NewzIntel.com

Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New housing development completes in Balloch, Inverness

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    • Mixed-tenure homes help meet Inverness’s growing housing need
    • The Highland Council and HHA partnership delivers an attractive new community

    The first phase of Balloch’s highly-anticipated new housing development, located four miles east of Inverness, is officially complete and is now ready to welcome new residents.

    Delivered by local contractor IBI Joiners Ltd, the development is part of a joint initiative between Highland Housing Alliance (HHA) and The Highland Council to expand access to affordable housing across the region. The site offers a mix of homes for mid-market rent (MMR) and low-cost home ownership, supporting the Council’s commitment to meeting diverse housing needs.

    HHA has now taken handover of 12 semi-detached properties at the site. These two- and three-bedroom homes will be offered at MMR, with rental rates positioned between social housing and open market rents. This tenure is designed to support those who may not qualify for social housing but are priced out of the private rental sector.

    The Highland Council are delighted to present 33 properties for Council Rent consisting of 4 two-bedroom wheelchair accessible bungalows, 13 family homes ranging in size from two to four bedrooms, and 16 one- and two- bedroom cottage flats.  The 8 flats on the ground floor have all been designed to be wheelchair accessible.  A further 4 semi-detached three-bedroom family properties are offered for sale via Scottish Government’s LIFT Low Cost Home Ownership Scheme, administrated on the Council’s behalf by Highland Residential.

    Located within the popular and established Balloch community, the development enjoys excellent access to local amenities including a leisure centre, schools, and public transport – making it a well-connected and desirable location for individuals and families alike.

    All homes have been built to a high specification with modern fixtures and fittings and bright, attractive interiors. Each home benefits from private garden space and external power points should an EV Charger be required.  The development is set within landscaped grounds incorporating improved access into the Community Woodland to the north of the site, further enhancing the sense of place and community. 

    The development was funded by Scottish Government grant totalling £7,363,000 with the remainder funded by The Highland Council, Inverness and Highland City Region Deal, and Highland Housing Alliance.

    The first residents will begin moving into their homes from 26 June.

    Gail Matheson, Chief Executive at HHA, said: “The delivery of these new homes in Balloch marks an important milestone in our mission to provide more high-quality housing across the Highlands. Our strong and long-standing partnership with The Highland Council plays a key role in making this possible, helping us to deliver a diverse range of housing that reflects the needs of different age groups, income levels, and family situations across the region.”

    Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair, The Highland Council – Housing and Property Committee Chair, said:  “I am delighted that Highland Council, working in partnership with Highland Housing Alliance and Highland-based builders and contractors, has successfully delivered the first phase of this much-anticipated housing development in Balloch.  The new properties are located in a sought-after area of Inverness and provide a welcome addition to the Council’s commitments to provide sustainable and energy efficient affordable social rental homes.

    “Equally, the diverse range of property types and sizes included within the development makes these homes suitable for those with additional accessibility needs, in addition to families and individuals.

    “The Highland Council, as part of its commitment to meeting the Highland housing challenge, will continue to work collaboratively alongside partners to build a portfolio of housing stock to enable people to have viable options available to them.”

    Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan said:  “Housing of the right type in the right place, can have a transformational impact. The delivery of these high quality, energy efficient, affordable homes will support people to stay in the communities they grew up in as well as help local businesses to retain and attract employees. 

    “The Scottish Government is pleased to have supported this development with more than £5 million in grant funding and we will continue to work with partners to increase the delivery of more affordable homes. This is all part of our work to deliver 110,000 affordable homes across Scotland by 2032, with at least 70% for social rent and at least 10% in our rural and island communities.”

    All images by Paul Campbell Photography.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Highland school at Number 10

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Pupils from a Highland primary school got the chance to see democracy in action when they visited 10 Downing Street and the House of Commons last Friday (20 June).

    The group from Cauldeen Primary School in Inverness had been invited as part of the Lessons at 10 project, an initiative run by the Prime Minister’s office to inspire children from across the UK by bringing them into Downing Street for a unique class experience.

    The mission behind the project is to break down barriers and ensure all children get the best start in life.

    School head teacher Allison Howie said: “We were invited as part of Lessons at 10 to give children the opportunity to participate in learning about the history of politics in the UK and gain a wider understanding of how our parliamentary system works.

    “The children were given a tour of Number 10, seeing its artefacts and learning about the history of the building, the people who use it and what happens there day-to-day.

    They were then invited to have lunch in the garden where they met with the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer.

    The PM took time to meet and speak to the children, asking them what they had learned about the building, what they would change in the country and what they were doing for the remainder of the visit.”

    It proved to be a very busy and topical day in parliament, with many MPs in attendance due to the debate and vote on the Assisted Dying Bill.

    When at Westminster, the pupils got to witness the various aspects of debate in action – including the protests, the press pack and the ringing of the division bells to signal the vote.

    The school had been invited by Angus MacDonald, MP for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire, who met and chatted with the group during what was an informative and insightful visit to the corridors of power.

    Head teacher Mrs Howie added: “Our Cauldeen children were beautifully behaved and an absolute credit to themselves and their school. They asked some fantastic questions, and it was wonderful to hear their thoughts and questions throughout the day, reminding us all why we do the job we do.

    “What a day, what an experience.

    “I would like to say a huge thanks to everyone who was involved in organising the day in London, which all went without a hitch.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Tatyana Golikova: The pilot project on career support covered about 524 thousand students

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    “The goal of the national project “Personnel” is to reduce the personnel shortage by creating mechanisms and tools that will allow additional involvement of the population in employment, ensure professional mobility, and correctly navigate not only the current but also the prospective demand of employers for personnel. And here our main efforts are aimed at working with internal reserves, primarily young people. Today, on the eve of Youth Day, when school graduates and students have passed exams and defended their diplomas, it is especially important to help the children decide on their future work, ensure a seamless transition from education to employment,” said Tatyana Golikova.

    The Deputy Prime Minister focused on the key features of the national project’s implementation.

    Within the framework of the federal project “Labor Market Management”, annual forecasting of personnel needs is carried out. Since this year, for the first time, a forecast is made for a 7-year period, so that the results of the forecast cover the entire cycle of training qualified specialists.

    Over 300,000 companies, employing around 22 million workers, have already taken part in the all-Russian employer survey. Starting next year, all processes related to forecast preparation will be transferred to the Work of Russia portal, which will simplify data verification and processing.

    As part of the national project “Personnel”, the modernization of the employment service continues.

    “By the end of this year, 50% of employment centers in Russia will have acquired a new look. In the updated centers, the speed of personnel selection based on employers’ requests has increased by 11.5%. The time to employment has decreased by 39%, the number of services for employers has increased by 20%, and for job seekers by 70%,” said Tatyana Golikova.

    The federal project “Education for the Labor Market” continues to develop completely new tools. The first of them was presented on June 15 – these are national rankings of college and university graduate employment. In order for the comparison to be as relevant as possible, all educational organizations are divided into areas. It is important that the ranking results are useful not only for the education sector and applicants, but also taken into account by regions and employers.

    “As part of the national project “Personnel” to improve the relationship between education and career, we launched a pilot project to support students. This year, 11 regions are in the pilot. Here, the personnel centers “Work of Russia” are building a single career development plan – from the 8th grade to employment in the company. The project has already covered 350 thousand schoolchildren, 100 thousand college students and 74 thousand university students. More than a thousand organizations have joined the pilot. The project ends at the end of June. We will see the first results of supporting our graduates,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

    An important element in the link between education and the labour market is targeted training.

    As Tatyana Golikova noted, the main demand is for training in higher education programs – about 94 thousand educational places. In addition, since this year, through the portal “Work of Russia”, employers have been able to submit applications for quotas for targeted training for the 2026/27 academic year. This service is in demand, since it allows you to avoid double competition for an educational place and clearly organize work on attracting applicants to the needs of the enterprise. More than 70 thousand companies used it, submitting applications for 132 thousand educational places.

    Along with large systemic projects, the implementation of measures to quickly respond to the situation on the labor market continues within the framework of the federal project “Active Measures to Promote Employment.”

    “This year, free retraining programs are available for 360 professions. Taking into account the different levels of initial training of applicants, more than 4 thousand training programs have been created for these programs. More than 56 thousand applications for training have already been submitted. Training of employees of defense industry enterprises continues. 198 enterprises have already joined the project, planning to train more than 12 thousand employees. More than 2 thousand people have already undergone retraining,” said Tatyana Golikova.

    The “Best in Profession” competition has also been reformatted within the framework of the national project. Almost 230 regional stages of the competition are currently planned.

    “The fair’s events for participants are held simultaneously at 1.9 thousand sites – in employment centers, universities and colleges, at enterprises, in shopping centers, popular city spaces. Today I wish all employers and job seekers to find each other. Good luck!” – Tatyana Golikova noted in conclusion.

    The session also featured speeches by the President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Alexander Shokhin, Chairman of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions Sergei Chernogaev, Acting General Director of the All-Russian Research Institute of Labor of the Ministry of Labor Vladimir Smirnov, Head of the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center, Chairman of the Public Council under the Ministry of Labor Konstantin Abramov, Director for Development of Strategic Projects at PJSC Rostelecom Vladimir Tatarintsev, and Vice President for Human Resources at AFK Sistema Svetlana Matveeva.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Becca Balint Statement on Ruling on Judicial Powers and Birthright Citizenship

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Becca Balint (VT-AL)

    Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL), member of the House Judiciary Committee, reacts to the Supreme Court decision in the case of Trump v. CASA. The court ruled 6-3 to restrict federal judges from stopping the nationwide enforcement of blatantly unconstitutional laws. Justice Sonia Sotomayor called the majority’s decision “a travesty for the rule of law.” The ruling does not address the constitutionality of birthright citizenship. The Trump Administration continues to evade the question of the obvious violation of our constitution in trying to end birthright citizenship. 

    “Trump seeks unrestrained, unchecked power. By carefully choosing to go after birthright citizenship in this way, his administration has made it easier to continue to violate the constitution. And the court’s conservative majority is conveniently allowing it by limiting the lower courts’ checks on the President, further emboldening Trump to rule like a king. Today, they avoided the question of birthright citizenship to allow Trump to continue his assault on our rights, on immigrants, and the constitution. Let me be clear today: if you’re born in America, you are American. Anything to the contrary is a blatant violation of our constitutional rights. 

    “This is not only another attack on birthright citizenship, it is an attack on our democracy, making it more difficult for people to individuals their rights. The American people need a judiciary that puts the constitution and the rule of law before anything else.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Becca Balint Statement on Ruling on Judicial Powers and Birthright Citizenship

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Becca Balint (VT-AL)

    Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL), member of the House Judiciary Committee, reacts to the Supreme Court decision in the case of Trump v. CASA. The court ruled 6-3 to restrict federal judges from stopping the nationwide enforcement of blatantly unconstitutional laws. Justice Sonia Sotomayor called the majority’s decision “a travesty for the rule of law.” The ruling does not address the constitutionality of birthright citizenship. The Trump Administration continues to evade the question of the obvious violation of our constitution in trying to end birthright citizenship. 

    “Trump seeks unrestrained, unchecked power. By carefully choosing to go after birthright citizenship in this way, his administration has made it easier to continue to violate the constitution. And the court’s conservative majority is conveniently allowing it by limiting the lower courts’ checks on the President, further emboldening Trump to rule like a king. Today, they avoided the question of birthright citizenship to allow Trump to continue his assault on our rights, on immigrants, and the constitution. Let me be clear today: if you’re born in America, you are American. Anything to the contrary is a blatant violation of our constitutional rights. 

    “This is not only another attack on birthright citizenship, it is an attack on our democracy, making it more difficult for people to individuals their rights. The American people need a judiciary that puts the constitution and the rule of law before anything else.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Becca Balint Statement on Ruling on Judicial Powers and Birthright Citizenship

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Becca Balint (VT-AL)

    Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL), member of the House Judiciary Committee, reacts to the Supreme Court decision in the case of Trump v. CASA. The court ruled 6-3 to restrict federal judges from stopping the nationwide enforcement of blatantly unconstitutional laws. Justice Sonia Sotomayor called the majority’s decision “a travesty for the rule of law.” The ruling does not address the constitutionality of birthright citizenship. The Trump Administration continues to evade the question of the obvious violation of our constitution in trying to end birthright citizenship. 

    “Trump seeks unrestrained, unchecked power. By carefully choosing to go after birthright citizenship in this way, his administration has made it easier to continue to violate the constitution. And the court’s conservative majority is conveniently allowing it by limiting the lower courts’ checks on the President, further emboldening Trump to rule like a king. Today, they avoided the question of birthright citizenship to allow Trump to continue his assault on our rights, on immigrants, and the constitution. Let me be clear today: if you’re born in America, you are American. Anything to the contrary is a blatant violation of our constitutional rights. 

    “This is not only another attack on birthright citizenship, it is an attack on our democracy, making it more difficult for people to individuals their rights. The American people need a judiciary that puts the constitution and the rule of law before anything else.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Becca Balint Statement on Ruling on Judicial Powers and Birthright Citizenship

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Becca Balint (VT-AL)

    Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL), member of the House Judiciary Committee, reacts to the Supreme Court decision in the case of Trump v. CASA. The court ruled 6-3 to restrict federal judges from stopping the nationwide enforcement of blatantly unconstitutional laws. Justice Sonia Sotomayor called the majority’s decision “a travesty for the rule of law.” The ruling does not address the constitutionality of birthright citizenship. The Trump Administration continues to evade the question of the obvious violation of our constitution in trying to end birthright citizenship. 

    “Trump seeks unrestrained, unchecked power. By carefully choosing to go after birthright citizenship in this way, his administration has made it easier to continue to violate the constitution. And the court’s conservative majority is conveniently allowing it by limiting the lower courts’ checks on the President, further emboldening Trump to rule like a king. Today, they avoided the question of birthright citizenship to allow Trump to continue his assault on our rights, on immigrants, and the constitution. Let me be clear today: if you’re born in America, you are American. Anything to the contrary is a blatant violation of our constitutional rights. 

    “This is not only another attack on birthright citizenship, it is an attack on our democracy, making it more difficult for people to individuals their rights. The American people need a judiciary that puts the constitution and the rule of law before anything else.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LaMalfa Statement on House Passage of Resolution Condemning LA Riots

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California

    Washington, D.C.—Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) released the following statement after the House passed H.Res.516, a resolution that condemns the violent riots in Los Angeles.

    “What happened in Los Angeles wasn’t a protest, it was a riot, plain and simple. ICE agents were attempting to do their jobs and enforce the law. They were met with violent mobs encouraged by politicians who’ve spent years urging people to resist law enforcement,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “Cars were burned, businesses looted, American flags were torn down, and officers were attacked by hoards waving foreign flags; all while local officials were silent instead of backing them. Law and order are still a public priority. I’m glad the House stood up to condemn the chaos and back those who fought to restore order.”

    The resolution passed with bipartisan support and made it clear that the House condemns the violent attacks on law enforcement, calls on state and local officials to stop making excuses and start working with the federal government to restore order, and expresses gratitude to the officers who put themselves in harm’s way to protect lives and property.

    Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Becca Balint Statement on Ruling on Judicial Powers and Birthright Citizenship

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Becca Balint (VT-AL)

    Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL), member of the House Judiciary Committee, reacts to the Supreme Court decision in the case of Trump v. CASA. The court ruled 6-3 to restrict federal judges from stopping the nationwide enforcement of blatantly unconstitutional laws. Justice Sonia Sotomayor called the majority’s decision “a travesty for the rule of law.” The ruling does not address the constitutionality of birthright citizenship. The Trump Administration continues to evade the question of the obvious violation of our constitution in trying to end birthright citizenship. 

    “Trump seeks unrestrained, unchecked power. By carefully choosing to go after birthright citizenship in this way, his administration has made it easier to continue to violate the constitution. And the court’s conservative majority is conveniently allowing it by limiting the lower courts’ checks on the President, further emboldening Trump to rule like a king. Today, they avoided the question of birthright citizenship to allow Trump to continue his assault on our rights, on immigrants, and the constitution. Let me be clear today: if you’re born in America, you are American. Anything to the contrary is a blatant violation of our constitutional rights. 

    “This is not only another attack on birthright citizenship, it is an attack on our democracy, making it more difficult for people to individuals their rights. The American people need a judiciary that puts the constitution and the rule of law before anything else.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Malliotakis Leads Push to Eliminate Burdensome IRS Paperwork for Online Sellers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)

    (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – This week, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) renewed her call to eliminate the burdensome paperwork for online sellers earning at least $600. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, she is actively working to cut red tape and protect casual sellers from unnecessary and excessive reporting requirements by raising the threshold to $20,000 for those completing a minimum of 200 transactions.

     

    “I will continue working to cut red tape from burdensome 1099-K reporting requirements so they can stop wasting time on unnecessary paperwork and instead use their energy to create new opportunities for their small businesses,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. “As more Americans turn to resold, refurbished, and repaired items, I applaud the efforts of leading industry platforms to create trusted spaces for buying and selling in the growing secondhand economy, but despite this progress, casual sellers continue to face increasing bureaucratic hurdles under the current 1099-K threshold making it urgent for Congress to take action.”

     

    Malliotakis was recently joined at the Capitol by Vivian Vassar, a Staten Island small business owner and founder of “Hey Viv,” an online retro clothing store that’s been in business for over 35 years. The two advocated for this change to the Biden-era policy and attended the launch of a caucus dedicated to supporting these online small businesses. 

     

    “As a Staten Island business, I’m encouraged to see the Recommerce Committee focusing on policies that support and strengthen online businesses, helping to keep US e-commerce strong and competitive,” said Vivian Vassar, Owner of Hey Viv.

     

    The growing impact of 1099-K reporting on casual sellers highlights how tax requirements are burdening the rapidly growing recommerce economy. Recommerce is the resale, repair, and refurbishment of goods is revitalizing the American commerce economy, and is projected to reach $1.04 trillion globally by 2035. In 2024, 58% of consumers purchased secondhand apparel, with 56% of those transactions occurring online. Language to increase the thresholds and number of transactions to trigger reporting was included in the House’s tax bill which Malliotakis helped craft and can become law as early as next week.

     

    As part of this effort, Rep. Malliotakis joined Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) in launching the bipartisan Recommerce Caucus. The caucus aims to empower small sellers and entrepreneurs by advocating for policies that support income through resale, repair, and refurbishment; promote a sustainable, circular economy by extending product life and reducing waste; and expand access to digital marketplaces by lowering barriers and increasing digital inclusion for all Americans.

     

    “As a lifelong thrifter and advocate for sustainable business practices, I’m proud to partner with Rep. Malliotakis to launch the bipartisan Recommerce Caucus,” said Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove. “Recommerce is more than a trend — it’s a growing economic engine that provides consumers with affordable, high-quality goods and gives entrepreneurs, small businesses, and resellers access to trusted, thriving marketplaces. Together, we’re committed to advancing policies that support the circular economy, reduce waste, and empower buyers and sellers nationwide. ”

     

    The Recommerce Caucus is endorsed by a growing coalition of leading platforms and advocates, including eBay, Etsy, Mercari, OfferUp, Pinterest, Poshmark, Red Bubble, and the PASS Coalition.

     

    Read the Wall Street Journal’s Exclusive on the launch of the Recommerce Caucus HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Malliotakis Leads Push to Eliminate Burdensome IRS Paperwork for Online Sellers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)

    (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – This week, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) renewed her call to eliminate the burdensome paperwork for online sellers earning at least $600. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, she is actively working to cut red tape and protect casual sellers from unnecessary and excessive reporting requirements by raising the threshold to $20,000 for those completing a minimum of 200 transactions.

     

    “I will continue working to cut red tape from burdensome 1099-K reporting requirements so they can stop wasting time on unnecessary paperwork and instead use their energy to create new opportunities for their small businesses,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. “As more Americans turn to resold, refurbished, and repaired items, I applaud the efforts of leading industry platforms to create trusted spaces for buying and selling in the growing secondhand economy, but despite this progress, casual sellers continue to face increasing bureaucratic hurdles under the current 1099-K threshold making it urgent for Congress to take action.”

     

    Malliotakis was recently joined at the Capitol by Vivian Vassar, a Staten Island small business owner and founder of “Hey Viv,” an online retro clothing store that’s been in business for over 35 years. The two advocated for this change to the Biden-era policy and attended the launch of a caucus dedicated to supporting these online small businesses. 

     

    “As a Staten Island business, I’m encouraged to see the Recommerce Committee focusing on policies that support and strengthen online businesses, helping to keep US e-commerce strong and competitive,” said Vivian Vassar, Owner of Hey Viv.

     

    The growing impact of 1099-K reporting on casual sellers highlights how tax requirements are burdening the rapidly growing recommerce economy. Recommerce is the resale, repair, and refurbishment of goods is revitalizing the American commerce economy, and is projected to reach $1.04 trillion globally by 2035. In 2024, 58% of consumers purchased secondhand apparel, with 56% of those transactions occurring online. Language to increase the thresholds and number of transactions to trigger reporting was included in the House’s tax bill which Malliotakis helped craft and can become law as early as next week.

     

    As part of this effort, Rep. Malliotakis joined Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) in launching the bipartisan Recommerce Caucus. The caucus aims to empower small sellers and entrepreneurs by advocating for policies that support income through resale, repair, and refurbishment; promote a sustainable, circular economy by extending product life and reducing waste; and expand access to digital marketplaces by lowering barriers and increasing digital inclusion for all Americans.

     

    “As a lifelong thrifter and advocate for sustainable business practices, I’m proud to partner with Rep. Malliotakis to launch the bipartisan Recommerce Caucus,” said Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove. “Recommerce is more than a trend — it’s a growing economic engine that provides consumers with affordable, high-quality goods and gives entrepreneurs, small businesses, and resellers access to trusted, thriving marketplaces. Together, we’re committed to advancing policies that support the circular economy, reduce waste, and empower buyers and sellers nationwide. ”

     

    The Recommerce Caucus is endorsed by a growing coalition of leading platforms and advocates, including eBay, Etsy, Mercari, OfferUp, Pinterest, Poshmark, Red Bubble, and the PASS Coalition.

     

    Read the Wall Street Journal’s Exclusive on the launch of the Recommerce Caucus HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Malliotakis Leads Push to Eliminate Burdensome IRS Paperwork for Online Sellers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)

    (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – This week, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) renewed her call to eliminate the burdensome paperwork for online sellers earning at least $600. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, she is actively working to cut red tape and protect casual sellers from unnecessary and excessive reporting requirements by raising the threshold to $20,000 for those completing a minimum of 200 transactions.

     

    “I will continue working to cut red tape from burdensome 1099-K reporting requirements so they can stop wasting time on unnecessary paperwork and instead use their energy to create new opportunities for their small businesses,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. “As more Americans turn to resold, refurbished, and repaired items, I applaud the efforts of leading industry platforms to create trusted spaces for buying and selling in the growing secondhand economy, but despite this progress, casual sellers continue to face increasing bureaucratic hurdles under the current 1099-K threshold making it urgent for Congress to take action.”

     

    Malliotakis was recently joined at the Capitol by Vivian Vassar, a Staten Island small business owner and founder of “Hey Viv,” an online retro clothing store that’s been in business for over 35 years. The two advocated for this change to the Biden-era policy and attended the launch of a caucus dedicated to supporting these online small businesses. 

     

    “As a Staten Island business, I’m encouraged to see the Recommerce Committee focusing on policies that support and strengthen online businesses, helping to keep US e-commerce strong and competitive,” said Vivian Vassar, Owner of Hey Viv.

     

    The growing impact of 1099-K reporting on casual sellers highlights how tax requirements are burdening the rapidly growing recommerce economy. Recommerce is the resale, repair, and refurbishment of goods is revitalizing the American commerce economy, and is projected to reach $1.04 trillion globally by 2035. In 2024, 58% of consumers purchased secondhand apparel, with 56% of those transactions occurring online. Language to increase the thresholds and number of transactions to trigger reporting was included in the House’s tax bill which Malliotakis helped craft and can become law as early as next week.

     

    As part of this effort, Rep. Malliotakis joined Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) in launching the bipartisan Recommerce Caucus. The caucus aims to empower small sellers and entrepreneurs by advocating for policies that support income through resale, repair, and refurbishment; promote a sustainable, circular economy by extending product life and reducing waste; and expand access to digital marketplaces by lowering barriers and increasing digital inclusion for all Americans.

     

    “As a lifelong thrifter and advocate for sustainable business practices, I’m proud to partner with Rep. Malliotakis to launch the bipartisan Recommerce Caucus,” said Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove. “Recommerce is more than a trend — it’s a growing economic engine that provides consumers with affordable, high-quality goods and gives entrepreneurs, small businesses, and resellers access to trusted, thriving marketplaces. Together, we’re committed to advancing policies that support the circular economy, reduce waste, and empower buyers and sellers nationwide. ”

     

    The Recommerce Caucus is endorsed by a growing coalition of leading platforms and advocates, including eBay, Etsy, Mercari, OfferUp, Pinterest, Poshmark, Red Bubble, and the PASS Coalition.

     

    Read the Wall Street Journal’s Exclusive on the launch of the Recommerce Caucus HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Malliotakis Leads Push to Eliminate Burdensome IRS Paperwork for Online Sellers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)

    (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – This week, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) renewed her call to eliminate the burdensome paperwork for online sellers earning at least $600. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, she is actively working to cut red tape and protect casual sellers from unnecessary and excessive reporting requirements by raising the threshold to $20,000 for those completing a minimum of 200 transactions.

     

    “I will continue working to cut red tape from burdensome 1099-K reporting requirements so they can stop wasting time on unnecessary paperwork and instead use their energy to create new opportunities for their small businesses,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. “As more Americans turn to resold, refurbished, and repaired items, I applaud the efforts of leading industry platforms to create trusted spaces for buying and selling in the growing secondhand economy, but despite this progress, casual sellers continue to face increasing bureaucratic hurdles under the current 1099-K threshold making it urgent for Congress to take action.”

     

    Malliotakis was recently joined at the Capitol by Vivian Vassar, a Staten Island small business owner and founder of “Hey Viv,” an online retro clothing store that’s been in business for over 35 years. The two advocated for this change to the Biden-era policy and attended the launch of a caucus dedicated to supporting these online small businesses. 

     

    “As a Staten Island business, I’m encouraged to see the Recommerce Committee focusing on policies that support and strengthen online businesses, helping to keep US e-commerce strong and competitive,” said Vivian Vassar, Owner of Hey Viv.

     

    The growing impact of 1099-K reporting on casual sellers highlights how tax requirements are burdening the rapidly growing recommerce economy. Recommerce is the resale, repair, and refurbishment of goods is revitalizing the American commerce economy, and is projected to reach $1.04 trillion globally by 2035. In 2024, 58% of consumers purchased secondhand apparel, with 56% of those transactions occurring online. Language to increase the thresholds and number of transactions to trigger reporting was included in the House’s tax bill which Malliotakis helped craft and can become law as early as next week.

     

    As part of this effort, Rep. Malliotakis joined Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) in launching the bipartisan Recommerce Caucus. The caucus aims to empower small sellers and entrepreneurs by advocating for policies that support income through resale, repair, and refurbishment; promote a sustainable, circular economy by extending product life and reducing waste; and expand access to digital marketplaces by lowering barriers and increasing digital inclusion for all Americans.

     

    “As a lifelong thrifter and advocate for sustainable business practices, I’m proud to partner with Rep. Malliotakis to launch the bipartisan Recommerce Caucus,” said Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove. “Recommerce is more than a trend — it’s a growing economic engine that provides consumers with affordable, high-quality goods and gives entrepreneurs, small businesses, and resellers access to trusted, thriving marketplaces. Together, we’re committed to advancing policies that support the circular economy, reduce waste, and empower buyers and sellers nationwide. ”

     

    The Recommerce Caucus is endorsed by a growing coalition of leading platforms and advocates, including eBay, Etsy, Mercari, OfferUp, Pinterest, Poshmark, Red Bubble, and the PASS Coalition.

     

    Read the Wall Street Journal’s Exclusive on the launch of the Recommerce Caucus HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Tenney Demands Answers from Governor Hochul on Sanctuary State Policies and Costs to New Yorkers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22)

    Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul demanding answers to critical questions she failed to address during her recent testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

    On June 12, 2025, the Oversight Committee held a hearing examining the impact of sanctuary state policies. During the hearing, Rep. Tenney directly questioned Governor Hochul about the number of illegal aliens currently held in New York State’s prison system, the associated costs to taxpayers, and the effects of New York’s dangerous Green Light Law. Despite repeated inquiries, Governor Hochul has left these questions unanswered and failed to follow up as promised.

     “Governor Hochul continues to fail the people of New York by prioritizing illegal aliens over the safety, security, and financial well-being of law-abiding citizens. She couldn’t provide basic information about how many illegal aliens are in our prisons or the cost to New York taxpayers. She also failed to provide the total amount of taxpayer dollars spent on services for illegal aliens during her tenure as Governor. It’s time for Hochul to reverse New York’s reckless sanctuary policies that endanger our communities and drain public resources. I will continue to advocate for policies that put New Yorkers first,” said Congresswoman Tenney.

     Read the full text of the letter here.

     

     ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Tenney Demands Answers from Governor Hochul on Sanctuary State Policies and Costs to New Yorkers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22)

    Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul demanding answers to critical questions she failed to address during her recent testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

    On June 12, 2025, the Oversight Committee held a hearing examining the impact of sanctuary state policies. During the hearing, Rep. Tenney directly questioned Governor Hochul about the number of illegal aliens currently held in New York State’s prison system, the associated costs to taxpayers, and the effects of New York’s dangerous Green Light Law. Despite repeated inquiries, Governor Hochul has left these questions unanswered and failed to follow up as promised.

     “Governor Hochul continues to fail the people of New York by prioritizing illegal aliens over the safety, security, and financial well-being of law-abiding citizens. She couldn’t provide basic information about how many illegal aliens are in our prisons or the cost to New York taxpayers. She also failed to provide the total amount of taxpayer dollars spent on services for illegal aliens during her tenure as Governor. It’s time for Hochul to reverse New York’s reckless sanctuary policies that endanger our communities and drain public resources. I will continue to advocate for policies that put New Yorkers first,” said Congresswoman Tenney.

     Read the full text of the letter here.

     

     ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: June 27, 2025 Rep. Mullin Announces Transportation Bills to Advance Transit Accessibility, Public Safety and Affordable Housing Washington, D.C. – To improve traffic and pedestrian safety, increase transit accessibility, and modernize transportation infrastructure, Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15) introduced eight bills representing his key legislative priorities for inclusion in next year’s Surface Transportation Reauthorization. Each of Rep. Mullin’s… Read More

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

    Washington, D.C. – To improve traffic and pedestrian safety, increase transit accessibility, and modernize transportation infrastructure, Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15) introduced eight bills representing his key legislative priorities for inclusion in next year’s Surface Transportation Reauthorization.

    Each of Rep. Mullin’s bills reflect a commitment to a more accessible, equitable, and sustainable transportation future. The multi-year omnibus Surface Transportation bill is up for reauthorization in 2026, and outlines federal highway, roadway safety, transit, and rail programs.

    “Congress has a responsibility to advance common-sense policies that would improve safety, boost sustainability, and make public transit work better for everyone,” Rep. Mullin said. “Communities across America benefit from federal investments in transportation systems and I’m proud to submit these proposals that reflect real-world transit and infrastructure needs.”

    In addition to these bills, Rep. Mullin asked the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, which will ultimately finalize the Surface Transportation bill, to maintain key funding programs that support SamTrans, SFMTA, Caltrain, BART, and San Francisco Bay Ferry. He’s also advocating to maintain support for highway and pedestrian safety improvement programs.

    Rep. Mullin’s Surface Transportation bills:

    Empty Lots to Housing Act

    This bipartisan bill would give the Federal Highway Administration the authority to allow state and local governments to repurpose underutilized land acquired with federal highway funds for transit-oriented affordable housing. It would help unlock urgently needed housing supply near public transit without requiring any new federal spending.

    Driver Technology and Pedestrian Safety Act

    This legislation directs the Department of Transportation to study how emerging driver technologies, such as in-vehicle touchscreens and interface design, are impacting pedestrian safety. With pedestrian injuries and fatalities at record highs, the bill responds to the need for better data and understanding of the evolving driving environment.

    SAFE Cross Act

    According to the Federal Railroad Administration, there were 2,252 collisions at rail crossings in 2024. The SAFE Cross Act would require a study on the use of AI-enabled sensors to improve safety at rail crossings, building on successful local pilot projects like Caltrain’s low-cost deployment in California’s 15th District. This legislation explores a promising, cost-effective interim measure to reduce rail-related accidents, which is especially helpful for communities that aren’t yet able to complete a full grade separation.

    Forging Ahead on Rail Electrification (FARE) Act

    The recent electrification of Caltrain has led to better service, improved air quality, and higher ridership. The FARE Act seeks to promote these advancements across the country by establishing an advisory committee to identify technical, regulatory, and economic barriers to railroad electrification. Building on a recent Department of Energy report, this bill promotes coordination among freight railroads, utilities, and federal agencies to accelerate electrification in the rail sector.

    Battery and Regenerative Braking Act

    Regenerative braking is a virtually untapped resource in the rail sector that could recoup up to 50% of the energy used by trains. This bill would expand eligibility under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program to include commuter rail projects that use regenerative braking and energy storage projects. Harnessing this technology could cut rail energy usage, making passenger service more sustainable and efficient.

    Language Access in Transit Act

    This bill would codify requirements for public transit agencies to provide meaningful access to individuals with limited English proficiency. These protections for individuals who primarily speak a language other than English are at risk following President Trump’s Executive Order that overturned longstanding requirements to provide language access to federally-funded programs. This bill would ensure continued language access in transit programs regardless of actions the current or a future administration may take.

    Transit Captions Innovations Act

    This proposal would fund a pilot program to deploy real-time captioning and translation services for transit riders who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have limited English proficiency. It would promote the testing of AI-driven technology solutions to eliminate communication barriers that leave many riders behind during unexpected schedule or route changes.

    Rail and Highway Transmission Planning Act

    This proposal calls for a comprehensive study to evaluate the feasibility of installing high-voltage transmission lines within existing highway and rail corridors. With energy demand rising and siting new transmission infrastructure becoming increasingly difficult, this study would help modernize the power grid while maximizing land use.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: H.R. 617, American Music Tourism Act of 2025

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    H.R. 617 would require the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism to promote music tourism in the United States and periodically report to the Congress. In 2024, $3.5 million was appropriated to carry out the requirements of the Visit America Act, a 2022 law promoting U.S. travel and tourism.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: H.R. 633, TAKE IT DOWN Act

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    H.R. 633 would criminalize the nonconsensual publication and distribution of intimate visual images, including digital content forgeries (“deepfakes”) generated by artificial intelligence, by users of online platforms. Upon request from a victim, H.R. 633 would require online platforms to immediately remove such images. The FTC and the Department of Justice would enforce those provisions; violators would be subject to criminal and civil penalties.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: H.R. 866, ROUTERS Act

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    H.R. 866 would require the Department of Commerce to study the national security risks and cybersecurity vulnerabilities posed by consumer routers, modems, and devices that combine a modem and a router that are designed, manufactured, or supplied by organizations owned or controlled by China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia. H.R. 866 would require the department to report those results to the Congress.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: At Chimney Rock State Park Reopening, Governor Josh Stein Calls for Travelers to “Rediscover the Unforgettable” Western North Carolina

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: At Chimney Rock State Park Reopening, Governor Josh Stein Calls for Travelers to “Rediscover the Unforgettable” Western North Carolina

    At Chimney Rock State Park Reopening, Governor Josh Stein Calls for Travelers to “Rediscover the Unforgettable” Western North Carolina
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Governor Josh Stein today reopened Chimney Rock State Park and announced “Rediscover the Unforgettable,” a new tourism initiative to bring more visitors back to western North Carolina. Advanced reservations are required to access the park, which will be open with limited hours. At the reopening, Governor Stein also signed House Bill 1012: Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 – Part II into law.  

    “Nine months ago, Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina’s economy. Let’s make sure our neighbors know we haven’t forgotten them,” said Governor Josh Stein. “We can support the region’s recovery just by showing up. If you’re planning your summer vacation or a weekend getaway, make sure to experience something that makes western North Carolina unforgettable. And that includes beautiful Chimney Rock State Park.” 

    “Tourism is essential to western North Carolina’s economy, and our rural communities are home to so many natural and cultural treasures. It’s important that we keep the recovery going strong by spending our tourist dollars here,” said First Lady Anna Stein. “I’m proud to be focusing on rural tourism and grateful to be spending time this summer out west – I encourage my fellow North Carolinians to join me.” 

    “Chimney Rock State Park is a vital landmark that typically attracts 400,000 visitors per year,” said Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela Cashwell. “It has been an all-hands-on-deck effort to reopen the park, and I am grateful to our team and our partners who have worked so hard on this goal. We are committed to supporting park staff and local partners as the park begins welcoming visitors once again.” 

    “Hurricane Helene damaged thousands of roads and bridges across the state, including the bridge leading to Chimney Rock State Park,” said Department of Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins. “Our team has worked tirelessly to restore connectivity by repairing and reopening roads and will continue to do so until complete, so people can once again enjoy everything our state has to offer.” 

    “Whether you’re a foodie, a hiker, or a waterfall enthusiast, Western North Carolina has the unique experiences that make every trip here unforgettable,” said Visit NC Executive Director Wit Tuttell. “As the state’s tourism marketing organization, Visit NC has dedicated the past nine months to telling Western North Carolina’s story. Now, we are proud to be working with Governor Stein to promote our exceptional mountains.” 

    Chimney Rock experienced severe devastation because of Hurricane Helene, and the loss of key roads, bridges, and trails made Chimney Rock State Park inaccessible. Nine months later, thanks to dedicated efforts by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the Division of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Transportation, and local partners, Chimney Rock State Park is able to reopen on a limited basis: from Fridays to Mondays to visitors who make advance reservations. While the village of Chimney Rock has not yet officially reopened, several local businesses are open and welcoming tourists.  

    Hurricane Helene devastated businesses and tourist attractions, particularly during the critical fall foliage season. Now as a new tourism season begins, Governor Stein and VisitNC are teaming up with a new tourism initiative, “Rediscover the Unforgettable Western North Carolina.” This campaign will be available to local chambers of commerce, tourism boards, and small businesses for their promotional efforts. Musician and western North Carolina native Eric Church is the proud voice of a new video highlighting the initiative.

    I’m proud to be from Western North Carolina. It’s where I was born, it’s where my soul finds rest,” said Eric Church. “Our family has lived here for generations, and it has become a part of the fabric that has made me the man that I am now. It’s an honor to be the voice that invites more people to discover and visit a place we love.”

    Governor Josh Stein continues to advocate for western North Carolina, asking the Trump administration and the U.S. Congress to send $19 billion to North Carolina for disaster relief – $11.5 billion in new appropriations and $7.5 billion in allocations from previous appropriations. Last week, Stein worked with the Department of Commerce to launch Renew NC, a new housing recovery program that is now accepting applications from homeowners impacted by Hurricane Helene. North Carolinians are encouraged to apply at renewnc.org.   

    Jun 27, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fourth of July at the North Carolina State Capitol

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Fourth of July at the North Carolina State Capitol

    Fourth of July at the North Carolina State Capitol
    jejohnson6

    This 4th of July, a Raleigh tradition continues with music and a ceremony on the Capitol grounds! From 11 a.m.-3 p.m., the State Capitol is hosting a free, fun-filled family event featuring musical performances and several hands-on activities for children to enjoy. Pie the redcoat or King George III or dress up like a Revolutionary era citizen! The State Capitol is administered by the N.C. Division of State Historic Sites within the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

    The Capitol will host a ceremony that includes an outdoor naturalization for new citizens, a reading from the Declaration of Independence, and a wreath laying at the George Washington monument by the Sons of the American Revolution. The Raleigh Concert Band will perform at 11:30 a.m. until the ceremony begins on the east grounds at noon.

    Following the ceremony, visitors are invited inside to tour the building and see a special single-day exhibit “To Preserve the Blessings of Liberty: State Constitutions of North Carolina” from the State Archives of North Carolina. The exhibit features the 1776 State Constitution and Declaration of Rights, the 1868 State Constitution, and a letter from John Adams’ commonly known as “Thoughts on Government.” Archivists from the State Archives will accompany the documents and will be available to answer questions from visitors.

    The State Capitol’s mission is to preserve and interpret the history, architecture, and function of the 1840 building and Union Square. It is within the Division of State Historic Sites within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, and located at One Edenton Street, Raleigh. To learn more about the history of the North Carolina State Capitol, please visit www.historicsites.nc.gov/capitol.

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Jun 27, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: State Library of N.C. Announces $2.5 Million in Federal Grants to Local Libraries

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: State Library of N.C. Announces $2.5 Million in Federal Grants to Local Libraries

    State Library of N.C. Announces $2.5 Million in Federal Grants to Local Libraries
    jejohnson6

    The State Library of North Carolina, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, is proud to announce awards to local libraries. Across the state, 41 awards have been issued for a total of $2,539,474 in grant funds from the State Library of North Carolina with funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) to support new or expanded library programs and services, as well as limited ongoing projects.

    “The projects funded with Library Services and Technology Act grants over the next year will meet a vast array of local needs. They will update and improve access to digital literacy and technology, support early literacy, and assist with efforts to provide community resources for job hunters, workforce development, telehealth, and more,” said North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. “These projects will meet critical local needs for which other funding sources are generally not available.”

    The grants were awarded based on criteria that advance the State Library of North Carolina’s goals of Community Engagement, Expanding Access, and Responsive Organizations. These projects will support the critical work of libraries, including developing early literacy programs, providing educational opportunities for health and wellness, establishing new spaces for learning and collaboration, and broadening access to materials through digitization and preservation.

    Edgecombe County Memorial Library will use its grant to provide Edgecombe County residents with programs to improve their physical and mental health at the Tarboro and Pinetops locations. Participants will learn about physical fitness, nutrition, chronic illnesses, and mental health through programs and resources.

    To respond to the evolving needs of the community for more private meeting spaces, the Haywood County Library will use the funding to add two study booths at the Waynesville branch. With occupancy for two and four people, these meeting spaces will allow individuals and small groups to meet and work both in person and virtually as they may also utilize the library’s internet access.

    Stanly Community College Library will use its grant to provide Chromebooks to support students in their education. By providing access to these devices, the library aims to ensure that all students are connected to the technology and resources they need for learning, collaboration, and academic success.

    A full list of awardees and abstracts appears at: https://statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/services-libraries/grants-libraries/lsta-grant-information.

    These grant awards are made possible by funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (IMLS grant number LS-259195-OLS-25).

    About the State Library of North Carolina
    The State Library of North Carolina enriches the lives of North Carolinians through access to information resources, strengthens communities through exceptional library services, and inspires and supports literacy and lifelong learning for all North Carolinians.

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Jun 27, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ambassador Yin Chengwu met with Liberian Minister of Agriculture Nuetah


    Download logo

    On June 26th , Yin Chengwu, Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, met with Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, Minister of Agriculture of Liberia.

    Yin briefed on the relevant information of the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, and expressed that China is willing to strengthen agricultural cooperation between the two countries, deepening the bilateral relations.

    Dr. Nuetah said that the Liberian side thanks China for its strong support for Liberia’s development and looks forward to continuing to strengthen cooperation with China on agricultural mechanization and modernization.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Liberia.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Waterbury Drug Trafficker Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Federal Prison

    Source: US FBI

    David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DANIEL DIAZ-RIVERA, also known as “Danny,” “Lupin,” “Lupito,” and “L,” 33, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 210 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for heading a Waterbury drug trafficking organization.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI’s Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task Force and other law enforcement agencies investigated two drug trafficking organizations based in the city of Waterbury.  One organization was headed by Angel Quiros, also known as “Papa John,” and operated in the area of William Street, and the other was headed by Diaz-Rivera and operated in the area of Maple Avenue.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones, video surveillance, GPS tracking of vehicles, and numerous controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that the two organizations distributed cocaine, crack, and fentanyl through a network of sellers.  The organizations shared sources of supply and worked together to further their operations.

    The Diaz-Rivera organization sold crack and fentanyl all hours of the day and night outside of a bodega on Maple Avenue in Waterbury.  Diaz-Rivera oversaw several shift bosses who, in turn, oversaw street-level distributors.  During the investigation, investigators made two controlled purchases of crack directly from Diaz-Rivera.  Diaz-Rivera used violence and threats to control others in connection with his drug distribution network.

    Quiros, Diaz-Rivera, and 15 other individuals were charged with federal offenses as a result of the investigation.  Diaz-Rivera and several codefendants were arrested on November 29, 2023.  In association with the arrests, investigators executed multiple search warrants and seized approximately 700 grams of crack cocaine, more than 900 vials (“caps”) of crack, approximately 200 grams of loose fentanyl, more than 1,600 dose bags of fentanyl/heroin, two stolen firearms, numerous rounds of ammunition, and more than $39,000 in cash, including more than $13,000 that was found in Diaz-Rivera’s vehicle.

    On January 24, 2025, Diaz-Rivera pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.  He has been detained since his arrest.

    Quiros pleaded guilty to the same charge on February 11, 2025, and awaits sentencing.

    The FBI’s Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task includes members from the FBI, the Waterbury Police Department, the Naugatuck Police Department, and the Connecticut Department of Correction.  The DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Connecticut State Police, Wolcott Police Department, and Meriden Police Department have assisted the investigation.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha Freismuth and Shan Patel through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the Waterbury State Attorney’s Office for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Waterbury Drug Trafficker Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Federal Prison

    Source: US FBI

    David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DANIEL DIAZ-RIVERA, also known as “Danny,” “Lupin,” “Lupito,” and “L,” 33, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 210 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for heading a Waterbury drug trafficking organization.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI’s Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task Force and other law enforcement agencies investigated two drug trafficking organizations based in the city of Waterbury.  One organization was headed by Angel Quiros, also known as “Papa John,” and operated in the area of William Street, and the other was headed by Diaz-Rivera and operated in the area of Maple Avenue.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones, video surveillance, GPS tracking of vehicles, and numerous controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that the two organizations distributed cocaine, crack, and fentanyl through a network of sellers.  The organizations shared sources of supply and worked together to further their operations.

    The Diaz-Rivera organization sold crack and fentanyl all hours of the day and night outside of a bodega on Maple Avenue in Waterbury.  Diaz-Rivera oversaw several shift bosses who, in turn, oversaw street-level distributors.  During the investigation, investigators made two controlled purchases of crack directly from Diaz-Rivera.  Diaz-Rivera used violence and threats to control others in connection with his drug distribution network.

    Quiros, Diaz-Rivera, and 15 other individuals were charged with federal offenses as a result of the investigation.  Diaz-Rivera and several codefendants were arrested on November 29, 2023.  In association with the arrests, investigators executed multiple search warrants and seized approximately 700 grams of crack cocaine, more than 900 vials (“caps”) of crack, approximately 200 grams of loose fentanyl, more than 1,600 dose bags of fentanyl/heroin, two stolen firearms, numerous rounds of ammunition, and more than $39,000 in cash, including more than $13,000 that was found in Diaz-Rivera’s vehicle.

    On January 24, 2025, Diaz-Rivera pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.  He has been detained since his arrest.

    Quiros pleaded guilty to the same charge on February 11, 2025, and awaits sentencing.

    The FBI’s Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task includes members from the FBI, the Waterbury Police Department, the Naugatuck Police Department, and the Connecticut Department of Correction.  The DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Connecticut State Police, Wolcott Police Department, and Meriden Police Department have assisted the investigation.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha Freismuth and Shan Patel through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the Waterbury State Attorney’s Office for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 06/27/2025 VIDEO: Blackburn Pays Tribute to Life, Achievements, and Legacy of FedEx Founder and Tennessean Fred Smith

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor remembering the life of FedEx founder and fellow Tennessean, Fred Smith. Following her remarks, the Senate unanimously passed her resolution honoring his incredible life, achievements, patriotism, and legacy.

    Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s remarks on the Senate floor.
    Click here to read the full text of the resolution.
    REMARKS AS PREPARED
    Thank you, Mister President. Last week, our nation lost a revolutionary business leader, committed philanthropist, and incredible Tennessean: Fred Smith.
    Like all great leaders, Fred had a vision for a better future—and did everything possible to make it happen.
    That’s why, in 1973, he founded FedEx with a simple yet bold idea: overnight delivery.
    Today, we take instant shipping for granted. In many ways, it’s the engine of our global economy. But back then, it was considered far from practical. 
    It took someone like Fred to make it happen—pioneering innovations in transportation and logistics that have defined the industry ever since.
    It wasn’t easy. But with his commitment to excellence, he grew FedEx into a $53 billion company that employs half a million people, connects more than 220 countries and territories, and moves more than 17 million shipments each day.
    Even with his global accomplishments, Fred never lost sight of home. He based his company in his hometown of Memphis, turning the city into a center for global logistics.
    And through his philanthropic support for education, community programs, arts, health care, and more, he always found ways to give back to his community and make Memphis a better place.
    In many ways, service defined his life.
    Before founding FedEx, Fred served for four years in the United States Marine Corps, including two tours in Vietnam.
    He was decorated with the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts. But for Fred, the greatest honor was serving alongside his troops as a company commander.
    In an interview last year, Fred recounted a time when the men in his company dug his foxhole for him so he could get more rest:
    “They were as tired or more tired, but they took their energy to take care of me. And it was one of the best things that ever happened to me, because it told me they cared for me, they appreciated my leadership.”
    We should all be grateful that Fred Smith chose a life of leadership and service.
    On behalf of all Tennesseans, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Fred’s beloved wife Diane, his 9 children, and his entire family.
    To celebrate this great American, I am asking for unanimous consent to pass my resolution that honors his incredible life, achievements, patriotism, and legacy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $40 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR 16 AIRPORTS ACROSS NEW YORK STATE

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer

    Region

    Recipient

    Project Description

    Award

    Capital Region

    Albany International Airport

    Reconstructing 60,000 square feet of existing terminal, including main entrance, lobby, security, baggage areas, canopies, and sidewalks

    $21,915,184

    Capital Region

    Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport

    Taxiway reconstruction  

    $210,803

    Capital Region

    Schenectady County Airport

    Conducting an airport drainage study and updating the airport master plan study

    $658,540

    Central NY

    Cortland County/Chase Field Airport

    Replacing snow removal equipment

    $369,550

    Central NY

    Griffiss International Airport

    Reconstructing airfield signage and updating navigational aids 

    $580,367

    Central NY

    Hamilton Municipal Airport

    Constructs a new 1,350 square foot terminal to accommodate the movement of passengers and baggage. This grant funds the final phase, which consists of interior construction including architectural, plumbing, mechanical and electrical

    $190,935

    Central NY

    Oswego County Airport

    Replacing snow removal equipment

    $513,750

    Finger Lakes

    Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport

    Reconstructing the existing terminal by replacing six vestibule doors, three elevators and fire alarm system

    $6,371,281

    Finger Lakes

    Canandaigua Airport

    Rehabilitating pavement

    $320,150

    Hudson Valley

    Columbia County Airport

    Weather system replacement

    $87,252

    Hudson Valley

    Columbia County Airport

    Terminal parking lot reconstruction

    $87,058

    Hudson Valley

    Hudson Valley Regional Airport

    Runway extension to enhance safety 

    $78,185

    Hudson Valley

    Joseph Y Resnick Airport

    Automated weather system replacement

    $87,639

    North Country

    Potsdam Municipal Airport

    Constructing 15,400 feet of wildlife fencing and four manual gates to enhance safety

    $96,258

    North Country

    Potsdam Municipal Airport

    Rotating beacon replacement

    $171,707

    NYC

    LaGuardia Airport

    Runway reconstruction

    $6,264,504

    Southern Tier

    Elmira Corning Regional Airport

    Snow removal equipment

    $615,943.00

    Southern Tier

    Elmira Corning Regional Airport

    Replacing terminal roof

    $1,580,131

    Western NY

    Cattaraugus County-Olean Municipal Airport

    Parking lot construction 

    $313,813

    Western NY

    Cattaraugus County-Olean Municipal Airport

    Replacing terminal septic system 

    $87,400

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Laurel Lee Introduces Bill to Help Holocaust Survivors and Families Reclaim Stolen Art

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Laurel Lee – Florida (15th District)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15) introduced the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act Improvements of 2025, a bipartisan bill that will help Holocaust survivors and their families reclaim artwork stolen by the Nazis. The bill removes the upcoming 2026 expiration date from the original law and makes key updates to ensure that survivors’ claims are heard fairly in court.

    Congresswoman Lee is joined by Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05), Jerrod Nadler (NY-10), Maggie Goodlander (NH-2), and Jamie Raskin (MD-08). Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) is leading the companion legislation in the Senate.

    “The Nazi regime stole not only lives but legacies, including cultural and family treasures that carry deep personal and historical meaning,”said Congresswoman Lee. “This bill ensures that families who lost everything during the Holocaust are given a fair shot at justice. These claims should be decided on the truth, not on legal loopholes or paperwork deadlines. With this legislation, we reaffirm our commitment to standing with Holocaust survivors and their families. They deserve to have their stories heard and their property returned. It’s never too late to do the right thing.”

    “Justice delayed should not be justice denied, especially for Holocaust survivors and their families,” said Congressman Scott Fitzgerald. “This bill ensures they can continue seeking justice in U.S. courts, without being blocked by procedural loopholes. We have a responsibility to uphold the rule of law and stand with those still fighting to recover what was wrongfully taken during one of history’s darkest chapters.”

    “During the Holocaust, the Nazis stripped Jewish families of countless works of art, culture, and heritage. The effects of these atrocities are still being felt today by survivors and their families,” said Rep. Jerry Nadler (NY-12). “I was proud to be a lead sponsor of the HEAR Act when it passed in 2016 and am proud to help lead my colleagues in reintroducing the bill today. As a matter of principle, we affirm that in the United States, everyone who has a credible claim deserves to have their day in court. This bill realizes that principle and ensures that every family has the right to a fair and just process based solely on the merits of their claim. We cannot fix the past, but this bill is a promise to the victims of the Holocaust that the United States is committed to creating a fair judicial process for the return of property that was wrongfully stolen during the darkest period of human history.” 

    “The Nazis murdered more than 6 million Jews, including 1.5 million children under the age of 12.  Looting art and other possessions from Jewish families was an essential part of Hitler’s concerted plan to annihilate the Jewish people. To allow museums here and in Europe, and foreign governments to keep Nazi looted art perpetuates the crimes of the Nazi regime, and demeans the memory of six million Jewish souls.  We applaud Congress for making sure that families can recover their treasured legacies, and that the true history of the Nazis’ brutal campaign of murder and theft cannot be erased or trivialized by the scoundrels who refuse to return looted art,”David Schaecter, Holocaust survivor and President of the Holocaust Survivors Foundation USA. 

    “This legislation renews and strengthens the HEAR Act, which is set to expire, by closing critical loopholes and addressing key oversights. It reaffirms our commitment to ensuring that rightful owners of Nazi-looted art—and their families—receive the restitution they are owed. Any museum that knowingly retains stolen works is complicit in perpetuating the injustice inflicted on Holocaust victims. We have both a moral and legal obligation to correct these wrongs and to ensure the crimes of the Holocaust are neither forgiven nor forgotten,”Joel Greenberg, President of Art Ashes.

    “We strongly support this legislation.  Each artwork or object taken during the Holocaust is more than property – it holds the memory of a life, a family, a community culture. Restituting these items is not simply about returning possessions; it is about restoring history, identity, and a measure of justice to those who lost everything,”said Gideon Taylor, President of World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO).

     

    Background: 

    The original HEAR Act was passed in 2016 to provide families with a fair opportunity to recover art looted by the Nazis during World War II. It created a six-year window for legal claims, starting from the time a family discovers where their stolen art is located. The law was meant to ensure that cases are decided based on facts, not thrown out due to complicated legal deadlines. However, in recent years, some courts have dismissed these claims using time-based technical defenses, which goes against the original purpose of the law. 

    The new bill eliminates the 2026 “sunset clause,” which would have ended the protections offered by the HEAR Act. It also makes clear that as long as a family files within six years of discovering their artwork’s location, their case cannot be dismissed simply because of how much time has passed. This change is especially important as the number of living Holocaust survivors continues to decline.

    The bill also responds to a 2021 Supreme Court ruling (Federal Republic of Germany v. Philipp) that made it harder to sue foreign governments involved in looting or holding art stolen during the Holocaust. Under this legislation, families will be able to bring claims in U.S. courts as long as the foreign government or museum has ties to the United States. The bill also blocks other legal defenses that could be used to avoid facing the facts in court and allows families to sue foreign defendants if they have any significant contact with the U.S., not just in one state.

    The bill is supported by a wide range of respected organizations, including: Art Ashes, Agudath Israel of America, American Jewish Committee (AJC), Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Bet Tzedek – House of Justice, Christians United for Israel (CUFI) Action Fund, Creative Community for Peace, Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, Florida Holocaust Museum, Holocaust Center for Humanity (Seattle), Holocaust Museum Houston, Holocaust Museum LA, Holocaust Survivors Foundation USA, Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), Jewish Women International (JWI), Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust (New York), Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center (Cincinnati), Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, StandWithUs, The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, World Jewish Congress, and the World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Georgian PM: Deepening cooperation with China remains one of the government’s top priorities

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    TBILISI, June 27 (Xinhua) — Deepening cooperation with China remains one of the top priorities for Georgia and its government, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said Friday while presenting his government’s annual activity report to parliament.

    “As for relations with China, this is one of the most important priorities for our country and government. Our task is to deepen political and trade-economic ties as much as possible. We signed a strategic partnership agreement with China the year before last and will do everything to ensure that this agreement is reflected in specific results in the future. Active work on this will continue in the future,” the head of government noted.

    According to M. Kobakhidze, in 2024, Georgia’s economy grew by 9.4 percent, which allowed maintaining the sustainable economic growth rates observed since 2021. In January-April 2025, economic growth was 8.8 percent, and preliminary data for May also confirm the positive dynamics. According to the Prime Minister, the country will not only achieve the indicators planned in the budget, but will also exceed them. The International Monetary Fund has increased the forecast for Georgia’s economic growth in 2025 to 7.2 percent, and the government considers this target quite achievable, even ahead of the plan.

    M. Kobakhidze expressed Tbilisi’s readiness to restore strategic partnership with the United States. “We are ready to do this with a specific roadmap that will reflect the interests of both countries,” he said. According to him, very important steps have been taken between the two countries in the direction of embassies, including the appointment of the Georgian ambassador to the United States, and he believes that these recent changes will ultimately contribute to a reset of relations.

    Speaking about European integration, the Prime Minister reiterated Georgia’s goal of becoming a full member of the European Union by 2030. At the same time, he expressed hope for a “fair and sound approach” from European institutions and stressed that the government maintains a pragmatic course towards European integration. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: New International Airport to Be Built in Tbilisi

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    Tbilisi, June 27 (Xinhua) — The new international airport in the Tbilisi suburb of Vaziani will receive its first passengers after 2031, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said while delivering his annual report to the country’s parliament on Friday.

    The airport will be built on the site of a former military airfield. Its capacity will be 18 million passengers per year, which is 4.5 times more than the current Tbilisi airport. The volume of investment in the project is estimated at $1.3 billion.

    Earlier, the government promised that construction of the airport would begin in 2024 and be completed by 2028, but the deadlines were shifted. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –