of social infrastructure, the achievements of the second phase of the Project for the Reinforcement of Socioeconomic Infrastructure in the Central Region (PRISE II) are significant: most of the construction work on schools, health centres, public latrines, and rural markets has been completed or is nearing completion. The execution rate is estimated at 75%. As for the 41 schools under construction, most are ready for handover. The same applies to the 40 health centres, whose buildings have been completed. Public markets are also making good progress, with several structures already operational.

    In addition, the project has planned community awareness-raising and vocational training activities, including training young people in plumbing, promoting hygiene and local water governance. During the joint mission, the national authorities reiterated their willingness to broaden the scope of the “PRISE” project by integrating geophysical studies into the Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Programme, thus supporting the national ambition of universal coverage in this area. The project’s aim is to reach over 870,000 direct beneficiaries in 10 provinces, by improving access rates to water, sanitation, health and education.

    Advanced airport infrastructure

    In the air transport sector, a visit to the second phase of the Priority Air Safety Project (PPSA2) revealed remarkable progress in the rehabilitation and extension of the Mbuji-Mayi runway. Around 85% of the 320-metre runway has already been completed. The new tarmac is 95% complete, while the ramp, service road and runway end safety areas (RESA) are 70 to 75% complete. Vital technical infrastructure such as the control tower, power plant, fire station, and lighting system are nearing completion. At Kisangani-Bangoka international airport, the aircraft movement areas, taxiways and tarmac have been completely rehabilitated, and two turn pads have been installed.

    In addition, six radio navigation systems (DVOR/DME) have been deployed at Goma, Mbuji-Mayi, Kindu, Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, and Mbandaka, enhancing the safety of domestic flights. Eight VHF radio channels have also been installed at several secondary airports to improve aeronautical communication. The upgrading of equipment, combined with capacity-building for technical staff, has reduced the number of air accidents in the DRC from an average of 10 to one a year.

    The project also includes training for the Régie des voies aériennes staff in the following areas: safety and air bases, maintenance techniques and project management for the Régie, and air transport inspectors for the Civil Aviation Authority.

    At the end of the visit, the mission underlined the technical quality of the work carried out, the commitment of the contractors and local ownership. In Tshikapa, a local resident declared: “Tshikapa today is the African Development Bank!”, testifying to the visibility and tangible impact of the projects on the daily lives of the local population.

    These results also illustrate the importance of close coordination between the Bank, the Congolese government and technical and financial partners, including the European Union and the World Bank, which were also involved in the construction of certain sections of the RN1.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI: Quantum eMotion Announces Upsized Brokered LIFE Financing of C$12,000,000

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

    MONTREAL, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Quantum eMotion Corp. (“QeM” or the “Corporation”) (TSX.V: QNC; OTCQB: QNCCF; FSE: 34Q0) is pleased to announce that it has increased the size of its previously announced best efforts brokered private placement due to increased institutional demand for total gross proceeds of C$12,000,000 (the “Offering”), consisting of 8,000,000 units of the Corporation (each a “Unit”) at a price of C$1.50 per Unit (the “Offering Price”), pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption (the “LIFE Exemption”) under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions (“NI 45-106”).

    A.G.P. Canada Investments ULC (“Agent“) is acting as the sole bookrunner and agent for the Offering and A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners is acting as sole U.S. placement agent for the Offering.

    Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with NI 45-106, the securities issued pursuant to the LIFE Exemption are expected to be immediately freely tradeable and will not be subject to a hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. The Units may also be offered to persons in the United States pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) and all applicable U.S. state securities laws, as well as outside Canada and the United States on a basis which does not require the qualification or registration of any of the Corporation’s common shares or require the Corporation to be subject to any ongoing disclosure requirements under any domestic securities laws.

    There is an offering document related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Corporation’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Corporation website at https://www.quantumemotion.com/. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision.

    It is expected that closing of the Offering will take place on or about June 2, 2025 (the “Closing Date”). Closing of the Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of all necessary approvals.

    This press release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to qualification or registration under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act” ), and such securities may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements. “ United States” and “ U.S. persons” have the meanings ascribed to them in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act.

    About Quantum eMotion

    The Company’s mission is to address the growing demand for affordable hardware and software security for connected devices. Thanks to its patented Quantum Random Number Generator, QeM has become a pioneering force in classical and quantum cybersecurity solutions. This security solution exploits quantum mechanics’ built-in unpredictability and promises to provide enhanced protection for high-value assets and critical systems. For further information, please visit our website at https://www.quantumemotion.com/ or contact us at: info@quantumemotion.com

    The Company intends to target highly valued Financial Services, Healthcare, Blockchain Applications, Cloud-Based IT Security Infrastructure, Classified Government Krown Technologies and Communication Systems, Secure Device Keying (IOT, Automotive, Consumer Electronics) and Quantum Cryptography.

    For further information, please visit our website at https://www.quantumemotion.com/ or contact:

    Francis Bellido, Chief Executive Officer

    Tel: 514.956.2525

    Email: info@quantumemotion.com

    Website: www.quantumemotion.com

    Cautionary Note regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which is based upon the Corporation’s current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the Corporation’s expectations with respect to the use of proceeds and the use of the available funds following completion of the Offering, the completion of the Offering, if it is to be completed at all; the expected Closing Date; and the completion of the Corporation’s business objectives, and the timing, costs, and benefits thereof. Forward-looking statements or forward-looking information relate to future events and future performance and include statements regarding the expectations and beliefs of management based on information currently available to the Corporation. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information often, but not always, can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “potential”, “is expected”, “anticipated”, “is targeted”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or the negatives thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or forward-looking information are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating risks inherent to the cybersecurity industry, the value of the Corporation’s intangible assets, completing proof of concept studies, protecting intangible assets rights, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms or at all, the possibility that future results will not be consistent with the Corporation’s expectations, increases in costs, changes in legislation and regulation, changes in economic and political conditions and other risks involved in the cybersecurity industry and inherent to new technologies, such as risk of obsolescence, slow adoption and competing technological advances; and those risks set out in the Corporation’s public documents filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although the Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that could cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. For more information on the Corporation and the risks and challenges of its business, investors should review the Corporation’s annual filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca. The Corporation provides no assurance that forward-looking statements or forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Corporation disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information.

    Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    The MIL Network