NewzIntel.com

Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – An EU climate target for 2040 – 15-05-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Article 4(3) of the European Climate Law states: ‘With a view to achieving the climate-neutrality objective set out in Article 2(1) of this Regulation, a Union-wide climate target for 2040 shall be set’. Article 4(4) and 4(5) sets out aspects to consider in setting the 2040 target. In early 2024, the European Commission adopted a communication accompanied by an impact assessment (IA) regarding a 2040 target and the pathway to 2050 climate neutrality. Setting out pathway scenarios and an indicative 2030-2050 EU greenhouse gas (GHG) budget, it considers that a 2040 climate target depends on two dimensions (I): fairness and (II): feasibility. The legislative proposal was scheduled for first quarter 2025 but is delayed until June or July 2025.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Issues Legal Alert on Legislation Authorizing New Civil Penalties for Housing Law Violations

    Source: US State of California

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a legal alert to help California local officials — such as council and board members, planning directors, city attorneys, and county counsel — understand new requirements of state housing law under Senate Bill 1037 (SB 1037). Authored by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and sponsored by Attorney General Bonta, SB 1037 went into effect on January 1, 2025 and establishes new court-ordered civil penalties for cities (including charter cities) and counties that (1) fail to adopt a compliant housing element and/or (2) fail to ministerially approve a housing development application that state law requires be approved ministerially. In today’s legal alert, Attorney General Bonta includes five hypothetical examples to assist local officials in understanding the practical effects and implementation of SB 1037. 

    “Increasing the production and affordability of housing is a top priority of mine. That’s why I created the Housing Justice Team, and that’s why my office regularly works with the Legislature on bills that will help us build housing faster. SB 1037, which I proudly co-sponsored, is one of those pieces of legislation,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “This new law imposes bigger financial penalties than ever before when cities and counties deny or delay the homes that Californians desperately need, and the fines will go toward building even more affordable housing. We need every local government to build their fair share of housing, and SB 1037 requires the bare minimum: prepare your housing element on time and follow state law when you receive a housing development application.” 

    “Robust enforcement is absolutely critical to ensuring that the bold pro-housing policies California has enacted in recent years translate into actual new homes on the ground. With this legal guidance, cities have everything they need to comply with state housing law—these requirements aren’t surprises for anyone,” said Senator Scott Wiener. “I’m grateful for the Attorney General for being a strong pro-housing champion and using tools like SB 1037 to hold bad actors accountable for exacerbating our housing shortage.” 

    Previously, when a court found a locality in violation of state housing law, monetary penalties could only be imposed 60 days, or in some cases up to a year, after a court ordered compliance. SB 1037 provides that: 

    • If a court finds, in an action brought by the Attorney General or the California Department of Housing and Community Development, that a city, county, or local agency violated the housing element adoption deadline or ministerial approval requirements set forth in SB 1037, that court must subject violators to a minimum civil penalty of $10,000 per month, and not to exceed $50,000 per month, for each violation, accrued from the date of the violation until the date the violation is cured. 
    • When a city, county, or local agency refuses to adopt a legally compliant housing element and also ignores a court order directing them to do so for more than 120 days, a court must impose the maximum penalty of $50,000 per month. In addition, these violators will face serious curtailment of their local land use authority. 
    • Any civil penalty levied pursuant to SB 1037 must be earmarked to support the development of affordable housing located in the affected jurisdiction, to be spent within five years of deposit. Cities, counties, and local agencies may not use funds already dedicated to affordable housing to pay for these penalties.

    Background on Housing Element

    Under the state’s Housing Element Law, every city and county in California must periodically update its housing element to meet its share of the regional and statewide housing needs. Among other things, a compliant housing element must include an assessment of housing needs, an inventory of resources and constraints relevant to meeting those needs, and a program to implement the policies, goals, and objectives of the housing element. Once the housing element is adopted, it is implemented through zoning ordinances and other actions that put its objectives into effect and facilitate the construction of new homes for Californians at all income levels.  

    The housing element is a crucial tool for building housing for moderate-, low-, and very low-income Californians and redressing historical redlining and disinvestment. State income limits for what constitutes moderate-, low-, and very low-income Californians vary by county and can be found here. 

    Background on Ministerial Approval

    Ministerial, or streamlined, approval is where review by public officials, such as local planning staff, is limited to ensuring that a proposed development meets all objective standards in effect at the time that the application is submitted to the local government. If the objective standards are met, the project must be approved, without being subjected to special discretion or personal, subjective judgment in deciding whether or how the project should be carried out.  

    Laws requiring ministerial approval include but are not limited to streamlined housing approvals under SB 423 (Wiener, 2023), certain ADUs, duplexes, and lot splits under SB 9 (Atkins, 2021), small lot subdivisions under SB 684 (Caballero, 2023), and affordable housing located in commercial zones under AB 2011 (Wicks, 2022). 

    A copy of the legal alert can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici Demand Reinstatement of Critical Disaster Mitigation Program for Oregon

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    May 15, 2025
    Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden—along with U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)—joined over 80 of their Senate and House colleagues in a bipartisan effort to demand that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem reinstate the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This essential program supports local efforts to protect and harden communities in Oregon and nationwide from natural disasters.
    “BRIC funds are spurring communities across the country to strengthen their resilience to extreme weather, and forgoing these critical investments will only make it harder and more expensive for communities to recover from the next storm,” Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici, and the lawmakers wrote.
    The BRIC program provides grants for hazard mitigation planning and projects that reduce risks posed by natural hazards to communities, Tribal Nations, and territories requesting assistance. The lawmakers’ bipartisan letter emphasizes the urgent need to continue investing in pre-disaster mitigation and community resilience and calls on the Administration to work with Congress to improve the program’s accessibility and efficiency.
    “The BRIC program was established by Congress in the 2018 Disaster Recovery Reform Act and signed into law by President Trump with bipartisan support. In the years since, this program has catalyzed community investments in resilient infrastructure, saving federal funds by investing in community preparedness before a disaster strikes,” they continued. “According to research, one dollar invested in disaster mitigation can save up to $18 in response and recovery expenditures.”
    Previously, Merkley led his Democratic colleagues in the Oregon delegation to denounce the cancellation of awards under the BRIC program. These grants are critical to ensure that Oregon’s communities—especially in frontier, rural, and coastal regions of the state—can withstand the increasing threat of natural disasters.
    “We urge the Administration to take swift action to reinstate the BRIC program, and to work with Congress to identify and implement reforms to strengthen our nation’s resilience for decades to come,” the lawmakers concluded.
    This latest letter was led by U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), as well as U.S. Representatives Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.-11), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas-29), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.-01).
    In addition to Merkley, Wyden, and Bonamici, the letter was also signed by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Representatives Alma Adams (D-N.C.-12), Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.-33), Donald Beyer (D-Va.-08), Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.-08), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.-13), Greg Casar (D-Texas-35), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.-20), Judy Chu (D-Calif.-33), Angie Craig (D-Minn.-02), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.-03), Donald Davis (D-N.C.-01), Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.-03), Lois Frankel (D-Fla.-22), Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.-10), Chuy García (D-Ill.-04), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.-07), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.-04), Bill Keating (D-Mass.-09), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17), Jen Kiggans (R-Va.-02), Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-Northern Marina Islands), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.-08), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.-07), Sarah McBride (D-Del.-01), Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.-04), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Mich.-08), Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.-03), Dave Min (D-Calif-47), Blake Moore (R-Utah-01), James Moylan (R-Va.-09), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.-15), Richard Neal (D-Mass.-01), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash-04), Chris Pappas (D-N.H.-01), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.-03), Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine-01), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.-07), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.05), Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa), John Rutherford (R-Fla.-05), Linda Sánchez (R-Calif.-38), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.-05), Kim Schrier (D-Wash.-08), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.-07), Thomas Suozzi (D-N.Y.-03), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii-02), Norma Torres (D-Calif-35), David Valadao (R-Calif-22), Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.-07), Eugene Simon Vindman (D-Va.-07), Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.-24), and Robert Wittman (R-Va.-01).
    The full letter is available by clicking here and follows below:
    Dear Secretary Noem and Acting Administrator Richardson,
    We are writing to urge the Administration to reinstate the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grant (BRIC) program within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). BRIC funds are spurring communities across the country to strengthen their resilience to extreme weather, and forgoing these critical investments will only make it harder and more expensive for communities to recover from the next storm. We acknowledge that the BRIC program, like all grant funding programs, has room for improvement, and we urge you to couple the reinstatement of the program with an opportunity for Congress and FEMA to improve the application review and funding distribution process to more effectively reduce the costs disasters pose to our communities, economies, and livelihoods.
    The BRIC program was established by Congress in the 2018 Disaster Recovery Reform Act and signed into law by President Trump with bipartisan support. In the years since, this program has catalyzed community investments in resilient infrastructure, saving federal funds by investing in community preparedness before a disaster strikes.
    According to research, one dollar invested in disaster mitigation can save up to $18 in response and recovery expenditures. BRIC funds are making communities safer in the next storm through projects like upgrading and protecting wastewater and drinking water plants after the facilities suffered repeated flooding, or bridge upgrades and road drainage improvements to improve driver safety. Because of its benefits, the demand for BRIC grants continues to increase, and our states and communities benefit from the reliability of the funding cycles.
    The BRIC program also plays an essential role in helping Tribal Nations and rural communities strengthen their defenses against natural disasters and safeguard critical infrastructure. Through BRIC, Tribes and rural communities can access dedicated funding to strengthen community resilience by investing in hazard mitigation projects—such as flood protection, fire prevention, and infrastructure hardening—that are otherwise difficult to finance in rural or remote settings. Importantly, FEMA supports Tribal sovereignty by allowing Tribes to apply directly for funding, reserving a dedicated Tribal set-aside, and providing direct technical assistance—ensuring Tribes can lead their own planning and mitigation efforts. These investments not only strengthen community resilience but also honor the federal trust responsibility to support the safety, self-determination, and well-being of Tribal Nations.
    At the same time, we acknowledge that the BRIC program should be evaluated for opportunities to increase efficiency and reduce the complexities for recipients to access the critical resources. The benefits of the program should not be concentrated in or limited to jurisdictions with dedicated offices and the staff necessary to navigate the grant application requirements. Additionally, the program should be updated with a strategic approach that empowers states and local governments to address degraded and vulnerable infrastructure based on their localized priorities and understanding of risk.
    We urge the Administration to take swift action to reinstate the BRIC program, and to work with Congress to identify and implement reforms to strengthen our nation’s resilience for decades to come.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man charged with three counts of arson with intent

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man arrested in connection with a series of arson attacks in north London has been charged.

    Roman Lavrynovych 21 (06.02.04), of Sydenham, a Ukrainian national has been charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life.

    The charges, which were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service, relate to three incidents – a vehicle fire in NW5 on 8 May, a fire at the entrance of a property in N7 on 11 May and a fire at a residential address in NW5 in the early hours of 12 May.

    Due to the property having previous connections with a high-profile public figure, officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command have led the investigation into the fires.

    Lavrynovych was arrested in the early hours of 13 May and has remained in custody after warrants of further detention were obtained.

    He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 16 May.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pierce County, Washington man indicted for sex crimes involving minors

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Communicated with woman he believed was providing children for sexual abuse; Phone reveals images of sex assault of minor

    Seattle – A 40-year-old Pierce County, Washington man appeared today on an indictment charging him with attempted enticement of a minor and production of images of child sexual abuse, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Randy Lee Young came into federal custody April 24, 2025. He was arrested November 16, 2024, after allegedly communicating with someone he thought would provide her young daughters to him for sexual assaults. When Young arrived at the proposed meeting place in Marysville, Washington, he was arrested. Forensic review of his cell phone found images of child sexual abuse that he had produced.

    Young pleaded ‘not guilty’ in court today and remains detained at the Federal Detention Center (FDC) at SeaTac. Trial is scheduled in front of U.S. District Judge Lauren King on July 14, 2025.

    According to records filed in the case, Young began communicating with a law enforcement officer who was posing as the mother of 8 and 11-year-old daughters. Between November 8 and 15 2024, Young communicated with the law enforcement officer via text messaging multiple times. Ultimately Young drove from his residence in Pierce County to the location in Marysville where he was arrested. Young was held in the Snohomish County Jail until the federal charges were filed.

    Young gave permission for law enforcement to review his cell phone. On the phone investigators found images of sexual abuse of a minor. The investigation revealed that in October and November 2024, Young met a minor online, traveled to her hometown in southwest Washington seven times and videotaped sex acts with the 13-year-old. Text messages reveal that the victim had told Young her age.

    Attempted enticement of a minor is punishable by up to life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum ten years imprisonment. Production of images of child sexual abuse is punishable by a mandatory minimum 15 years in prison and up to life in prison.

    The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations.  A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    The case is being investigated by the FBI Seattle’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United Stats Attorney Cecelia Gregson.

    The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Seattle man indicted for sex trafficking through force, fraud and coercion and transporting woman for prostitution

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Seattle – A 37-year-old Seattle man appeared for arraignment this morning on an indictment charging him with sex trafficking through force, fraud, and coercion and transporting an adult to engage in prostitution, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Shante Broady pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the indictment. He remains detained at the Federal Detention Center (FDC) at SeaTac pending a trial currently scheduled for July 14, 2025, in front of U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour.

    According to records filed in the case, Broady has been on law enforcement’s radar since March 2023, when they received a report that Broady had been sex trafficking a victim in Portland, Oregon. And in November 2024, a former girlfriend reported being assaulted by Broady.

    In April 2025, two women in Seattle contacted the FBI regarding Broady’s sex trafficking and threats of violence. One woman said Broady was ultimately unsuccessful in his attempt to force her into prostitution. The other reported that in March 2025, Broady had lured her from Canada, paying for her plane ticket. He then forced her into prostitution with threats and violence, and brandishing a firearm when angered. Text messages allegedly document the threats. The victims got a civil restraining order to try to keep him away from them. The woman from Canada was ultimately able to return home.

    The criminal complaint also details Broady’s involvement in transporting and harboring a juvenile who had run away from a boarding school in another state. The juvenile was encountered on North Aurora Avenue and taken into custody by law enforcement. She was ultimately safely returned to family members. The trafficking of the juvenile remains under investigation.

    Sex trafficking through force, fraud and coercion is punishable by a mandatory minimum 15 years in prison and up to life in prison. Transportation of an adult for purposes of prostitution is punishable by up to ten years in prison.

    The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations.  A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    The case is being investigated by the FBI.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kate Crisham. Ms. Crisham leads the Anti-Trafficking prosecutions in the Western District of Washington.  

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tampa Man Sentenced To Prison For Threatening To Plant A Bomb In Member Of U.S. House Of Representative’s District Office

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced Rigoberto Albizar Martinez (57, Tampa) to one year in federal prison, followed by a term of home confinement of one year, for threatening to plant a bomb in the district office of a member of the United States House of Representatives. A federal jury found Martinez guilty on December 12, 2024.

    According to court documents, on May 1, 2024, Martinez called the Tampa district office of a member of the United States House of Representatives and left a vulgar, racist, obscenity-laden voicemail. In the voicemail, he threatened to plant a bomb in the representative’s office.

    This case was investigated by the United States Capitol Police – Threat Assessment Section. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Wheeler, III and Assistant United States Attorney Karyna Valdes. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Feenstra Secures Tax Relief and Agricultural Investments in President Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill”

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, as the only member of Congress serving on both the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Agriculture Committee, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) voted to advance the tax and agricultural portions of President Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” out of each committee.

    “This week, as a member of both the Ways and Means Committee and the Agriculture Committee, I voted to advance the tax cuts and agricultural investments of President Trump’s ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill.’ This legislation lowers taxes for our families, farmers, workers, and businesses while supporting investments in domestic manufacturing, business growth, Iowa agriculture, and U.S. energy production,” said Rep. Feenstra. “I’m also glad that provisions that I led are included like death tax relief, paid family and medical leave for employees of small businesses, affordable crop insurance policies for young and beginning farmers, investments in foreign animal disease prevention, and expansion of our export markets. Working with President Trump, we are delivering on our promise to the American people to cut taxes, grow our economy, secure our border, and unleash American energy production.”

    Feenstra-led and -sponsored provisions include:

    • An increase in the exemption on the death tax,
    • Support for small businesses to offer paid family and medical leave to their employees,
    • Flexibility for community banks to offer agricultural business loans at more affordable rates for farmers and rural businesses,
    • Investments in homegrown Iowa biofuels,
    • Tax provisions to help American businesses compete on a level playing field with foreign businesses,
    • Higher standard deduction for families and workers,
    • New $4,000 bonus deduction for seniors,
    • Increased child tax credit for families,
    • Permanent 23% deduction for qualified business income for small businesses,
    • Lower crop insurance costs for young, beginning, and veteran farmers,
    • Doubled funding for the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program,
    • Support for foreign animal disease prevention, mitigation, and response,
    • Prevention of administrative errors when distributing SNAP payments, ensuring nutrition assistance is fighting food insecurity, and,
    • Investments in watershed infrastructure and flood prevention.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kamlager-Dove, Foster Youth Caucus Colleagues Introduce Resolution to Recognize Foster Care Month

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager California (37th District)

    WASHINGTON, DC — Today, on National Foster Care Day, Foster Youth Caucus Co-Chair Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D, CA-37) introduced a resolution to recognize the month of May as National Foster Care Month alongside fellow Co-Chairs Reps. Don Bacon (R, NE-02), Erin Houchin (R, IN-09), Gwen Moore (D, WI-04), Zach Nunn (R, IA-03), and Mary Gay Scanlon (D, PA-05). The bipartisan resolution encourages Congress to implement policies to improve the child welfare system and honors foster families, social workers, and advocates for the essential role that they play in the lives of foster youth.

    “All children deserve stable environments where they can learn, grow, and thrive,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “I am proud to re-introduce this bipartisan resolution alongside the Foster Youth Caucus to recognize the resilience of our foster youth, honor those who make a difference in their lives, and recommit to passing policies that help ensure all children have a safe and loving home. As a Representative of Los Angeles County—home to over 30,000 foster youth—I will always champion our most vulnerable children through my work in Congress.”

    “As co-chair of the Foster Youth Caucus and a foster-to-adopt parent myself, I know that every child deserves a safe, loving, and permanent home, and this resolution not only recognizes the challenges faced by foster youth but honors the dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to support them,” said Rep. Bacon. “Having witnessed the transformative power of foster care and adoption, I’m committed to implementing policies that improve the lives of every child in the foster care system.”

    “National Foster Care Month is an opportunity to lift up the young people in the child welfare system and continue pushing for proposals that improve outcomes and enhance the wellbeing of children and youth in care,” said Rep. Moore. “Serving as co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, I am deeply committed to that work every day.”

    “Every child deserves a safe, loving, and permanent home. As a dad to six kids, including two Kelly and I were blessed to adopt, this resolution is personal to me,” said Rep. Nunn. “This month and every month, we honor the foster parents, the parents who choose to adopt, and the social workers who step up for kids with nowhere else to turn. I will keep working to build a system that helps more families who are ready to open their homes and their hearts to foster, adopt, and change a child’s life.”

    “Before coming to Congress, I spent decades working as a child advocate, seeing firsthand the challenges that young people and those who serve them face in finding permanent homes and connections,” said Rep. Scanlon. “It’s why one of my top priorities in Congress is to confront the challenges of our foster care system, support the more than 369,000 children it serves, and provide the resources that those dedicated to serving them need to ensure their bright futures. Raising awareness about the need to invest in the lives of children and youth in foster care is an important part of building support and driving change–that’s why I’m proud to join my co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth in recognizing May as National Foster Care Month.”

    According to the most recent data from the US Children’s Bureau, 369,000 children are living in foster care nationwide. Our nation’s foster youth face significant challenges, including disparities in positive outcomes in health, education, employment, and involvement with the justice system. National Foster Care Month was established in the United States in 1988 to recognize foster youth, foster parents, and all those who support children in the foster care system. 

    The bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth provides a forum for Members of Congress to discuss and develop policy recommendations to strengthen the child welfare system and improve the overall well-being of youth and families. The Foster Youth Caucus is committed to ensuring that our nation’s vulnerable, yet resilient, youth are provided with the opportunities and support necessary to succeed.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kamlager-Dove, House Judiciary Democrats File Resolution Demanding Trump Comply With Constitutional Rules on Foreign Gifts By Seeking the Consent of Congress Before Accepting Qatari “Flying Palace”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager California (37th District)

    Resolution Comes as President Trump Plans to Accept a $400 Million “Flying Palace” From the State of Qatar—A Gift That Will Cost Taxpayers, Threaten National Security and Violate the Constitution Unless Congress Consents

    WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) joined Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Judiciary Committee Democrats in filing a Resolution condemning President Donald Trump’s efforts to accept a $400 million luxury private jet from the royal family of Qatar without obtaining Congress’s approval, in violation of the Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause.

    “Donald Trump is the grift that keeps on grifting. From unelected billionaires with conflicts of interest conducting a hostile takeover of the federal government to promoting a crypto meme coin from the Oval Office, corruption is taking hold in the highest levels of the Trump Administration. Donald Trump’s intention to accept a $400 million blatant bribe from Qatari royalty is yet another example of corruption hiding in plain sight,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “I am proud to join Ranking Member Raskin and Judiciary Democrats in exercising our Constitutional authority to accept or reject gifts from foreign nations. We condemn this blatant bribe that would not only jeopardize our national security but the integrity of the presidency and our nation as a whole.”

    “The Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause is clear: Donald Trump cannot accept gifts ‘of any kind whatever’ from foreign states or kings without Congressional consent—and that includes Trump’s Con Air One, a flying bribe from the Qatari royals,” said Ranking Member Raskin. “Today, House Judiciary Democrats are filing a resolution instructing Trump either to turn down this Qatari ‘flying palace’ or to come to Congress immediately and seek our consent to accept it. It is what the Constitution requires and what previous Presidents have always done, from Abraham Lincoln to John F. Kennedy. The Constitution charges Congress with ensuring the President does not use the highest office in the land as a get-rich-quick scheme to pocket lavish gifts from foreign Presidents, Dictators, and Emirs. It is high time that Congress do its job.”

    On May 11, an ABC News report revealed that President Trump planned to accept a $400 million private jet from the Qatari royal family—a lavish and unconstitutional gift that would become the property of his personal presidential library foundation at the conclusion of his term.

    In a news conference on May 12, when asked about this reported gift, Trump stated, “I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer… I could be a stupid person and say, ‘no, we don’t want a free, very expensive airplane.’”

    While Trump claimed that this extravagant gift from a foreign government would result in “big savings [that] will be spent, instead, to MAKE AMERICA GREAT,” it in fact would require potentially billions of dollars in taxpayer funds to retrofit and debug the plane.

    All House Judiciary Democrats are original cosponsors of the Resolution.

    Click here to read the resolution.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: May 15, 2025 SEEC Energy and Commerce Members Slam Republicans’ Attack on American Health and Affordability Washington, D.C. – This week, House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) members on the House Energy and Commerce Committee slammed House Republicans’ obscene budget reconciliation plan to gut life-saving pollution reduction programs, raise Americans’ electricity bills, cut off critical… Read More

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Kevin Mullin California (15th District)

    Washington, D.C. – This week, House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) members on the House Energy and Commerce Committee slammed House Republicans’ obscene budget reconciliation plan to gut life-saving pollution reduction programs, raise Americans’ electricity bills, cut off critical support for high-tech American manufacturing, and legalize corruption for oil and gas companies. These members included SEEC Co-Chairs Reps. Doris Matsui (CA) and Paul Tonko (NY) and were joined by their fellow SEEC colleagues Reps. Nanette Barragán (CA), Kathy Castor (FL), Yvette Clarke (NY), Debbie Dingell (MI), Jennifer McClellan (VA), Kevin Mullin (CA), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY), Scott Peters (CA), Kim Schrier (WA), and Darren Soto (FL).

    “Republicans are ramming through a disastrous, ugly budget bill that is going to cause widespread harm to Americans and our environment. Why? So they can give massive tax cuts to billionaires, corporations, and oil companies. Republicans want to strip health care away from over 13.7 million Americans who rely on Medicaid, which will raise prices for the privately insured too,” said Congressman Mullin. “The bill also cuts funding for clean energy innovation while allowing oil and gas companies to buy their way out of having to follow environmental laws. This will stagnate American progress in developing affordable, sustainable solutions to meet our energy needs. This isn’t efficiency, it’s cruelty and Republicans are making it clear that they don’t care about raising costs for working families.”

    “Republicans’ reconciliation bill is a shameless sell-out to corporations at the expense of hard-working Americans’ health and prosperity,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “This bill eliminates and defunds pollution protections and pollution reduction programs that my constituents rely on, illegally and insidiously clawing back funding that is already supporting projects in communities across this country. In my district, La Familia Counseling Center was poised to do transformative work with their Community Change Grant—but Republicans are gutting that progress to pay for tax breaks for their billionaire friends. As if that weren’t enough, Republicans’ bill contains a shocking and outrageous attempt to legalize corruption for oil and gas companies, allowing polluting corporations to simply buy all the permits they need to build a pipeline through American communities, no questions asked. This kind of bribery is how dictatorships operate. This is not how America works. We cannot allow this egregious corruption to become law.”

    “My Republican colleagues claim they are going after the clean energy programs that are, in their words ‘reckless’ and favor ‘wokeness over sensible policy,’” said Congressman Tonko. “Which programs are those? Is it the $12 million in unobligated funds to reduce air pollution in schools? How about DOE money to train contractors to retrofit people’s homes? What about money to upgrade our ports with the latest and greatest technologies? These are just a few examples of commonsense investments that are being targeted today that are creating American jobs and deploying new technologies that will indeed reduce pollution. And when you start to list them out, you can see how ridiculous this proposal is. But why on Earth would Republicans be doing this? Well, we know these funds will be used to partially offset yet another round of tax cuts, the benefits of which will overwhelmingly go to the wealthiest.”

    “Republican cuts to environmental justice grants will directly harm the health of our communities,” said Congresswoman Barragán. “Medicaid helps many access and afford health care in vulnerable communities with clean air and water challenges. Yet, Republicans have proposed the largest Medicaid cut in history. It’s all connected and Republicans want to go backward on the environment and health care access.”

     “You should hold on to your wallets, because House Republicans are coming after your electric bills to pay for a massive tax giveaway to billionaires like Elon Musk,” said Congresswoman Castor. “Because let’s face it, American families are being financially squeezed right now – especially my neighbors in Florida still struggling to rebuild from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Utility companies in at least 19 states have hiked rates as much as $40 per month since the Trump administration began. Republicans have not brought forth a single bill to lower energy costs for hardworking American families. Instead, what they’re offering today is a handout to big oil companies and polluters and the impact will be to raise your electric bill.”

    “There’s nothing and no one House Republicans won’t betray just to fund obscene tax breaks for their wealthy donors,” said Congresswoman Clarke. “By taking an axe to the critical programs Americans rely on to protect them from the climate crisis, reduce pollution, and keep energy affordable, our colleagues across the aisle have once again proven they are incapable of putting the needs of their communities above the demands of their billionaire puppet masters.”

    “What this bill does is create total chaos for the auto industry in repealing EPA’s emission standards for light and medium-duty vehicles and NHTSA’s corporate average fuel economy standards. What the domestic auto industry needs now more than anything is certainty. My priority is to protect American jobs, maintain our competitive edge in automotive manufacturing, ensure the United States leads in technology and innovation, and that we cede our leadership to nobody,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “Our policies must reflect the priorities on the ground, prioritize consumer choice and offer a practical, ambitious path forward. To remain competitive, the US must align with the global shift towards hybrids, electric vehicles, and down the road, who else knows what other technology. Here’s a fact. The global marketplace wants electric vehicles and I will be damned if I let China beat us in that market.”

    “I know the Trump Administration and some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle don’t like the word environmental justice, but what environmental justice is designed to do is recognize that there are communities in this country — white, black, low-income, urban and rural — where energy projects were put in place with no input from the community, where the people didn’t have the resources to fight back or even knew what was happening,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “These are the same communities that have some of the poorest health outcomes in the country. We should want to help address centuries of injustice and invest in those communities, but this bill guts those programs altogether – that’s not justice.”

    “In my time here in Congress, I have participated in investigations of large corporations that have poisoned communities across the country. A lot of times, these communities were poisoned due to large corporations that were exploiting corrupt loopholes in the law in order to poison the most vulnerable communities in America,” said Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez. “And I deeply fear that there is a loophole and similar provision in this bill. This bill allows gas companies to pay $1 million in order for their project to bypass the traditional permitting process. In fact, this bill allows natural gas pipeline projects to pay a fee of $10 million to cut the line and bypass the normal permitting process. Allowing massive corporations to simply cut a check to bypass the very real reasons why permitting exists in the first place, poses a deep and grave danger to people across the country.”

    “Last Congress, my Republican colleagues were insistent that we should have an all-of-the-above energy strategy, one that leveraged our natural resources, unleashed American innovation, and cut through bureaucratic red tape,” said Congressman Peters. “Which is why I am confused that we are considering a reconciliation bill that picks winners and losers, and elevates expensive, outdated, and inefficient sources like coal over cheap American-made energy like solar, wind, and storage. Why does this bill provide government-backed insurance to coal plants, as the President of the United States single-handedly kills hundreds, if not thousands, of clean energy jobs across the country by illegally targeting projects and weaponizing the permitting process?”

    “This bill completely bypasses communities and landowners, and these ‘pay-to-play’ provisions put not just a thumb but an entire arm, maybe a body on the scale favoring oil and gas,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “It’s giant corporations like Shell, BP, Chevron. They’re the ones that have the wherewithal to pay to bypass all permitting requirements. This bill is more of the ‘drill baby drill’ agenda that we hear every week from our Republican colleagues. I’m all for streamlining permitting to address energy demand and infrastructure that has real impacts on our communities. But there’s ways to streamline permitting and get new energy resources online without sidelining solar, wind, nuclear, hydropower, or hydrogen projects. Streamlining permitting is key if we’re going to meet energy demand. Clean power should have the same opportunity as oil and gas and we shouldn’t be disregarding important environmental protections.”

    “This is a bad deal for the South, whether it’s consumers in Florida or whether it’s all these high-paying jobs going to all these Southern states. This is a job killer,” said Congressman Soto. “In addition, adding in defunding of interstate transmission lines. I’ve heard from both sides of the aisle how often this is critical. So why in the world would you defund the interstate transmission lines? That makes no sense. That will raise energy prices. It will prevent efficiencies in the market. And it will prevent different states from specializing in new types of energy, whether it’s modular nuclear or renewable energy that’s being formulated here in Florida.”

    Background

    House Republicans are gutting critical pollution protections and pollution reduction programs, raising American household energy costs, pulling the rug out from under America’s manufacturing sector, and creating a brazen new “pay-to-play” bribery scheme for polluting corporations. Here’s what the bill does:   

    • Repeals and rescinds funding from Environmental Protection Agency programs that protect Americans from pollution and help American households save money on energy costs and medical bills. Some of these programs include:
      • Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund that is dedicated to lowering energy bills and cutting pollution.
      • Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grants that support disadvantaged communities to reduce pollution and pollution-related health impacts in their communities.
      • Methane Emissions and Waste Reduction Incentive Program to reduce pollution and waste from the oil and gas sector, improving the health and economic well-being of overburdened communities, while also saving energy.
      • Clean Heavy Duty Vehicle Program that helps communities replace old polluting diesel engines and vehicles—some of the dirtiest vehicles on the road—with new, clean vehicles.
      • Clean Ports Program that helps improve air quality around U.S. ports and address the public health and environmental impacts to surrounding communities.
    • Repeals life-saving Clean Air Act standards for vehicle pollution and fuel efficiency that help Americans save money at the pump and improve health outcomes in our communities.
    • Eliminates funding for the Department of Energy Loan Programs and the Advanced Industrial Facilities Deployment Program that help commercialize next-generation American-made technology, bringing manufacturing back to America and creating good-paying jobs, while also developing cutting-edge technologies that save Americans money and reduce pollution in American communities.
    • Creates a pay-to-play bribery scheme for polluters that allows oil and gas companies to pay a fee and bypass standard permitting, environmental reviews, and judicial review processes. Whether it’s a natural gas pipeline or a natural gas export terminal, companies can simply buy all the permits they need to build their pipeline through your community. This is blatant and unconscionable corruption.

    Republicans had multiple opportunities to improve the bill and ensure that Americans’ pocketbooks, health, and livelihoods are protected, but Republicans repeatedly rejected Democratic amendments, including Democratic-led efforts to: 

    • Ensure that this bill does not raise energy costs for American households. Representative Castor’s amendment would have required the U.S. Energy Information Administration to publish the impacts of the Energy Subtitle of the bill on monthly energy costs for American households.
    • Protect the health and safety of our families and communities. Representative Dingell’s amendment would have prevented the repeal of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
    • Hold polluters accountable and prevent the legalization of corruption under this bill. Representative Ocasio-Cortez’s amendment would have required the Inspector General of the Department of Energy to certify that this bill will not increase risks of corruption or ‘pay-to-play’ politics.
    • Protect American energy independence and deliver cheap energy to Americans. Representative Auchincloss’ amendment would have prevented the energy provisions from going into effect until the Secretary of Energy certifies that tariffs on energy imports are no greater than they were on January 19, 2025.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ILM Highland and Highland Council Launch Electrical Recycling Service in Fort Augustus

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Published by the Reuse Network

    Reuse Network member ILM Highland, in partnership with The Highland Council, proudly launched a new Household Electrical Recycling Collection Service with a community event in Fort Augustus held on Friday 2nd May.

    The launch marked the beginning of a new monthly collection service aimed at helping residents across Highland communities recycle unwanted electrical items—whether working or broken. The new service covers Fort Augustus, Caol, Kinlochleven, Mallaig, Kingussie, Golspie, Melvich & Bettyhill, Kinlochbervie, Aultbea, Kyleakin, Lochcarron, Raasay & Sconser.

    The Highland Council and ILM Highland have been awarded £135,000 of funding from the Scottish Government’s Recycling Improvement Fund (Small Grant Scheme) to increase circular economy practices for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) across the region.

    This includes the introduction of the new electrical and electronic equipment collection service and new facilities at 4 Household Waste Recycling Centres which will be available in the coming weeks, for the separation of domestic appliances which are suitable for reuse.

    The funding includes the purchase of a new van which will be utilised by ILM Highland to provide the monthly collection of WEEE in communities which have limited access to Household Waste Recycling Centres, to help increase the recycling and reuse of this type of waste.

    David Gunn, Manager (Recycling Improvement Fund) Operations at Zero Waste Scotland said: “It’s fantastic to see recycling and reuse being made more accessible to rural communities through this new service. By supporting households across the Highlands to recycle their electrical items – whether broken or in working order, this initiative is not only helping to reduce waste but also playing a vital role in Scotland’s journey towards a more circular economy.”

    The event was held at the Village Hall car park, where members of the public joined representatives from ILM Highland and Highland Council for a photo opportunity and live demonstration of the collection service.

    Residents are encouraged to bring any electrical item with a plug, cable, or household battery. While most small and large appliances are accepted, vapes and disposable/rechargeable vape devices could not be collected. Lithium batteries in power tools, however, are accepted.

    Martin Macleod, CEO at ILM Highland said: “This initiative represents our continued commitment to reducing waste and supporting our communities. We’re grateful to Highland Council for their partnership and to the residents of Fort Augustus for such a warm welcome.”

    All reusable items collected will be earmarked for repair and resale, while remaining components will be responsibly recycled—supporting ILM Highland’s mission as a social enterprise reinvesting profits into community support and home improvement services for vulnerable residents.

    Councillor Graham MacKenzie, Chair of Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee, said: “I am delighted that The Highland Council and ILM Highland have been successful in securing the funding from the Scottish Government to help improve the recycling facilities in Highland. Electrical and electronic waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the world, and recent research shows that the Highland region, produces the most e-waste per capita than anywhere else in Europe. Increasing the opportunities for the public to recycle and reuse e-waste has significant environmental and social benefits that help to reduce carbon emissions, preserve precious metals found in all kinds of tech and helping to create jobs within Highland.”

    Details of the new WEEE collection service are available on the Council’s website www.highland.gov.uk/recycle.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council progressing well against Operational Delivery Plan

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Councillors have approved a progress report on Highland Council’s Operational Delivery Plan for 2024/25 which provides a planned approach to transforming Highland communities by bringing major sources of investment to the area and new ways of delivering services.

    The report noted positive feedback from Audit Scotland on progress made since 2020, including plans in place to support priorities and an embedded culture of transformation.

    Transformation projects within the Delivery Plan aimed to make savings of £27.6m in 2024/25, for example, by changing procurement processes, generating income from tourism, and reducing numbers of senior managers. The report forecasts that 95% of savings will have been delivered, excluding Adult Social Care, where earmarked reserves have been used to frontload the transformation of the service.

    Leader of the Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner said: “I welcome this report which shows the progress being made as directed by our Future Highland Programme bringing changes in services to benefit communities across Highland. A focus on driving external investment has already seen successes such as £17.5 million investment for home energy efficiency.

    “The report also reflects the positive comments in the recent Audit Scotland report about the ways in which Highland Council is taking steps to transform its delivery of services.”

    Convener of the Council, Cllr Bill Lobban added: “Members have had the opportunity to discuss the Delivery Plan report which is vital to ensure that the Council’s ambitious plans are robustly scrutinised to keep project delivery on track. Innovative approaches to income generation such as the Storr Centre are paying off for people in Highland.”

    Chair of Corporate Resources Committee, Cllr Derek Louden said: “Long term financial stability, sustainable service delivery and affordability is what we are aiming to achieve to enable continuous improvements to service delivery for Highland. This report is a positive step in the right direction, highlighting the importance of good value systems and processes such as in procurement, where savings of hundreds of thousands of pounds have been delivered.”

    The report also highlighted how staff have been kept informed and involved, with 97% agreeing that a roadshow programme for staff set the Council’s vision for the future; 96% that it clearly articulated opportunities; and 78% that they could see the benefits for communities from the Council’s Delivery Plan.

    The delivery plan shows how Highland Council intends to transform over time, with a focus on six development areas incorporated into the following portfolios:

    • Person-centred solutions.
    • Workforce for the future.
    • Reconfiguring our asset base.
    • Net zero energy, investment and innovation.
    • Corporate solutions.
    • Income generation.

    The Operational Delivery Plan supports the My Future Highland Programme and Performance Plan which combined together comprise the Council’s transformation programme.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: V. Zelensky refused to participate in Russian-Ukrainian negotiations in Istanbul

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    ANKARA, May 15 (Xinhua) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a press conference held at the Ukrainian Embassy in Turkey on Thursday that he will not personally participate in the talks with the Russian side in Istanbul, but the Ukrainian side will send a high-level delegation to them.

    V. Zelensky arrived in Ankara at midday on May 15, after which he held several hours of closed-door talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at his residence. He then made the above statement at a press conference at the Ukrainian embassy.

    He said that the Ukrainian delegation would be headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and would include representatives of military and intelligence agencies. It is not yet clear when the talks will take place – May 15 or 16.

    The head of the Russian delegation to the talks with Ukraine, Vladimir Medinsky, said on Thursday: “We view these talks as a continuation of the peace process in Istanbul, which, unfortunately, was interrupted by the Ukrainian side three years ago. Our official delegation has been approved by a presidential decree, and it has all the necessary competencies and powers to conduct negotiations.”

    “The delegation is set on a constructive mood, on finding possible solutions and points of contact. The goal of direct negotiations with the Ukrainian side is to sooner or later establish long-term peace by eliminating the basic root causes of the conflict,” the head of the Russian delegation emphasized. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Phil Scott Announces 2025 Municipal Planning Grants

    Source: US State of Vermont

    Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) today announced the winners of the 2025 Municipal Planning Grants. Forty-six rural and urban communities will use $1,002,329 to write and update town plans and bylaws, plan for public space improvements, explore opportunities for new homes, and create resilience plans to combat the high cost of extreme weather.

    “Municipal Planning Grants demonstrate how small investments can make a big difference,” said Governor Phil Scott. “This funding is a powerful tool that helps towns identify their needs and develop plans to revitalize their communities.” 

    The Municipal Planning Grant program is administered by DHCD.  This longtime program for planning and revitalization supports municipal management and rural capacity-building.  It offers cities, towns, and villages the funding they need to engage residents in decision-making and establish a solid vision for their future.

     “As our state works hard to address the housing shortage and ensure a future with vibrant and resilient communities, we are providing our municipalities with the tools to consider options, take action, and adapt to change. Municipal Planning Grants are one way that the State empowers communities to plan for smart public investments and create a supportive marketplace for entrepreneurs,” said DHCD Commissioner Alex Farrell.

    Since 1998, the MPG program has provided over $15 million to 240 cities and towns across Vermont to help breathe new life into communities, plan for future growth and development, and improve the quality of life. Please see the ACCD’s website for more information about the Municipal Planning Grant Program and a full list of FY25 Municipal Planning Grant Projects.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Transformational Projects Move Ahead in North Country

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced awards for a total of 22 transformational projects in the North Country as part of two economic development programs: the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward. Ten projects were announced for Lowville, the Round 7 winner of a $10 million DRI award; five projects were announced for Canton, a Round 2 winner of a $4.5 million NY Forward award; and seven projects were announced for Alexandria Bay, also a Round 2 winner of a $4.5 million NY Forward award.

    “Our North Country communities embody strength, resilience and a spirit of determination — that’s why I’m investing in 22 transformation projects that give every resident and business the opportunity to reach their full potential,” Governor Hochul said. “Our towns and villages are the foundation of what makes New York special, and we’re giving them the tools they need to better their communities as a whole.”

    New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “When we invest in our downtowns, we’re investing in the heart of our communities. Through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward program, we’re not just funding projects – we’re fostering vibrant, walkable neighborhoods that spur economic growth, enhance quality of life for residents and preserve the unique character of each municipality and region. These signature programs exemplify our commitment to ensuring that every New Yorker, in every corner of our State, has the opportunity to succeed and thrive.”

    Village of Lowville

    As the “urban heart” of Lewis County, the Village of Lowville seeks to preserve and enhance its small-town, rural charm, while diversifying and expanding its economic base in ways consistent with its unique character. The Village’s DRI projects are focused on transforming its downtown into a more vibrant neighborhood through private and public sector project opportunities that will achieve its vision for the downtown. Lowville’s investments will build on its past and ongoing efforts to make the downtown a regional center for business and culture, drawing on its position as the “intersection corridor of the Thousand Islands, the Tug Hill Plateau and the Adirondack Mountains.”

    The 10 Lowville DRI projects, totaling $9.7 million, include:

    • Improve Access and Parking at Veteran’s Memorial Park Creating a Safe and Inviting Space ($2,848,000): Reconfigure the parking lot at Veteran’s Memorial Park to create a welcoming gateway, improving access and increasing pedestrian safety. Key features include an improved entrance from State Street, curb bump-outs, upgraded sidewalks, green infrastructure for stormwater management, and new street trees. A formal monument sign will mark the park entrance, while parking improvements on Parkway Drive will optimize access and aesthetics.
    • Revitalize State Street to Enhance Safety, Accessibility, and Aesthetics in Downtown Lowville ($1,711,000): Enhance safety, accessibility and aesthetics through the installation of high-visibility crosswalks, curb bump-outs, Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons, street tree plantings and green infrastructure to manage stormwater runoff and beautify the area.
    • Renovate the Stevens Block to Create Market Rate Apartments at 7623 N State Street ($1,558,000): Renovate an abandoned space at 7623 N State Street, creating market-rate residential units on the upper floors, with comprehensive upgrades including a new vestibule, stairwell, energy-efficient systems and exterior improvements.
    • Restore the Historic Keller Red Building to Create a Mixed-Use Commercial and Residential Space ($1,193,000): Preserve a historic downtown building by renovating its second and third stories into commercial and residential spaces, establishing a professional office space, enhancing meeting capabilities for Naturally Lewis, and upgrading the building’s structural, mechanical, and safety systems.
    • Rehabilitate the Historic Masonic Temple into an Efficient Community Hub ($776,000): Rehabilitate the historic National Register-listed Masonic Temple building in downtown Lowville, enhancing its role as a center for historical preservation, education, and cultural activities while modernizing its facilities for energy efficiency to serve the community and promote heritage tourism.
    • Establish a Small Project Fund to Enhance Downtown Lowville ($400,000): The Small Project Fund will support smaller projects in downtown Lowville with improvements such as facade restoration and improvement, interior renovation, signage, public art, and business assistance.
    • Develop a Downtown Branding and Wayfinding Strategy to Enhance Lowville’s Identity ($358,000): Revitalize its downtown area through a comprehensive initiative that includes a branding and marketing strategy, a wayfinding signage system, and interpretive elements that highlight local history.
    • Reimagine Veteran’s Park to create Community Space with Modern Amenities and Enhanced Accessibility ($320,000): Upgrade Veteran’s Park with improvements that aim to create a vibrant and accessible community space.
    • Restore the Historic Town Hall Theater into a Community Asset ($294,000): Restore a historic building to its original state while modernizing its functionality, including facade restoration, window replacement, interior renovations, stage construction, and technological upgrades to create a versatile cultural center for the community.
    • Reopen 5423 Shady Avenue to Create a Mixed-Use Building ($242,000): Renovate the second floor into a functional law office, restoring the building’s integrity, while transforming the long-vacant third floor into safe, and affordable mid to long-term housing.

    Village of Canton

    The Village of Canton’s historic downtown area is the crossroads connecting the St. Lawrence River Valley. The NY Forward projects will help generate a regional destination centered around diverse housing options; art and cultural attractions; variety of local businesses; and recreational offerings.

    The 5 Canton NY Forward Projects, totaling $4.5 Million, include:

    • Revitalize the Former Midtown Plaza to Create a Mixed-Use Space ($2,000,000): Redevelop the former Midtown Plaza into a mixed-use space that provides housing, an entrepreneurship center, and community amenities.
    • Upgrade Park Amenities in the Village Green to Enhance Community Space ($1,096,000): Upgrade Village Green with improved pathways, lighting, seating, and diverse plantings to create an inviting year-round space while maintaining the park’s historic character.
    • Transform 11 – 11 ½ Riverside Drive into a Commercial Fitness Hub ($807,000): Transform the partially vacant building at 11 and 11 ½ Riverside Drive into a commercial fitness center and studio space to provide health and wellness opportunities to the community and boost downtown business activity.
    • Expand Nature’s Storehouse into a Holistic Health Hub on Main Street ($497,000): Expand Nature’s Storehouse at 19 and 21 Main Street into a community health hub with improved food offerings, health products, and seating areas for customers, while renovating upper-story residential units.
    • Upgrade the TAUNY Center to Offer Improved Art and Cultural Experiences ($100,000): Upgrade the TAUNY Center with renovations to the building’s façade and interior to improve accessibility and functionality.

    Alexandria Bay

    Alexandria Bay’s downtown area, which encompasses the Village’s vibrant and burgeoning waterfront and abundant natural and recreational assets, has witnessed a recent surge of private investment. NY Forward projects will build and expand upon this effort and will allow the community to accelerate its economic regrowth by attracting visitors, residents and investors to the downtown.

    The 7 Alexandria Bay NY Forward Projects, totaling $4.5 Million, include:

    • Transform the James Street Streetscape into a Welcoming Corridor ($3,003,000): Transform James Street to improve pedestrian safety and foster a welcoming environment with the addition of a pedestrian plaza, new sidewalks, lighting and decorative plantings as well as upgraded restrooms by the public dock.
    • Renovate 27 James Street into a Mixed-Use Building ($510,000): Renovate 27 James Street to include a café, bookstore, art studio and apartment units. Landscaping improvements will create outdoor space for tenants with access to Rotary Park and the Riverwalk.
    • Create a Small Project Fund to Support Growth in Downtown Alexandria Bay ($285,000): Establish a matching grant fund in the NYF boundary to undertake a range of small downtown projects including façade enhancements, building renovations to commercial or mixed-use spaces, business assistance, and public art.
    • Renovate 34 James Street into a Mixed-Use Building ($270,000): Transform the first floor of 34 James Street into a potential eatery and renovate the upstairs into new apartments.
    • Create a Branding & Wayfinding Signage Initiative for Downtown Alexandria Bay to Strengthen Community Identity ($250,000): Create a coordinated branding and wayfinding signage initiative to strengthen the Village’s identity as a desirable tourist destination and welcoming community.
    • Rehabilitate the Exterior of the Cornwall Brothers Store and Museum, to Preserve the Historic Landmark ($92,000): Rehabilitate the museum and its retail space with a focus on stabilizing and preserving the historic exterior masonry.
    • Restore 20 Walton Street for Commercial Use ($90,000): Restore 20 Walton Street by revitalizing its façade and enhancing energy efficiency, creating an inviting and functional space for commercial use on the first floor.

    Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight said,
    “The Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs are transforming communities across New York State by turning local visions into bold investments to generate place-based economic development. These projects will create new opportunities for businesses, support vibrant public spaces, and attract residents and visitors alike – laying the foundation for sustainable growth and stronger regional economies.”

    New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “All across this State, the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs are strategically prioritizing communities, growing economies with targeted awards, creating more housing opportunities that improve affordability for New Yorkers where it is most needed, and building on the diverse character of our neighborhoods. By working with local and municipal partners, these awards continue Governor Hochul’s commitment to developing the full potential of our downtowns as economic drivers and attractive places to live.”

    North Country Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs James McKenna and Dr. Kathryn Morris said, “The DRI and NY Forward funding for Lowville, Canton and Alexandria Bay will further establish these communities as vibrant year-round destinations with growth opportunities for regional residents and visitors alike. This strategic support for our businesses, culture, history – and spectacular natural landscapes – will help to ensure that people can live, work and put down roots for the future right here in the North Country.”

    Assemblymember Scott Gray said, “These targeted investments in the Village of Canton and Alexandria Bay are a vital step toward strengthening our downtowns, preserving our heritage, and enhancing economic opportunity throughout the 116th Assembly District. These NY Forward projects reflect the unique character of each community, Canton’s vibrant academic and cultural setting and Alexandria Bay’s iconic waterfront. This will help expand housing, support small businesses, and boost tourism. By investing in infrastructure, recreation, and commercial revitalization, the state is helping these communities build a sustainable future rooted in local pride and economic growth.”

    Village of Lowville Mayor Dan Salmon said, “First, on behalf of the Village of Lowville Board of Trustees, its residents, and the DRI committee, I would like to thank Governor Hochul and staff for this gift. We are excited to receive the announcement of the DRI project awards that will enhance our community.”

    Village of Alexandria Bay Mayor Mike Putnam said, “The Village of Alexandria Bay is excited to receive this announcement. Thank you to Governor Hochul for the investment in our community. These NY Forward projects will make a great and lasting impact on our historic village.”

    Village of Canton Mayor Michael E. Dalton said, “I want to express my sincere gratitude for today’s announcement of the NY Forward Projects. These selected projects are investments, which leverage public and private commitment in our community. The draft recommendations developed by the hard work of a small committee of local residents are now coming to fruition, and we are incredibly excited to witness the positive changes these projects will bring. I also thank Governor Hochul and her commitment to Economic Development in New York State and especially the North Country.”

    DRI and NY Forward communities developed Strategic Implementation Plans (SIPs), which create a vision for the future of their downtown and identify and recommend a slate of complementary, transformative and implementable projects that support that vision. The SIPs are guided by a Local Planning Committee (LPC) comprised of local and regional leaders, stakeholders and community representatives, with the assistance of an assigned consultant and DOS staff, all of whom conduct extensive community outreach and engagement when determining projects. The projects selected for funding from the SIP were identified as having the greatest potential to jumpstart revitalization and generate new opportunities for long-term growth.

    About the Downtown Revitalization Initiative
    The Downtown Revitalization Initiative was created in 2016 to accelerate and expand the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods in all ten regions of the state to serve as centers of activity and catalysts for investment. Led by the Department of State with assistance from Empire State Development, Homes and Community Renewal and NYSERDA, the DRI represents an unprecedented and innovative “plan-then-act” strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation and results in compact, walkable downtowns that are a key ingredient to helping New York State strengthen its economy, as well as to achieving the State’s bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles. Through nine rounds, the DRI has awarded a total of $900 million to 91 communities across every region of the State.

    About the NY Forward Program
    First announced as part of the 2022 Budget, Governor Hochul created the NY Forward program to build on the momentum created by the DRI. The program works in concert with the DRI to accelerate and expand the revitalization of smaller and rural downtowns throughout the State so that all communities can benefit from the State’s revitalization efforts, regardless of size, character, needs and challenges.

    NY Forward communities are supported by a professional planning consultant and team of State agency experts led by DOS to develop a Strategic Investment Plan that includes a slate of transformative, complementary and readily implementable projects. NY Forward projects are appropriately scaled to the size of each community; projects may include building renovation and redevelopment, new construction or creation of new or improved public spaces and other projects that enhance specific cultural and historical qualities that define and distinguish the small-town charm that defines these municipalities. Through three rounds, the NY Forward program has awarded a total of $300 million to 60 communities across every region of the State.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Psychic Reading Online [2025] Best Psychics Online for Accurate Readings by Chat or Phone!

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Las Vegas, NV, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    People use online psychic reading services to gain clarity, direction, and peace of mind. Whether you’re facing relationship challenges, career decisions, or spiritual questions, the best online psychics are available 24/7 to guide you. 

    Find clarity and direction through psychic reading online provided by the most trusted psychics with years of experience and top ratings.

    ⇒ Looking for clarity? Start Your Reading With a Top-Rated Psychic Reader!

    With the rise of psychic reading online, users can now access psychics online through psychic chat or psychic phone readings, all from the comfort of home. In this comprehensive report, the psychic experts will explore how to find real psychics, what to expect from your reading, and how to choose the best psychic reader for your needs.

    The Psychic Experts has unveiled its latest list of the best online psychic reading services in 2025, offering accurate readings, trusted advisors, free trial readings, and more. The Psychic Experts is a platform that features reviews, expert ratings, and curated insights to help its users worldwide connect with the best psychics online. 

    ⇒ Feeling Stuck? Get an Accurate Psychic Reading From Trusted Experts!

    Finding the best psychic reading online experience involves knowing what you need, researching options, and trusting your intuition. Whether you prefer psychic chat or psychic phone readings, there are countless real psychics ready to help you gain insight and empowerment.

    Explore trusted platforms, look for top-rated psychic readers, and embrace the journey with an open heart. The world of psychic readings offers more than predictions, it offers healing, clarity, and meaningful guidance.

    ⇒ Looking for answers? Get Powerful Readings on Love, Money & Life Purpose!

    Benefits of Online Psychic Readings in 2025

    Digital platforms are evolving every day, which is why the best online psychic readings in 2025 are much more convenient and personalized. This thing wasn’t possible in previous years. 

    These benefits that come with online psychic sessions have now become the preferred method for many people who want to seek spiritual clarity and emotional healing.

    1. Convenience & Privacy

    Online psychics are different from in-person psychics because they allow individuals to receive guidance from the comfort of their homes. 

    So, whether you are opting for live chat, phone, or video calls, the flexibility is perfect to both new and experienced clients. These online psychic reading sessions are discreet, private, and completely under the control of the users of the psychic experts.

    Get psychic reading online from trusted, verified experts by chat or phone and gain peace of mind today.

    ⇒ Talk to a Real Psychic Reader and Find the Truth Today!

    2. Wider Range of Specialties

    The best online psychics at Psychic Experts specialize in multiple forms of reading. These readings make use of tarot, astrology, mediumship, clairvoyance, energy healing, and so much more beyond normal human comprehension, but capable of delivering and revealing answers. 

    This range of so many online psychic services allows users to choose the best type of psychic reading, which they can do so by feeling what they are most connected to, rather than settling for what’s easily available.

    3. User-Centric Experience

    Online platform, the psychic experts have been heavily reviewed and praised for offering tailored psychic reading matches based on client preferences. 

    There is everything for the spiritual seeker, from intuitive interfaces to filtered search options (topic, reading method, price range, etc.). This is why these services can enhance user satisfaction.

    Get trusted psychic readings online from the best psychics and receive accurate answers about love, career, and your future today.

    ⇒ Connect With a Gifted Psychic Reader and Get Real Answers!

    Why Online Psychic Readings Are More Popular Than Ever

    The search for inner guidance grows among people who feel like their life is often clouded and confusing. Psychic readings, especially the online services, have evolved as a useful tool for people from all walks of life so that they can easily gain insight and clarity in their life and otherworldly affairs. What was once considered a niche among only a special group of people is now a global industry, which is easily accessible from your smartphone.

    ⇒ Chat Live With Accurate and Trusted Psychic Readers!

    So, whether you seek psychic readings and spiritual guidance to make business decisions or navigate a love life, online psychics are now readily available to offer real-time advice and personalized spiritual direction. These online psychics are perfect for a generation that wants answers immediately and at the tap of a mobile phone screen. 

    Explore psychic reading online with the best psychics online available 24/7 for chat or phone sessions tailored to your life questions.

    ⇒ Get clarity on your next move with a trusted psychic reading!

    What Sets Online Psychic Readings At The-Psychic-Experts.com Apart in 2025?

    Today’s best online psychic readings are very much unlike the old ones that used crystal balls and fortune cookies. 

    Now, these modern psychic readers are grounded in authenticity, ethics, and skill. The most reliable psychic platforms, such as the psychic experts, have systems in place that make sure that their advisors are vetted, experienced, and intuitive.

    This is why key features of the psychic experts, a top-tier online psychic platform, are:

    • User reviews & ratings
    • Multiple psychic reading styles 
    • Confidential sessions
    • 24/7 access to psychics online
    • Affordable packages & satisfaction guarantees

    ⇒ Discover Powerful Insights With the Best Online Psychics!

    Why Choose Psychic Reading Online?

    The convenience and accessibility of psychic reading online have made it increasingly popular. Here are a few key benefits:

    • 24/7 availability: You can connect with psychics online anytime.
    • Anonymity: No face-to-face interaction means greater comfort for many users.
    • Wide selection: Find the best online psychics by browsing reviews and ratings.
    • Flexible formats: Choose between psychic chat or psychic phone readings, depending on your comfort level.

    Connect instantly for a psychic reading online with the best psychics online offering honest, accurate, and compassionate guidance.

    ⇒ Get clear, compassionate guidance from real psychic readers!

    How do The Psychic Experts Find the Best Psychics Online?

    To ensure you’re connecting with real psychics who deliver accurate psychic readings, keep these tips in mind:

    1. Read Reviews: Sites often feature feedback from past users. Look for consistent praise.

    2. Check Credentials: Some psychics online list their experience, specializations, or even certifications.

    3. Free Minutes: Many platforms offer free trial minutes to test compatibility.

    4. Specialties: Match your needs (e.g., love, career, spiritual) with a psychic reader’s expertise.

    5. Clarity in Communication: The best psychic readings are clear, direct, and free of vague statements.

    Access real-time psychic reading online with the best psychics online specializing in love, relationships, and personal growth.

    ⇒ Get Peace of Mind With a Psychic Reading From Experts!

    Types of Online Psychic Readings to Explore

    There are many types of online psychic readings that you can explore using the-psychic-experts.com:

    Tarot Card Readings

    Tarot card readings are some of the most popular forms of psychic readings available online. By just using a deck of cards, psychic readers can interpret your past, present, and future, as well as guide you through life’s matters related to happiness, success, love, death, etc. 

    Whether you’re curious about love, facing uncertainty in your career, or struggling with personal growth, online psychics who are skilled in tarot can help you. The best psychics online that offer tarot card readings personalize each reading to your situation, thus offering clarity and direction. 

    If you’re looking for the best online psychic readings in 2025, the psychic experts have tarot card readers, giving you a fantastic place to start. Many of these best psychic reading platforms also include top-rated psychics online who specialize in their field, that is, insightful tarot card sessions.

    ⇒ Ask about love, career, or your purpose—Start Chatting with the Best Psychics!

    Astrology Readings

    Astrology readings are also available online at the psychic experts. From the best psychics online come these psychic readings that explore your birth chart to reveal personality traits, life challenges, and any major events timings. 

    These psychic readings also use planetary placements to offer a peek into your destiny and decisions. 

    Many online psychics are expert astrologers who offer one-on-one sessions or online chats and call sessions tailored to your unique chart. So, if you’re looking for the best online psychic readings on the-psychic-experts.com as a beginner, astrology is your go-to. Top psychic readers on this platform will use your zodiac profile to give accurate forecasts, thus making it an experience for anyone seeking the best psychic reading experience online.

    Clairvoyant Readings

    Clairvoyant readings are a perfect psychic reading area for users on the-psychic-experts.com if you want intuitive insights based on visions or symbolic images received by the readers. 

    Many of the best psychics online offer genuine and 100% authentic clairvoyant sessions that explore your energy field and uncover truths about your path, your relationships, or your career. 

    Online psychics who possess clairvoyant abilities can also deliver messages straight into your soul. 

    Experience a psychic reading online from the best psychics online and get real answers about love, money, and your future today.

    ⇒ Connect With the Best Psychics and Get Real Answers Now!

    Mediumship

    Mediumship readings are another type of psychic readings that connect you with spirits of loved ones who have passed away. 

    These are deeply personal sessions and are best handled by experienced psychic readers. The best psychics online trained to channel energies will offer compassionate and validating messages from the other side, thus giving comfort and support to those grieving. 

    Psychic readings involving mediumship are such a powerful and emotionally healing session that if you’re searching for the best online psychics for spiritual connections, look for these sessions. The psychic experts have many mediumship experts who have verified experience, and create an online sacred space where messages from beyond can come through.

    ⇒ Trusted, top-rated psychic readers are ready to guide you!

    Energy Healing & Aura Readings

    Energy healing and aura readings are a psychic reading that focuses on clearing emotional blockages and rebalancing your energy. 

    The best psychics available at the psychic experts online use tools like chakra scans, Reiki, and aura photography to assess your energy, and these psychic readings can also help you with stress relief, clarity, and spiritual well-being. 

    So, if you’re ever feeling stuck or drained, online psychics who specialize in energy healing and aura readings can help you restore your balance. They will delicately combine intuitive healing with psychic insight. And this makes them some of the best online psychic readers. 

    ⇒ Reveal the Truth Behind Your Biggest Questions Now!

    How Psychic Reading Connects You to Your Inner Guide

    This world is filled with logic and data, but sometimes, there is room for the unknown. Many people still find themselves turning towards something more instinctive, especially when making big decisions. Whether it’s choosing a career, ending a relationship, or picking a home, they have had that feeling that says: this is the right move, or, no, that’s not what you are supposed to do. This is the same inner voice that is called intuition, and it plays a major role in both psychic readings as well as fortune telling.

    But where does this intuitive information come from? 

    How can psychic advisors listen to it effortlessly?

    ⇒ Discover your path with a powerful psychic reading online!

    Let’s break it down for you.

    The Sixth Sense You Already Have

    Every human being has a built-in sixth sense. It is like a guidance system. It’s not visible like your five physical senses, but it works the same way, in fact in more powerful ways. Your intuition is sometimes called your “sixth sense”, and it is the bridge between your conscious mind and the deeper soul, which is also known as the higher self.

    A live psychic reader will not conjure predictions out of thin air. 

    Instead, they will listen to their heightened intuitive abilities, for example during clairvoyance (clear seeing), clairsentience (clear feeling), or clairaudience (clear hearing). This intuition aligns with their natural senses, and thus allow them to perceive messages and patterns that may otherwise go unnoticed by normal humans.

    At its core, psychic reading is tuning in to these signals. The intuition that comes both from the self as well as from the universe. 

    A seasoned online psychic reader will know exactly how to interpret this information, no matter if it arrives in the form of a tarot card, a vision, or a deep knowing.

    ⇒ Start Your Psychic Reading Online With Top-Rated Advisors!

    What to Look For When Finding the Best Online Psychic Readings

    The world of psychic readings faces a saturated online space. But the psychic experts make it very easy to separate hyped up psychic readers from genuine ones. If you’re seeking the best online psychic readings, here’s what you must look out for:

    • Experience and credibility 
    • Clear communication 
    • Precise prediction
    • Platform trustworthiness 
    • A free option and demo session. 

    Whether you’re brand new to the world of psychic readings or a seasoned user of the psychic experts, don’t be afraid to explore the different psychic readers until you find the one, or someone who resonates with you. Energy compatibility is all that matters in this regard.

    Looking for clarity? Get a powerful psychic reading online now with the best psychics online—trusted by thousands.

    ⇒  Get Real Love and Life Advice From the Best Psychics!

    Is Online Psychic Reading Legit?

    Yes, it is.

    Skeptical? Well, you’re not alone. 

    In fact, many first-time clients of the psychic experts were once skeptical. They come into a session with doubt, but after that, leave with surprised expressions because of how accurate and affirming their experience was.

    Here’s what they told us about how their psychic reading felt like the real deal;

    • They felt emotionally lighter
    • They felt more grounded 
    • They received specific insights that spoke directly to them
    • The reader who was offering online psychic readings didn’t pressure them to come back or to pay for the session
    • They walked away with clarity
    • They later found the predictions to be true
    • They felt validated.

    However, it is very crucial to understand that not every session will be life-changing, and that’s okay. Sometimes, psychic readings are breakthroughs in life, but they come in small and quiet moments. So, whenever you find the best psychic, please know that the truth will be felt in your body long before your mind catches up.

    ⇒ Ask a Psychic Reader Anything – Get Honest Answers Now!

    Psychic Readings vs. Fortune Telling: What’s The Difference

    While the two terms are often used interchangeably, they’re not the same. 

    Fortune telling is all about future predictions and plays by the rules of fate. Psychic readings, on the other hand, focus on present energies, as well as the free will of the person.

    The best psychics online will never tell you what will happen; they will help you understand what could happen, and all of this is based on your current energy. 

    This is why psychic readings are far more accurate, interactive, and empowering as compared to fortune-telling sessions.

    ⇒ Receive Powerful Clarity With a Live Psychic Reading!

    Reclaiming Your Inner Wisdom Through Psychic Guidance

    Many people don’t realize that the whole point of a psychic reading isn’t to hear someone else’s truth. It is to hear your truth and to reconnect with yourself.

    With support from the best psychics online, such as those that are available at Psychic-Experts.com, you can learn how to trust your nudges. These psychics are not here to make money from your concerns or life problems, instead, they will help you align your choices and approach life with greater freedom. 

    So, whether you’re experiencing a spiritual intuition or are simply curious about what the psychic experts can offer beneath your surface thoughts, book a session with one of the online psychics. They are here to guide – not make money – from your path.

    ⇒ Find Love, Success, and Peace With Real Psychic Guidance!

    Psychic Reading in Everyday Life

    Psychic reading is everywhere in your life. However, the best online psychic readers just know how to channel your energy and seek answers that you cannot do so yourselves.

    While some consult the best online psychic readings for life decisions, others follow their own intuitive guidance, or book mini sessions or free sessions to receive clarity about small matters in life, such as;

    • Whether or not to accept a last-minute job 
    • Why does your child seem unusually withdrawn 
    • What birthday gift would your partner genuinely love
    • Why do you keep waking up at the same time every night

    What starts as a simple question can sometimes lead to a chain of revelations.

    ⇒ Connect to a Real Psychic Now for Life-Changing Insights!

    Trusting Yourself Is the First and Foremost Step In Psychic Reading

    The first rule of psychic reading? Be confident about your questions and receptive to the answers.

    You don’t need to be a professional to start listening to your intuitive voice. 

    But sometimes, doubts can cause your confidence to fade away.

    That’s where a professional online psychic reader can be most helpful. They will not overshadow or cloud your instincts, but validate and strengthen them.

    If you are curious about channeling your own energy and spiritual guidance, try the following;

    • Ask your intuition a yes/no question.
    • Quiet your mind
    • Notice the first feeling, image, or word that comes up.
    • Don’t second-guess it – just write it down.
    • Now, check in a few days to see how accurate that nudge was.

    ⇒  Get Powerful Answers on Love, Money, Destiny, and More!

    Psychic Readers: Myths, Or Just Good Listeners?

    It is very easy to claim that online psychics are mystical figures sitting behind their laptops in dramatic robes with crystal balls in front of them. But the modern psychic readers look like you and me. A normal human with a normal job. Their reality is far more grounded than you imagined. Most of them are spiritual advisors, empathetic listeners, and they are extremely skilled interpreters of human energy.

    ⇒ Make Better Life Decisions With a Psychic Reading Online!

    Their job is to make your decisions easier for you. They will offer clarity where confusion exists. And the best part is that the best readers for psychic reading online do this with kindness, integrity, and honesty.

    At the psychic experts, there are thousands of vetted professionals who offer decades of experience in psychic reading to each session. They accommodate those who are new to online fortune telling and have all the answers for seasoned spiritual seekers. No matter which group you lie in, you’re likely to find the best psychic reading professional who will have all the answers to your questions.

    ⇒ Discover Life-Changing Answers From the Best Psychics!

    What to Expect in Your First Online Psychic Reading Session

    Many people are curious about trying their first online psychic reading session, but they are either scared, skeptical, or nervous. Here are a few things that they must keep in mind during their first online psychic reading session;

    • Be open, but discerning
    • Prepare questions in advance
    • Pay attention to how they feel during and after the reading
    • Take notes. Write them down or record them (but with the psychic’s permission).

    Start with a free psychic reading online to learn the basics of the experience. And then you can explore deeper options later, and pay in full, if the reader resonates with your energy.

    ⇒ Start a psychic reading and discover what’s truly meant for you!

    How to Find an Accurate Psychic Reader Online

    Finding the most accurate online psychic reader isn’t about predictions. It is all about trust, resonance, and compassion. 

    At the-psychic-experts.com, look for psychic readers who are;

    • Transparent about their methods
    • Willing to answer your questions
    • Focused on empowering you
    • Positively reviewed by other clients

    The goal of any good psychic reader is to bring clarity and calm to your life and eradicate any confusion or fear. So the next time you connect with an online psychic, and if the vibe feels off, step away from the situation.

    ⇒ Find your true direction with help from top online psychics!

    Tools, Types, and What to Expect from the Best Online Psychic Readers

    This digital age has made it very easy for people with questions, as answers are just a click away. Online psychic readings have become one of the most accessible spiritual tools, especially for people who want a deeper clarity in their lives. 

    With the newly enhanced 2025 platform at the psychic experts, users are now able to easily connect with the best and accurate online psychic readers anytime, anywhere in the world.

    Free Psychic Reader Online: What’s the Catch?

    People who are skeptical about psychic readers are even more skeptical when they realize that the first session is most often free of cost, with no credit card requirement.

    However, it is not difficult to understand that with the psychic expert’s new design, it’s now easier than ever to try a free psychic reader online before committing to a full session. 

    ⇒ Find clarity on love, money, and your life path today!

    Many psychics are willing to offer first-time deals. They would either offer a few trial minutes or live chat previews so that users can get an understanding of what an online psychic reading session would look like.

    While these free sessions and quick reads won’t be as comprehensive and sound as a full session, they’re still perfect for getting answers to any small or everyday questions that you have, such as;

    • Should I text that girl I met on the metro?
    • Is this a good time to switch jobs?
    • What’s blocking me from being successful right now?

    These free trials are the perfect way to get a brief understanding of what an online psychic reading session can offer, and they also help users find an accurate psychic reader online.

    ⇒ Discover what’s blocking your path—get a psychic reading now!

    The Role of Intuition in Psychic Readings

    Intuition has a major role in psychic readings.

    Since we have already mentioned this before, psychic readings don’t pull answers out of thin air. Psychics are not magicians, nor are they impersonators. They connect to something already within and around you to give you answers to your questions.

    When you speak to a live online psychic reader, they will connect their energy with your energy field, often with the help of their spirit guides or clairvoyant abilities. 

    But the information they will reveal will already be tied to your higher self.

    This brings us to the power of intuition. Your intuition is the most powerful tool you have. A gifted online psychic will help you interpret that inner voice because it is most often muffled by fear, doubt, or overthinking. 

    So the next time you’re consulting with an online psychic reader, think of it as a dialogue, not a monologue. The session is a combined effort of you and the psychic reader. 

    ⇒ Get answers in minutes—chat with real psychics!

    Online Psychic Reading Isn’t About Changing Your Life – It’s About Understanding It

    The true value of online psychic reading is not just about predictions. Rather, it is about understanding the power of your current path, energies, and mindset. An online psychic reading session on the psychic expert’s platform can offer incredible insights into what’s driving your relationships, fears, or blockages. This is why the 2025 platform update from the psychic experts has made it easy to connect with reliable and accurate online psychic readers that make this spiritual connection more seamless than ever before.

    FAQs 

    Can I trust an online psychic reading?

    Absolutely. If you’re on a trusted platform such as the psychic experts, know that all the readers are verified, reviewed, and ranked based on accuracy and client feedback.

    How should I prepare for a reading?

    People who want to take an online psychic reading session must come with an open mindset and clear questions. Avoid multitasking, because that will disturb your energy channels.

    What if the reading doesn’t make sense right away?

    It happens. A psychic reading might not make sense right away. This is because some messages are obscured and only meant for the future you. But jot everything down, you will be surprised by how much becomes clear in hindsight.

    What is the best way to get a psychic reading online?

    The best way to get a psychic reading online is through trusted platforms offering psychic chat or psychic phone readings with verified and reviewed psychic readers.

    Are psychic phone readings as accurate as in-person sessions?

    Yes, many real psychics deliver accurate psychic readings over the phone because intuitive energy isn’t limited by physical distance.

    How can I tell if a psychic reader is real?

    Look for real psychics with strong reviews, verified credentials, and clear, honest communication. Avoid vague or overly dramatic claims.

    What’s better: psychic chat or psychic phone readings?

    It depends on your comfort level. Psychic chat offers anonymity and convenience, while psychic phone readings provide a more personal connection.

    Who are the best psychics online?

    The best online psychics often come from top-rated platforms, which are displayed on the-psychic-experts.com platform

    What should I ask during a psychic reading?

    You can ask about love, career, family, spirituality, or future events. The psychic reader will guide the conversation based on your needs.

    How long does a psychic reading usually last?

    A psychic reading can last from 10 to 60 minutes, depending on the platform, your budget, and how deep you want to go.

    Can a psychic chat reading be accurate?

    Absolutely. Many users report very accurate psychic readings through psychic chat, especially when the reader is highly rated.

    What’s the difference between tarot and psychic readings?

    Psychic readings may use intuition alone or tools like tarot. Tarot focuses on symbolic cards, while psychics may tap into broader energies.

    Are psychic readings confidential?

    Yes, trusted platforms ensure all psychic readings via chat or phone are completely confidential and secure.

    Can I get a love psychic reading online?

    Yes, many psychics online specialize in love and relationships and provide tailored guidance through psychic chat or phone sessions.

    How do I find the most accurate psychic readings?

    Look for platforms that highlight customer feedback, offer trial minutes, and feature experienced psychic readers known for their accuracy.

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

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: After an autocratic leader was toppled in Bangladesh, democratic renewal remains a work in progress

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Intifar Chowdhury, Lecturer in Government, Flinders University

    Last July, a powerful student-led uprising in Bangladesh toppled the authoritarian, corrupt government led for 15 years by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

    Bangladesh now shows modest signs of democratic recovery. Months into its tenure, a transitional government has reopened political and civic space, especially at universities, and begun reforming key state bodies.

    Yet, violence and political retribution persist. This week, the interim government banned Hasina’s former party, the Awami League, under the country’s Anti-Terrorism Act while a tribunal investigates its role in the deaths of hundreds of protesters last year.

    Elections have also been delayed and may not happen until 2026.

    Amid this fragile transition, interim leader Muhammad Yunus, the 84-year-old Nobel-prize winning economist, has emerged as a rare figure of trust and calm. His popularity is so high, in fact, many are calling for him to remain at the helm for another five years.

    Given the uncertainty, Bangladesh faces some uncomfortable questions: can it afford electoral democracy right now? Or must stability come first, with democracy postponed until institutions can catch up?

    And what happens if emergency governance becomes the new normal?

    Fraught road to democratic renewal

    According to a global democracy report, Bangladesh is still classified as an “electoral autocracy” — one of the few in the category that actually got worse in 2024.

    The opposition, chiefly the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), has mounted a fierce challenge to the interim government’s legitimacy, arguing it lacks a democratic mandate to implement meaningful reforms.

    While the BNP and its former ally, the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami, may appeal to segments of Bangladesh’s Muslim majority, their support is undermined by reputational baggage and limited resonance with younger voters.

    At the same time, radical, right-wing, Islamist forces are exploiting the vacuum to reassert themselves, exacerbating tensions between Muslims and the Hindu minority.

    Economically, the country is also still reeling from the damage done under Hasina’s regime.

    Corruption hollowed out the banking system, leaving key institutions almost bankrupt. Although Yunus has taken steps to stabilise the economy by bringing in competent officials, uncertainty continues to dampen investor confidence.

    Inflation remains high. And unless job creation accelerates, especially for the youth, the seeds of further unrest are already planted.

    In addition, law and order has deteriorated sharply. The country’s police force has been tainted by its association with the Alami League, and the former police chief is facing charges of crimes against humanity.

    Street crime is rising and minorities are experiencing growing harassment. Women feel deeply unsafe — both online and on the streets. Some parties are also seen as a threat to countering violence against women.

    Despite strong laws on paper, weak law enforcement and victim-blaming are allowing violence to flourish. It’s very difficult to hold perpetrators of crimes to account.

    Bangladesh is also increasingly isolated on the global stage.

    India, long allied to Hasina’s government, has turned its back on the interim government. The United States is disengaging, as well. USAID had committed nearly US$1 billion (A$1.6 billion) from 2021–26 to help improve the lives of Bangladeshis, but this funding has now been suspended.

    Some gains on civil liberties

    This year, Bangladesh improved slightly in Freedom House’s index on political freedoms and civil liberties, from a score of 40 points out of 100 last year to 45. This is a step in the right direction.

    Among the improvements in the past year, the government has:

    The appointment of new election commissioners and the creation of advisory commissions for judicial and anti-corruption reform also signal an institutional reset in motion.

    But gains remain fragile. While politically motivated cases against opposition figures have been dropped, new ones have emerged against former ruling elites. The military’s policing role has expanded and harassment of Awami League supporters by protesters persists.

    In addition, media freedom remains heavily constrained, with a human rights group reporting the interim government had targeted hundreds of journalists in the past eight months.

    In this fractured environment, urgent reforms are needed. But these need to be sustainable, as well. Whether the interim government has the time, authority or support to deliver them remains in doubt. The government also needs to deliver on its promise to hold free and fair elections.

    A new party on the rise

    The country’s politically engaged youth have not been dissuaded by these issues. Rather, they are trying to reshape the political landscape.

    The new National Citizen Party (NCP) was formed in early 2025 by leaders of last year’s student uprising. It has positioned itself as the party to bring a “second republic” to Bangladesh. Drawing from historical models from France and the US, the party envisions a new elected, constituent assembly and constitution.

    With organisational support and tacit backing from the interim government, the NCP has rapidly grown into a viable political force.

    Still, the party faces a steep, uphill climb. Its broad, ideological umbrella risks diluting its message, blurring its distinctions with the BNP.

    For the NCP to turn protests into policy, it must sharpen its identity, consolidate its base, and avoid being co-opted or outflanked.

    Whether this moment of political flux leads to real transformation or yet another cycle of disillusionment will depend on how boldly — and how sustainably— the interim government and new actors like the NCP act. And they must not draw out the process of transition for too long.

    Intifar Chowdhury does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. After an autocratic leader was toppled in Bangladesh, democratic renewal remains a work in progress – https://theconversation.com/after-an-autocratic-leader-was-toppled-in-bangladesh-democratic-renewal-remains-a-work-in-progress-253846

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Judiciary Democrats Open Investigation into Trump’s Qatari Plane Deal, Seek Answers from Trump DOJ and White House Counsel

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

    Committee Democrats Request Trump Admin Provide Memos Defending Blatantly Unconstitutional Attempt to Accept Qatari “Flying Palace” Without Congressional Consent

    WASHINGTON — Today, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, member of the House Judiciary Committee, led Committee Democrats in a letter demanding the Department of Justice (DOJ) and White House Counsel’s Office provide legal memoranda that reportedly bless Donald Trump’s efforts to flout the clear text of the Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause and accept a luxury private jet—described as a “flying palace”—from the State of Qatar without seeking the consent of Congress.

    “President Trump is reportedly relying on memos that you authored, at his request, to accept a $400 million airplane from the State of Qatar—described in media reports as a ‘flying palace’ and ‘the most luxurious private jet in the world’—without obtaining, or even seeking, Congress’s consent.  Any legal memo purporting to make such a claim would obviously fly in the face of the text of the Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause, which explicitly prohibits the President from accepting any ‘present [or] Emolument . . . of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State’ unless he has ‘the Consent of Congress.’ Accordingly, we are writing to request that you provide the Committee on the Judiciary with these memos immediately as their analysis and conclusions are apparently the basis for the President’s decision to disregard the plain text of the Constitution,” wrote the Members.

    On May 11, an ABC News report revealed that President Trump plans to accept a $400 million private jet from the Qatari Royal Family to use as Air Force One—a lavish and unconstitutional gift which he intends to transfer to his personal presidential library foundation at the conclusion of his term.

    Reports indicate that the DOJ and White House Counsel’s Office are aiding Trump’s efforts to paper over this clear Constitutional violation and reportedly drafted an analysis for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth concluding that it is legal for the Department of Defense to accept the aircraft as a gift and later turn it over to Trump’s presidential library.

    The Constitution is clear that Congress—not the Attorney General or the White House Counsel—has the exclusive authority to approve or reject a gift “of any kind whatever” given to the President by a foreign government.

    Attorney General Pam Bondi’s involvement in this matter is particularly egregious since she should have recused herself given her conflict of interest. Bondi was previously a registered foreign agent of the Qatari government, earning $115,000 per month to lobby on its behalf prior to entering the Administration.

    Trump’s acceptance of this unprecedented and unconstitutional gift has sparked bipartisan criticism and outrage, with even Republican Members of Congress and conservative media raising concerns about national security risks and the appearance of corruption. Additionally, this supposedly “free plane” may cost the taxpayer billions of dollars to overhaul to meet “all the survivability, security and communications requirements of Air Force One.”

    Judiciary Democrats requested Attorney General Bondi and White House Counsel David Warrington provide all documents and communications related to or purporting to justify or provide legal analysis regarding the constitutionality of the President’s acceptance of the Qatari plane; all documents and communications related to an agreement between the State of Qatar and the United States regarding the transfer of the plane; and all documents related to whether Attorney General Bondi should recuse herself in matters related to emoluments from Qatar.

    The letter comes after Judiciary Democrats filed a Resolution demanding Trump comply with the Constitutional rules on foreign gifts by seeking the consent of Congress before accepting the Qatari plane.

    Click here to read the letter.

    Issues: Foreign Affairs & National Security, Government Reform & Ethics

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand, Schumer, Wyden, Sanders, Merkley, Klobuchar Slam Trump Administration’s Attacks On Senior Nutrition Programs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
    In 2022, Nearly 7 Million Older Americans—Including 13.7 Percent Of Older Americans in New York—Experienced Food Insecurity
    Now, Republicans Are Trying To Cut Critical Programs That Help Seniors Put Food On The Table, Including Medicaid, Social Services Block Grant, and SNAP
    Lawmakers: “The cuts will exacerbate hunger, poor health, and social isolation”
    U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN),and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) wrote a letter to their Republican colleagues asking them to reconsider their proposed cuts and attacks on programs and agencies that support senior nutrition programs. The senators wrote in their capacities as ranking members of the Senate Committees on Aging; Finance; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Budget; Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; and as Senate Democratic Leader, respectively. If implemented, the Republican’s proposed cuts to the programs will take hot meals, nutritious food, and social interaction away from millions of older adults nationwide, jeopardizing their health and quality of life.
    “We are writing today to express our serious concerns regarding efforts by the Trump administration and the potential of cuts proposed in your budget resolution to debilitate our nation’s beloved nutrition programs for seniors, taking hot meals, sustenance, and social interaction away from our seniors to fund tax cuts for billionaires,” wrote the lawmakers. “These attacks are multifaceted and will deeply hurt all aspects of senior nutrition services, from funding to program delivery. The cuts will exacerbate hunger, poor health, and social isolation, and our nation’s seniors will be gravely harmed by these decisions.”
    Specifically, the Senators asked Republicans to reconsider the following actions:
    Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is the largest food assistance program in the country;
    The dismantling of the Administration for Community Living (ACL), which administers the Older Americans Act’s nutrition programs; 
    The elimination of the Social Services Block Grant, which provides critical funding for senior nutrition programs;
    Cuts to Medicaid, which funds meal-delivery programs through Section 1115 waivers for home-bound older adults and people with disabilities; and
    Attacks on the Social Security Administration, which ensures accurate and timely payment of Social Security benefits so that older adults and people with disabilities can put food on the table.
    The full text of the Senators’ letter is available here or below:
    Dear Republican Colleagues: 
    We are writing today to express our serious concerns regarding efforts by the Trump Administration and the potential of cuts proposed in your budget resolution to debilitate our nation’s beloved nutrition programs for seniors, taking hot meals, sustenance, and social interaction away from our seniors to fund tax cuts for billionaires. These attacks are multifaceted and will deeply hurt all aspects of senior nutrition services, from funding to program delivery. The cuts will exacerbate hunger, poor health, and social isolation, and our nation’s seniors will be gravely harmed by these decisions. 
    In 2022, nearly 7 million older Americans experienced food insecurity, with numbers projected to reach up to 9 million by 2050. Hunger is particularly salient for older adults living in rural areas and in the South. Food insecure seniors are 74 percent more likely to be diabetic, nearly 3 times more likely to suffer from depression, 71 percent more likely to have congestive heart failure, and 64 percent more likely to have a heart attack. Without access to nutritious food, seniors are more likely to live in poor health—this is not the life we want or envision for our older Americans. 
    Senior nutrition programs, such as Meals on Wheels, include meal delivery services and congregate nutrition programs (e.g., those provided at senior centers). For home-bound seniors, meal delivery services are a lifeline; for some, the meals delivered will be the only meal they have to eat all day. Beyond nutrition, meal delivery services provide life-sustaining social interaction and safety checks for older adults; many seniors report going for weeks without seeing another person if not for their home-delivered meals volunteers. Similarly, congregate meals provide the nutrition and social connection needed for seniors to live and thrive in their communities. Senior nutrition programs save taxpayer dollars by reducing more costly health care expenditures such as avoidable trips to the emergency room, and hospital admissions and readmissions. Furthermore, senior nutrition programs can delay or eliminate the need for placement in a long-term care facility. These programs use taxpayer dollars efficiently; the cost of just one day in a hospital or ten days in a nursing home is nearly equivalent to a full year of Meals on Wheels. Cutting senior nutrition programs will increase unnecessary health care expenditures among older adults. 
    In addition, funding from the Social Services Block Grant, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, and Social Security and Supplemental Security Income programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) enable seniors to put food on the table and access nutrition support. Enacting policies and funding cuts that force seniors to go hungry is cruel. We ask that you to stand with older Americans and reconsider any efforts to scale back support and back off attacks on the SSA and Administration of Community Living (ACL) programs. 
    We are specifically concerned about the impact of the following actions and proposed cuts:
    The dismantling of the Administration for Community Living threatens the delivery of senior nutrition programs. The Older Americans Act (OAA) is a fundamental source of support for senior nutrition. In 2019, over 223 million meals were provided to older adults through OAA’s Nutrition Programs. ACL is responsible for the delivery of most OAA programs. The Department of Health and Human Services recently proposed a “reorganization” of ACL. However, there has been no clarity or transparency in the proposed reorganization. Transferring ACL programs to the Administration for Children and Families, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services—also reeling from devastating staffing reductions— disrupts implementation of the home-delivered and congregate meals programs. Disruption in program administration and delivery means that the 2.4 million seniors who rely on these meal programs for critical nutrition are at risk of going hungry and of further health complications. We ask that you work with us to ensure the integrity and wholeness of any and all OAA programs that are being transferred out of ACL. 
    Eliminating the Social Services Block Grant and cutting Medicaid take food away from seniors. In addition to OAA funding, the Social Services Block Grant also provides critical support for senior nutrition programs. For example, cuts to the Social Services Block Grant will force the Meals on Wheels program in Abilene, Texas to cut more than half of its services, taking away hot meals and sustenance away from hundreds of Texans who are older adults or people with disabilities. Medicaid can also fill the gap of unmet food needs and reduce the likelihood of nutrition-related health conditions through meal-delivery programs provided through Section 1115 waivers for home-bound older adults and people with disabilities. We ask that you reconsider any potential attacks to the Social Services Block Grant, Medicaid funding and changes to waiver programs that address health- related social issues, and other vital sources of social services funding that help seniors live full and healthy lives. 
    Attacks on Social Security threaten seniors’ food security. The so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” or DOGE’s attack on the SSA has debilitated its ability to provide quality customer service and threatens timely and accurate benefit payments for seniors and people with disabilities. Forty percent of older Americans rely on Social Security as their only source of retirement income—money to make sure they have food on the table. Without their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, over half of disabled adult beneficiaries would live below the federal poverty line. Through office closures and slashing of staff, SSA will not be able to provide critical customer services to Social Security beneficiaries. If DOGE continues to toy around with the integrity of the SSA’s payment system, a total collapse may result—seniors will not receive their Social Security checks, and they will go hungry. We ask that you rein in DOGE’s attacks on the SSA and work with us to strengthen the Social Security programs so all Americans can access their earned benefits. 
    Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The SNAP Program is the centerpiece of our public anti-hunger infrastructure and is, by far, the biggest food assistance program promoting the food security of Americans. Food insecure seniors consume less energy and have lower intake of key nutrients, and SNAP participation is linked to fewer nursing home and hospital admissions for seniors. SNAP cuts of $230 billion or more, as contemplated by the budget resolution, would fall heavily on senior citizens, who would almost certainly be subject to benefit or eligibility cuts, forcing elderly individuals to make painful choices between purchasing food, medicine, or other daily necessities. We urge you to reconsider any potential cuts to SNAP.
    Republican colleagues, we ask for your commitment to preserving and supporting these programs to ensure that our nation’s seniors have the nutrition and sustenance they need to live healthy, nourished lives in the community.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Slams GOP Proposal To Slash Medicaid

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
    Proposal Would Increase Costs, Put Rural Hospitals At Risk Of Closure, Decrease Nursing Home Staffing, And Make It Harder For Kids To Access Care
    Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held a virtual press conference slamming a recent Republican proposal – otherwise known as the reconciliation bill — that would cause almost 8.6 million Americans, including up to 1.5 million New Yorkers, to lose their Medicaid coverage. 
    “This proposal would be catastrophic for the millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Republicans should be focused on bringing down the cost of essentials; instead, they are making health care harder to access and more expensive. They have proposed work requirements for Medicaid that ignore the fact that most Medicaid recipients already work, and would cost New York State an estimated $500 million to administer and enforce – all for minimal cost savings. The Republican bill puts kids at risk of losing health care through Medicaid and CHIP and puts the future of our state’s many rural hospitals in jeopardy. This is an unacceptable piece of legislation, and I will be doing everything in my power to stop it from passing.” 
    Specifically, the Republican proposal would:  
    Put an estimated 400,000 kids at risk of losing their health care by undoing protections that make sure eligible children are enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The bill allows states to once again impose annual and lifetime benefit limits, waiting periods, and lockout periods for kids enrolled in CHIP.
    Increase health care costs by undoing policies that make sure eligible low-income seniors and people with disabilities can more easily enroll in Medicaid. Eligible people with Medicare can sign up for Medicaid to help cover the cost of their Medicare premiums and cost-sharing. Because of this bill, more than 1 million seniors will pay higher Medicare premiums because they will not have Medicaid. 
    Create more red tape and barriers to careby burdening Americans with onerous paperwork, including new eligibility rules requiring certain Medicaid recipients to reapply every 6 months. These new requirements will also impose additional administrative costs on the program. 
    Take nurses out of nursing homes byundoing federal standards that make sure nursing homes are adequately staffed by qualified nursing professionals and ensure residents’ basic, minimum safety. Among other requirements, these policies require that nursing homes have a registered nurse on site 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. This $23 billion Medicaid cut diminishes seniors’ dignity and quality of life and rolls back policies expected to save the lives of 13,000 nursing home residents per year.
    Put rural hospitals at risk of closure by limiting state-directed payments, known as provider taxes, that make it possible for rural and urban hospitals and clinics to remain open and care for patients by providing maternity, emergency, and behavioral health care. Funds collected by states through provider taxes are often directed to health care providers whose costs far exceed base Medicaid payment rates. These providers tend to be located in rural America – where health care services are hard to find – or in dense urban areas – where the cost to deliver health care is high and health care providers are serving more people with Medicaid. 
    More information about the proposal is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: President Trump’s Policies Keep Paying Off

    Source: The White House

    While President Donald J. Trump is in the Gulf region securing over a trillion dollars’ worth of investments in U.S. companies, deals on the home front keep coming:

    • Sanofi announced it will invest at least $20 billion over the next five years in manufacturing and research and development.
    • Kraft Heinz announced a $3 billion investment to upgrade its U.S. factories — its largest investment in its plants in decades.
    • Carrier announced an additional $1 billion investment in manufacturing, innovation, and workforce expansion, which will create 4,000 new jobs.
    • Anheuser-Busch announced a $300 million investment in its manufacturing facilities across the country.
    • Siemens Healthineers announced a $150 million investment to expand production, including relocating manufacturing operations for its Varian company from Mexico to California. 

    That’s in addition to the trillions of dollars already secured in President Trump’s second term — investments that will bring tens of thousands of new, high-paying jobs to communities across the country as President Trump ushers in the new Golden Age.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Trump’s Policies Keep Paying Off

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    While President Donald J. Trump is in the Gulf region securing over a trillion dollars’ worth of investments in U.S. companies, deals on the home front keep coming:
    Sanofi announced it will invest at least $20 billion over the next five years in manufacturing and research and development.
    Kraft Heinz announced a $3 billion investment to upgrade its U.S. factories — its largest investment in its plants in decades.
    Carrier announced an additional $1 billion investment in manufacturing, innovation, and workforce expansion, which will create 4,000 new jobs.
    Anheuser-Busch announced a $300 million investment in its manufacturing facilities across the country.
    Siemens Healthineers announced a $150 million investment to expand production, including relocating manufacturing operations for its Varian company from Mexico to California. 
    That’s in addition to the trillions of dollars already secured in President Trump’s second term — investments that will bring tens of thousands of new, high-paying jobs to communities across the country as President Trump ushers in the new Golden Age.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dental Dean, Faculty, Recognized by State Dental Association

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    This week, the dean of the School of Dental Medicine, along with faculty, received awards from the Connecticut State Dental Society (CSDA) during their annual meeting.

    According to the CSDA, this year’s honorees have “demonstrated exceptional dedication, skill, and innovation in their respective areas.”

    Dr. Steven Lepowsky, dean, received the CSDA Presidential Award, the highest recognition from the state dental association. The award is given to a CSDA member, dentist, group or any other contributor that has enhanced the image and professionalism of dentistry.

    Dr. Afroditi Pita, assistant professor of general dentistry, received the Rising Star Award. This award recognizes advocacy, philanthropy, or community service, and excellence entrepreneurial skills, or ethical behavior. The Rising Star has also made significant contributions in the field of science and has held leadership positions in the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) chapter of their school, local dental society, or the CSDA.

    Along with Pita, recent graduate in the Class of 2025, Dr. Sarah Nevolis, also received the Rising Star Award.

    Dr. Elie Ferneini, associate clinical professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery, received the Horace Hayden Award. This award recognizes contributions to the interest of dentistry and dental health.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis Orders Flags Lowered in Honor of Peace Officer Memorial Day

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER – Today, Governor Polis ordered flags to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Thursday, May 15th, in recognition of Peace Officer Memorial Day, to honor the Peace Officers who have died or been killed in the line of duty protecting Colorado communities.

    “Today, on Peace Officer Memorial Day, we honor the public safety service members who have died protecting us and our communities. Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line each day to keep us safe, and it is important for us to take a moment today to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our safety. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of fallen officers, and my gratitude is with those who serve our state each and every day,” said Governor Polis.

    Voters this past November passed Proposition 130, investing $350 million in law enforcement recruitment, training, retention efforts, and creating additional benefits to support the families of officers killed in the line of duty. Governor Polis is committed to implementing this funding as quickly as possible to strengthen law enforcement and support the families whose loved ones gave their lives for our safety. The legislature formalized these investments through SB25-310 – Proposition 130 Implementation, which Governor Polis looks forward to signing into law soon.  

    President Trump’s proclamation reads:

    On Peace Officers Memorial Day and during Police Week, we honor our brave officers who serve on the front lines to protect our families, safeguard our communities, and shoulder a burden of responsibility that most Americans cannot fathom.  This week and always, we honor the courageous men and women serving in law enforcement and memorialize those who sacrificed their lives defending the thin blue line.

    A nation in chaos ceases to be a citadel of liberty.  Tragically, the previous administration allowed lawlessness to permeate our country, making it harder for our law enforcement officers to do their jobs.  Their reckless, soft-on-crime policies emboldened criminals and thugs; wreaked havoc on the sanctity of our homes, businesses, and public spaces; instilled fear; and jeopardized public trust.

    As your 47th President, I am fulfilling my promise to make America safe again by reclaiming sovereignty on the border and restoring the rule of law in communities nationwide.  We will utilize every available means to equip and train law enforcement, retain qualified officers, and recruit on the basis of meritocracy.

    The oath to serve and protect comes with extraordinary risk and sacrifice, and we are indebted to those who choose this righteous profession.  That is why I have asked the Congress to codify my Executive Order mandating the death penalty for the murder of a police officer — sending an unequivocal message that barbaric acts of violence and blatant disregard for the lives of our Nation’s heroes will not be tolerated — and to pass a crime bill with enhanced protections for police officers.

    I stand in steadfast solidarity with those who defend our freedoms and the families who love and support them.  We pray for those who grieve the fallen and pledge that their lives, legacies, and sacrifices will forever be remembered by our grateful Nation.
    By a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962, as amended (Public Law 87-726, 76 Stat. 676), and by Public Law 105-225 (36 U.S.C. 136-137), the President has been authorized and requested to designate May 15 of each year as “Peace Officers Memorial Day” and the week in which it falls as “Police Week.”

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 15, 2025, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 11 through May 17, 2025, as Police Week.  I call upon all Americans to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.  I also call on the Governors of the States and Territories and officials of other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty‑five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

    DONALD J. TRUMP

    ###

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Making learning more accessible with Microsoft Education

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Making learning more accessible with Microsoft Education

    For GAAD 2025, explore how Microsoft accessibility tools enhance education, creating inclusive and engaging classrooms where every student can thrive.

    Accessibility tools for learning play a significant role in student success, helping all students fully engage with what’s happening in class and beyond. By providing access to content that might otherwise be difficult to access, these tools help to create a more inclusive classroom where everyone can feel understood, valued, and supported for their unique strengths. Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) 2025, celebrated on May 15, reminds us that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.

    Every student—whether they have a permanent disability, a temporary challenge like a broken hand, a situational disability such as difficulty reading in bright sunlight, or simply needs extra support with reading or writing—can benefit from greater accessibility to digital tools to support their learning experience. At Microsoft, we believe accessibility isn’t just a feature—it’s a foundation for empowering all students and educators to reach their full potential. Built-in accessibility features across Microsoft software and hardware can amplify everyone’s success, regardless of learning differences or physical abilities. Explore Microsoft accessibility tools and see how you can make learning more inclusive, engaging, and equitable for your school community.

    Building an inclusive learning environment

    Every student’s learning needs are unique. Some may have a disability, while others might be learning English, recovering from an injury, or trying to focus in a noisy home environment. Microsoft accessibility tools are designed to empower every student to engage independently and confidently in their learning. These tools come with built-in accessibility features, eliminating the need for extra downloads or stigmatizing third-party applications. Students get the help they need, right when they need it.

    Get started with Microsoft accessibility tools today and learn how to create a more inclusive classroom experience with professional learning from Microsoft Learn.

    Start the accessibility training module

    Immersive Reader

    Available in Microsoft products like Reading Coach and Microsoft Edge, Immersive Reader can help students improve reading comprehension, while also supporting learning differences. Students can use line focus to concentrate on one part of the text at a time. They can break words into syllables, adjust font size, and increase line, word, and letter spacing to reduce visual crowding to improve readability. For educators in Kent School District in Washington, US, using Immersive Reader helps make sure that all students are empowered to share their voices and participate.

    I think when we’ve got kids that need different support mechanisms to learn, the Microsoft assisted learning tools become really, really vital. Last year, I had a student that had dysgraphia and dyslexia and so being able to listen to the audio was necessary and the Immersive Reader was essential for the success of this student.

    Amber Raftery, sixth-grade teacher, Kent School District, US

    As teacher-librarian and technology integration specialist Amber Gonzalez shares, the power of Microsoft 365 is that accessibility and assistive learning features like Immersive Reader are just one click away—helping to make it easy for every student to get the support they need, when they need it.

    Reading Coach

    Reading Coach is a free, standalone Learning Accelerator that uses AI-powered stories and personalized practice to help students improve their reading fluency. Used by half a million learners in over 190 countries worldwide, Reading Coach can help make reading more engaging and accessible with built-in tools like Immersive Reader, providing an opportunity for students to boost their potential and confidence. Educators can also suggest reading practices and track student progress with new educator features in Reading Coach.

    After three weeks of Reading Coach, we saw students gain one reading level—sometimes even one and a half. Some jumped two levels in just six weeks. And nearly half the class reached their expected reading level.

    Kris Vande Moortel, former teacher and Microsoft education advisor, Belgium

    Get started with Reading Coach

    Reading Coach with AI-powered stories helps students take charge of their learning and push themselves further by providing individualized support. Some teachers are seeing remarkable progress in a fraction of the time—giving them more opportunities for one-on-one attention where it’s needed.

    Microsoft Translator

    Translator offers real-time translation of text and speech in over 60 languages, helping to make communication easier for students, parents, and caregivers who speak different languages. For educators in Texas City Independent School District, the embedded support of Translator in Word and mobile devices helps ensure that multilingual students have assistance when they encounter an unfamiliar word.

    We found that Microsoft Translator is key to enabling English as a second language (ESL) students to keep up and to learn along with the rest of the class. When they are hung up on a word or a phrase or want to learn how to say something in English, they can transition back to their native language and use Translator to quickly contextualize in English.

    Hope Smalley-Jackson, business teacher, Texas City Independent School District, US

    Students can use Translator at school, home, or whenever they need language support. It can help bridge communication gaps, supporting accessible classroom learning with cross-language understanding and even multilingual casual conversations to help students and families.

    Additional tools

    If typing is tough—whether due to learning challenges, a temporary issue like a broken arm, or even fatigue—students can use dictation to turn speech into text effortlessly. Tools like live captions also help by converting speech to text or translating languages in PowerPoint, OneNote, and Microsoft Teams meetings, providing support for people with hearing disabilities, auditory processing disorders, or language needs. Plus, live captions fully supports multiple languages, making content accessible for multilingual speakers, too.

    Support accessibility with AI

    Additionally, AI-powered tools can help you address specific student needs. For instance, a 2024 study commissioned by Microsoft from professional services firm EY highlights how AI can help address the specific challenges faced by employees who are neurodivergent or living with a disability. The study found that Microsoft 365 Copilot helped:

    • Remove barriers that arise like drafting communication and organizing thoughts.
    • Reclaim time and energy by simplifying tasks like summarizing and proofreading.
    • Boost confidence and sense of inclusion by enhancing performance and work quality.

    While the study focused on workplace settings, the insights can be applied to educational environments. Just as AI tools can support diverse employee needs, they can also be instrumental in addressing diverse learning needs. Copilot helps educators personalize instruction, making it easier to tailor lessons to individual student requirements. Educators in Northern Ireland saw this firsthand when the Education Authority of Northern Ireland (EANI) adopted Copilot.

    EANI initially rolled out AI-powered learning tools on a small scale, selecting key innovative educators to pilot the free version of Copilot Chat in their classrooms. They also introduced training sessions focused on effective prompt writing, showcasing Microsoft 365 Copilot capabilities. Educators quickly discovered the practical benefits of upgrading to Microsoft 365 Copilot for tasks like creating PowerPoint presentations, generating questions in Microsoft Forms, and developing differentiated classroom resources. The substantial time savings and enhanced ability to meet diverse student needs drove widespread staff adoption and growing enthusiasm.

    Try Copilot Chat

    Make your classroom more inclusive by using AI to differentiate materials for students. Try using the dedicated IEP assistant tool in Khanmigo for Teachers or use Copilot Chat and your own prompts and files to help you draft parts of an individualized education program (IEP).

    For Copilot Chat, be sure to sign in with your school’s Microsoft account to ensure your data is protected, then copy and paste this prompt:

    You are a special education teacher drafting an IEP for a [grade level] student who [describe student’s needs]. Write a goal for [area/topic] that is specific, measurable, attainable, reasonable, and time bound.

    Whether you’re exploring AI, excited to try Reading Coach, or looking to make your classroom more inclusive with tools like Immersive Reader and Translator, GAAD 2025 is the perfect time to dive in. Get started and explore Microsoft accessibility tools to help every student thrive.

    Explore accessibility tools

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Greenpeace organizations challenge perverse damages in Energy Transfer lawsuit

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Deepa Padmanabha, Greenpeace USA Sr. Legal Advisor, center, surrounded by Greenpeace legal team, staff and supporters talks to the media outside the Morton County Memorial Courthouse in Mandan, North Dakota shortly after the jury in the case rendered their verdict. © Stephanie Keith / Greenpeace

    MANDAN, ND (May 15, 2025) — In the first hearing since the trial concluded in Energy Transfer’s bullying lawsuit against Greenpeace Inc., Greenpeace Fund, and Greenpeace International, the defendants argued to reduce the more than $660 million damages awarded to Energy Transfer. Arguments included the fact that damages awarded exceed what is allowed by the law and bear no reasonable relationship to Energy Transfer’s alleged damages.

    Deepa Padmanabha, Senior Legal Advisor, Greenpeace USA, said: “Our fight is far from over. Today’s hearing was another step in this important legal battle to protect the rights to protest and free speech, especially as we are witnessing unprecedented attacks on these rights. As we await the Court’s decision on our motion to reduce the damages award, we will continue to fight back against all attempts to silence and intimidate those speaking truth to power.” 

    Kristin Casper, General Counsel, Greenpeace International, said: “While the Court reserved its ruling on today’s motions and did not enter a final judgment, we presented compelling arguments to reduce the perverse damages the jury awarded. Regardless of the outcome, Greenpeace International is committed to exhausting all legal avenues to challenge and overturn any outcome that violates our rights.”

    The next hearing on May 27, 2025 will address renewed requests by Greenpeace defendants for the Court to rule in their favor — despite the jury reaching a different conclusion — because the evidence presented at trial was legally insufficient to rule in Energy Transfer’s favor. Other post-trial matters could also be raised and argued at the upcoming hearing.

    Contact: Madison Carter, Greenpeace USA Senior Communications Specialist, [email protected]

    Greenpeace USA is part of a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace USA is committed to transforming the country’s unjust social, environmental, and economic systems from the ground up to address the climate crisis, advance racial justice, and build an economy that puts people first. Learn more at www.greenpeace.org/usa.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Development Bank funds second Tech Park in Mindelo

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

    MINDELO, Cabo Verde, May 15, 2025/APO Group/ —

    Cabo Verde has inaugurated the Mindelo Technology Park, completing the second campus of the TechPark CV project funded by the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org). The facility aims to establish the country as a digital hub connecting Africa with global markets. 

    The ceremony took place on May 6 with representatives from the government, industry, and development partners in attendance. The EUR 51.85 million TechPark CV project received EUR 45.5 million in financing from the African Development Bank Group, supporting both the Praia and Mindelo campuses. 

    In an address, Prime Minister José Ulisses Correia e Silva highlighted the transformative impact of the technology park: “Today we inaugurate this technological park hub with the conviction that we are already celebrating a special moment here. Yesterday was on the beach in Sao Vicente, a modern infrastructure important for the development of the digital economy. We want to position the digital economy as one of the key sectors for the diversification of Cabo Verde’s / Cavian economy, and increase the share of the digital economy in the GDP from around 7% to 25%.” 

    He further explained the goals of the project:“It is one of the sectors that create jobs and create quality jobs, simulates entrepreneurship and makes the capacity and talent of young people happen. We want to attract leading companies. We want to develop young digital entrepreneurship, startups and create well paid jobs.” 

    Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, emphasized the significance of this milestone: “These two events mark a turning point for the broader diversification of the economy of Cabo Verde and a landmark in its quest to become the digital gateway for Africa. These two technology park campuses will spark the spirit of digital innovation and spur the emergence of technology-enabled businesses that will propel the digital economy of Cabo Verde.” 

    Reflecting on the financial projections and potential impact, Dr. Adesina added, “The Technology Park will allow Cabo Verde to position itself to take advantage of the digital economy in Africa, which is estimated to add $180 billion to the GDP of Africa by 2025 and $712 billion by 2050. It will also allow Cabo Verde to benefit from the $16.5 trillion global digital economy by 2028.” 

    Carlos Monteiro, President of TechPark CV, shared his outlook on the project’s cultural and economic significance: “TechPark CV is the realisation of our ambition to transform Cape Verde into a technology hub for West Africa. Our unique mid-Atlantic location creates a gateway for investments and business opportunities linking Africa, Europe and the Americas.” 

    He added: “The spirit of morabeza lies at the heart of what we’re building – a welcoming environment where innovators from different backgrounds and cultures can collaborate and thrive together. Through this project, we’re not just building a digital hub; we’re fostering a community where technology drives economic growth and sustainable development for Cape Verde and our international partners.” 

    Project architect Fernando Mauricio Dos Santos, whose design balances technological needs with environmental considerations, noted: “The campus features a secure, basement-level data centre that ensures national security while harmonizing with the surrounding residential area. The U-shaped building’s orientation provides protection against northeast winds while maximizing southern light exposure, creating a comfortable and energy-efficient environment. A specialized technical box discreetly houses heavy refrigeration equipment, allowing the facility to blend advanced technology capabilities with Mindelo’s existing urban landscape.”  

    The Mindelo facility includes a data centre, a business incubation hub, and a training centre. The campus currently hosts ten companies from four countries and employs 125 young professionals, with 80% of its 25 office spaces occupied. The facility operates as a special digital economic zone, offering tax incentives to businesses specializing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fintech, and digital health solutions. 

    In closing remarks, Dr. Adesina offered words of encouragement to the entrepreneurs and businesses establishing themselves at the technology park: “You will make it! You will grow! You will thrive!! Just like out of Mindelo the young voice of Cesaria Evora grew until it took the world by storm, so will the Mindelo Technology Park rise to become a gateway for innovation that will resound across Africa and the world. So, keep moving on and moving up!” 

    Both campuses of TechPark CV are now operational.  

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China issues guidelines to push ahead with urban renewal campaign

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) — China will vigorously and steadily push forward urban renewal projects, according to a policy document released Thursday.

    The document, released by the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council, aims to make significant progress in the urban renewal campaign by 2030. It sets goals to improve safety conditions, enhance service efficiency, enhance living environments, develop business models and protect cultural heritage.

    It is noted that efforts should focus on strengthening and renovating existing buildings, including in older residential areas, while optimizing infrastructure such as parking, charging stations, fire protection and communications.

    According to the document, the renewal and reconstruction of old commercial areas, industrial zones and villages within the city will be promoted. It is supposed to create multi-level and comprehensive networks of public services to meet the everyday needs of the population.

    The directive emphasizes the need for accelerated construction and reconstruction of gas, water, drainage, sewer, underground heating communications and utility tunnels, as well as active construction of public fire-fighting facilities and improvement of transport infrastructure.

    In addition, requirements have been formulated for the restoration of urban ecosystems and the protection of the historical and cultural heritage of cities.

    The document provides for the creation of a mechanism for implementing urban renewal programs, improving land use policies, and developing a housing safety management system throughout the entire life cycle. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Russian delegation in Istanbul is determined to find possible solutions and points of contact – head of the delegation V. Medinsky

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    Moscow, May 15 (Xinhua) — The Russian delegation views the talks with Ukraine as a continuation of the peace process in Istanbul, which was interrupted in 2022, Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation at the talks with Ukraine, said on Thursday.

    “We view these negotiations as a continuation of the peace process in Istanbul, which, unfortunately, was interrupted by the Ukrainian side three years ago. Our official delegation was approved by the presidential decree, and it has all the necessary competencies and powers to conduct negotiations,” V. Medinsky said.

    “The delegation is set on a constructive mood, on finding possible solutions and points of contact. The task of direct negotiations with the Ukrainian side is to sooner or later reach the establishment of long-term peace, eliminating the basic root causes of the conflict,” the head of the Russian delegation emphasized.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking to journalists in the Kremlin on the night of May 11, proposed that the Ukrainian side resume direct negotiations, interrupted in 2022, without preconditions. It was proposed to begin the dialogue on May 15 in Istanbul. Later on May 11, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed to V. Putin on the social network X to hold a personal meeting in Turkey on May 15 to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian armed conflict. He added that Ukraine also expects a full and long-term ceasefire starting on May 12. On Wednesday, V. Putin approved the composition of the Russian delegation for negotiations with Ukraine, headed by Russian presidential aide V. Medinsky. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –