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  • MIL-OSI USA: Huffman, Cohen, Merkley Introduce Bill to Protect Families and Pets from Dangerous Devices

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

    June 26, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Steve Cohen (TN-09), along with U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), re-introduced legislation that would ban hazardous cyanide bombs from public lands. Their bill, Canyon’s Law, would protect families, pets, and wildlife from dangerous M-44 ejectors – spring-loaded devices made up of sodium cyanide used to kill predatory animals and pest species.

    “Cyanide bombs have proven to be deadly for families, pets, and wildlife – regardless of their intended target – and have no business being on our public lands,” said Rep. Huffman. “People and their pets should not be threatened by cruel and indiscriminate devices when they are trying to enjoy the outdoors, especially when there are far safer, proven methods to protect livestock. Our bill will help ensure this unnecessary use of hazardous devices comes to an end.”

    “The use of M-44 cyanide bombs to control wildlife is inhumane and unjustifiable. I am pleased to join Congressman Huffman and my other colleagues in ending this barbaric practice. With the passage of Canyon’s Law, hikers, campers and their pets will be able to traverse federal lands without the fear of harm or death from these inconspicuous devices,” said Rep. Cohen.

    “Cyanide bombs do not belong on public lands, and we must permanently ban these dangerous devices that threaten our ability to safely enjoy our natural treasures,” said Sen. Merkley. “These bombs have no safeguards to protect you, your family, your pets, or unintended wildlife from the dangers they pose. More effective, safe, and humane options exist for predator control—their intended purpose—and those should be the only options used on public lands given the harms cyanide bombs can cause to humans and animals alike.”

    M-44s are small traps driven into the ground and loaded with the powdered poison, sodium cyanide. Once set, M-44s resemble sprinkler heads, and when triggered, these traps eject a cloud of cyanide intended to kill coyotes, wild dogs, or foxes. As a byproduct, these devices sometimes harm humans and their pets around public lands.

    Canyon’s Law is named after Canyon Mansfield, an Idaho boy whose dog came into contact with an M-44 while walking along public lands in 2017. His dog accidentally activated a M-44 device, and Canyon watched helplessly as his beloved companion suffered a cruel and painful death. Fortunately for Canyon, the wind pushed much of the cyanide away from him, yet he still suffers health effects to this day.

    “No one should have to experience what my family and I went through with the death of our dog and the near death of our son,” said Dr. Mark Mansfield, Canyon’s father. “Cyanide has no place being used anywhere in the U.S. as a pesticide or ‘lethal control’ weapon, such as an M-44 ‘cyanide bomb.’ All Americans can and should get behind this simple, common-sense law, ‘Canyon’s Law’.”

    The Agriculture Department acknowledges that there are hundreds of unintended wildlife deaths every year as a result of these devices. These cyanide bombs also cause severe, irreparable harm to people who have been exposed, either inadvertently or while trying to save their pets.

    The legislation was originally introduced in the House by now-retired Congressman Peter DeFazio (OR-04). Last Congress, Rep. Huffman oversaw the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife hearing on this legislation. View his line of questioning with Dr. Mark Mansfield, Canyon’s father here.

    This bill is endorsed by Predator Defense, Animal Welfare Institute, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Western Watersheds Project, Center for Biological Diversity, and Animal Legal Defense Fund, Humane World Action Fund, Humane World for Animals.

    “Working side by side with the Mansfield family since their tragedy, as well as with other M-44 victims for over 30 years, I have witnessed the pain and loss these indiscriminate devices inflict,” said Brooks Fahy, Executive Director of Predator Defense. “Since M-44s can never be used safely, they must be banned. This is not a partisan issue. It’s a public safety issue.”

    “Wildlife Services’ refusal to end the use of M-44 sodium cyanide devices shows both an unwillingness to transition away from archaic lethal methods, as well as a cruel indifference to the threats posed to people, pets, and wildlife,” said Susan Millward, Executive Director and CEO of the Animal Welfare Institute. “These dangerous devices have no place on America’s public lands. We urge Congress to stand up to Wildlife Services and end the use of this inhumane method.”

    “Targeting native wildlife with cyanide bombs is a barbaric and unacceptable practice,” said Erik Molvar, Executive Director for Western Watersheds Project. “These chemical weapons need to be outlawed before the next child, pet, or unsuspecting creature is poisoned.”

    “It’s horrifying to think that cyanide bombs are still being used today when we know they indiscriminately kill and injure children, pets and endangered species,” said Rachel Rilee, Policy Specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity. “We should be allowed to hike and enjoy our public lands in peace. It’s time to ban these cruel wildlife-killing traps once and for all.”

    “M-44 sodium ‘cyanide bombs’ are indiscriminate devices that pose deadly risks for people, pets, and wildlife,” said Allison Ludtke, Legislative Affairs Manager at Animal Legal Defense Fund. “These poisons — which have injured people, taken the lives of pets, and decimated wildlife — do not belong on public lands, and their use is unjustifiable at a time when countless humane, non-lethal alternatives exist.”

    Original co-sponsors of the legislation in the House include Representatives Suzan K. DelBene, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Jan Schakowsky, and Dave Min. In the Senate, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Bernie Sanders, Ron Wyden, Sheldon Whitehouse, Chris Van Hollan, Martin Heinrich, Adam Schiff, and Angela Alsobrooks.

    Text of the House legislation can be found here.

    Text of the Senate legislation can be found here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Member Huffman Blasts Trump Administration’s Reckless Withdrawal from Historic Columbia Basin Agreement

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

    June 12, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) released the following statement:

    “Trump’s decision to abandon the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement is yet another reckless, shortsighted move that makes one thing clear: this administration has no respect for the trust and treaty rights of Tribal Nations. It’s a betrayal that erases decades of hard work to resolve long-standing conflicts in the region and blows up a historic agreement that supported salmon recovery, reliable clean energy, and water and food security across the Pacific Northwest.
     
    “This was a rare win forged between the federal government and Tribal Leaders from the Nez Perce Tribe, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation and the states of Washington and Oregon. It was grounded in science, built on consensus, and designed to protect salmon from extinction while preparing the region for a clean energy future. Trump threw all that away to score cheap political points – and it’s Tribes, working families, and our environment who will pay the price.
     
    “Let’s be clear: this fight isn’t over. Democrats will stand with Tribal leaders in the fight to honor treaty rights, restore fisheries, and build the resilient future this region deserves.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Rep. García: Blasts Trump for Weaponizing Immigration Courts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

    Republicans know what they’re doing is illegal and unpopular, and they are doing everything they can do to hide it.

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today Representative Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), member of the House Judiciary Committee and Congressional Progressive Caucus Whip, joined a virtual shadow hearing led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) to expose the Trump administration’s latest tactic: using immigration courts as traps to detain and disappear people.

     The hearing, “Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump’s Weaponization of Immigration Courts”, laid out how ICE is luring immigrants to appear at scheduled court dates or check-ins—then detaining them on the spot. According to news reports, at least 100 people were arrested in June alone during courthouse operations. 

     “Because Republicans know what they’re doing is illegal and unpopular, they’re doing everything they can to hide it, including by preventing Members of Congress from exercising their legal oversight authority to visit detention facilities,” said Congressman García during the hearing. 

     “All of these tactics have been used in Chicago. ICE agents showed up to our immigration court and detained at least four people who had shown up for their hearings. They also detained people at their check-ins, including a mother with no criminal record who had applied for asylum and complied with all requirements,” he continued.

     “So I’ve seen firsthand what’s happening to our immigrant communities like the one I represent, and how blatantly this Administration is violating the law to cover up their abuses. This is a moment of crisis in our country. We must double down on oversight, legislative proposals to fix our immigration system, and our commitment to the dignity and humanity of all immigrants and all people.”

     To watch the video of the hearing, click here. 

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Critical incident investigation underway in Manurewa

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Please attribute to Counties Manukau District Commander, Superintendent Shanan Gray:

    One person has died, and another is in a critical condition following an incident in Manurewa overnight.

    A critical incident investigation is now underway, which will establish the full circumstances of what unfolded.

    At about 1am, a Police unit was travelling along Roscommon Road after attending an unrelated job.

    Staff have then sighted a Mitsubishi vehicle pulling out of Sharland Road closely followed by an Isuzu.

    Officers were concerned the Mitsubishi was being chased by the Isuzu and signalled for the Isuzu to stop on Roscommon Road.

    Moments after lights and sirens were activated the Isuzu made contact with the Mitsubishi, causing the vehicle to leave the road and collide with a tree.

    Officers immediately rendered first aid, however the passenger of the vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene.

    The driver was transported to hospital in a critical condition, where they remain.

    The driver of the Isuzu was arrested at the scene and transported to hospital with minor injuries.

    A scene examination has been completed by the Serious Crash Unit and the road has since reopened.

    There are several investigations now underway, which will work to establish all the facts surrounding this morning’s tragic incident.

    This includes notifying the Independent Police Conduct Authority, as is standard procedure.

    We are also working to support those affected and their families, as well as our staff who were involved.

    As part of our investigation, we are seeking information from witnesses who may have been in the area at the time, or prior to this incident occurring.

    If you have information, please update Police online now or call 105.

    Please use reference number 250627/8090.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Warrant to arrest: Jade Hamlyn Beazley

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police are appealing to the public for information on the whereabouts of Jade Hamlyn Beazley, 40, who has a warrant to arrest and is wanted by Police.

    He is wanted in relation to a number of offences and Police believe someone may have information on his whereabouts.

    Beazley is known to frequent the Mount Wellington area.

    Anyone with information is urged to call 111 immediately and quote file number 250620/8529.

    Alternatively information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: US Department of Labor renews national emphasis program to address amputations in manufacturing

    Source: US Department of Labor

    WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is renewing its National Emphasis Program on Amputations in Manufacturing Industries focused on preventing amputations in manufacturing workplaces. 

    Under the renewed program – which aims to find and reduce dangers that could lead to amputations and other injuries in the manufacturing sector – OSHA will conduct inspections of manufacturing facilities to ensure compliance with safety practices while operating, servicing, or maintaining machines. This includes controlling dangerous energy sources and making sure machines are properly guarded to prevent amputations. The program looks at companies using machinery that pose a risk of amputation. 

    Significant changes in the updated emphasis program include:

    • An updated list of North American Industry Code System establishment codes identified for inclusion in the program.
    • Allowing establishments that had an inspection under the NEP in the previous 24 months and did not report an amputation to be deleted from the programmed inspection list.
    • Revisions to the OSHA Information Systems coding instructions. 

    The updated program will replace the previous version that is set to end on June 27, 2025, and will be in place for five years from the effective date.

    Learn more about OSHA and protecting workers from amputations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: US Department of Labor announces ‘Celebrating Value and Talent’ as National Disability Employment Awareness Month’s 2025 theme

    Source: US Department of Labor

    WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that its Office of Disability Employment Policy has chosen “Celebrating Value and Talent” as the theme for the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which will be observed in October. 

    NDEAM annually honors the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities and showcases supportive workplace policies and practices that benefit employees and employers alike. As part of the lead up to America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, this year’s observance will highlight the achievements of Americans with disabilities both past and present.

    “Celebrating America means celebrating the value and talent that all Americans – including people with disabilities – add to our nation’s workplaces and communities,” said Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “As we approach the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Department of Labor remains committed to ensuring all people have the opportunity to find meaningful work.”

    In 1945, the nation first designated a national week to recognize the contribution of people with physical disabilities. Designated by Congress as NDEAM in 1988, the commemoration evolved to acknowledge the importance of increasing the number of people with disabilities in the workforce. In 2001, ODEP was created and was given responsibility for NDEAM and for selecting and helping promote its annual theme.

    For more information about NDEAM, visit www.dol.gov/ndeam. The annual NDEAM poster is expected to be available in summer.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Former Haitian Mayor and Human Rights Violator Sentenced in Massachusetts to Nine Years in Prison for Lying about Past Involvement in Political Violence

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    Headline: Former Haitian Mayor and Human Rights Violator Sentenced in Massachusetts to Nine Years in Prison for Lying about Past Involvement in Political Violence

    The U.S. Attorney announced Jean Morose Viliena, the former mayor of Les Irois, Haiti, was sentenced to nine years in prison followed by three years of supervised release by Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV for the District of Massachusetts.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Canadian National Extradited for Mailing Fraudulent Prize Notices

    Source: US State of California

    WASHINGTON — A Canadian national accused of operating fraudulent prize notice schemes was extradited to the United States and made his initial appearance in Las Vegas federal court on June 18, the Department of Justice and U.S. Postal Inspection Service announced today.

    Patrick Fraser, 44, of Alberta, Canada, will face federal charges of conspiracy and mail fraud. Fraser was arrested on June 15, 2023, by Canadian authorities pursuant to a U.S. extradition request and was surrendered to the United States this month. A detention hearing was held on June 23, and Fraser was ordered detained pending trial.

    According to the indictment, the defendant conspired with others to operate fraud schemes through which he mailed fraudulent prize notifications to individuals in the United States and in other countries. The prize notifications falsely represented that the victims had been specifically chosen to receive a large cash prize, typically over $1 million, and would receive the prize upon payment of a small free. Many of the victims were elderly and vulnerable.

    “The Justice Department is committed to prosecuting and pursuing those who perpetrate fraud schemes targeting America’s seniors,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “I thank Canada for assisting in extraditing this individual to face charges here in the United States. The Justice Department and U.S. law enforcement partners will continue to work closely with law enforcement partners across the globe to bring to justice criminals who attempt to defraud U.S. victims from outside the United States.”

    “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with the Consumer Protection Branch and our law enforcement partners in the United States and the world to identify and pursue transnational criminals who prey on older Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “Through our Elder Justice Initiative, Assistant U.S. Attorneys and professional staff are combating elder financial exploitation and fraud. This extradition is another example of the outstanding collaboration between federal law enforcement and international partners.”

    “Postal inspectors protect the vulnerable. If you use fake prize offers to scam others, we’ll find you—and you will be held accountable,” said U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Eric Shen.

    Fraser is charged in a nine-count indictment filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Las Vegas. If convicted, Fraser faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison per count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

    Senior Trial Attorney Ann Entwistle and Trial Attorney Charles B. Dunn of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Anthony Lopez for the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case. USPIS investigated the case. The Justice Department is grateful to the Vancouver Police Department, who provided assistance through official requests. The Office of International Affairs of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division accomplished the extradition of Fraser from Canada.

    The Justice Department continues to investigate and bring charges in other similar matters. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.

    More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Consumer complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov.

    For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its fraud enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Signs SB 348 into Law

    Source: US State of Missouri

    JUNE 26, 2025

    Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe signed a designation bill in Branson, recognizing the city as the “Live Entertainment Capital of Missouri.” Senate Bill (SB) 348 includes 46 additional designations recognizing a wide array of people, places, and causes across the state.

    Provisions in the bill include honorary awareness days, weeks, and months; city and town titles; and the naming of roads and bridges in honor of individuals who have made a lasting impact on their communities — including several Missourians who have fallen in the line of duty.

    “We appreciate the efforts of legislators to honor and recognize the people, places, and causes that are important to their constituents,” said Governor Kehoe. “For decades, Branson has welcomed millions of visitors with world-class music, performances, and family entertainment. I was proud to sign this legislation in Branson today as we recognize the people and stories behind each of these designations.”

    For more information on SB 348, visit senate.mo.gov. To view photos from the bill signing, click this link.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Michigan Doctor Sentenced to Four Years for $6.3M Medicare Fraud Scheme

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A Michigan doctor was sentenced today to four years in prison for a $6.3 million Medicare fraud scheme in which elderly and disabled patients were sent thousands of orthotic braces that they did not need.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Sophie Toya, M.D., 56, of Bloomfield Hills, prescribed over 7,900 orthotic braces to more than 2,600 Medicare patients during a six-month period. The patients were solicited through deceptive television commercials offering free back braces. When they called the advertised telephone number, they were persuaded to accept braces for other parts of their bodies, with the promise that Medicare would pay. Toya spoke to some of these patients briefly over the phone, and she had no contact at all with the others. Toya nonetheless signed orders prescribing more than 7,900 braces, including prescribing four or more braces to nearly 1,000 patients.

    Toya prescribed as many as 136 braces in a day, 12 braces for a single patient, and numerous braces for undercover agents posing as Medicare beneficiaries after speaking with them by telephone for less than a minute. The prescriptions and accompanying medical records signed by Toya falsely represented that the braces were medically necessary and that she diagnosed the beneficiaries, had a plan of care for them, and recommended that they receive certain additional treatment. In the case of one patient, to whom Toya prescribed five braces for which Medicare was billed $3,883, she falsely attested that she evaluated the patient and that the patient was mobile when, in fact, the patient had long been confined to a wheelchair, could not walk or stand, and was suffering from a dangerous spinal infection that could not be treated by braces but instead required spinal surgery.

    Toya’s false prescriptions were used by brace supply companies to bill Medicare more than $6.3 million. Toya was paid approximately $120,000 by purported telemedicine companies in exchange for signing the fraudulent prescriptions.

    On May 10, 2024, Toya was convicted following an eight-day trial on one count of health care fraud and five counts of false statements relating to health care matters. Toya was also ordered to pay $3,606,935 in restitution and $120,475 in forfeiture.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Assistant Director in Charge Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Division; and Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.

    The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case. The case was charged as part of Operation Rubber Stamp, a coordinated nationwide law enforcement operation that targeted medical professionals who participated in fraudulent telemedicine schemes.

    Assistant Chief Rebecca Yuan and Trial Attorney Chris Wenger of the National Rapid Response Strike Force of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of 9 strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Michigan Doctor Sentenced to Four Years for $6.3M Medicare Fraud Scheme

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A Michigan doctor was sentenced today to four years in prison for a $6.3 million Medicare fraud scheme in which elderly and disabled patients were sent thousands of orthotic braces that they did not need.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Sophie Toya, M.D., 56, of Bloomfield Hills, prescribed over 7,900 orthotic braces to more than 2,600 Medicare patients during a six-month period. The patients were solicited through deceptive television commercials offering free back braces. When they called the advertised telephone number, they were persuaded to accept braces for other parts of their bodies, with the promise that Medicare would pay. Toya spoke to some of these patients briefly over the phone, and she had no contact at all with the others. Toya nonetheless signed orders prescribing more than 7,900 braces, including prescribing four or more braces to nearly 1,000 patients.

    Toya prescribed as many as 136 braces in a day, 12 braces for a single patient, and numerous braces for undercover agents posing as Medicare beneficiaries after speaking with them by telephone for less than a minute. The prescriptions and accompanying medical records signed by Toya falsely represented that the braces were medically necessary and that she diagnosed the beneficiaries, had a plan of care for them, and recommended that they receive certain additional treatment. In the case of one patient, to whom Toya prescribed five braces for which Medicare was billed $3,883, she falsely attested that she evaluated the patient and that the patient was mobile when, in fact, the patient had long been confined to a wheelchair, could not walk or stand, and was suffering from a dangerous spinal infection that could not be treated by braces but instead required spinal surgery.

    Toya’s false prescriptions were used by brace supply companies to bill Medicare more than $6.3 million. Toya was paid approximately $120,000 by purported telemedicine companies in exchange for signing the fraudulent prescriptions.

    On May 10, 2024, Toya was convicted following an eight-day trial on one count of health care fraud and five counts of false statements relating to health care matters. Toya was also ordered to pay $3,606,935 in restitution and $120,475 in forfeiture.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Assistant Director in Charge Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Division; and Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.

    The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case. The case was charged as part of Operation Rubber Stamp, a coordinated nationwide law enforcement operation that targeted medical professionals who participated in fraudulent telemedicine schemes.

    Assistant Chief Rebecca Yuan and Trial Attorney Chris Wenger of the National Rapid Response Strike Force of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of 9 strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Marksmen Energy Inc. Announces Filing of its Q1 Interim Financial Statements

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, ALBERTA, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Marksmen Energy Inc. (“Marksmen” or the “Company“) is providing this announcement further to its news releases dated May 15 and 29, June 12 and 16, 2025, with respect to the Alberta Securities Commission (“ASC“) having issued a management cease trade order (“MCTO“) to Marksmen pursuant to its application under National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders (“NP 12-203“) in respect of the default regarding the delay of the filing of its annual financial statements, accompanying management’s discussion and analysis and related chief executive officer (“CEO“) and chief financial officer (“CFO“) certifications for the financial year ended December 31, 2024 (collectively, the “Annual Filings“).

    As a result of the delay in filing the Annual Filings, the Company’s interim financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2025, the accompanying management discussion and analysis and related CEO and CFO certifications (collectively, the “Q1 Filings“) were not filed by the prescribed deadline of May 30, 2025.

    Marksmen filed its Annual Filings on June 16, 2025, enabling it to proceed with preparing its Q1 Filings, which Marksmen is pleased to confirm the Company has now filed.

    Pursuant to the completion of the Annual Filings and Q1 Filings, the Company expects that the MCTO granted by the ASC will be revoked and that the CEO and the CFO will be permitted to trade securities of the Company in two full business days. The MCTO does not affect the ability of persons other than the CEO and the CFO of the Company to trade in the Company’s securities.

    The Company confirms that, other than as disclosed in its news release dated May 15 and 29, June 12 and 16, 2025, or as set out herein, there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed.

    The Company wants to thank all of those who worked diligently in assisting with the finalization of the Annual Filings and Q1 Filings.

    For additional information regarding this news release please contact Archie Nesbitt, Director and CEO of the Company at (403) 265-7270 or e-mail ajnesbitt@marksmenenergy.com.

    Forward Looking Information and Risk Factors

    This news release contains statements and information that may constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including statements identified by the use of words such as “will”, “expects”, “positions”, “believe”, “potential” and similar words, including negatives thereof, or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.

    Such forward-looking information is not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Company’s beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company’s control. Generally, such forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “will continue”, “will occur” or “will be achieved”. The forward-looking information contained herein may include, but is not limited to, information concerning the anticipated revocation of the MCTO.

    By identifying such information and statements in this manner, the Company is alerting the reader that such information and statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such information and statements. Risks include, but are not limited to, the possibility that the Company’s MCTO is revoked later than anticipated, which could result in trading of the Company’s securities being halted by the TSX Venture Exchange and/or temporarily cease-traded by the Canadian securities commissions.

    Additional information regarding risks and uncertainties of the Company’s business are contained under the heading “Reporting Entity” and “Going Concern” in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the three months ended March 31, 2025, and the Company’s other public filings which are available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.

    In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, the Company has made certain assumptions. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. The forward-looking information contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking information and statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Okalio Mining Celebrates 8 Years of Trusted Cloud Mining with $10 Welcome Bonus

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    london, UK, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    In response to growing global interest in passive income through cryptocurrencies, Okalio Mining announces the continuation of its mission to provide low-barrier, high-return cloud mining services to users worldwide. With over eight years of professional operation since its establishment in 2017, the platform has emerged as a trusted name in the cloud mining industry—backed by a strong technical foundation, compliance-driven operations, and real, user-visible daily income.

    A Platform Proven by Time: 8 Years of Consistent Growth

    Founded in 2017, Okalio Mining has maintained a clear focus on delivering a low-risk, high-efficiency cloud mining environment. Unlike short-lived marketing projects, Okalio Mining is anchored in self-owned mining resources, an intelligent power scheduling system, and a mature user management model.

    The platform currently operates multiple data centers across North America, Iceland, Kazakhstan, and more—leveraging high-performance ASIC machines and clean energy solutions. The system dynamically adjusts for changes in market difficulty and electricity costs, ensuring stable and sustainable daily returns.

    Zero-Threshold Start: Register and Receive $10 Mining Power

    To empower first-time users, Okalio Mining offers a $10 credit for computing power upon registration. This allows users to experience real mining operations without needing an initial deposit. Daily income begins within 24 hours of registration.

    This user-first approach not only reduces the cost of entry but also reflects the platform’s confidence in its mining technology and revenue model. It provides new users with early assurance and familiarity, enabling them to plan further investments with clarity and confidence.

    Compliant Operations and Bank-Level Security Measures

    Okalio Mining places a premium on legal compliance and user fund protection. The company maintains transparent corporate registration in multiple jurisdictions, ensuring all activities are conducted under a legal framework.

    In alignment with KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) protocols, the platform complies with international regulatory standards. Security features include cold and hot wallet separation, multi-factor authentication, and encrypted communication protocols, establishing a bank-level protection system for all user assets and activity.

    Multi-Currency Mining with Automated Daily Income

    The platform supports mining of major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Litecoin (LTC). Users can freely choose their preferred currency, contract duration, and investment amount. Income generation begins automatically within 24 hours of activation.

    Returns are calculated using real-time mining machine data and are settled daily, ensuring transparency and traceability. The system offers full visibility and flexibility for users to monitor earnings in real time.

    Fast Withdrawals, No Lock-in Requirements

    Addressing one of the biggest concerns for crypto investors, Okalio Mining ensures fast and flexible withdrawal options:

    • Withdrawals available 24/7
    • Support for multiple chains: TRC20, ERC20, BEP20
    • Average processing time: within minutes of approval
    • No lock-ins, hidden thresholds, or forced reinvestments

    This model provides users with complete financial freedom, allowing them to withdraw profits at their discretion without restrictions.

    A Reliable Choice for Long-Term Crypto Income

    In a market often defined by volatility, Okalio Mining’s continued commitment to stability, security, and transparency has earned it a loyal global user base. With eight years of uninterrupted operations, automated systems, and genuine income delivery, it remains a platform distinguished from short-term or promotional projects.

    With its $10 welcome bonus now live, Okalio Mining is extending a true opportunity for beginners to explore cloud mining with zero initial investment.

    Visit: www.okaliomining.com
     ️ Start with $10 in computing power today – and begin earning tomorrow.
     Real computing power. Stable income. Zero threshold.

    Media Contact:

    Name: Jack Anderson
    Position: Marketing Manager

    Address: 2nd Floor, Catherine House, 11 Wyllyotts Place, Dax Lane, Potters Bar, United Kingdom
    Email: info@okaliomining.com
    Website: www.okaliomining.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Okalio Mining Celebrates 8 Years of Trusted Cloud Mining with $10 Welcome Bonus

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    london, UK, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    In response to growing global interest in passive income through cryptocurrencies, Okalio Mining announces the continuation of its mission to provide low-barrier, high-return cloud mining services to users worldwide. With over eight years of professional operation since its establishment in 2017, the platform has emerged as a trusted name in the cloud mining industry—backed by a strong technical foundation, compliance-driven operations, and real, user-visible daily income.

    A Platform Proven by Time: 8 Years of Consistent Growth

    Founded in 2017, Okalio Mining has maintained a clear focus on delivering a low-risk, high-efficiency cloud mining environment. Unlike short-lived marketing projects, Okalio Mining is anchored in self-owned mining resources, an intelligent power scheduling system, and a mature user management model.

    The platform currently operates multiple data centers across North America, Iceland, Kazakhstan, and more—leveraging high-performance ASIC machines and clean energy solutions. The system dynamically adjusts for changes in market difficulty and electricity costs, ensuring stable and sustainable daily returns.

    Zero-Threshold Start: Register and Receive $10 Mining Power

    To empower first-time users, Okalio Mining offers a $10 credit for computing power upon registration. This allows users to experience real mining operations without needing an initial deposit. Daily income begins within 24 hours of registration.

    This user-first approach not only reduces the cost of entry but also reflects the platform’s confidence in its mining technology and revenue model. It provides new users with early assurance and familiarity, enabling them to plan further investments with clarity and confidence.

    Compliant Operations and Bank-Level Security Measures

    Okalio Mining places a premium on legal compliance and user fund protection. The company maintains transparent corporate registration in multiple jurisdictions, ensuring all activities are conducted under a legal framework.

    In alignment with KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) protocols, the platform complies with international regulatory standards. Security features include cold and hot wallet separation, multi-factor authentication, and encrypted communication protocols, establishing a bank-level protection system for all user assets and activity.

    Multi-Currency Mining with Automated Daily Income

    The platform supports mining of major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Litecoin (LTC). Users can freely choose their preferred currency, contract duration, and investment amount. Income generation begins automatically within 24 hours of activation.

    Returns are calculated using real-time mining machine data and are settled daily, ensuring transparency and traceability. The system offers full visibility and flexibility for users to monitor earnings in real time.

    Fast Withdrawals, No Lock-in Requirements

    Addressing one of the biggest concerns for crypto investors, Okalio Mining ensures fast and flexible withdrawal options:

    • Withdrawals available 24/7
    • Support for multiple chains: TRC20, ERC20, BEP20
    • Average processing time: within minutes of approval
    • No lock-ins, hidden thresholds, or forced reinvestments

    This model provides users with complete financial freedom, allowing them to withdraw profits at their discretion without restrictions.

    A Reliable Choice for Long-Term Crypto Income

    In a market often defined by volatility, Okalio Mining’s continued commitment to stability, security, and transparency has earned it a loyal global user base. With eight years of uninterrupted operations, automated systems, and genuine income delivery, it remains a platform distinguished from short-term or promotional projects.

    With its $10 welcome bonus now live, Okalio Mining is extending a true opportunity for beginners to explore cloud mining with zero initial investment.

    Visit: www.okaliomining.com
     ️ Start with $10 in computing power today – and begin earning tomorrow.
     Real computing power. Stable income. Zero threshold.

    Media Contact:

    Name: Jack Anderson
    Position: Marketing Manager

    Address: 2nd Floor, Catherine House, 11 Wyllyotts Place, Dax Lane, Potters Bar, United Kingdom
    Email: info@okaliomining.com
    Website: www.okaliomining.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Independent Bank Corporation Announces Date for Its Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Release

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Independent Bank Corporation (NASDAQ: IBCP), the holding company of Independent Bank, a Michigan-based community bank, announced that it expects to issue its 2025 second quarter results on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at approximately 8:00 am ET. The release will be available on the Internet at IndependentBank.com within the “News” section of the “Investor Relations” area of the Company’s website.

    Brad Kessel, President and CEO, Gavin Mohr, CFO and Joel Rahn, EVP Commercial Banking will review the quarterly results in a conference call for investors and analysts beginning at 11:00 am ET on Thursday, July 24, 2025.

    To participate in the live conference call, please dial 1-833-470-1428 (Access Code # 493553). Also the conference call will be accessible through an audio webcast with user-controlled slides via the following event site/URL: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/394984135.

    A playback of the call can be accessed by dialing 1-866-813-9403 (Access Code # 372693). The replay will be available through July 31, 2025.

    About Independent Bank Corporation

    Independent Bank Corporation (NASDAQ: IBCP) is a Michigan-based bank holding company with total assets of approximately $5.3 billion. Founded as First National Bank of Ionia in 1864, Independent Bank Corporation operates a branch network across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula through one state-chartered bank subsidiary. This subsidiary (Independent Bank) provides a full range of financial services, including commercial banking, mortgage lending, investments, insurance and title services. Independent Bank Corporation is committed to providing exceptional personal service and value to its customers, stockholders and the communities it serves.

    For more information, please visit our website at: IndependentBank.com.

       
    Contact: William B. Kessel, President and CEO, 616.447.3933
    Gavin A. Mohr, Chief Financial Officer, 616.447.3929
       

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Fitzgerald Introduces the Expanding Access to Lending Options Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) introduced the Expanding Access to Lending Options Act, which would allow the National Credit Union Administration Board to increase the federal credit union loan maturity cap to 20 years, or longer if the Board allows by regulation. It also allows loan maturities for 1–4-unit principal and non-principal residences to be extended to 30 years.

    “As the cost of living continues to rise, families and small businesses need more flexible, affordable lending options,” said Congressman Scott Fitzgerald. “This bill gives credit unions the ability to offer longer-term loans, helping borrowers plan for the future and stay on top of their financial obligations without being locked into high monthly payments.”

    “Economic uncertainty makes managing finances difficult. With the introduction of legislation to provide credit unions with loan maturity flexibility, Reps. Fitzgerald, Fitzpatrick, Sherman, Meuser, Kim, Vargas, and Timmons are giving 142 million Americans much-needed financial relief,” said America’s Credit Unions President/CEO Jim Nussle. “This bill enhances credit unions’ ability to offer loans at rates and terms that fit their members’ needs. Credit unions are a safe haven for Americans trying to make ends meet and invest in their future. We thank the lawmakers for introducing this bipartisan legislation, and we urge the House to quickly advance it.”

    “Wisconsin’s cooperative not-for-profit credit unions have evolved to meet the needs of their 3.9 million members and the communities they live and work in, serving as a lifeline and trusted financial partner for over 100 years,” said Sarah Wainscott, President & CEO of The Wisconsin Credit Union League. “This bill delivers impactful regulatory evolution to increase loan maturity limits and remove red tape, allowing credit unions to better invest in what they do best – working toward the financial well-being for all. Wisconsin credit unions applaud and deeply appreciate the leadership of Congressman Fitzgerald and his colleagues for believing in credit unions and investing in policy that gives consumers greater opportunity for financial health and freedom.”

    BACKGROUND: Credit unions are generally prohibited from offering loans beyond a 15-year term, with limited exceptions. As costs rise, so does the need for larger loan limits and longer terms to make repayment more manageable. Allowing the flexibility to offer longer terms would lower monthly payments for consumers while offering greater competition for lending products, including small business, student, and agricultural loans. Any change to the loan term would not change credit unions’ member business lending cap of 12.25% of their assets for small business loans.

    SUPPORTERS: America’s Credit Unions and the Wisconsin Credit Union League.

    Read the bill text here. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Fitzgerald Introduces the Expanding Access to Lending Options Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) introduced the Expanding Access to Lending Options Act, which would allow the National Credit Union Administration Board to increase the federal credit union loan maturity cap to 20 years, or longer if the Board allows by regulation. It also allows loan maturities for 1–4-unit principal and non-principal residences to be extended to 30 years.

    “As the cost of living continues to rise, families and small businesses need more flexible, affordable lending options,” said Congressman Scott Fitzgerald. “This bill gives credit unions the ability to offer longer-term loans, helping borrowers plan for the future and stay on top of their financial obligations without being locked into high monthly payments.”

    “Economic uncertainty makes managing finances difficult. With the introduction of legislation to provide credit unions with loan maturity flexibility, Reps. Fitzgerald, Fitzpatrick, Sherman, Meuser, Kim, Vargas, and Timmons are giving 142 million Americans much-needed financial relief,” said America’s Credit Unions President/CEO Jim Nussle. “This bill enhances credit unions’ ability to offer loans at rates and terms that fit their members’ needs. Credit unions are a safe haven for Americans trying to make ends meet and invest in their future. We thank the lawmakers for introducing this bipartisan legislation, and we urge the House to quickly advance it.”

    “Wisconsin’s cooperative not-for-profit credit unions have evolved to meet the needs of their 3.9 million members and the communities they live and work in, serving as a lifeline and trusted financial partner for over 100 years,” said Sarah Wainscott, President & CEO of The Wisconsin Credit Union League. “This bill delivers impactful regulatory evolution to increase loan maturity limits and remove red tape, allowing credit unions to better invest in what they do best – working toward the financial well-being for all. Wisconsin credit unions applaud and deeply appreciate the leadership of Congressman Fitzgerald and his colleagues for believing in credit unions and investing in policy that gives consumers greater opportunity for financial health and freedom.”

    BACKGROUND: Credit unions are generally prohibited from offering loans beyond a 15-year term, with limited exceptions. As costs rise, so does the need for larger loan limits and longer terms to make repayment more manageable. Allowing the flexibility to offer longer terms would lower monthly payments for consumers while offering greater competition for lending products, including small business, student, and agricultural loans. Any change to the loan term would not change credit unions’ member business lending cap of 12.25% of their assets for small business loans.

    SUPPORTERS: America’s Credit Unions and the Wisconsin Credit Union League.

    Read the bill text here. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Fitzgerald Introduces the Expanding Access to Lending Options Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) introduced the Expanding Access to Lending Options Act, which would allow the National Credit Union Administration Board to increase the federal credit union loan maturity cap to 20 years, or longer if the Board allows by regulation. It also allows loan maturities for 1–4-unit principal and non-principal residences to be extended to 30 years.

    “As the cost of living continues to rise, families and small businesses need more flexible, affordable lending options,” said Congressman Scott Fitzgerald. “This bill gives credit unions the ability to offer longer-term loans, helping borrowers plan for the future and stay on top of their financial obligations without being locked into high monthly payments.”

    “Economic uncertainty makes managing finances difficult. With the introduction of legislation to provide credit unions with loan maturity flexibility, Reps. Fitzgerald, Fitzpatrick, Sherman, Meuser, Kim, Vargas, and Timmons are giving 142 million Americans much-needed financial relief,” said America’s Credit Unions President/CEO Jim Nussle. “This bill enhances credit unions’ ability to offer loans at rates and terms that fit their members’ needs. Credit unions are a safe haven for Americans trying to make ends meet and invest in their future. We thank the lawmakers for introducing this bipartisan legislation, and we urge the House to quickly advance it.”

    “Wisconsin’s cooperative not-for-profit credit unions have evolved to meet the needs of their 3.9 million members and the communities they live and work in, serving as a lifeline and trusted financial partner for over 100 years,” said Sarah Wainscott, President & CEO of The Wisconsin Credit Union League. “This bill delivers impactful regulatory evolution to increase loan maturity limits and remove red tape, allowing credit unions to better invest in what they do best – working toward the financial well-being for all. Wisconsin credit unions applaud and deeply appreciate the leadership of Congressman Fitzgerald and his colleagues for believing in credit unions and investing in policy that gives consumers greater opportunity for financial health and freedom.”

    BACKGROUND: Credit unions are generally prohibited from offering loans beyond a 15-year term, with limited exceptions. As costs rise, so does the need for larger loan limits and longer terms to make repayment more manageable. Allowing the flexibility to offer longer terms would lower monthly payments for consumers while offering greater competition for lending products, including small business, student, and agricultural loans. Any change to the loan term would not change credit unions’ member business lending cap of 12.25% of their assets for small business loans.

    SUPPORTERS: America’s Credit Unions and the Wisconsin Credit Union League.

    Read the bill text here. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Markey, MA Leaders Sound Alarm on Inhumane Conditions at Burlington ICE Field Office, ICE Attempts to Undermine Transparency

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    June 26, 2025

    Reports reveal ICE held people for days with little food and water, cramped cells, lack of access to health care

    ICE recently changed policy to inhibit Congressional oversight, prevent Americans’ representatives from witnessing ICE’s violations

    “We are disturbed that ICE appears to be using the Burlington facility beyond its original design to detain people in inadequate conditions in Massachusetts — and that ICE is undermining public transparency and accountability.”

    Text of Letter (PDF)

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) led the entire Massachusetts Congressional delegation in writing to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons and ICE ERO Boston Acting Field Office Director Patricia Hyde, pressing them on whether ICE has been violating agency standards by holding detainees in inhumane conditions at a local processing facility in Burlington, Massachusetts. The lawmakers also warned of the damage from a new ICE policy to shield field offices from public view by preventing members of Congress from making unannounced visits as part of their oversight — a key function of their job to serve their constituents.

    U.S. Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Richard Neal (D-Mass.), Bill Keating (D-Mass.), Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) also joined Senators Warren and Markey on the letter.

    “We are disturbed that ICE appears to be using the Burlington facility beyond its original design to detain people in inadequate conditions in Massachusetts — and that ICE is undermining public transparency and accountability,” wrote the lawmakers.

    New reports reveal that ICE is holding people for days at a time at a field office in Burlington, Massachusetts, an office building designed to process people for no more than a few hours. ICE’s own policy says that, barring “exceptional circumstances,” no one should be detained in a field office holding facility for over 12 hours. But in recent months, ICE has used the Burlington office as a “de facto detention facility,” with conditions made worse by the Administration’s attempts to triple the number of ICE arrests per day.

    Conditions at the facility are reportedly abysmal, including inadequate food, drinking water, beds, medical care, hygiene supplies, and more. These conditions appear to violate ICE’s own standards, warranting immediate attention.

    Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security issued new guidance prohibiting members of Congress from making unannounced visits to field offices, undermining lawmakers’ ability to conduct oversight on ICE’s practices and promote transparency. Meanwhile, ICE continues to dispute individuals’ reports of inadequate and inhumane conditions at field offices across the country.

    “In effect, ICE appears to be violating its own detention standards, denying reports of violations, and then preventing the American public’s representatives from witnessing those violations,” wrote the lawmakers.

    The lawmakers requested a congressional briefing and pushed for answers regarding the reportedly inhumane conditions at the Burlington facility and ICE’s intentions to rectify this situation, with a deadline of July 10.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Warren Report: “Bad Medicine: RFK Jr.’s Dirty Dozen Antivax Attacks”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    June 26, 2025

    As key vaccine panel meets, Sen. Warren highlights a dozen actions by RFK Jr. to undermine access to vaccines, endangering millions of Americans

    “By breaking promises, distorting facts, and pushing out mainstream vaccine experts and disregarding their views while installing anti-vaccination zealots, RFK Jr. has jeopardized the health of millions.”

    Report (PDF)

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) published a new report entitled “Bad Medicine: RFK Jr.’s Dirty Dozen Antivax Attacks,” underscoring the key ways Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (RFK Jr.) has undermined vaccine access and confidence in vaccines and jeopardized Americans’ health. The report was published during the first meeting of the new Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which RFK Jr. gutted and replaced with members who will advance his own anti-vaccine agenda.

    “Americans should watch carefully to ensure that RFK Jr. and his hand-picked committee do not further undermine public health,” wrote Senator Warren.

    Senator Warren’s “dirty dozen” list of anti-vaccine activities that occurred under RFK Jr.’s watch includes:

    1. “Burying” a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that “emphasized the importance of vaccinating people against the highly contagious and potentially deadly disease,” measles. The report, originally set to be released amidst a growing measles outbreak, found that the risk of contracting measles was high in communities near outbreaks with low vaccination rates.
    2. Promoting pseudoscience remedies and falsehoods while downplaying threats from measles as an outbreak swept across the country. Kennedy falsely claimed that the measles vaccine had not been “safely tested” and that its protection was short-lived. Kennedy pushed false information on X that “cod liver oil” and “Vitamin A” would be an effective treatment. As a result, some unvaccinated children who “were given so much Vitamin A…had signs of liver damage.” After the first death from the disease, he claimed that the outbreak was “not unusual” and failed to mention vaccination as a key to stopping the outbreak.
    3. Ending the “Let’s Get Real” vaccine campaign, which provided resources and information to health care providers for communicating and working with hesitant parents.
    4. Removing the COVID vaccine from the CDC’s recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women, without consulting CDC experts.
    5. Commissioning and publishing the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) report, advancing scientifically dubious assertions, filled with distorted research and inaccurate claims about vaccine safety. The MAHA report misleadingly claimed that vaccines are responsible for “many possible adverse events for which there is inadequate evidence to accept or reject a causal relationship.” The MAHA report also cited multiple studies that did not exist, and researchers whose papers were cited indicated that the report had misinterpreted their findings.
    6. Canceling a promising study to develop a Bird Flu vaccine, even as the newest strain of the disease spreads, infecting more than 70 people, and public health officials become increasingly concerned about a broader outbreak.
    7. Ending funding for a broad swath of HIV vaccine studies, potentially setting back US-led efforts to end the global AIDS pandemic by a decade.
    8. Reneging on his promise to “work within the current vaccine approval and safety monitoring systems and maintain the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices without changes,” on February 20th, Kennedy canceled ACIP’s first public meeting of 2025, before firing all the members of the panel on June 9th. ACIP is an independent panel of experts that makes recommendations to the CDC on vaccines. Kennedy also removed the staffers who oversaw ACIP and were responsible for vetting nominees for ACIP membership, effectively leaving the CDC’s chief of staff, a Trump Administration political appointee, in charge of the committee’s planning.
    9. Breaking his pledge not to appoint ideological anti-vaxxers to ACIP, Kennedy named eight new members to the panel, of which at least half are vaccine skeptics. According to various CDC officials, Kennedy circumvented the CDC’s process to select his new committee members.
    10. Announcing in his first address to agency staff as HHS secretary, Kennedy said he would use the Make America Healthy Again commission to investigate the childhood vaccination schedule, despite his baseless claims that it contributes to poor health outcomes.
    11. Hiring David Geier, a known vaccine skeptic who has promoted the debunked link between immunizations and autism, to study the theory. More than a decade ago, state regulators disciplined Grier for practicing medicine without a license.
    12. Forcing Dr. Peter Marks, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) top vaccine official and head of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, to step down after Dr. Marks refused to comply with Secretary Kennedy’s wish for “subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies.”

    “During his tenure as the HHS Secretary, RFK Jr. has systematically weakened the nation’s vaccine system, stoking parents’ fears and using his position to push his anti-vaccine agenda and limit access to vaccines,” wrote Senator Warren. “Vaccines are vital to protecting the lives of millions, and if Secretary Kennedy is successful in dismantling the nation’s vaccine system, the nation will face an extraordinary public health crisis.”

    This week, Senator Warren slammed RFK Jr. for his “reckless” and “shortsighted” decision to fire all 17 independent members of the ACIP and replace them with his own hand-picked nominees. Ahead of today’s meeting, Senator Warren pressed RFK Jr. on his conflicts of interest and those of his appointees, raising concerns about their ability to make public health decisions that benefit Americans rather than line their own pockets.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Wet and wild weather, Nelson Bays

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police are advising motorists to avoid all unnecessary travel in the Nelson Bays area this morning.

    The area is being hit by adverse weather conditions with flooding across the area and road closures likely.

    Especially avoid: Belgrove, Wakefield, Brightwater, Richmond, Whakatu Drive, Appleby, Redwood, Riwaka.

    In extreme conditions, please limit yourself to essential travel only, ensure you have had your brakes and windscreen wipers checked. Reducing speed, using headlights and watching your visibility will also ensure a safe trip.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Less Than a Month Left to Apply for FEMA Assistance for South Texas Severe Storms and Flooding

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Less Than a Month Left to Apply for FEMA Assistance for South Texas Severe Storms and Flooding

    Less Than a Month Left to Apply for FEMA Assistance for South Texas Severe Storms and Flooding

    AUSTIN, Texas – Texas residents who have been affected by the March severe storms and flooding have less than a month left to apply for FEMA assistance

    Homeowners and renters in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties who were displaced or have property damage from the March 26-28 storms have until Tuesday, July 22, 2025, to submit an application for FEMA assistance

    After the deadline, survivors can still upload information and submit paperwork to their FEMA account

    To date, FEMA has approved more than $59

    2 million in federal and state assistance for Texas survivors

    There are many types of assistance available for survivors who need help covering costs for things like rental expenses, home repairs, vehicle damage, medical expenses, moving and storage, and reimbursement for temporary housing

    There are three ways to apply:Visit a Disaster Recovery Center

    To find a center close to you, go online to: DRC Locator, or text DRC along with your Zip Code to 43362 (Ex: DRC 78552)

    Go online to DisasterAssistance

    govDownload the FEMA App for mobile devices Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a

    m

    and 10 p

    m

    CT

    Help is available in most languages

     To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTubeResidents and businesses in the four eligible counties can also apply for a low-interest disaster loan from the U

    S

    Small Business Administration (SBA) to help recover

    Texas residents can apply for a disaster loan online at SBA

    gov/disaster or by calling 800-659-2955

     To find a Texas location for in-person assistance, visit appointment

    sba

    gov/schedule/

    No appointment is necessary

    For more information about the loans available and how to apply, visit: SBA Loans Are a Meaningful Option for Texas Storm Survivors

    For the latest information about Texas’ recovery, visit fema

    gov/disaster/4871

    Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x

    com/FEMARegion6 and at facebook

    com/FEMARegion6/
    toan

    nguyen
    Thu, 06/26/2025 – 18:38

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sparkling Andromeda

    Source: NASA

    The Andromeda galaxy, also known as Messier 31 (M31), is a glittering beacon in this image released on June 25, 2025, in tribute to the groundbreaking legacy of astronomer Dr. Vera Rubin, whose observations transformed our understanding of the universe. In the 1960s, Rubin and her colleagues studied M31 and determined that there was some unseen matter in the galaxy that was affecting how the galaxy and its spiral arms rotated. This unknown material was named “dark matter.”
    M31 is the closest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way at a distance of about 2.5 million light-years. Astronomers use Andromeda to understand the structure and evolution of our own spiral, which is much harder to do since Earth is embedded inside the Milky Way.
    Learn more about this image and experience in sound, too.
    Image credit: X-ray: NASA/CXO/UMass/Z. Li & Q.D. Wang, ESA/XMM-Newton; Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech/WISE, Spitzer, NASA/JPL-Caltech/K. Gordon (U. Az), ESA/Herschel, ESA/Planck, NASA/IRAS, NASA/COBE; Radio: NSF/GBT/WSRT/IRAM/C. Clark (STScI); Ultraviolet: NASA/JPL-Caltech/GALEX; Optical: Andromeda, Unexpected © Marcel Drechsler, Xavier Strottner, Yann Sainty & J. Sahner, T. Kottary. Composite image processing: L. Frattare, K. Arcand, J.Major

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Temporary Housing Units to Be Moved onto Private and Secondary Sites

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA Temporary Housing Units to Be Moved onto Private and Secondary Sites

    FEMA Temporary Housing Units to Be Moved onto Private and Secondary Sites

    LAHAINA, MAUI – FEMA will begin moving temporary housing units from the staging site in Lahaina to private and secondary sites on June 26, 2025

    Movement will take place over the next several weeks and will provide further available housing for wildfire survivors in West Maui

    The first unit will be moved to a private site on June 26, 2025, with additional units to follow

     Six temporary housing units will be placed onto private sites in Lahaina

    Additionally, 40 temporary housing units will be placed on three secondary sites in Lahaina in the weeks to come

     The movement of units supports FEMA’s mission to return wildfire survivors to West Maui who indicated that temporary housing closer to their original home is their preference

    Unit movement will result in minimal traffic disruptions as the units travel the approximately 2-mile distance to their final destinations

    Movement will take place periodically over several weeks and is targeted to finish before the new school year starts to accommodate families with school-aged children

     FEMA housing is temporary and will remain available for eligible participants while they continue to seek permanent housing solutions

     For the latest information on the Maui wildfire recovery efforts, visit mauicounty

    gov, mauirecovers

    org, fema

    gov/disaster/4724 and Hawaii Wildfires – YouTube

    Follow FEMA on social media: @FEMARegion9 and facebook

    com/fema

    You may also get disaster assistance information and download applications at sba

    gov/hawaii-wildfires

      # # #                                         FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters

    shannon

    carley
    Thu, 06/26/2025 – 17:25

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Secretary Noem Terminates Wasteful DHS Program that Encouraged DEI in K-12 Schools

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Secretary Noem Terminates Wasteful DHS Program that Encouraged DEI in K-12 Schools

    lass=”text-align-center”>The “Invent2Prevent” program funneled millions of dollars to a highly politicized organization and targeted school children with radical ideology
    WASHINGTON – Today, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that she terminated the DHS “Invent2Prevent” program – a wasteful and highly politicized initiative that cost the American taxpayer over $1

    5 million dollars

    Despite its high cost, the program accomplished very little towards its apparent mission: preventing terrorism

    Instead, it funneled taxpayer money into a highly politicized organization called “The Eradicate Hate Global Summit,” which promoted DEI and LGBTQ ideology at K-12 schools

    “President Trump was given a mandate by the American people to eliminate wasteful government spending, and that is exactly what we are doing,” said Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary

    “This program was not only wasteful, it was also using public money to support an openly partisan and political organization

    Politicized NGOs like Eradicate Hate have been siphoning away taxpayer dollars for far too long

    We are ending the grift

    ”
    Under the guise of counter terrorism, this program used tax money on initiatives to foster “inclusive environments in schools,” promote DEI, and expose grade school children to sexualized topics like LGBTQ issues

    By canceling Invent2Prevent, Secretary Noem is saving the taxpayer $1,523,146

    24

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: By Air and by Sea: Validating NASA’s PACE Ocean Color Instrument

    Source: NASA

    In autumn 2024, California’s Monterey Bay experienced an outsized phytoplankton bloom that attracted fish, dolphins, whales, seabirds, and – for a few weeks in October – scientists. A team from NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, with partners at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), and the Naval Postgraduate School, spent two weeks on the California coast gathering data on the atmosphere and the ocean to verify what satellites see from above. In spring 2025, the team returned to gather data under different environmental conditions.
    Scientists call this process validation.

    The PACE mission, which stands for Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem, was launched in February  2024 and designed to transform our understanding of ocean and atmospheric environments. Specifically, the satellite will give scientists a finely detailed look at life near the ocean surface and the composition and abundance of aerosol particles in the atmosphere.
    Whenever NASA launches a new satellite, it sends validation science teams around the world to confirm that the data from instruments in space match what traditional instruments can see at the surface. AirSHARP (Airborne aSsessment of Hyperspectral Aerosol optical depth and water-leaving Reflectance Product Performance for PACE) is one of these teams, specifically deployed to validate products from the satellite’s Ocean Color Instrument (OCI).
    The OCI spectrometer works by measuring reflected sunlight. As sunlight bounces off of the ocean’s surface, it creates specific shades of color that researchers use to determine what is in the water column below. To validate the OCI data, research teams need to confirm that measurements directly at the surface match those from the satellite. They also need to understand how the atmosphere is changing the color of the ocean as the reflected light is traveling back to the satellite.
    In October 2024 and May 2025, the AirSHARP team ran simultaneous airborne and seaborne campaigns. Going into the field during different seasons allows the team to collect data under different environmental conditions, validating as much of the instrument’s range as possible.
    Over 13 days of flights on a Twin Otter aircraft, the NASA-led team used instruments called 4STAR-B (Spectrometer for sky-scanning sun Tracking Atmospheric Research B), and the C-AIR (Coastal Airborne In-situ Radiometer) to gather data from the air. At the same time, partners from UCSC used a host of matching instruments onboard the research vessel R/V Shana Rae to gather data from the water’s surface.

    The Ocean Color Instrument measures something called water leaving reflectance, which provides information on the microscopic composition of the water column, including water molecules, phytoplankton, and particulates like sand, inorganic materials, and even bubbles. Ocean color varies based on how these materials absorb and scatter sunlight. This is especially useful for determining the abundance and types of phytoplankton.

    The AirSHARP team used radiometers with matching technology – C-AIR from the air and C-OPS (Compact Optical Profiling System) from the water – to gather water leaving reflectance data.
    “The C-AIR instrument is modified from an instrument that goes on research vessels and takes measurements of the water’s surface from very close range,” said NASA Ames research scientist Samuel LeBlanc. “The issue there is that you’re very local to one area at a time. What our team has done successfully is put it on an aircraft, which enables us to span the entire Monterey Bay.”
    The larger PACE validation team will compare OCI measurements with observations made by the sensors much closer to the ocean to ensure that they match, and make adjustments when they don’t. 

    One factor that can impact OCI data is the presence of manmade and natural aerosols, which interact with sunlight as it moves through the atmosphere. An aerosol refers to any solid or liquid suspended in the air, such as smoke from fires, salt from sea spray, particulates from fossil fuel emissions, desert dust, and pollen.
    Imagine a 420 mile-long tube, with the PACE satellite at one end and the ocean at the other. Everything inside the tube is what scientists refer to as the atmospheric column, and it is full of tiny particulates that interact with sunlight. Scientists quantify this aerosol interaction with a measurement called aerosol optical depth.
    “During AirSHARP, we were essentially measuring, at different wavelengths, how light is changed by the particles present in the atmosphere,” said NASA Ames research scientist Kristina Pistone. “The aerosol optical depth is a measure of light extinction, or how much light is either scattered away or absorbed by aerosol particulates.” 
    The team measured aerosol optical depth using the 4STAR-B spectrometer, which was engineered at NASA Ames and  enables scientists to identify which aerosols are present and how they interact with sunlight.

    Flying these instruments required use of a Twin Otter plane, operated by the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). The Twin Otter is unique for its ability to perform extremely low-altitude flights, making passes down to 100 feet above the water in clear conditions.
    “It’s an intense way to fly. At that low height, the pilots continually watch for and avoid birds, tall ships, and even wildlife like breaching whales,” said Anthony Bucholtz, director of the Airborne Research Facility at NPS.
    With the phytoplankton bloom attracting so much wildlife in a bay already full of ships, this is no small feat. “The pilots keep a close eye on the radar, and fly by hand,” Bucholtz said, “all while following careful flight plans crisscrossing Monterey Bay and performing tight spirals over the Research Vessel Shana Rae.”

    Data gathered from the 2024 phase of this campaign is available on two data archive systems. Data from the 4STAR instrument is available in the PACE data archive  and data from C-AIR is housed in the SeaBASS data archive.
    Other data from the NASA PACE Validation Science Team is available through the PACE website: https://pace.oceansciences.org/pvstdoi.htm#
    Samuel LeBlanc and Kristina Pistone are funded via the Bay Area Environmental Research Institute (BAERI), which  is a scientist-founded nonprofit focused on supporting Earth and space sciences.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Mars Orbiter Learns New Moves After Nearly 20 Years in Space

    Source: NASA

    The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is testing a series of large spacecraft rolls that will help it hunt for water.
    After nearly 20 years of operations, NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) is on a roll, performing a new maneuver to squeeze even more science out of the busy spacecraft as it circles the Red Planet. Engineers have essentially taught the probe to roll over so that it’s nearly upside down. Doing so enables MRO to look deeper underground as it searches for liquid and frozen water, among other things.
    The new capability is detailed in a paper recently published in the Planetary Science Journal documenting three “very large rolls,” as the mission calls them, that were performed between 2023 and 2024.
    “Not only can you teach an old spacecraft new tricks, you can open up entirely new regions of the subsurface to explore by doing so,” said one of the paper’s authors, Gareth Morgan of the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Arizona.

    The orbiter was originally designed to roll up to 30 degrees in any direction so that it can point its instruments at surface targets, including potential landing sites, impact craters, and more.
    “We’re unique in that the entire spacecraft and its software are designed to let us roll all the time,” said Reid Thomas, MRO’s project manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.
    The process for rolling isn’t simple. The spacecraft carries five operating science instruments that have different pointing requirements. To target a precise spot on the surface with one instrument, the orbiter has to roll a particular way, which means the other instruments may have a less-favorable view of Mars during the maneuver.
    That’s why each regular roll is planned weeks in advance, with instrument teams negotiating who conducts science and when. Then, an algorithm checks MRO’s position above Mars and automatically commands the orbiter to roll so the appropriate instrument points at the correct spot on the surface. At the same time, the algorithm commands the spacecraft’s solar arrays to rotate and track the Sun and its high-gain antenna to track Earth to maintain power and communications.
    Very large rolls, which are 120 degrees, require even more planning to maintain the safety of the spacecraft. The payoff is that the new maneuver enables one particular instrument, called the Shallow Radar (SHARAD), to have a deeper view of Mars than ever before.

    Bigger Rolls, Better Science
    Designed to peer from about half a mile to a little over a mile (1 to 2 kilometers) belowground, SHARAD allows scientists to distinguish between materials like rock, sand, and ice. The radar was especially useful in determining where ice could be found close enough to the surface that future astronauts might one day be able to access it. Ice will be key for producing rocket propellant for the trip home and is important for learning more about the climate, geology, and potential for life at Mars.
    But as great as SHARAD is, the team knew it could be even better.
    To give cameras like the High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) prime viewing at the front of MRO, SHARAD’s two antenna segments were mounted at the back of the orbiter. While this setup helps the cameras, it also means that radio signals SHARAD pings onto the surface below encounter parts of the spacecraft, interfering with the signals and resulting in images that are less clear.
    “The SHARAD instrument was designed for the near-subsurface, and there are select regions of Mars that are just out of reach for us,” said Morgan, a co-investigator on the SHARAD team. “There is a lot to be gained by taking a closer look at those regions.”
    In 2023, the team decided to try developing 120-degree very large rolls to provide the radio waves an unobstructed path to the surface. What they found is that the maneuver can strengthen the radar signal by 10 times or more, offering a much clearer picture of the Martian underground.
    But the roll is so large that the spacecraft’s communications antenna is not pointed at Earth, and its solar arrays aren’t able to track the Sun.
    “The very large rolls require a special analysis to make sure we’ll have enough power in our batteries to safely do the roll,” Thomas said.
    Given the time involved, the mission limits itself to one or two very large rolls a year. But engineers hope to use them more often by streamlining the process.
    Learning to Roll With It
    While SHARAD scientists are benefiting from these new moves, the team working with another MRO instrument, the Mars Climate Sounder, is making the most of MRO’s standard roll capability. 
    The JPL-built instrument is a radiometer that serves as one of the most detailed sources available of information on Mars’ atmosphere. Measuring subtle changes in temperature over the course of many seasons, Mars Climate Sounder reveals the inner workings of dust storms and cloud formation. Dust and wind are important to understand: They are constantly reshaping the Martian surface, with wind-borne dust blanketing solar panels and posing a health risk for future astronauts.
    Mars Climate Sounder was designed to pivot on a gimbal so that it can get views of the Martian horizon and surface. It also provides views of space, which scientists use to calibrate the instrument. But in 2024, the aging gimbal became unreliable. Now Mars Climate Sounder relies on MRO’s standard rolls.
    “Rolling used to restrict our science,” said Mars Climate Sounder’s interim principal investigator, Armin Kleinboehl of JPL, “but we’ve incorporated it into our routine planning, both for surface views and calibration.”
    More About MRO
    NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California manages MRO for the agency’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington as part of its Mars Exploration Program portfolio. The SHARAD instrument was provided by the Italian Space Agency. Its operations are led by Sapienza University of Rome, and its data is analyzed by a joint U.S.-Italian science team. The Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Arizona, leads U.S. involvement in SHARAD. Lockheed Martin Space in Denver built MRO and supports its operations.
    For more information, visit:
    science.nasa.gov/mission/mars-reconnaissance-orbiter
    News Media Contacts
    Andrew GoodJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.818-393-2433andrew.c.good@jpl.nasa.gov
    Karen Fox / Molly WasserNASA Headquarters, Washington202-358-1600karen.c.fox@nasa.gov / molly.l.wasser@nasa.gov
    2025-084

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Citizen Scientists Find New Eclipsing Binary Stars

    Source: NASA

    When two stars orbit one another in such a way that one blocks the other’s light each time it swings around, that’s an eclipsing binary. A new paper from NASA’s Eclipsing Binary Patrol citizen science project presents more than 10,000 of these rare pairs – 10,001 to be precise. These objects will help future researchers study the physics and formation of stars and search for new exoplanets.
    “Together, humans and computers excel at investigating hundreds of thousands of eclipsing binaries,” said Dr. Veselin Kostov, research scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and the SETI Institute and lead author of the paper. “I can’t wait to search them for exoplanets!”
    To make their catalog, the team examined data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), which surveyed nearly the entire sky looking for objects with varying brightness. They used a two-tiered approach, combining the scalability of artificial intelligence with the nuanced judgment of human expertise. First, advanced machine learning methods efficiently sifted through hundreds of millions of targets observed by TESS, identifying hundreds of thousands of promising candidates. Then, humans scrutinized the most interesting systems. 
    Of the 10,001 objects they listed in their paper, 7,936 are new eclipsing binaries they discovered. The rest were already known, but the team made new measurements of the timing of their eclipses.You can join the Eclipsing Binary Patrol team too! Just go to the project’s website.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Meet the Space Ops Team: Derrick Bailey

    Source: NASA

    Since childhood, Derrick Bailey always had an early fascination with aeronautics. Military fighter jet pilots were his childhood heroes, and he dreamed of joining the aerospace industry. This passion was a springboard into his 17-year career at NASA, where Bailey plays an important role in enabling successful rocket launches.
    Bailey is the Launch Vehicle Certification Manager in the Launch Services Program (LSP) within the Space Operations Mission Directorate. In this role, he helps NASA outline the agency’s risk classifications of new rockets from emerging and established space companies.
    “Within my role, I formulate a series of technical and process assessments for NASA LSP’s technical team to understand how companies operate, how vehicles are designed and qualified, and how they perform in flight,” Bailey said.
    Beyond technical proficiency and readiness, a successful rocket launch relies on establishing a strong foundational relationship between NASA and the commercial companies involved. Bailey and his team ensure effective communication with these companies to provide the guidance, data, and analysis necessary to support them in overcoming challenges.
    “We work diligently to build trusting relationships with commercial companies and demonstrate the value in partnering with our team,” Bailey said.
    Bailey credits a stroke of fate that landed him at the agency. During his senior year at Georgia Tech, where he was pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering, Bailey almost walked past the NASA tent at a career fair. However, he decided to grab a NASA sticker and strike up a conversation, which quickly turned into an impromptu interview. He walked away that day with a job offer to work on the now-retired Space Shuttle Program at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
    “I never imagined working at NASA,” Bailey said. “Looking back, it’s unbelievable that a chance encounter resulted in securing a job that has turned into an incredible career.”
    Thinking about the future, Bailey is excited about new opportunities in the commercial space industry. Bailey sees NASA as a crucial advisor and mentor for commercial sector while using industry capabilities to provide more cost-effective access to space.

    “We are the enablers,” Bailey said of his role in the directorate. “It is our responsibility to provide the best opportunity for future explorers to begin their journey of discovery in deep space and beyond.”
    Outside of work, Bailey enjoys spending time with his family, especially his two sons, who keep him busy with trips to the baseball diamond and homework sessions. Bailey also enjoys hands-on activities, like working on cars, off-road vehicles, and house projects – hobbies he picked up from his mechanically inclined father. Additionally, at the beginning of 2025, his wife accepted a program specialist position with LSP, an exciting development for the entire Bailey family.
    “One of my wife’s major observations early on in my career was how much my colleagues genuinely care about one another and empower people to make decisions,” Bailey explained. “These are the things that make NASA the number one place to work in the government.”
    NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate maintains a continuous human presence in space for the benefit of people on Earth. The programs within the directorate are the hub of NASA’s space exploration efforts, enabling Artemis, commercial space, science, and other agency missions through communication, launch services, research capabilities, and crew support.
    To learn more about NASA’s Space Operation Mission Directorate, visit: 
    https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/space-operations

    MIL OSI USA News –