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  • MIL-OSI USA: Hubble Spies Swirling Spiral

    Source: NASA

    The swirling spiral galaxy in this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image is NGC 3285B, which resides 137 million light-years away in the constellation Hydra (the Water Snake). Hydra has the largest area of the 88 constellations that cover the entire sky in a celestial patchwork. It’s also the longest constellation, stretching 100 degrees across the sky. It would take nearly 200 full Moons, placed side by side, to reach from one side of the constellation to the other.
    NGC 3285B is a member of the Hydra I cluster, one of the largest galaxy clusters in the nearby universe. Galaxy clusters are collections of hundreds to thousands of galaxies bound to one another by gravity. The Hydra I cluster is anchored by two giant elliptical galaxies at its center. Each of these galaxies is about 150,000 light-years across, making them about 50% larger than our home galaxy, the Milky Way.
    NGC 3285B sits on the outskirts of its home cluster, far from the massive galaxies at the center. This galaxy drew Hubble’s attention because it hosted a Type Ia supernova in 2023. Type Ia supernovae happen when a type of condensed stellar core called a white dwarf detonates, igniting a sudden burst of nuclear fusion that briefly shines about 5 billion times brighter than the Sun. The supernova, named SN 2023xqm, is visible here as a blueish dot on the left edge of the galaxy’s disk.
    Hubble observed NGC 3285B as part of an observing program that targeted 100 Type Ia supernovae. By viewing each of these supernovae in ultraviolet, optical, and near-infrared light, researchers aim to disentangle the effects of distance and dust, both of which can make a supernova appear redder than it actually is. This program will help refine cosmic distance measurements that rely on observations of Type Ia supernovae.
    Text Credit: ESA/Hubble

    Media Contact:
    Claire Andreoli (claire.andreoli@nasa.gov)NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: US Department of Labor awards $1M to support employment, assistance, for Arkansas residents affected by severe storms, flooding

    Source: US Department of Labor

    WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $1 million in grant funding to Arkansas for cleanup and recovery activities after severe storms caused extensive damage and flooding in April. 

    Between April 2-22, 2025, a strong weather system struck Arkansas, bringing severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding. The storm caused widespread devastation, destroying homes and businesses, displacing residents, causing utility outages, and disrupting critical public services throughout the state.

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a major disaster declaration on May 21, 2025, enabling Arkansas to request this funding. This award will assist with cleanup and recovery efforts in Dallas, Hempstead, Izard, Lafayette, Little River, Marion, Miller, Nevada, Pulaski, Searcy, and Sevier counties, and will be spread across four local workforce development areas. 

    This Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant allows the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services to provide residents with temporary jobs focused on cleanup and recovery efforts, as well as offer employment and training services to eligible participants in affected communities.

    Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, National Dislocated Worker Grants provide a state or local board with funding for direct services and assistance in areas experiencing a major economic dislocation event that leads to workforce needs exceeding available resources.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Announces Nearly $2 Million Settlement with Janitorial Franchising Companies Barring Use of Franchising to Misclassify Workers

    Source: US State of California

    Settlement includes $1,700,000 in restitution for underpaid CleanNet janitorial workers 

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced a nearly $2 million settlement with CleanNet USA, Inc. and its four California Area Operators resolving an investigation by the Attorney General’s Office, which found that some of CleanNet’s janitorial franchisees were misclassified as independent contractors under CleanNet’s franchising model in violation of state law. CleanNet USA is a nationwide company that provides janitorial franchising and commercial cleaning services under the “CleanNet” brand name and grants franchising rights to its California Area Operators, who sell CleanNet unit franchises to individuals and entities in California and enter into franchise contracts with these unit franchisees. After the payment of an initial franchise fee, CleanNet assigns cleaning services contracts to unit franchisees, who then provide cleaning services for CleanNet’s customers. As a result of CleanNet’s unlawful misclassification of certain individual franchisees who personally performed cleaning work, these workers were denied the protections of California’s employment laws, such as the right to minimum and overtime wages, regular meal and rest periods, reimbursement of business expenses, and accurate and itemized wage statements, and were further subjected to unlawful deductions from their wages. Under the settlement, CleanNet will pay $1,700,000 in restitution and $150,000 in civil penalties and comply with injunctive terms requiring it to cease its misclassification of certain cleaners, notify all former and current workers of the settlement, and undergo monitoring for three years, among other terms. 

    “Too often, franchising is used by predatory businesses to misclassify vulnerable workers and avoid paying a fair wage and other employee benefits,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I hope this settlement sends a strong message to others in the janitorial or other sectors who might consider skirting the law to save a quick buck. My office is watching, and we won’t hesitate to enforce our employment laws.”

    Misclassification of workers occurs when an employer improperly classifies their employees as independent contractors so that they do not have to pay payroll taxes, minimum wage or overtime, or comply with other wage and hour law requirements such as providing meal periods and rest breaks. “Employees,” unlike “independent contractors,” are entitled to a wide range of rights, benefits, and protections under California law, including workers’ compensation coverage if injured on the job, the right to family leave, unemployment insurance, the legal right to organize or join a union, and protection against employer retaliation. As courts across the country have found, the use of a franchising business model does not shield companies who use these models to misclassify their workers from liability.

    Under the settlement, CleanNet USA and its four California area operators, CleanNet of Southern California, Inc. (DBA CleanNet of Southern California), D&G Enterprises, Inc. (DBA CleanNet of the Bay Area), Paqnet, Inc. (DBA CleanNet of San Diego), and FCDK, Inc. (DBA CleanNet of Sacramento), (collectively, CleanNet) will change their franchising business model, pay civil penalties, and provide restitution to their cleaners for the losses the cleaners incurred due to their unlawful deductions, failure to reimburse cleaners for their supplies, and failure to pay at least the minimum wage for all hours worked. All current and former cleaners will be notified by CleanNet with next steps to claim restitution.

    Additionally, CleanNet will preserve all documents and records necessary to demonstrate its compliance with the terms of the stipulated judgment and make those records available to the California Department of Justice for at least three years. CleanNet will also provide training to all current and future cleaners as part of a mandatory initial certification program to ensure that all cleaners understand their duties as employers when they hire other workers to perform cleaning work for CleanNet’s customers, and that they are aware of the liabilities and risks associated with misclassifying their own employees as independent contractors. The franchise will also remove a clause from its template customer service agreement that restrains employee mobility.

    Attorney General Bonta is dedicated to upholding workers’ rights and combating unfair labor practices. In 2024, Attorney General Bonta filed 31 criminal charges against US Framing for wage theft and tax evasion; defended wages and overtime owed in the West Coast Drywall lawsuit; and secured a settlement with Amalfi Stone & Masonry Company, Inc., resolving allegations of unfair competition, payroll tax, and labor violations. In 2023, Attorney General Bonta launched a historic investigation into gender discrimination in the National Football League; joined 17 attorneys general in supporting the Federal Trade Commission’s proposed rule limiting non-compete agreements; launched a legal fight for in-home-healthcare workers; and fought for the rights of transportation workers and immigrant children.

    A copy of the complaint and stipulated judgment, which is subject to court approval, is available here and here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Ciscomani Backs Legislation Advancing Tax Relief, Border Security

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Juan Ciscomani (Arizona)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani issued the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, otherwise known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”:

    “Today’s vote for H.R. 1, the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act,’ funds border security, strengthens our national defense, and stops the largest tax hike in U.S. history while instead delivering real tax relief for working families — including expanding the child tax credit, eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and tax relief for seniors, and giving families more flexibility to save for college and healthcare. It cracks down on fraud and abuse in Medicaid through common-sense work requirements and better eligibility checks, with no cuts to FMAP which would have endangered the access to care for many in need. These steps help ensure that we protect Medicaid’s solvency so that it continues to serve our most vulnerable. And while there was a change regarding provider taxes, our rural and urban low-income serving hospitals will now have access to a new $50 billion hospital fund. 
     
    “I am grateful to the many stakeholders across our district who shared their expertise, personal stories, and insights over the last few months as we worked through the reconciliation process. H.R. 1 is not perfect – no bill ever is. But it includes many provisions that I know my constituents in southeastern Arizona support. There is more work to do, and I look forward to continuing to work together for our district and community.”

    Background
    The following are key provisions of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act:

    TAX CUTS

    • H.R. 1 delivers the largest middle- and working-class tax cut in U.S. history by extending the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. If the 2017 Tax Cuts were left to expire:
      • The average taxpayer in AZ-06 would see a 24% tax hike
      • A family of 4 making $73,464, the median income in AZ-06, would see a $1,480 tax increase
      • 80,270 AZ-06 families would see their household’s child tax credits cut in half
      • 89% of AZ-06 taxpayers would see their Guaranteed Deduction slashed in half
      • 81,320 small businesses in AZ-06 would be hit with a 43.4% tax rate if the 199A Small Business Deduction expires
      • 8,216 AZ-06 taxpayers would be impacted by the return of the Alternative Minimum Tax
      • 1,545 family-owned farms in AZ-06 would have their Death Tax Exemption slashed in half next year
    • The bill also provides additional tax relief to American families, seniors, small businesses, and workers through:
      • No tax on tips
      • No tax on overtime
      • No tax on car loan interests for American made cars
      • Ensuring 88% of all seniors who receive Social Security will pay NO TAX on their Social Security benefits
      • Repealing the unpopular 1099-K reporting requirement that all Venmo, PayPal, and gig transactions over $600 be reported to the IRS
      • Incentivizing businesses to produce their goods in the U.S.

    BORDER SECURITY

    • The bill makes historic investments in border security through the following provisions:
      Adds 3,000 new U.S. Border Patrol agents, 5,000 new Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers, and 200 new Air and Marine Operations (AMO) agents, and 290 support staff
    • Allocates more than $46 billion to construct and complete the border barrier system by building 701 miles of primary wall, 900 miles of river barriers, 629 miles of secondary barriers, as well as replacing 141 miles of vehicle and pedestrian barriers
    • Includes more than $6 billion to help CBP interdict more fentanyl, deploy more border-surveillance technology, enhance AMO’s surveillance capabilities, and increase CBP’s use of the biometric entry and exit system

    NATIONAL SECURITY

    • Additionally, the bill invests $150 billion into our national security by restoring American deterrence, revitalizing our defense industrial base, and modernizing our military through provisions like:
      Jump starting the Golden Dome initiative by investing $25 million in a layered missile defense shield.
    • Provides critical resources to the Department of Defense to support securing the southern border, because border security is national security
    • Investing $9 billion to improve the quality of life for our troops by increasing allowances and special pays, and to renovate aging, moldy barracks and dorms.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • PM Modi, Maldivian President Muizzu inaugurate new Defence Ministry building in Male

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Friday jointly inaugurated the state-of-the-art Ministry of Defence (MoD) building of the Maldives in Male.

    Overlooking the Indian Ocean, the eleven-storey building stands as a symbol of the strong and long-standing defence and security cooperation between the two countries. According to a release from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the MoD building has been constructed with India’s financial assistance and is expected to enhance the capabilities of the Maldives’ defence and law enforcement authorities.

    In a post on X, the Maldivian President’s Office said, “His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, inaugurate the Dhoshimeyna Building, the new office premises of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).”

    Prime Minister Modi described the inauguration as another testament to strong India-Maldives cooperation.

    In a post on X, he stated, “President Muizzu and I inaugurated a new building of the Ministry of Defence in Male. This is yet another instance of strong India–Maldives cooperation.”

    Earlier in the day, PM Modi reaffirmed the Maldives’ significance in India’s regional outreach.

    He added, “Held very fruitful discussions with President Muizzu. Maldives is at the core of our ‘Neighbourhood First’ and Mahasagar Vision. Our discussion covered several sectors, notably commercial and cultural linkages. We both agree that the India–Maldives friendship will always be bright and clear. India is honoured to work closely with the Maldives in areas such as housing, connectivity, infrastructure, defence, digital technology, and more. Climate change and renewable energy are also two vital pillars of our bilateral cooperation.”

    In a further gesture of goodwill, PM Modi gifted two Aarogya Maitri Health Cubes to President Muizzu on behalf of the Government of India.

    In a post on X, the President’s Office shared, “His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu accepts two Aarogya Maitri Health Cubes gifted by His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, on behalf of the Government of India to the Maldives. The state-of-the-art portable hospitals are equipped with an ICU, operating theatre, laboratory, X-ray, and other emergency medical facilities. Each unit can operate independently for 72 hours and treat up to 200 individuals.”

    Prime Minister Modi is currently on a two-day visit to the Maldives at the invitation of President Muizzu.

    (ANI)

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pressley, Markey Reintroduce Freedom to Move Act, Legislation to Enact Fare-Free Transit, Close Transit Equity Gap

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    Bill Builds Upon Successful Pilot Programs in Massachusetts, Supports State and Local Implementation of Fare-Free Public Transit

    Bill Text

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) announced the reintroduction of the Freedom to Move Act, legislation to support state and local efforts to establish public transportation as a public good through fare-free services. The legislation builds upon successful fare-free pilot programs in Boston and with leadership from Regional Transit Authorities across the Commonwealth. In particular, the Worcester Regional Transit Authority and the Merrimack Valley Transit (MeVa) have among the longest-running and most successful fare-free transit programs in the country.

    “Fare free transit is an economic, racial, and climate justice issue, and it’s high time we invest in public transit as the public good that it is,” said Rep Pressley. “Making our transit infrastructure fare free will help folks access essential resources like jobs, school, child care, the grocery store, and the hospital while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and making our communities more connected. Our bill would build on the success of fare-free pilot programs in Boston and across the Commonwealth by making robust investments to provide safe, high-quality, and fare-free rides for all. I’m grateful to Senator Markey, Mayor Wu, and our transit justice advocates for their ongoing partnership.”

    “All across Massachusetts and the country, more communities are joining the fare free revolution,” said Senator Markey. “By making public transit free, we can alleviate the high burden of transportation costs on working families while building a system that is more accessible and efficient. Free buses and trains also mean less traffic congestion, cleaner air, and a safer work environment for transit workers. That is why I am proud to partner with Congresswoman Pressley to deliver resources that will make our communities more affordable and connected.”

    “Fare-free transit is an investment in the public good and in our economy and communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Boston’s fare-free bus routes have had the highest ridership of the entire bus system, and we’ve seen improved service from buses being able to load faster at each stop. Most of all, commuters no longer have to ration trips to connect all the pieces of their lives—getting to work and school, or to shop at our local businesses or enjoy a meal, or to access critical healthcare to take care of their families. I’m grateful to Congresswoman Pressley and Senator Markey for their leadership and continued advocacy.”

    Full text of the Freedom to Move Act is available here.

    Low-income families have faced the biggest financial burden by spending nearly 30 percent of their household income on transportation expenses. Traffic congestion has also worsened greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, exacerbating climate change and contributing to health disparities like asthma and lung cancer in marginalized communities.

    Increasing access to free, safe, reliable, and accessible public transit systems will help improve community livability and mobility, increase connectivity to critical services—particularly for low-income workers and families, people of color, students, seniors, and people with disabilities—and address many of our nation’s most severe inequities.

    The Freedom to Move Act would support state and local efforts to promote public transportation as a public good for all by:

    • Establishing a $5 billion competitive grant program per year to support state and local efforts to implement fare-free public transportation systems;
    • Investing in efforts to improve the safety and quality of public transportation services, particularly in low-income and historically underserved communities; and
    • Ensuring grantees use funds to address and close equity gaps in current transit systems.

    Co-sponsors of the Freedom to Move Act include Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representatives Alma Adams, Joyce Beatty, Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., Shontel M. Brown, André Carson, Emanuel Cleaver, James Clyburn, Jasmine Crockett, Danny K. Davis, Cleo Fields, Jonathan Jackson, Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr., Summer L. Lee, LaMonica McIver, Gwen Moore, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Ilhan Omar, Delia Ramirez, Lateefah Simon, Rashida Tlaib, and Nikema Williams.

    Rep. Pressley and Sen. Markey originally introduced the Freedom to Move Act in June 2020. Following the bill’s introduction, Senator Markey, Congresswoman Pressley, and then-Councilor Michelle Wu published an op-ed that discussed the bill and the need to fund public transportation as a public good.

    In July 2020, the House of Representatives passed the Moving Forward Act that included a fare-free pilot program modeled after the two lawmakers Freedom to Move Act.

    In March 2021, Senator Markey and Congresswoman Pressley reintroduced the Freedom to Move Act.

    In August 2021, Rep. Pressley and Senator Markey called on the MBTA to make the entire T fare-free for the duration of the Orange Line’s shutdown.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New report shows Cap-and-Invest dollars are improving air quality in California’s most polluted communities

    Source: US State of California 2

    Jul 25, 2025

    What you need to know: With support from California’s Cap-and-Invest Program, also known as Cap-and-Trade, the state is funding air protection efforts in 19 communities with some of the highest levels of air pollution in the state. 

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that thanks to California’s Community Air Protection Program, more than four million Californians living in some of the state’s most polluted communities are seeing air quality improvements. A new progress report from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) highlights how community-led solutions are cutting emissions, strengthening enforcement of clean air policies, and delivering cleaner, healthier air around the state. 

    More than $600 million has gone to over 9,000 projects cleaning the air since 2017, funded by the state’s Cap-and-Invest program, also known as Cap-and-Trade.

    “We’re cutting harmful pollution across California with a special focus on communities that have some of the dirtiest air in our state. Thanks to Cap-and-Invest, we’ve invested hundreds of millions of dollars in projects that are proven to clean the air. In the face of a federal government hostile to clean air, we can’t let up now – that’s why we’re working to extend Cap-and-Invest this year.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    As Governor Newsom and legislative leaders continue to work on extending the Cap-and-Invest program, recent reports highlight how critical the program is to the state’s economic future, and how uncertainty is costing the state billions. 

    Turning Cap-and-Invest revenues into lasting air quality gains

    Established in 2017 by Assembly Bill 617 and supported by Cap-and-Invest revenue, the Community Air Protection Program places community voices at the center of efforts to reduce air pollution and protect public health in the state’s most impacted areas.

    In each of the 19 communities the program supports, CARB and the local air districts have established partnerships to develop plans addressing local pollution problems.

    Funded through California’s Cap-and-Invest Program, CARB has directed $632 million to more than 9,000 incentive projects since 2017, with 85% of the funding reaching disadvantaged and low-income communities.

    The projects vary widely across the state based on community priorities including:

    • Swapping out thousands of dirty old lawnmowers with clean electric replacements throughout the San Joaquin Valley.
    • Reducing dust exposure by funding paving of school parking lots, urban greening projects, and installing air filtration systems in schools in the Imperial Valley.
    • Helping fund a first-in-the-nation electric tugboat in the Port of San Diego, which will reduce 30,000 gallons of diesel pollution per year.

    The projects are producing permanent, enforceable reductions in harmful air pollutants, including reducing:

    • 23,000+ tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx)— equivalent to removing about 22.5 million cars from the road for an entire year. 
    • 950 tons of diesel particulate matter — equivalent to annual emissions from up to two million heavy-duty trucks. 
    • 282,600 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions — equivalent to emissions from driving a gasoline-powered car nearly 872 million miles.  

    Expanding the program’s reach

    Adopted in 2023, CARB’s Blueprint 2.0 expands the Community Air Protection Program to 64 communities that continue to experience high pollution burdens. This next phase focuses on:

    • Supporting community-based capacity building and local emissions reduction plan development with grant funding; 48 grants have been awarded in these communities. 
    • Implementing community-focused enforcement strategies.
    • Increasing funding flexibility and efficiency to respond to local needs, such as urban greening projects and indoor air filtration projects.

    To support these communities, the Statewide Mobile Monitoring Initiative (SMMI) was launched in June. The $27 million pilot project uses specially equipped vehicles to collect block-by-block pollution data to support actions to protect public health.

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    Jul 25, 2025

    News What you need to know: California is celebrating the fourth anniversary of the California Cradle-to-Career Data System, which connects datasets from multiple state entities to deliver information on education and workforce outcomes and help students reach their…

    Jul 24, 2025

    News Governor Newsom praises the State Water Board for incorporating the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program into the Bay-Delta Plan What you need to know: The Newsom Administration’s innovative Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, which improves environmental…

    Jul 24, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement today on a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit striking down California’s ammunition background check law, which was passed by voters in 2016: Strong…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Country heat policy review: Argentina

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Argentina has adopted several governance structures to address the impacts of extreme heat, focusing on integrating efforts into broader climate adaptation and disaster management frameworks.

    The National Weather Service (SMN) first introduced an early warning system for extreme heat in Buenos Aires in 2009, which has now expanded to cover 71 meteorological stations for country-wide alerts issued year-round due to changing climate patterns. These alerts are disseminated through various channels, including email systems and media partnerships, ensuring broad coverage across regions.

    The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with SMN, leads public health campaigns and has developed a sentinel surveillance system to monitor heat-related morbidity, tracking the health impacts of extreme temperatures across provinces. Argentina also involves provincial and local governments in implementing heat action plans and managing hospital responses during heatwave alerts, with emergency services playing a critical role in the outreach and protection of vulnerable populations.

    Early warning systems are further integrated into workplace regulations, adapting work hours and hydration protocols during extreme heat events, particularly in sectors like construction and agriculture, where workers are at higher risk. While not formalized, coordination with the energy and agricultural sectors helps manage the impacts of blackouts and other heat-related disruptions.

    Public-private partnerships play an increasing role in Argentina’s heat resilience efforts, including collaborations with organizations like the Argentine Red Cross and professional medical associations to improve emergency care and healthcare system capacity.

    Partnerships are also emerging in urban planning and energy sectors, including projects to develop green spaces and cool roofs to mitigate the urban heat island effect in low-income areas, such as the Cool Roofs Initiative, which targets temperature reduction in disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

    An important actor in these efforts is the Centre for the Implementation of Public Policies for Equity and Growth (CIPPEC), an independent, non-partisan organization dedicated to policy innovation. Through its “Cities” Programme, CIPPEC conducted dialogues on urban heat resilience to support climate adaptation at the municipal level and was instrumental in presenting a forthcoming project with Wellcome Trust, which aims to enhance Argentina’s heat resilience framework through strengthened municipal engagement.

    Argentina’s key achievements include expanding the early warning system to cover the entire population, developing the sentinel surveillance project to improve data on heat-related health impacts, and leveraging international funding for research.

    Additionally, Argentina’s public-private partnerships have enhanced its ability to respond to heat risks, and collaborations with international organizations, such as the United Nations and the World Bank, continue to strengthen the country’s capacity to manage extreme heat effectively. Argentina has also begun discussions around integrating heat resilience measures into long-term urban development plans, aiming to create a sustainable framework for heat adaptation in the years to come.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Country heat policy review: Ecuador

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Ecuador has integrated measures to address extreme heat within its broader climate change adaptation and disaster risk management frameworks.

    Key national strategies include the National Climate Change Strategy (ENCC), which outlines resilience building across sectors like agriculture, health, and urban planning, and the National Plan for Good Living, which incorporates environmental sustainability and climate resilience. The National Adaptation Plan(NAP) focuses on adapting to climate change impacts, including extreme weather events like heat waves, by enhancing early warning systems and promoting public awareness.

    The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition (MAATE) leads climate policy development, while the National Risk and Emergency Management Service (SNGRE) manages disaster risk, including preparedness and response to extreme heat. Local initiatives, especially in cities like Quito and Guayaquil, include municipal climate action plans aimed at mitigating the urban heat island effect through green spaces and improved urban planning. Community-based adaptation programmes, supported by NGOs and international organizations, focus on local resilience through education and infrastructure improvements.

    Public private partnerships (PPPs) do play a role in Ecuador, though perhaps not as robust as in other case study nations. For example, in Guayaquil, the local government partners with construction companies and paint manufacturers to promote the installation of cool roofs in residential and commercial buildings. These roofs use reflective materials to reduce indoor temperatures and energy consumption.

    In addition, utility companies in Ecuador, in partnership with local governments and international organizations, promote energy efficiency programmes that help residents and businesses reduce their energy consumption during heatwaves. These programmes include incentives for installing energy-efficient cooling systems and improving building insulation. And, the Ministry of Agriculture works with agribusinesses and NGOs to promote sustainable farming practices that can withstand extreme heat. This includes the development and distribution of heat-resistant crop varieties and the implementation of water-efficient irrigation systems.

    Key measures include developing early warning systems, conducting public awareness campaigns, and incorporating green infrastructure in urban planning. The healthcare sector is being strengthened to handle heat-related illnesses through training and improved infrastructure. Ecuador collaborates with international organizations like the UNDP and the World Bank for technical assistance and funding and conducts research to better understand and mitigate the impacts of extreme heat.

    These integrated efforts aim to build resilience against the impacts of extreme heat in Ecuador.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Country heat policy review: Canada

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Canada has adopted comprehensive governance structures to address extreme heat, involving national strategies, institutional frameworks, provincial and local government initiatives, and public-private partnerships.

    At the national level, the National Adaptation Strategy and the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change outline measures to build resilience against extreme heat. The Health and well-being system in the National Adaptation Strategy particularly emphasizes protecting Canadians from climate-related health risks, including extreme heat.

    Health Canada plays a pivotal role by providing evidence-based guidance, heat health science, and best practices for provincial and local authorities to implement Heat Alert and Response Systems (HARS). It also collaborates with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to inform heat-related weather warnings. Provincial and territorial governments lead the response to heat health risks, with the Federal Government supporting local-level adaptation.

    Provincial heat action plans in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia, along with municipal heat response plans in cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, outline specific measures such as establishing cooling centres, disseminating heat health messages, and modifying urban design to reduce heat risks. These efforts are also extended to Indigenous communities, where culturally appropriate response planning is underway.

    Public-private partnerships (PPPs) play a significant role in enhancing heat resilience. In Toronto, PPPs have focused on retrofitting buildings with energy-efficient cooling systems, creating green roofs, and expanding urban parks to mitigate the urban heat island effect. Similarly, Hydro-Québec collaborates with businesses to promote energy-saving technologies that reduce electricity demand during heatwaves.

    Key achievements include the widespread implementation of HARS, public education campaigns, and strengthened health sector preparedness to manage heat-related illnesses. Canada also collaborates with international organizations to share best practices, filling knowledge gaps and advancing research, such as addressing indoor heat health risks. These coordinated efforts aim to protect public health, enhance urban resilience, and mitigate the impacts of extreme heat across Canada.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Country heat policy review: India

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    India has implemented significant governance structures to address extreme heat, with a focus on early warning systems, public health management, and adaptation strategies.

    India’s efforts have resulted in a reduction of heat-related illnesses and mortality, particularly in urban areas, where lower- income populations are especially vulnerable. Governance is coordinated at multiple levels, involving national, state, and local governments.

    The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) plays a central role in developing heat action plans (HAPs) and early warning systems, collaborating with state-level and district- level disaster management authorities. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) provides a five-day probabilistic heat early warning system, along with daily and seasonal forecasts. These warnings help regions prepare for heatwaves and protect vulnerable populations. The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, leads health system capacity-building initiatives to manage heat-related illnesses. State and local governments, particularly in cities like Ahmedabad, implement localized heat action plans tailored to regional needs.

    India’s early warning systems are adapted to the country’s diverse climate and linguistic landscape. State-specific approaches, such as translating warnings into local languages, ensure accessibility in urban and rural areas alike. Local governments collaborate with civil society organizations, such as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Indian Institute of Public Health, to develop and implement heat action plans in cities like Ahmedabad and Jodhpur.

    India also leverages public-private and nonprofit collaborations. Heat insurance pilots, targeting vulnerable populations like outdoor workers and women in low-income urban areas, have been launched with organizations such as the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) and Mahila Housing Trust.

    Although challenges around sustainability remain, these initiatives provide financial protection during extreme heat. Additionally, cooling solutions like the Cool Roofs Initiative, which installs reflective materials on rooftops to reduce indoor temperatures, have been piloted in several states.

    India has achieved notable successes in heat management, particularly in Ahmedabad, the first city to implement a heat action plan. Ahmedabad’s HAP has significantly reduced heat- related illnesses and mortality and has served as a model for other regions. The scaling of heat action plans across the country has led to more scientific, evidence-based approaches. Early warning systems have expanded to cover more regions since 2015, providing impact-based warnings nationwide.

    Furthermore, multi-sectoral integration-spanning agriculture, water management, utilities, and transportation-reflects India’s comprehensive approach to heat resilience.

    India’s innovative and collaborative efforts position the country as a leader in managing extreme heat. While challenges remain, particularly in ensuring the sustainability of heat insurance programmes and recognizing heat as a formal disaster.

    India’s focus on scaling its initiatives across states and sectors demonstrates its commitment to building robust heat adaptation strategies.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Flying Dust First Nation and Canada reach settlement agreement

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    July 25, 2025 — Flying Dust First Nation, Treaty 6 Territory, Saskatchewan — Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Flying Dust First Nation

    Today, Chief Tyson Bear of Flying Dust First Nation and the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced a settlement agreement to resolve a land-related claim between Canada and the First Nation.

    Canada will provide more than $55 million in compensation to the Flying Dust First Nation for the improper transfer of 214.81 acres of treaty land in 1932 to the Canadian Pacific Railway which denied the First Nation its use for generations.

    Since then, about 200.8 acres have been returned, including two pieces of land held by Canada for a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detachment. The RCMP and the First Nation signed a lease, and on November 7, 2024, the land was formally transferred back to reserve status. The remaining land, once owned by the railway company, was remediated through cooperation between Canada, the Canadian National Railway (successor to the Canadian Pacific Railway) and the community.

    As part of the agreement, the First Nation may also add nearly 14 acres to its reserve through Canada’s Additions to Reserve process.

    The Flying Dust First Nation has always recognized the Railway lands as reserve land. The story of how it it was expropriated in the early 1930s is part of the oral history of leadership. The story of the land has been passed down the years to ensure the people didn’t forget. From Chief to Chief, from Council to Council, the Flying Dust First Nation always committed to have the railway lands returned home.

    A plan was made in 1992 when Chief Richard Gladue placed a caveat on the lands and launched the lawsuit. In the 30 years that followed, every Chief and Council joined the team and pushed the file forward. The most recent leadership team, Chief Tyson Bear, Council Calvin Bear, Marie Gladue, Nick Derocher, Charmaine Mirasty, were the ones who got to see the claim to its fruition.

    The vision of reacquiring the Railway Lands has always been seen as a certainty. As such, plans for development of the property has been ongoing for almost 20 years.  Flying Dust has always had a vision of what the land could be and what it would mean for the people of Flying Dust, Meadow Lake and the surrounding communities.

    Settlements like this provide funding that First Nations can use to buy land and create new opportunities for their communities and economies. Settling specific claims is one way Canada is working to rebuild trust and strengthen its relationships with First Nations. By providing fair compensation when promises haven’t been kept, Canada is taking responsibility for the past and working toward a more respectful future. These efforts are guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Southern District of Texas charges 204 this week alone in relation to border enforcement efforts

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    HOUSTON – A total of 201 new cases have been filed related to immigration and border security from July 18-24, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Among those are 87 people who face charges of illegally reentering the country. The majority have prior felony convictions for narcotics, violent crime, prior immigration crimes and more. A total of 98 people are charged with illegally entering the country, while 11 cases allege various instances of human smuggling with the remainder involving other immigration crimes and assault of officers.

    Some of those facing new criminal charges are five Mexican nationals, all of whom have previous felony convictions, according to their charges. One is Cristian Jesus Rodriguez-Cuarenta who allegedly has a prior conviction for conspiracy to transport an illegal alien and had just been removed in January. Four others – Juan Manuel Perez-Tamez, Ramiro Rodriguez-Esquivel, Jose Martinez-Lemus and Hector Esael Gonzalez-Garcia – are also alleged to be convicted felons of crimes including drug trafficking, multiple driving while intoxicated instances or illegal reentry. Despite their previous removals on varying dates between 2019 – 2022, authorities allegedly discovered all five men in the Edinburg area without any authorization to be in the United States. They face up to 20 years in federal prison, if convicted.

    Also in the McAllen area this week, a suspicious vehicle led to the arrest of three, two of whom are Mexican nationals, and the discovery of nearly three dozen illegal aliens. They are now charged with human smuggling after authorities discovered 24 illegal aliens hidden in a tractor trailer at a Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint, which included defendant Elbis Lisandro Moreno Uruqia. Joe Michael Cruz and Uruqia allegedly transported the aliens from Mission to Hebbronville. According to the charges, Uruqia and Cruz smuggled 18 aliens two weeks earlier. A related search at a Mission residence led to the arrest of Jesus Felipe Hernandez Rangel and the discovery of 10 additional illegal aliens, according to the complaint. If convicted, each faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

    In addition to the new cases, Laredo resident Juan Francisco Reyna was ordered to federal prison. He led a multi-year human smuggling operation that used social media, inclement weather and the Covid-19 pandemic to transport over 100 illegal aliens, including minors, across the United States. Reyna coordinated the scheme through Facebook, paid drivers to monitor checkpoints and scheduled crossings during storms to avoid detection. Authorities linked him to stash houses in Laredo and San Antonio where they seized over $56,000 in U.S. currency and ammunition. He received a sentence of 63 months.

    “Over the past six months, the Department of Justice has made securing our national border the number one priority, and the Southern District is putting that promise into action,” said Ganjei. “Human smugglers may have had an easy time over the past few years, but those days are over. If you engage in these crimes, if you break our nation’s immigration laws, you will be caught and you will be punished. Simple as that.”

    An armed cartel carjacker was also sentenced this week. Mexican national Johnathan Mata-Espinoza received 108 months for two counts of armed carjacking. On July 27, 2023, he threatened two adults and a child, stealing their vehicle after they refused to give him a ride to the bus station, saying, “You better take me because if not, I will kill you all.” Authorities later linked him to a second armed encounter that same night, during which he threatened another victim and displayed a concealed firearm.

    In Corpus Christi, a 40-year-old Mexican national illegally living in Houston pleaded guilty to leading a human smuggling organization and unlawfully reentering the United States. Edgar-Ruiz-Briones coordinated transportation of illegal aliens crossing the southern border, recruited drivers from as far as Kansas and managing over 100 smuggling trips into the United States over an 18-month period. He handled payments from aliens and paid drivers to move them from stash houses to destinations across the country. Ruiz-Briones, who had previously been removed multiple times, now faces up to 30 years in federal prison.

    Jose Pascual Soliz received a sentence of 240 months in federal prison after admitting to recruiting Clara Miranda Aleman and others as well as coordinating the transportation of methamphetamine hidden in a vehicle’s gas tank. Aleman helped smuggle the drugs into the United States as part of a Laredo-based trafficking operation tied to Cartel De Noreste. Authorities seized more than 11.85 kilograms of methamphetamine from the pair, noting it was part of a larger shipment. The court also found Soliz had multiple felony convictions, including one for narcotics trafficking. Aleman previously received a 41-month sentence.

    A Corpus Christi jury also convicted a former Texas National Guard soldier of smuggling illegal aliens. Mario Sandoval coordinated smuggling trips in the Rio Grande Valley and sent text messages to a co-conspirator about law enforcement activity. The defense attempted to convince the jury no conspiracy existed, and his text messages were out of context. The jury did not believe those claims and found him guilty. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

    In Houston, a 32-year-old Mexican national was ordered to serve 42 months after again illegally reentering the country. Juan Medina-Garcia has felony convictions for possession, aggravated assault and illegal reentry. He also has two prior removals from the United States. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the sentence should serve as a significant deterrence to prevent any future illegal reentries.

    These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Homeland Security Investigations, ICE – Enforcement and Removal Operations, BP, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.

    The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

    Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.  

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than nine million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes. 

    An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ivory Coast – Opening of the Odienné military engineering camp: a major asset for the region, both in security and civil terms

    Source: APO

    Officially opened on May 23, 2025, the new Odienné camp is planned to house a specialized military engineering unit, responsible for important missions such as the creation of infrastructure, assistance with military missions, and contribution to civil-military activities. “This camp will actively participate in local development through the construction of bridges, roads, public buildings, and humanitarian actions,” says surveyor Serges Arnaud Bilé.

    This structure underscores the State’s desire to renew its commitment to protecting citizens, ensuring security, and encouraging balanced development in adjacent territories. Its opening is ultimately part of a national dynamic aimed at modernizing and strengthening the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire (FACI).

    “Since Odienné is a border area, this camp strengthens the strategic presence of the armed forces in the North. It will improve the army’s operational and logistical capabilities, address security challenges, and ensure the country’s stability,” says teacher Bertrand Singo Tia.

    Much more than just a military installation, the Odienné Engineering Camp fosters collaboration between the armed forces and local populations in a spirit of unity. It also constitutes an essential lever for the economic and social development of the Denguélé region. “This camp will offer new training and employment opportunities for residents and will facilitate the construction of civilian infrastructure thanks to the skills of the Engineering units,” said Cissé Aboubakar, an Odiénné official.

    The inauguration of this military center enabled the acquisition and delivery of more than 150 heavy machines and specialized vehicles.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Portail Officiel du Gouvernement de Côte d’Ivoire.

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: DUP councillor’s ‘outrageous’ comments have no place in society – Gildernew

    Source: Sinn Féin

    Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has described as outrageous comments by a DUP councillor, saying they have no place in society.The Chair of the Communities Committee was speaking after comments by the DUP’s Reuben Glover at a Mid and East Antrim Borough Council meeting.“These comments by Reuben Glover are outrageous, xenophobic and only serve to fuel racial hatred and tensions. “As political leaders we have a responsibility to act with maturity and show leadership, especially in times of tension and when we have seen disorder on our streets.
    “Recently we witnessed racist attacks by sectarian and violent elements of loyalism targeting people in their homes. Instead of calling this out, those who have been driven from their homes have been targeted instead.“Racism, racist violence and intimidation is unacceptable, wrong and it must stop immediately.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN warns of escalating human toll in Ukraine amid relentless aerial attacks, mounting aid shortfall

    Source: United Nations 4

    “Nowhere is safe in Ukraine,” said Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe at the UN Department of Political Affairs (UNDPPA).

    Citing figures from the UN human rights office, OHCHR, he said civilian casualties reached a three-year high in June, with 6,754 civilians killed or injured in the first half of 2025 alone.

    Russian forces launched over 5,000 long-range munitions against Ukraine so far in July, including a record-breaking 728 drones in a single day. Major cities such as Kyiv and Odesa have been hit by swarms of missiles and drones.

    Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya echoed those words, saying “there is no safe place left in Ukraine” as the use of explosive weapons in populated areas has left cities reeling.

    A rehabilitation centre for persons with disabilities in Kharkiv, maternity wards, schools, and energy infrastructure have all come under fire in recent weeks.

    UN Photo/Manuel Elías

    Joyce Msuya, UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, briefs the Security Council meeting on maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.

    Spiralling humanitarian situation

    The humanitarian impact is worsening sharply, she continued.

    “Nearly 13 million people need assistance, but limited funding means we can reach only a fraction of them,” Ms. Msuya warned. As of now, only 34 per cent of the $2.6 billion required for this year’s humanitarian response has been received.

    Ukraine’s displacement crisis also continues to grow. Over 3.7 million people remain displaced within the country, while nearly six million are refugees abroad. More than 26,000 people have newly registered at transit centres since April alone.

    Strikes in Russia

    The senior UN officials also expressed concern over reported civilian casualties from Ukrainian drone strikes inside Russia, including in Belgorod, Kursk and Moscow.

    While the UN could not independently verify these incidents, Mr. Jenča reiterated: “International law clearly prohibits attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. We strongly condemn all such attacks – wherever they occur.”

    Concerns over nuclear safety

    Attacks near Ukraine’s nuclear facilities have further alarmed the UN.

    Earlier this month, drone strikes hit Enerhodar, where Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant staff live, and drones have been detected near other operating plants.

    “Any nuclear incident must be avoided at all costs,” Mr. Jenča said.

    UN Photo/Manuel Elías

    ASG Miroslav Jenča (on screen) briefs the Security Council meeting on the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.

    Political momentum needed

    While some diplomatic movement continues – including recent prisoner exchanges and talks in Istanbul – UN officials called for intensified political will toward a ceasefire.

    “The heartbreaking and rising human toll of the past nearly three-and-a-half years of war underscores the urgency of a complete, immediate and unconditional ceasefire,” Mr. Jenča said, “as the first step towards a just and lasting peace.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Gaza First Person: ‘The best of humankind in a place abandoned by humanity’

    Source: United Nations 4

    Sonia Silva has been working in the embattled enclave since the beginning of November 2023, just one-month after the terror attack by Hamas and other armed groups in southern Israel that sparked the brutal conflict.

    She spoke to UN News about the misery people have experienced in recent days.

    “In my one year and eight months in Gaza, this past week has been by far the worst. The only comparable experience was the Rafah incursion in May 2024, when the border was closed, but this week has been significantly more intense.

    I live in UNICEF accommodation in Deir Al-Balah, a city in central Gaza.

    Sonia Silva, UNICEF Head of Office in Gaza.

    When you drive from south to north in the Gaza Strip, it looks as if there has just been a major natural disaster. The level of destruction has reached an unprecedented scale, devastating civilian infrastructure and entire neighborhoods.

    Buildings are no longer standing. People are living in destroyed houses, tents and on the streets.

    Seeing humanity in this condition is scary and fills me with a sense of doom and fear.

    Terrifying offensive

    Deir Al-Balah is or had been different.

    It’s one of the few places in the Gaza Strip where urban infrastructure remains. It has been somewhat spared, compared to other areas.

    That is until last Sunday evening, when a terrifying offensive was unleashed on Deir Al-Balah.

    I have yet to see the level of destruction over the last few days, but reports indicate it is significant.

    A building was destroyed by a rocket blast only 100 metres from where I normally sleep.

    But, for 72 hours my colleagues and I barely slept. The explosions and gunfire were incessant.

    It is stronger than you.

    Your body knows something is wrong and is in an upper state of alertness.

    I was not scared, but I was deeply concerned about my national colleagues who were very close to the crossfire and who were trying to comfort young children.

    Families evacuate from Deir Al-Balah in the Gaza Strip

    I am fortunate because I am an international civil servant and am entitled to a break. Every 4 to 6 weeks, I get to leave, I get to rest, I get to recharge my batteries.

    But, not my Palestinian colleagues and their families, who have lived through this for more than 21 months, who have lost everything, their loved ones and belongings.

    They don’t get to switch off.

    UNICEF staff vaccinate children against polio in September 2024.

    The ongoing shortages of food are making things worse. It affects the entire population, including our frontline partners, our national colleagues and all the supporting staff.

    What has struck me most about Gaza is that despite the hardship, colleagues keep going, colleagues keep teasing each other, colleagues who have lost everything show the utmost generosity and solidarity.

    I would like to pay tribute to all of my colleagues and our partners who are hanging on to fragments of hope for a better life but still keep essential services running.

    They are the best of humankind in a place abandoned by humanity.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman David Scott Calls on Bureau of Indian Affairs to Reconsider Recognition for Georgia’s Native American Tribes

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Scott (GA-13)

    Read Letter PDF

    WASHINGTON D.C. –  Today, Congressman David Scott (GA-13), wrote a letter to Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Assistant Secretary, Scott Davis, and Department of the Interior Secretary, Doug Burgum, urging the department reconsider a decision to deny federal recognition for Georgia’s Tribe of Eastern Cherokee and Lower Muscogee Creek Tribe. The letter further calls on the BIA to reexamine its rigid criteria for federal recognition which often overlooks the historical disruptions and forced assimilation that fractured many tribal communities.

    “Georgia’s Native American communities have been a vital part of our state’s history for well over 1,000 years,” said Congressman David Scott. “Despite their undeniable legacy and obtaining state recognition from the General Assembly, the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee and Lower Muskogee Creek Tribe continue to face systemic barriers to gaining federal recognition. These barriers are rooted in centuries of marginalization and a refusal by the Bureau of Indian Affairs to recognize how some tribes were forced to hide their ancestry in order to remain in their homelands. It’s time for the BIA to correct this historical injustice while ensuring future petitions are reviewed with greater transparency, respect, and cultural understanding.”

    “I commend Congressman David Scott for championing the voices of Georgia’s Native communities and calling for a fair review of federal acknowledgment for the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee and the Lower Muskogee Creek Tribe—two tribes already recognized by the state of Georgia,” said Chairman Nealie McCormick. “His support brings vital attention to these communities, which have preserved their heritage, culture, and identity despite generations of hardship. Acknowledgment at the federal level is a meaningful step toward justice, fairness, and greater opportunity for these tribes.”

    “I’m thrilled at the prospect of having our State-Recognized Tribes be reconsidered for Federal Recognition,” said Council Chair Bennett. “It is my opinion that the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee and the Lower Muscogee Creek have endured almost two centuries of abuse at the hand of the Federal Government over the events that took place in Georgia in the 1830s.  Georgia passed laws that made it impossible to remain in the State if you admitted heritage.  We have kept our Tribes together, we have maintained our identity, and we have suffered greatly in many ways because of it. There is a massive amount of history in the State of Georgia, which we have, in many instances, held onto by a thread due to a lack of monetary means. It is our hope that we will be able to maintain our Heritage and our Traditions by means of Federal Recognition.”

    The federal recognition process for Native American tribes is critical for signaling that the U.S. government acknowledges a tribe as a sovereign entity with the right to self-govern. Federal recognition establishes a government-to-government relationship, similar to how the U.S. interacts with foreign nations. It allows tribes to access funding for Indian Health services, housing, education, jobs and economic development, and vital cultural preservation.

    The BIA’s decision to deny federal recognition to the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee and Lower Muscogee Creek Tribe have imposed real-world consequences for these tribes. Decades of denials have relied on a strict administrative criterion that failed to consider the disruptions of traditional governance and loss of records caused by generations of forced assimilation and exclusion.

    Read Letter HERE.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Alford Applauds USDA Reorganization Plan, Selection of Kansas City as Hub

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mark Alford (Missouri 4th District)

    Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a reorganization plan that includes making Kansas City, Missouri a new staffing and services hub for the

    “We applaud Agriculture Secretary Rollins bold reorganization plan, which will bring the USDA closer to the farmers and ranchers it serves,” said Congressman Alford. “With more than 87,000 farms, Missouri is an excellent choice as a new hub for agency staff and services. With costly deferred maintenance and low occupancy rates, the USDA’s headquarters and other offices in the DC area have become an onerous burden on American taxpayers. Our office has long advocated for decentralizing federal agencies from the USDA to the Small Business Administration. The Kansas City Metro Area is proud to welcome the Agriculture Department.”

    Congressman Alford has been a longtime advocate for the decentralization of federal agencies, including USDA. As a member of the Agriculture Committee in the 118th Congress, he specifically pushed for this action. Now, as a member of the Appropriations Committee he has oversight of the USDA’s budget.

    Additional background courtesy of the USDA:

    The Department currently has approximately 4,600 employees within the National Capital Region (NCR). This Region has one of the highest costs of living in the country, with a federal salary locality rate of 33.94%. In selecting its hub locations, USDA considered where existing concentrations of USDA employees are located and factored in the cost of living. Washington, D.C. will still hold functions for every mission area of USDA at the conclusion of this reorganization, but USDA expects no more than 2,000 employees will remain in the NCR.

    USDA will vacate and return to the General Services Administration the South Building, Braddock Place, and the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, and revisit utilization and functions in the USDA Whitten Building, Yates Building, and the National Agricultural Library. The George Washington Carver Center will also be utilized until space optimization activities are completed. These buildings have a backlog of costly deferred maintenance and currently are occupied below the minimum set by law. For example, the South Building has approximately $1.3 billion in deferred maintenance and has an average daily occupancy of less than 1,900 individuals for a building that can house over 6,000 employees.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: $12 Million to Revitalize Former Mill Sites Advanced by Senator Collins in Funding Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $12,000,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending to revitalize former paper and textile mill sites in East Millinocket, Lewiston, and Lincoln. This funding, included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill, was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee this week and now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
    “Many communities throughout Maine are still working to create job opportunities and spur economic activity following paper mill closures,” said Senator Collins. “This funding would support the continued efforts to redevelop the former Great Northern Paper Mill in East Millinocket, Camden Yarns Mill in Lewiston, and Lincoln Pulp and Tissue Mill. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
    “We’re deeply grateful to Senator Collins for her continued support of East Millinocket’s redevelopment efforts. Senator Collins’ advocacy was instrumental in advancing this critical federal investment. Funding for this phase marks a pivotal moment in our work to transform the former Great Northern Paper mill site into a vibrant hub of economic opportunity. With this support, we are one step closer to creating sustainable jobs, attracting private investment, and restoring long-term economic vitality to our region,” said Former U.S. Representative and Chairman of East Millinocket Board of Selectman Michael Michaud.  
    “The federal government’s critical support of the Maine MILL would allow us to complete construction of our new facility in Lewiston and would firmly establish an important expansion of a major civic institution for our entire community. This investment would also significantly contribute to the economic development of the Lewiston-Auburn area. We are deeply grateful to Senator Collins for her essential support,” said Rachel Ferrante, Executive Director of Maine MILL.
    “The Town of Lincoln thanks Senator Collins for her critical support in advancing federal funding for infrastructure improvements to the ongoing redevelopment of the former Lincoln Pulp and Tissue Mill, now known as the Lincoln Technology Park. This effort will help spark new private sector investments and vital job creation at the former mill site,” said Richard B. Bronson, Lincoln Town Manager.
    This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY 2026 THUD Appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate.
    Funding advanced by Senator Collins is as follows:
    East Millinocket Paper Mill – $5,000,000 to support the ongoing redevelopment of the former Great Northern mill site by stabilizing and rehabilitating existing structures — adding strategic infrastructure for priority projects and continuing site clean-up for redevelopment and construction of new facilities.
    Maine MILL – $3,000,000 to support the redevelopment of the Camden Yarns Mill building to serve as Maine MILL’s permanent home. Currently located on Canal Street in Lewiston, the Maine MILL showcases the history of Lewiston-Auburn’s manufacturing mills and related trades.
    Lincoln Technology Park – $4,000,000 to support the redevelopment of the former Lincoln Pulp and Tissue Mill by making infrastructure upgrades for future development by businesses.
    In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $1 billion for hundreds of Maine projects for FY 2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: $6 Million for Maine After-School and Child Care Programs Advanced by Senator Collins in Funding Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $6,000,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for Maine after-school programs and child care in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee this week, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
    “Access to affordable after-school programs and child care helps promote financial stability for families while benefiting Maine’s small businesses and local economies,” said Senator Collins. “This funding would support the next generation of Mainers, helping to ensure students and their families have the skills, tools, and support needed to achieve their goals. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
    This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY 2026 THUD Appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate.
    Funding advanced by Senator Collins is as follows:
    Boys & Girls Club of Southern Maine– $3,000,000 to support the construction of the Bridge to Success Teen Center. The Center aims to provide teenagers and young adults from low-income family’s access to career and college-readiness programs. This funding would also support renovations to the Portland Clubhouse to accommodate a growing membership and expand services for elementary and middle school students.
    Rumford Child Care and Community Center – $3,000,000 to support the construction of a child care and community center at the site of the Rumford Elementary School. The facility would support families in Northern Oxford County and Western Franklin County.
    In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $1 billion for hundreds of Maine projects for FY 2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RIDOH and DEM Recommend Avoiding Contact with Meshanticut Lake

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are recommending people avoid contact with Meshanticut Lake in Cranston due to a confirmed cyanobacteria bloom. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are naturally present in bodies of water, but under certain environmental conditions will form harmful algae blooms?(HABs). All recreation, including swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking, is high risk to health and recommended to be avoided at this location. HABs can produce toxins which can be harmful to humans and animals.

    Use caution in all areas of Meshanticut Lake as cyanobacteria HABs can move locations in ponds and lakes. People should not drink untreated water or eat fish from affected waterbodies.?Pet owners should not allow pets to drink or swim in this water.?

    Skin contact with water containing toxin-producing cyanobacteria can cause irritation of the skin, nose, eyes, and throat. Symptoms from ingestion of water can include stomachache, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Less common symptoms can include dizziness, headache, fever, liver damage, and nervous system damage. Young children and pets are at higher risk for health effects associated with cyanobacteria HABs because they are more likely to swallow water when they are in or around bodies of water. People who have had contact with these ponds and experience those symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.?

    If you or your pet come into contact with a cyanobacteria HAB:

    — Rinse your skin with clean water right away. — Shower and wash your clothes when you get home. — If your pet was exposed, wash it with clean water immediately and don’t let it lick algae from its fur. — Call a vet if your pet shows signs of illness like tiredness, no eating, vomiting, diarrhea or other symptoms within a day. — If you feel sick after contact, call a healthcare provider.

    Affected waters might look bright to dark green, with thick algae floating on the surface. It may resemble green paint, pea soup, or green cottage cheese. If you see water like this, people and pets should avoid contact with the water.

    To report suspected cyanobacteria blooms, contact DEM’s Office of Water Resources at 401-222-4700 Press 6 or?DEM.OWRCyano@dem.ri.gov?and if possible, send a photograph of the reported algae bloom.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell, Colleagues Call For Investigations Into Deaths of Americans in Gaza

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    07.25.25
    Cantwell, Colleagues Call For Investigations Into Deaths of Americans in Gaza
    Lawmakers seeking accountability for the July 11 death of Saifulla Kamel Musallet, as well as updates into the deaths of 6 other Americans
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined 28 of her Democratic colleagues in the Senate in sending a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Attorney General Pam Bondi calling for an investigation into the death of Palestinian-American Saifullah Kamel Musallet in the West Bank earlier this month, as well as updates into the investigations of other deaths in Gaza, including 26-year-old Aysenur Ezgi Eygi from Washington state.
    “The Netanyahu government has failed to hold anyone accountable for any of these seven killings of Americans and the United States government has failed in its responsibility to protect American citizens overseas and demand justice for their deaths. These failures have made it more likely that more Americans and other civilians will be killed in the West Bank by Israeli security forces or violent settlers who can act with impunity,” the senators wrote.
    “Following the Trump Administration’s sudden revocation of all U.S. sanctions against extremist settlers in the West Bank, the first five months of 2025 have seen the highest rate of settler attacks in years and the killing of another American. We urge you to pursue a different approach.”
    Saifullah Kamel Musallet, a 20-year-old Palestinian American from Florida, was visiting family near the West Bank town of Sinjil on July 11 when he was beaten to death by extremist Israeli settlers. He is the seventh American killed in the region since Jan. 1, 2022 – a list that also includes University of Washington student Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who was shot and killed by Israeli military during a peaceful protest against illegal settlements in September.
    Following Aysenur Ezgi Eygi’s death, Sen. Cantwell sent a solo letter to President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling for a full and independent investigation.
    “The killings of these Americans in the West Bank have been met by a lack of accountability from the Netanyahu government and a pattern of indifference by the U.S. government. These failures have contributed to an unacceptable culture of impunity when it comes to killing of civilians in the West Bank, including Americans,” the senators wrote yesterday. “It is long past time for the U.S. government to demand accountability in these killings of Americans.”
    The letter was led by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and is cosigned by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Peter Welch (D-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jack Reed (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Chris Murphy (D-CN).
    Full text of the letter is HERE and below.
    Dear Secretary Rubio and Attorney General Bondi,
    We write with grave concern regarding the brutal killing of a Palestinian-American, Saifullah Kamel Musallet, near the West Bank town of Sinjil, on July 11, 2025. The U.S. government must conduct a credible and independent investigation into his beating death and hold all perpetrators accountable. Protecting and supporting U.S. citizens abroad is one of the foremost responsibilities of the U.S. government. The Biden Administration failed to secure accountability for the killing of respected Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, or any of the other four American citizens – Omar Assad, Tawfic Abdel Jabbar, Mohammad Ahmed Mohammad Khdour, and Aysenur Ezgi Eygi – killed in the West Bank while they were in office.[1] Following the Trump Administration’s sudden revocation of all U.S. sanctions against extremist settlers in the West Bank, the first five months of 2025 have seen the highest rate of settler attacks in years and the killing of another American. We urge you to pursue a different approach.
    Saifullah Kamal Musallet is the seventh American citizen killed in the West Bank since January 2022 — and the fifth in just the last nineteen months. The killings of these Americans in the West Bank have been met by a lack of accountability from the Netanyahu government and a pattern of indifference by the U.S. government. These failures have contributed to an unacceptable culture of impunity when it comes to killing of civilians in the West Bank, including Americans.
    Saifullah Kamel Musallet, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen from Florida, was visiting family in the West Bank when he was beaten to death by extremist Israeli settlers during a settler attack on the town of Sinjil. Reports indicate that ambulances could not reach the injured for more than two hours because settlers were blocking the area and the Israeli military refused to allow ambulances to pass.[2] In April of this year, a 14-year-old boy from New Jersey, Amer Mohammad Saada Rabee, was also killed in the West Bank. Amer was reportedly shot at the entrance to Turmus Ayya and the Israeli army pronounced him dead after detaining him. Reports suggest that Amer was shot a total of 11 times and two other Americans were also shot in the incident.[3]
    Last year, three other U.S. citizens were killed in the West Bank, including two teenagers. Tawfic Abdel Jabbar and Mohammad Ahmed Mohammad Khdour were both 17-year-old U.S. citizens visiting their families in the West Bank when they were shot and killed in separate incidents. In both cases they were shot in the head while they were traveling in vehicles.[4] The third U.S. citizen gunned down in the West Bank last year was Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old American citizen raised in Seattle who was shot in the head by an Israeli soldier from a distance of 200 meters.[5]
    The Netanyahu government has failed to hold anyone accountable for any of these seven killings of Americans and the United States government has failed in its responsibility to protect American citizens overseas and demand justice for their deaths. These failures have made it more likely that more Americans and other civilians will be killed in the West Bank by Israeli security forces or violent settlers who can act with impunity.
    It is long past time for the U.S. government to demand accountability in these killings of Americans. To that end, we urge you to immediately launch an independent investigation into the brutal killing of Saifullah Kamel Musallet, including the circumstances that blocked ambulances from reaching him. We also ask that you provide us with an update on the status of any investigations into the killings of the six other Americans who have been killed since January 2022, and provide us with a briefing on actions you are taking to ensure accountability for their deaths and to prevent future killings of Americans in the West Bank.
    We respectfully ask for a response within two weeks.

    [1] Lucas, Ryan. “DOJ Silent as Families of Americans Killed in West Bank, Gaza Demand It Investigate.” NPR, 10 Oct. 2024, www.npr.org/2024/10/10/nx-s1-5106059/west-bank-gaza-israel-justice-department/.
    [2] Levine, Heidi, et al. “Palestinian American from Florida Killed in the West Bank, Family Says.” The Washington Post, 12 July 2025, www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/07/11/palestinian-american-west-bank-death-tampa/.
    [3]Ott, Haley. “American Teen Fatally Shot in Israeli-Occupied West Bank as Netanyahu Visits Trump.” Cbsnews.com, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-west-bank-palestinian-american-amir-mohammed-rabee-killed/.
    [4] Yahya Abou-Ghazala, and Alex Marquardt. “Families of Killed Palestinian-Americans Demand Answers of US, Israel.” CNN, 23 Feb. 2024, www.cnn.com/2024/02/23/world/palestinian-americans-demand-answers-invs.
    [5] Hubbard, Ben, and Gulsin Harman. “At Funeral in Turkey, Family Mourns American Activist Aysenur Eygi.” The New York Times, 14 Sept. 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/09/14/world/middleeast/turkey-us-activist-killed-israel-west-bank.html.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Tribal Support for Newhouse Legislation

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

    Headline: WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Tribal Support for Newhouse Legislation

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act alongside Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to improve hiring and retention for tribal law enforcement officers in Central Washington and across the United States.  

    Here is what they are saying about the Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act: 

    Jarred-Michael Erickson, Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, said, “The Colville Tribes strongly supports the ‘Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act. The bill would implement long overdue reforms and remove administrative barriers to tribal law officers enforcing federal laws on their reservation lands. It will also assist the Colville Tribes and other tribes in recruiting and retaining officers, which is critical for rural tribes that have large land bases and not enough officers to adequately patrol.” 

    Jeremy Takala, Law & Order Committee Chairman, Yakama Nation Tribal Council, said, “Bolstering support for Tribal law enforcement recruitment and retention is crucial to addressing the many serious and systemic public safety issues in Indian Country. The issue is particularly pressing for the Yakama Nation and other tribes with large-land bases and a severe lack of resources to adequately patrol such a vast area. At Yakama we are facing an overwhelming confluence of public safety crises. We have experienced a surge in violent and property crimes, the highest rate of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women/People in the region, and a terrifying rise in outside gang and cartel-related drug activity coming onto our lands, including the pervasive and deadly fentanyl epidemic. The recent coordinated, multi-agency drug trafficking interdiction “Operation Overdrive” that dismantled a large drug distribution network operating on the Yakama Reservation shows what is possible when all levels of government work together to make our communities safer. The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act will help give the Yakama Nation and other tribes the tools and funding necessary to protect our communities and people who live, work, and raise their families on our lands. The Yakama Nation appreciates Congressman Newhouse’s partnership with us and his continued work to address long-standing impediments to Tribal sovereignty and our public safety efforts.” 

    Dustin Klatush, Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, said, “The Chehalis Tribe strongly supports the bill. Our Tribe is fortunate in that we are able to pay our law enforcement officers competitive salaries but competitive retirement benefits are currently out of reach for Chehalis and most other tribes around the country. If enacted, this will allow Chehalis and other tribes to take care of the officers that patrol and keep our communities safe.” 

    Glen Nenema, Chairman, Kalispel Tribe of Indians, said, “Many tribal police departments are chronically understaffed and massively underfunded. The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act would level the playing field for tribal police benefits, retirement, and pension, allowing tribes to improve retention and recruitment of officers on tribal lands. Ultimately, passage of the act would help improve overall safety in tribal communities. We are grateful to Congressman Newhouse, Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez, and their colleagues for championing this act and hope the overwhelming tribal support will ensure its approval.” 

    Everett Ekdahl, Jr., Vice President, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, said, “As a tribal law enforcement officer and an elected tribal leader, I know firsthand how hard it is to recruit and retain law enforcement officers. This bill will make it so much easier to achieve that objective by ensuring tribal law enforcement officers have access to proper retirement benefits. This bill will make our community safer.” 

    Leonard Forsman, Chairman, Suquamish Tribe, said, “The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act will provide tribal nations with the tools necessary to recruit and retain law enforcements officers. It shows Congress’s commitment to public safety on tribal lands and the fair treatment of tribal law enforcement officers. We are grateful for Senator Cantwell, Congressman Newhouse, and Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez for their leadership on this important issue.” 

    Timothy Nuvangyaoma, Chairman, Hopi Tribe, said, “The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act represents a crucial advancement in ensuring that tribal law enforcement agencies, such as Hopi Law Enforcement Services, have the support they need to protect those that live and work on the Hopi Reservation. The Hopi Tribe is grateful to Senator Cantwell, Congressman Newhouse, Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez, and their colleagues for their leadership strengthening recruitment, retention, and public safety across tribal nations.” 

    Teri Gobin, Chair, Tulalip Tribes, said, “The Tulalip Tribes strongly and unequivocally support the Tribal Law Enforcement Parity Act. Our tribal law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and they deserve the same retirement and benefits as their federal counterparts. This legislation is about parity and public safety. We are losing dedicated, highly trained officers because we can’t offer competitive retirement benefits. Passing the Parity Act is critical to keeping our officers on the force and ensuring the safety and security of everyone—tribal and non-tribal—who lives, works, and visits our lands.” 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) Establishes “Model Farm” to Promote Sustainable Agriculture in Kenya

    Source: APO

    Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has completed its Drought-Resistant Agricultural Practices Project in Wajir County, located in northeastern Kenya. Implemented in collaboration with the Wajir County Government, the project established a model farm to demonstrate sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural techniques.

    As part of the initiative, a solar-powered shallow water well, a two-acre open-field drip irrigation system, a shaded greenhouse, and an agricultural nursery with tree species adapted to arid climates were constructed. The handover ceremony was attended by Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, TİKA’s Coordinator in Nairobi Yasemin Cansuz Kurt, local officials, and residents of the area.

    In the initial phase of the project, crops such as papaya, watermelon, various vegetables, and drought-tolerant forage species were harvested at the model farm. Plants like Napier grass, moringa, and sorghum hold strategic importance for livestock farming, which is the traditional livelihood of the local community.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Abdullahi stated, “Drought poses a serious threat not only to food production but also to livestock farming due to the degradation of pastureland. Through this project, we aim to offer our people a new perspective on agriculture and empower them to sustain their livelihoods using drought-resistant farming methods.”

    TİKA’s Coordinator in Nairobi, Cansuz Kurt, emphasized that the initiative goes beyond providing support, it represents a development model focused on long-term transformation. She noted that following the completion of the project, many local residents reached out to TİKA seeking information about agricultural suppliers, reflecting growing interest in sustainable farming solutions.

    About the model farm

    The model farm, now officially handed over to the Wajir Governorate, will serve not only as a production site but also as a center for education and capacity building. Local farmers will receive hands-on training in areas such as irrigation techniques, soil enhancement, tree planting, and organic fertilizer production.

    Through its projects in Kenya, TİKA continues to strengthen community resilience and promote sustainable livelihoods with a particular focus on climate change mitigation, food security, and rural development.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

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  • MIL-OSI Africa: Women and girls of African descent: Celebrating contributions, recognising challenges

    Source: APO

    This Friday marks the first observation of the International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent, following a declaration last year by the UN General Assembly.

    It recognises their immense contributions to society, but also acknowledges the challenges they face due to the double burden of racism and sexism.

    Although woman and girls of African descent embody strength, resilience and untapped potential, they remain among the most marginalised groups globally due to the intersection of racial, gender and socioeconomic discrimination.

    For example, they suffer alarming maternal mortality rates, according to the UN’s reproductive health agency, UNFPA. Oftentimes, cases are not related to income or education, but rather to racism and structural inequality stemming from a legacy of slavery and colonialism.

    “The good news is these things are not irreversible,” Patricia DaSilva, a senior programme adviser with the agency told UN News.

    “We can fix them. We have the solutions for many of the problems that we are facing in terms of maternal health for women and girls of African descent.”

    Data and solutions

    UNFPA advocates for stronger health systems and investment in midwifery programmes, culturally sensitive training for healthcare providers and improvements in data collection.

    The agency also invests in partnerships such as an initiative in the Pacific region of Colombia, home to large communities of people of African descent.

    “We have worked with the traditional midwives for them to integrate ancestral knowledge with modern health practices. This includes supporting accurate birth registration,” she said.

    “It sounds like a really simple thing, but when you are in a remote community without access to technology, without access to administrative offices, it becomes this really, really important issue.”

    Agents of change

    Ms. DaSilva upheld the theme for the International Day, which focuses on women and girls of African descent as leaders, not just beneficiaries.

    “I think it is important that the international community, the global community, understands that women and girls of African descent are not recipients of aid. They are leaders. They are innovators. They are agents of change,” she said.

    “We have an opportunity and even an obligation and a responsibility to support the efforts to resource their solutions, to elevate their voices and continue to really double our efforts to dismantle the structural barriers that continue to impede their progress.”

    The first celebration of the International Day coincides with the start of the Second International Decade for People of African Descent, which runs through 2034.

    The aim is to take concrete actions to confront the legacies of enslavement and colonialism, deliver reparatory justice, and secure the full human rights and freedoms of people from the African diaspora worldwide, building on the previous Decade, which ended last year.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Sudan – From ashes to action: United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) drives grassroots efforts to build peace in conflict-torn Warrap

    Source: APO

    “We are not just numbers. We are the ones losing our homes, being raped, watching our children suffer.”

    Awut Mabior is a mother and community leader in Warrap, one of the states in South Sudan most heavily impacted by intercommunal conflict. For too long, she has watched women carry the weight of war in silence. Now, she is speaking out, not just in sorrow but with strength – the strength of women who are still standing, still hoping, and still calling for justice.

    “It’s women and children who carry the worst pain in this conflict. That’s why we’re begging the government and peace partners to come and see our plight, listen to us, and help us.”

    The United Nations Mission in South Sudan has heard her call, offering a glimmer of hope in a region where too many families have endured the sounds of gunfire and the pain of sudden loss.

    The peacekeeping mission has launched a new project to help equip local communities with the skills and tools to better protect themselves by preventing conflict, resolving grievances, and building peace. The project, which will be delivered by Community Initiative Development Agency, includes establishing 10 community-based protection networks to help the government and security services respond quicker and more effectively to emerging threats.

    It will also build the capacity of civil society members to monitor the security situation and human rights abuses, provide early warning of violence to enable rapid responses, promote reconciliation among warring communities, and engage with local authorities and security services.

    “The aim is to help strengthen protection of civilians, enhance accountability mechanisms for past atrocities, and create a safe and open civic space where communities can actively engage and participate in governance, policy and decision-making processes,” says the UNMISS Head of the Warrap Field Office, Anastasie Mukangarambe.

    The project also includes providing psychosocial support, access to basic services, and a platform for displaced people returning to the area to share their experiences and find healing together.

    “We’re working to protect civilians from violence and to help returnees get back on their feet, especially those who’ve come home with nothing. We also want to open the civic space; so that citizens, especially community organizations, can be part of the decisions that affect their lives,” said Gabriel Pap, from the Community Initiative Development Agency.

    The challenges are multiple and immense in this area, which is plagued by deadly cattle raiding, revenge killings, a lack of basic services, economic crisis, influx of refugees from the Sudan war, and severe flooding which has displaced around 500,000 people.

    For those living with disabilities, the struggle is even more invisible. When violence erupts, they are often the ones left behind—without shelter, without protection, and without a way out.

    “When the fighting starts, we can’t run. We have no way to escape, “says William Deng Nhial, a disability rights advocate. “Just last month, one of our members was shot and killed in his shelter. No one came. No one warned us.”

    Representing state authorities, Benson Bol Yak says enough is enough.

    “We know who is suffering. It’s the elderly, the women, the children, people who have nothing to do with the fighting. Why should their homes be burned? Why should they be killed?” he says. “This project must reach every single person who needs our help.’

    In South Sudan, where conflict has written too many chapters of pain, this new project may not erase the past, but it does open a new page. One where people are not just victims, but agents of change. Where voices long ignored are finally heard. And where hope, fragile as it may be, is once again possible.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

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  • MIL-OSI Africa: Egypt: Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Discusses Developments in Joint Economic Relations with Norwegian Minister of International Development and Dutch Deputy Minister of Development

    Source: APO


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    H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, met with H.E. Mr. Åsmund Aukrust, Minister of International Development of the Kingdom of Norway.

    The two sides reviewed ways to strengthen cooperation opportunities between the two countries and discussed a number of joint issues.

    This meeting took place during her representation of the Arab Republic of Egypt at the Fourth G20 Development Working Group (DWG) Meeting and the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Development. These meetings are being held under South Africa’s G20 presidency from July 20 to 25, 2025, under the theme “Solidarity, Sustainability and Equality” in South Africa.

    During the meeting, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat lauded the Egyptian-Norwegian relations, and noted that the two countries have strengthened and deepened bilateral ties across various sectors, including renewable energy and regional stability efforts.

    H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted that the extended partnership between the governments of Egypt and Norway has been essential in boosting the economy, developing the renewable energy sector, and creating better opportunities for the Egyptian economy.

    H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized Egypt’s commitment, with its expanding economy and attractive investment climate, to attracting new foreign partnerships and investments that can drive innovation, economic growth, and sustainable development.

    H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat pointed to the most prominent areas of cooperation with the Norwegian side, which include the oil, energy, gas, maritime transport, shipping, and shipbuilding sectors, in addition to fisheries and aquaculture. She noted that Egypt is keen to expand these areas of cooperation, and highlighted that the Egyptian-Norwegian partnership in promoting investments in the renewable energy sector was a central focus of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s historic visit to the Kingdom of Norway in December 2024.

    H.E. Minister Al-Mashat added that the shared goals and mutual respect characterizing the bilateral relations between Egypt and Norway represent a model for international cooperation that will be built upon in the coming years.

    She further stated that Norway’s commitment to sustainability and international cooperation aligns with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and green transformation goals.

    H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat pointed out that the cooperation between the two countries in green hydrogen and renewable energy, which includes several prominent projects. These include a green ammonia production project from green hydrogen, a green methanol production project in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, in addition to a number of funded projects in various fields. These contribute to creating decent job opportunities for youth in cooperation with the International Labour Organization and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and promoting health and combating violence against women in Egypt in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund.

    H.E. Minister Al-Mashat affirmed Egypt’s keenness to involve the private sector, especially in strategic sectors such as renewable energy, green hydrogen, maritime industries, and technology. She noted that the country provides a stable investment climate, competitive incentives, and access to key regional markets, making it an ideal gateway for Norwegian and other international companies seeking to expand into the Middle East and Africa.

    She also referred to the cooperation between Egypt and Scatec, and mentioned that Egypt and Norway have historically strong economic ties, which have translated into tangible projects benefiting both economies.

    H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat outlined that the new partnerships with Scatec enhance active cooperation between the public and private sectors and development partners, aiming to promote green transformation. She noted Scatec’s contribution to the implementation of the Benban Solar Park, one of the largest solar parks in the world, and the first green hydrogen plant in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and other partners.

    H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat also pointed to the efforts of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation in continuing to support international partnerships and mobilize local and international financing to promote green transformation in Egypt and increase the number of environmentally friendly projects.

    She pointed out that the cooperation portfolio with Scatec includes a number of projects under the energy sector of the “NWFE” program, including the green hydrogen project in Egypt, the green ammonia production project in Damietta, the 1 GW solar power project with battery energy storage solutions (BESS), and a 1 GW solar power plant for the aluminum complex in Naga Hammadi.

    Egyptian-Dutch Relations

    On another note, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat met with H.E. Ms. Pascalle Grotenhuis, Netherlands’ Vice Minister for International Development, to discuss strengthening Egyptian-Dutch relations and developments in the partnership between the two countries.

    During the meeting, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat affirmed that Egypt and the Netherlands have deep-rooted political, cultural, and economic relations spanning several decades. These relations have witnessed significant momentum and growing cooperation at various levels in recent years.

    H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat noted that the economic cooperation between the two countries has been an important axis in bilateral relations, with the Netherlands providing over 407 million Euros in development financing to Egypt since 1975. This assistance has contributed to supporting many vital sectors, including agriculture and irrigation, health and social affairs, transport, electricity, housing, tourism, education, and local development.

    She stated that the Netherlands is one of Egypt’s main trading partners within the European continent, with bilateral trade amounting to approximately one billion Euros annually. Both sides aim to expand this cooperation and diversify its areas, especially given the available opportunities for economic integration between the two countries.

    H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted the “Orange Corners” program, implemented in cooperation with the Dutch side and the private sector, to support entrepreneurs in the Nile Delta and Upper Egypt governorates. After the success of the first three-year phase, the program is now in a new cycle extending from 2024 to 2028, reflecting the shared interest of both countries in achieving inclusive economic growth and providing job opportunities for youth.

    The two sides also reviewed developments in cooperation in the fields of water and climate following the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Egyptian and Dutch governments in October 2024, to enhance cooperation in coastal resource management and adaptation to climate change.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • PM Modi expands ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative globally with tree plantation in Maldives

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a strong show of commitment to environmental conservation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Friday planted mango saplings in Male as part of India’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (Plant for Mother) initiative and Maldives’s “Pledge of 5 Million Tree Plantation” campaign.

    “India and the Maldives fully understand the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. And we are committed to doing everything possible to boost sustainability. This evening in Male, President Muizzu and I planted saplings, strengthening the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative and the Pledge of 5 Million Tree Plantation of the Maldives Government,” PM Modi posted on X.

    Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting the Maldives and its people, in line with their needs and priorities, and for the peace, progress, and prosperity of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

    Earlier in the day, the two leaders jointly inaugurated the state-of-the-art Ministry of Defence (MoD) building of the Maldives in Male. Overlooking the Indian Ocean, the 11-storey structure stands as a symbol of the strong and enduring defence and security cooperation between the two nations. The building, constructed with India’s financial assistance, is expected to enhance the operational capabilities of Maldives’s defence and law enforcement authorities.

    PM Modi also handed over two Aarogya Maitri Health Cubes (BHISHM sets) to the Government of Maldives. These portable emergency medical units are equipped with advanced facilities, including ICU, operating theatre, X-ray, laboratory, and emergency care systems. Each unit can independently support a crew of six medical professionals and treat up to 200 casualties for up to 72 hours.

    “Presented BHISHM cubes to President Muizzu, reaffirming our partnership in service of the people. Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita & Maitri (BHISHM) is a symbol of India’s commitment to timely and compassionate healthcare support. These deployable medical cubes carry essential medicines and equipment for emergency care,” PM Modi said on X.

    Additionally, the two sides witnessed the exchange of six MoUs in areas including fisheries and aquaculture, meteorology, digital public infrastructure, UPI, Indian Pharmacopoeia, and a concessional Line of Credit (LoC). The new LoC extends ₹4,850 crore (approximately USD 550 million) to support infrastructure development and related activities in the Maldives.

    An Amendatory Agreement to the existing LoC was also exchanged, reducing Maldives’s annual debt repayment burden by 40 percent- from USD 51 million to USD 29 million. Both countries also exchanged Terms of Reference for the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

    In a further boost to developmental ties, the leaders virtually inaugurated a roads and drainage project in Addu City and six High-Impact Community Development Projects in other regions. Prime Minister Modi also handed over 3,300 social housing units and 72 vehicles to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and immigration authorities.

  • MIL-OSI USA News: President Trump Promised to End Child Sexual Mutilation — and He Delivered

    Source: US Whitehouse

    During his campaign, President Donald J. Trump repeatedly pledged to end the irreversible chemical and surgical mutilation of our children: “We are not going to allow child sexual mutilation.”

    For years, politicians have promised to end the barbaric, pseudoscientific practice — but President Trump is the only one who has actually delivered.

    This week, Yale New Haven Health and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center announced they are ending their so-called “gender-affirming care services.” They join a growing list of health systems across the country following President Trump’s executive action.

    • Phoenix Children’s Hospital stopped providing puberty blockers and hormone therapy to minors.
    • Stanford Medicine ended sex-change surgeries for minors.
    • Children’s Hospital Los Angeles closed its “Center for Transyouth Health and Development and Gender-Affirming Care.”
    • Denver Health suspended sex change surgeries for patients under 19.
    • UCHealth ended so-called “gender-affirming services” for patients under 19.
    • Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago stopped sex-change surgeries for patients under 19.
    • UChicago suspended so-called “gender-affirming care” for minors.
    • Northwestern Memorial Hospital stopped sex-change surgeries for minors.
    • Rush Medical Center halted gender-affirming care for new patients under 18.
    • In New York City, Mount Sinai and New York-Presbyterian both curbed so-called “gender-affirming care” for minors.
    • In Pennsylvania, Penn State Health, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and the University of Pennsylvania Health System all stopped so-called “gender-affirming care” for patients under 19.
    • The Hospital of Richmond at VCU Health halted so-called “gender-affirming care” for new patients under 19.
    • Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters suspended hormone therapy and puberty blockers for gender-affirming care in children under 19.
    • Seattle Children’s Hospital stopped providing so-called “gender-affirming surgery” to patients under 19.
    • In Washington, D.C., Children’s National Hospital “paused” prescribing puberty blockers and hormone therapies for minors, while Northwest Washington Hospital did the same.
    • Kaiser Permanente paused sex-change surgeries for patients under 19 across all its hospitals and surgical centers.

    MIL OSI USA News –