NewzIntel.com

Category: United States of America

  • MIL-OSI China: SW China mountainous county brews global matcha success

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

    An aerial drone photo taken on May 15, 2025 shows Wei Yong (C) explaining key points of planting to tea farmers in Jiangkou County, southwest China’s Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

    In Jiangkou County, nestled in southwest China’s mountainous Guizhou Province, a centuries-old tea tradition is fueling a modern global boom.

    In 2024, the county’s matcha sales exceeded 1,200 tonnes with an output value surpassing 300 million yuan (about 41.7 million U.S. dollars), while its products have been exported to overseas markets including Japan, the United States and France.

    As a major matcha-producing country, China is poised to produce over 5,000 tonnes of matcha in 2025. Notably, Guizhou, leveraging its high-altitude tea farms, low latitude and misty climate, accounts for one quarter of China’s national output and exports to more than 40 countries and regions.

    Jiangkou County, located at the foot of Guizhou’s UNESCO-listed Fanjing Mountain, was once a poverty-stricken region but is now a pioneer in the field of matcha production. This turnaround began in 2017, when cutting-edge matcha industrial technology was introduced to this area.

    Led by industry leaders in partnership with allied enterprises and local farmers, this initiative has established a province-wide matcha industrial network in Guizhou — spanning 22 counties and empowering nearly 100,000 tea growers via increased incomes.

    The county’s tea fields currently cover 160,000 mu (about 10,667 hectares), with 20 percent dedicated to matcha production.

    “We control every step from farming to processing — to ensure premium quality,” said Meng Zude, chairman of Gui Tea Group, a leading tea company that manages the industrial cluster in Jiangkou.

    Meng explained that farmers focus on cultivation while allied partners process leaves. Gui Tea Group then refines leaves into premium matcha. From field to factory, free technical support ensures EU-standard compliance across the supply chain, Meng added.

    Jiangkou County has adapted Japanese matcha techniques to local conditions through both collaborations with experts and in-house research and development. Farmers now implement fertilization protocols, eco-friendly pest control and precision pruning — critical steps that ensure high-quality tencha leaves.

    Four tonnes of matcha have already been exported to Japan in 2025, while another six tonnes are scheduled for shipment to this traditional matcha hub this year, according to Chen Xiaoming, deputy director of Gui Tea’s foreign trade business.

    “Domestic clients now approach us directly, while Japanese buyers seek raw material supplies,” Chen said, adding that inquiries have grown significantly.

    “Matcha isn’t just a drink,” said Chen. “It’s a lifestyle China now leads.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China rising in rankings of universities

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

    China Daily | June 4, 2025

    Students take selfies during the 8th International Culture Festival of Tianjin Foreign Studies University in North China’s Tianjin, April 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The global higher education landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, as China shows consistent improvement in academic output while universities in the United States face downward pressure in global rankings amid recent student visa policies, experts said.

    China has surpassed the US for the first time in the number of universities listed in the latest Global 2000 university rankings. Chinese institutions now account for 17 percent of the list, up from 324 last year to 346 this year, while the number of ranked US universities dropped from 329 to 319.

    The World University Rankings 2025, released on Monday by the Center for World University Rankings, revealed that 98 percent of Chinese universities improved their positions — a surge attributed to enhanced research performance and sustained government investment in higher education.

    Tsinghua University rose six places to rank 37th, excelling in employability and research. Peking University advanced three places to the 44th, while the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences jumped four places to 46th — surpassing Shanghai Jiao Tong University in the 61st place and Zhejiang University in the 68th position.

    Nadim Mahassen, president of the Center for World University Rankings, said that China is well represented among the world’s top universities, and further financial backing from the government will allow the country to be more competitive in the rapidly evolving global academic landscape.

    Although the US still has eight of the world’s top 10 universities — led by Harvard, MIT and Stanford — 83 percent of its listed institutions declined in rank. The United Kingdom’s Cambridge and Oxford secured the fourth and fifth places, respectively.

    Mahassen said that while the US still boasts the top universities in the world, the decline in ranking of the vast majority of its higher education institutions on the list is concerning.

    “At a time when Chinese universities are reaping the rewards of years of generous financial support from their government, American institutions are grappling with slashed federal funding and disputes over academic freedom and free speech,” he said.

    Recent controversies, such as the Trump administration’s move to revoke enrollment of international students at Harvard, later blocked by a federal judge, highlight the challenges facing US higher education.

    “For many years, American universities were able to attract a large number of international students, particularly from China. But with China’s extraordinary ascent in the rankings, coupled with the recent visa policies of the US, the situation may change soon,” Mahassen said.

    Liu Wei, senior vice-president of New Channel International Education Group and CEO of its overseas study division, said that China has been gaining ground in multiple international ranking systems — including QS, Times Higher Education and the Academic Ranking of World Universities — showing consistent improvement in academic output and global research influence.

    He emphasized that recent US visa policies toward Chinese students, such as the announcement of revoking the visas of some of those studying in “critical fields”, are also influencing the global higher education landscape and may affect the future rankings of US and Chinese institutions.

    “Stricter visa policies have introduced uncertainty for Chinese students seeking to study in the US, prompting many to consider alternatives,” Liu said.

    Countries such as the UK, Canada, Australia and Singapore, as well as some European countries, have ramped up efforts to attract international students, particularly those diverting from the US.

    Universities in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region also moved quickly to offer assistance when Harvard’s ability to admit international students was curtailed.

    Chen Zhiwen, a member of the Chinese Society of Educational Development Strategy, said that Chinese students contribute significantly to research productivity and academic exchanges on US campuses, especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, as well as among postgraduate students.

    A decline in the number of Chinese students due to visa policies could have an impact on academic output in US higher education, Chen said. Chinese universities could benefit from this in the long term, as students who planned to study in the US may instead enroll in top domestic institutions, boosting China’s academic and research environment, he added.

    “Since 2018, the proportion of Tsinghua University graduates pursuing overseas studies has shown a declining trend,” he said, adding that the trend could usher in a more multipolar higher education system, reducing the US’ historical dominance.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: On Senate Floor, Rosen Slams Trump Administration’s Plan to Shut Down Sierra Nevada Job Corps, Calls for Bipartisan Action

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    Senator Rosen Called On Her Colleagues On Both Sides Of The Aisle To Take Action To Push Back On Trump’s Decision To Close Job Training Centers

    Watch Senator Rosen’s Full Remarks HERE.
    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) took to the Senate floor to fiercely condemn the Trump Administration’s reckless decision to gut the Job Corps program and shut down Jobs Corps centers across the country, including the Sierra Nevada Job Corps Center in Reno, a skills training program that provides students an opportunity to learn new skills. Senator Rosen warned that the closure would hurt students who are currently enrolled and leave them without the skills they need to access good-paying jobs and achieve the American Dream. Senator Rosen called the decision short-sighted and cruel, and demanded an immediate reversal of the shutdown order.
    Below are excerpts of Senator Rosen’s floor remarks:
    I rise today to shine a light on Donald Trump’s dismantling of yet another critical program that Nevadans, and young people across our nation, rely on: the Job Corps program. 
    Job Corps was established by Congress to provide young people with the skills training that they need to access good-paying, in-demand jobs. 
    It is the largest residential career training program in the entire country – providing young people, many of whom were previously homeless or at-risk, with housing and skills training in fields like manufacturing, construction, and health care.
    Once they graduate, they enter the workforce and contribute to our communities and our economy.
    They learn the skills necessary to build their lives, to build their futures. 
    It’s truly a great program that has helped more than 3 million people have a chance at the American Dream since 1964.
    Unfortunately, Job Corps centers across the country received a “stop work” order at the end of last week that instructed them to close their doors and send all of their students back home, including Nevada’s Job Corps campus, the Sierra Nevada Job Corps center in Reno, Nevada.
    This is going to be devastating – devastating – for the tens of thousands of young people who are currently enrolled in all 50 states.
    The Trump Administration, well, it claims it supports trade schools and job training.
    But frankly, Mr. President, if this Administration really knew anything about the Job Corps program, they’d know that they are trade schools. 
    They are centers where students go, where they study, where they work hard, and where they earn their certifications that allow them to access good-paying jobs.
    So, why is Donald Trump closing down this program and taking away the opportunity for these students to work? It just doesn’t make any sense.
    Shutting down this program will also immediately evict more than three hundred students at the Nevada campus alone, many of whom have nowhere else to go.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Baldwin Calls Out Education Secretary for Gutting Funding for Student Mental Health in Wisconsin

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) questioned Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon on the Trump administration’s decision to cut off funding for grants for school based mental health, including a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction program that provides mental healthcare for students.

    “Secretary McMahon, the grant you discontinued for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction was being used to expand access to mental healthcare for students—we’re talking about more counselors and mental health professionals in schools,” Senator Baldwin said in the hearing. “Why did you cut off funding for this grant and take away this help for Wisconsin students and schools?

    During the LHHS hearing, Secretary McMahon refused to answer why funding for Wisconsin was cut off and resources for Wisconsin students and schools were taken away.  In April, the Department of Education discontinued future funding approved for more than 200 grantees of the school based mental health services and mental health service professional development grant programs. According to the Department’s National Center for Education Statistics, less than half of all public schools reported they could effectively provide mental health services to all students who need them.

    A recording of Senator Baldwin’s question is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Panasonic HD develops multimodal generative AI “OmniFlow” which enables Any-to-Any generation between text, image, and audio

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Panasonic HD develops multimodal generative AI “OmniFlow” which enables Any-to-Any generation between text, image, and audio

    Osaka, Japan, June 4, 2025 – Panasonic Holdings Co., Ltd. (Panasonic HD) and Panasonic R&D Company of America (PRDCA), in collaboration with researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), have developed OmniFlow, a multimodal generative AI that can freely convert different data formats such as text, images, and audios (hereinafter referred to as “Any-to-Any”).
    In recent years, research on multimodal generative AI that realizes conversion between different data formats has been actively conducted, but since it is usually necessary to prepare all pairs of data to be handled for training data, the cost of acquiring data increases as the type of data to be handled increases. By flexibly combining generative AI (text audio, text image) specialized for each data format, OmniFlow can learn high-precision Any-to-Any models even with a small number of data (text audio images) consisting of all three sets of modalities, and has succeeded in significantly reducing the cost of creating training data. (Fig. 1)
    This technology has been internationally recognized for its advanced technology and has been accepted at CVPR 2025, a top conference for AI and Computer Vision. It will be presented at the plenary conference to be held in Nashville, USA from June 11, 2025 to June 15, 2025.

    ■Details of the technology

    Panasonic HD and PRDCA are working on research on multimodal generative AI. In recent years, multimodal generative AI that incorporates audio in addition to text and images has been attracting attention, but the method of obtaining data that includes all text, images, and audio has been limited, and it has been costly to increase variations.
    The solution to this problem is the key to accelerating the use of multimodal generative AI, and research has been actively conducted in recent years. In fact, a method that can learn even if the combination of different data including all the data formats you want to handle is not completely aligned has recently been proposed, but it is realized by averaging the input data. It can be said that there is still a lot of room for improvement in terms of expressive ability.
    On the other hand, we have developed OmniFlow, which extends the existing framework of image generation flow matching*, and can learn complex relationships between data that cannot be obtained by averaging by connecting and processing three different data features during the generation process. (Fig. 2)
    * A technology that uses Flow to find the optimal conversion path between arbitrary data.In recent years, it has been attracting attention as it has been adopted for various generative models, including image generation.

    A big advantage of OmniFlow is that you can easily connect AIs that specialize in text-to-image and text-to-audio generation into a single multimodal generative AI. (Fig. 3) Since specialized AI is excellent at generating each data, it was possible to obtain high multimodal performance without learning a large amount of data consisting of all modalities.

    In the evaluation experiment, the performance of the “text→image” and “text→audio” generation tasks was compared with existing methods. (Fig. 4) As a result, it was confirmed that OmniFlow has the best performance among any-to-any methods (Generalist) and specialized methods for each task. We also found that the data size required to train OmniFlow can be reduced to up to 1/60 compared to other any-to-any methods.

    ■Future prospects

    The newly developed OmniFlow is an any-to-any method that flexibly combines generative AI specialized for each data format (text→audio, text→image) and is highly accurate even if the number of training sheets for all three data pairs (text audio image) is small. By learning this technology in various fields such as factories and lifestyles, it will be possible to generate various types of data specialized in those sites, and it is expected to expand the range of applications of multimodal AI.
    Going forward, Panasonic HD will continue to accelerate the social implementation of AI and promote the research and development of AI technologies that contribute to the usefulness of our customers’ lives and workplaces.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Panasonic HD develops multimodal generative AI “OmniFlow” which enables Any-to-Any generation between text, image, and audio

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Panasonic HD develops multimodal generative AI “OmniFlow” which enables Any-to-Any generation between text, image, and audio

    Osaka, Japan, June 4, 2025 – Panasonic Holdings Co., Ltd. (Panasonic HD) and Panasonic R&D Company of America (PRDCA), in collaboration with researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), have developed OmniFlow, a multimodal generative AI that can freely convert different data formats such as text, images, and audios (hereinafter referred to as “Any-to-Any”).
    In recent years, research on multimodal generative AI that realizes conversion between different data formats has been actively conducted, but since it is usually necessary to prepare all pairs of data to be handled for training data, the cost of acquiring data increases as the type of data to be handled increases. By flexibly combining generative AI (text audio, text image) specialized for each data format, OmniFlow can learn high-precision Any-to-Any models even with a small number of data (text audio images) consisting of all three sets of modalities, and has succeeded in significantly reducing the cost of creating training data. (Fig. 1)
    This technology has been internationally recognized for its advanced technology and has been accepted at CVPR 2025, a top conference for AI and Computer Vision. It will be presented at the plenary conference to be held in Nashville, USA from June 11, 2025 to June 15, 2025.

    ■Details of the technology

    Panasonic HD and PRDCA are working on research on multimodal generative AI. In recent years, multimodal generative AI that incorporates audio in addition to text and images has been attracting attention, but the method of obtaining data that includes all text, images, and audio has been limited, and it has been costly to increase variations.
    The solution to this problem is the key to accelerating the use of multimodal generative AI, and research has been actively conducted in recent years. In fact, a method that can learn even if the combination of different data including all the data formats you want to handle is not completely aligned has recently been proposed, but it is realized by averaging the input data. It can be said that there is still a lot of room for improvement in terms of expressive ability.
    On the other hand, we have developed OmniFlow, which extends the existing framework of image generation flow matching*, and can learn complex relationships between data that cannot be obtained by averaging by connecting and processing three different data features during the generation process. (Fig. 2)
    * A technology that uses Flow to find the optimal conversion path between arbitrary data.In recent years, it has been attracting attention as it has been adopted for various generative models, including image generation.

    A big advantage of OmniFlow is that you can easily connect AIs that specialize in text-to-image and text-to-audio generation into a single multimodal generative AI. (Fig. 3) Since specialized AI is excellent at generating each data, it was possible to obtain high multimodal performance without learning a large amount of data consisting of all modalities.

    In the evaluation experiment, the performance of the “text→image” and “text→audio” generation tasks was compared with existing methods. (Fig. 4) As a result, it was confirmed that OmniFlow has the best performance among any-to-any methods (Generalist) and specialized methods for each task. We also found that the data size required to train OmniFlow can be reduced to up to 1/60 compared to other any-to-any methods.

    ■Future prospects

    The newly developed OmniFlow is an any-to-any method that flexibly combines generative AI specialized for each data format (text→audio, text→image) and is highly accurate even if the number of training sheets for all three data pairs (text audio image) is small. By learning this technology in various fields such as factories and lifestyles, it will be possible to generate various types of data specialized in those sites, and it is expected to expand the range of applications of multimodal AI.
    Going forward, Panasonic HD will continue to accelerate the social implementation of AI and promote the research and development of AI technologies that contribute to the usefulness of our customers’ lives and workplaces.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Lamont To Sign Legislation on Electric Ratepayer Relief

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he will soon sign into law legislation that takes a step forward in reducing electric bills, delivering Connecticut consumers nearly $400 million in annual savings, as well as laying the groundwork for longer term reductions in public benefits charges and cuts in supply, delivery, and transmission fees.

    The legislation is Senate Bill 4, An Act Concerning Energy Affordability, Access and Accountability. It is the result of a collaboration between the Lamont administration and Democratic and Republican lawmakers. It was approved in the Senate yesterday by a vote of 34 to 1, and in the House of Representatives this evening by a vote of 144 to 3.

    “Like many people, I think electric bills are too damn high, and this bipartisan bill is a first step in addressing a complex issue that is the result of policy decisions made years ago by legislators in both parties that have continued to impact our utility rates,” Governor Lamont said. “I want to be clear – this legislation is one step in the effort to make energy rates more affordable and we should not stop here. This legislation is the result of cooperative input, and I am encouraged that we can continue taking additional steps that will lower electric bills further. I thank Democrats and Republicans in the General Assembly for approving this legislation and I will sign it into law when it is transmitted to my desk. Let’s keep doing more to reduce electric rates.”

    The savings achieved in the legislation are in addition to the recent 25% reduction in the public benefits charge that the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) approved in the May 2025 rate adjustment mechanism and to the upcoming 13% reduction in supply rates on July 1, 2025.

    As required under legislative rules, now that the bill has been approved by both chambers of the General Assembly it will be transmitted to the nonpartisan Legislative Commissioners’ Office for engrossing and supervision of printing in its final form. Once engrossed, it is required to go through an approval process by the Office of the House Clerk, the Office of the Senate Clerk, and the Office of the Secretary of the State before it can finally be transmitted to the governor for his signature. This engrossing and approval process usually takes several days to complete.

    Upon receiving the bill, the Office of the Governor will make an announcement when a date has been selected for it to be signed by the governor.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Meets with FAA Administrator Nominee Bryan Bedford

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    June 03, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator and Ranking Member of the Senate’s Aviation Safety Subcommittee Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with Federal Aviation Administrator nominee Bryan Bedford to discuss how he plans to address the aviation safety crisis if confirmed. During their meeting, Duckworth reiterated her strong opposition toward any further reduction in force at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and toward any effort to weaken the 1,500-hour rule and jeopardize the safety of the flying public in the wake of the deadly DCA midair collision and the spike in close calls across the country, among other things.

    “In the wake of the deadly DCA crash, surge in near misses and air traffic controller shortage, our nation needs a strong leader at FAA who will reject complacency and work vigorously to address this dire aviation safety crisis and protect the flying public,” said Duckworth. “I made clear to Mr. Bedford how critical it is for the next FAA Administrator to safeguard the 1,500-hour rule, as well as how mass staff reductions at FAA would be detrimental to the agency’s ability to improve aviation safety and risk mitigation. I also stressed the urgent need for FAA to take not only immediate, but also long-term action to modernize our air traffic control systems—something I’ve been sounding the alarm on for years—and discussed with Mr. Bedford the importance of FAA continuing enhanced oversight over Boeing. I look forward to hearing more from Mr. Bedford at his confirmation hearing.”

    For years—long before the deadly DCA crash—Duckworth has been sounding the alarm that we must make critical aviation safety investments immediately to prevent all-too-often near-misses from becoming catastrophic tragedies. Last Congress, Duckworth chaired two CST Aviation Subcommittee hearings—one last December and the other a year prior—to address our aviation industry’s chilling surge in near-deadly close calls and underscore the urgent need to improve air traffic control systems to protect the flying public.

    As our nation continues to experience an air traffic controller shortage amid multiple near-misses, midair collisions and communication outages, Duckworth has underscored how critical it is that the FAA does not sacrifice effectiveness in favor of efficiency by lowering its longstanding high standards that new controllers must meet. Two weeks after the horrific DCA aircraft collision that killed 67 passengers and crew, the Trump Administration began firing hundreds of FAA employees. In April, Duckworth sent a letter to FAA Acting Administrator Rocheleau on the reasoning behind these cuts to the workforce.

    Last year, Duckworth helped author the landmark bipartisan FAA reauthorization that was signed into law to extend the FAA’s funding and authorities through Fiscal Year 2028. The reauthorization included several of her provisions to safeguard the 1,500-hour rule, improve consumer safety, expand the aviation workforce and enhance protections for travelers with disabilities.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘Not available in your region’: what is a VPN and how can I use one safely?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meena Jha, Head Technology and Pedagogy Cluster CML-NET, CQUniversity Australia

    Linaimages/Shutterstock

    “This video is not available in your location”. It’s a message familiar to many people trying to watch global content online. But beneath this frustration lies a deeper question – how do we navigate digital borders safely and ethically?

    As our digital lives expand, so too does our desire for access. Maybe you want to see the latest streaming shows before they arrive in your country. Maybe you’re a sports fan wanting to watch live broadcasts of international events. Or perhaps you need to log into your company’s secure intranet while at home or overseas.

    Enter the virtual private network (VPN) – a technology that’s become as essential as antivirus software for many. With many commercial and free VPN providers on the market, interest in these services has grown in recent years.

    How does a VPN work?

    A VPN is like a secure tunnel between your device and the internet. When you use a VPN, your internal traffic is scrambled into unreadable data and routed through a remote server, which also masks your real IP address.

    Think of it like this: instead of sending a postcard with your return address, you send it in an envelope to a trusted friend overseas who mails it on your behalf. To anyone looking at the envelope, it looks like the message came from your friend and not you.

    This technique shields your identity, protects your data from snoopers, and tricks websites into thinking you are browsing from another location.

    While often marketed as tools for online privacy, VPNs have grown popular for another reason: access.

    Many people use VPNs to access geo-blocked content, secure their internet activity, work remotely – especially when handling sensitive data – and protect against online tracking and targeted advertising.



    Read more:
    What does it mean to ‘accept’ or ‘reject’ all cookies, and which should I choose?

    VPNs are legal, if a bit grey

    VPN services are offered by dozens of providers globally. Companies such as NordVPN, ProtonVPN, ExpressVPN and Surfshark offer paid subscriptions with strong security guarantees. Free VPNs also exist but come with caveats (more on this in a moment).

    In most countries, including Australia, using a VPN is completely legal.

    However, what makes it murky is what one might use it for. While using a VPN is legal, engaging in illegal activities while using one remains prohibited.

    Streaming services like Netflix or Disney+ license content by region. Using a VPN to access a foreign catalogue may violate their terms of service and potentially be grounds for account suspension.

    Australian law does not criminalise accessing geo-blocked content via VPN, but the copyright act does prohibit circumventing “technological protection measures” in certain cases.

    The grey area lies in enforcement. Technically, copyright law does ban getting around certain protections. However, the latest advice does not mention any cases where regular users have been taken to court for this kind of behaviour.

    So far, enforcement has mostly targeted websites and platforms that host or enable large-scale copyright infringement; not everyday viewers who want to watch a show a bit early.

    Beware of ‘free’ VPNs

    Not all VPNs are created equal. While premium services invest in strong encryption and privacy protections, free VPNs often make money by collecting user data – the very thing you may be trying to avoid.

    Risks of unsafe VPNs include data leaks, injection of ads or trackers into your browsing, and malware and spyware, especially in free mobile apps that claim to provide a VPN service.

    Using a poorly designed or dishonest VPN is like hiring a bodyguard who sells your location. It might give the impression of safety, but you may actually be more vulnerable than before.

    Okay, so how do I choose a VPN?

    With so many VPNs available, both free and paid, it can be hard to know which one to trust. If you are considering a VPN, here are five things to look for.

    No-log policy. A trustworthy VPN should have a strict no-log policy, meaning it does not store any records of your internet activity, connection time or IP address. This ensures even if the VPN provider is hacked, subpoenaed or pressured by a government, they have nothing to hand over.

    Strong encryption standards. Encryption is what makes your data unreadable to anyone snooping on your connection, such as hackers on public WiFi or your internet provider. A somewhat technical thing to look out for is AES 256-bit encryption – it’s extremely secure and is used by banks and governments.

    Independent audits. Reliable VPN services voluntarily undergo third-party audits to verify their privacy claims and the security of their infrastructure.

    Kill switch. A kill switch is a critical safety feature that automatically blocks internet traffic if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address and data from being exposed, even momentarily.

    Jurisdiction. VPNs are subject to the laws of the country they are based in. The countries in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance (Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand) may legally compel providers to hand over user data. If a VPN service has a strict no-log policy and does not collect information about what you do online, then even under legal pressure, there is nothing to hand over. So, you are safe.

    In an era of growing surveillance, cybercrime and corporate data collection, VPNs are essential tools for reclaiming your online privacy and data.

    But like any tool, the effectiveness (and ethics) of VPNs depend on how you use them. Next time you fire up your VPN, ask yourself – am I just dodging a digital border, or actively protecting my online freedom?

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

    – ref. ‘Not available in your region’: what is a VPN and how can I use one safely? – https://theconversation.com/not-available-in-your-region-what-is-a-vpn-and-how-can-i-use-one-safely-256559

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MENG HIGHLIGHTS DEVASTATING IMPACTS TRUMP SOCIAL SECURITY CUTS WOULD HAVE ON QUEENS

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Grace Meng (6th District of New York)

    Congresswoman holds listening session with local residents and borough organizations that stand to be affected by the President’s changes

    QUEENS, NY – Today, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) held a listening session that focused on cuts to Social Security, and the devastating impacts it would have on Queens.

    Taking part in the event were several borough organizations and local residents who stand to be negatively affected by the President’s budget axe. With the President and Congressional Republicans slashing key federal programs, many in Queens – and throughout New York – worry about cuts to the Social Security program. Many are also concerned about receiving their Social Security benefits, specifically questioning the Social Security Administration’s ability to deliver payments in light of cuts to the Social Security workforce and the closing of Social Security offices.

    “Social Security is a financial lifeline for hundreds of thousands of people in Queens, and millions throughout New York,” said Meng. “Any cuts to the program or interruption in recipients receiving the benefits they earned and deserve would be devastating, and totally unacceptable. Social Security is not the government’s money. It is the people’s money, and fighting to protect this vital program will always be a top priority of mine. I stand with everybody in Queens and across New York who depend on their Social Security benefits.”

    Meng noted that many Social Security beneficiaries rely on their Social Security payments for crucial living expenses such as putting food on the table, paying their rent, heating their homes, covering medical expenses and other critical necessities.

    “We cannot overstate the importance of Social Security to Queens residents and the dire consequences of making it harder for beneficiaries to access their earned benefits,” Meng added. 

    The Congresswoman organized the listening session to hear directly from local groups and constituents. It was held at the Elmhurst – J.H. Senior Center in Elmhurst, Queens. Organizations and individuals that participated include:

    • The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) which represents Social Security Administration workers and other federal government employees.
    • Legal Services NYC which provides legal services for low-income New Yorkers.
    • Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York which provides advocacy, education and a variety of services for people with disabilities.
    • Queens Community House which provides services and programs for children, young adults, families and older adults.
    • Elmhurst – J.H. Senior Center which provides services to local seniors.
    • Frank Taylor, former Chair of Community Board 3 which encompasses Jackson Heights, North Corona and East Elmhurst.
    • Mr. Tamaine Hamilton, a constituent from Forest Hills who depends on Social Security and recently received $35,331 in back benefits with Meng’s assistance.

    In Queens, approximately 366,000 people receive Social Security benefits which consists of monthly payments to retirees, children, seniors, widows, spouses and disabled workers. This includes more than 126,000 recipients in Meng’s congressional district. Throughout New York, there are some 3.8 million Social Security beneficiaries and over 70 million across the U.S.

    Social Security was created in 1935 when President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. The program is primarily funded through payroll taxes and ensures income for retirees, disabled individuals and survivors including children and families. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MENG STATEMENT ON GOP BUDGET BILL

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Grace Meng (6th District of New York)

    QUEENS, NY – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) today issued the following statement on the passage of legislation pushed by the President and Congressional Republicans that makes extreme cuts to health care, food assistance and more. 

    “I stayed in the Capitol all night to vote NO on the GOP’s bad budget bill that will slash health care and food assistance for millions of children, seniors and families – just to put more money in the pockets of billionaires.

    Americans deserve better than this. My constituents in Queens deserve better than this.

    We will keep fighting to stop this bill from becoming law.”  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MENG INTRODUCES COMPREHENSIVE LEGISLATION TO END PERIOD POVERTY AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Grace Meng (6th District of New York)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) announced that she reintroduced her Menstrual Equity for All Act, a bold, whole-of-government approach to eradicating period poverty and improving access to menstrual products.

    Menstruation is a natural part of life for roughly half of the world’s population at one point or another. Yet, today, millions of people in the United States continue to experience period poverty. In fact, one in three American adults who menstruate report struggling to afford menstrual products, and one-third have missed school or work because they could not access these products. An estimated 86% of people who menstruate use tampons, up to 72% use pads, and 75% use panty liners. Most of them use these products on a monthly basis. It is estimated that an individual will spend over $6,000 on menstrual products in their lifetime. 

    “Period products are essential for millions of people who menstruate,” said Congresswoman Meng. “Access to these products is not only a health care right, but also a human right. It is unacceptable that they are still out of reach for more than half the population. This legislation takes critical steps toward ending period poverty by expanding access to menstrual products for individuals across a range of populations, such as in schools and universities, workplaces, and correctional and detention facilities, and through existing federal programs like the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Social Services Block Grants. Without it, women, girls, and menstruators will continue to miss out on educational and career opportunities simply because they cannot afford period products. We must keep fighting for them.”

    Specifically, Meng’s Menstrual Equity for All Act would:

    • Give states the option to use federal grant funds to provide students in elementary and secondary schools with free menstrual products;
    • Incentivize institutions of higher education to create pilot programs that provide free menstrual products to students;
    • Ensure incarcerated individuals and detainees in federal, state, and local facilities (including immigration detention centers), have access to free menstrual products;
    • Allow homeless assistance providers to use grant funds that cover shelter necessities (such as blankets and toothbrushes) to also use those funds to purchase menstrual products;
    • Require Medicaid to cover the cost of menstrual products;
    • Direct large employers (with 100 or more employees) to provide free menstrual products for their employees in the workplace;
    • Require all public federal buildings to provide free menstrual products in the restrooms;
    • Provide states and localities with funds through the Social Services Block Grant program to support free menstrual products programs;
    • Eliminate the federal sales tax on period products; and
    • Create a pilot program within the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to help families in need access menstrual products.

    “We know that period supplies are basic essentials that all people who menstruate require to participate in daily life – going to work, school, and engaging in everyday events,” said Joanne Goldblum, CEO of the Alliance for Period Supplies. “The Menstrual Equity for All Act ensures equitable access to period supplies so that millions of people can earn, learn, and thrive. We thank Congresswoman Meng for championing the Menstrual Equity for All Act and fully support the bill as it offers a comprehensive solution to a major public health issue. Its passage is long overdue.”

    “The fact of the matter is that nearly 1 in 4 students across the country are unable to afford period products and a quarter of students are unable to do their schoolwork due to a lack of access to these products,” said Michela Bedard, Executive Director of PERIOD. “The Menstrual Equity for All Act will improve student success in and out of the classroom through expanded menstrual health education and period product access.”

    “Women’s Voices for the Earth applauds Congresswoman Meng for her longstanding commitment and leadership on menstrual equity,” said Debra Erenberg, Co-Executive Director, Women’s Voices for the Earth. All people who menstruate need and deserve access to safe and healthy intimate care products. We look forward to working with the Congresswoman to pass this groundbreaking piece of commonsense legislation.”

    Meng originally introduced her Menstrual Equity for All Act in 2017. Since then, she has led numerous efforts to improve access to menstrual products and promote menstrual health. Earlier this month, she introduced a resolution to designate May as “National Menstrual Health Awareness Month.” The resolution recognizes the impact that the stigmatization of menstruation has on the lives of women, girls and people who menstruate.

    This legislation was introduced with 61 cosponsors. It is supported by the Alliance for Period Supplies, The Center for Baby and Adult Hygiene Products, Days for Girls, The Flow Initiative, Helping Women Period, ISSA – The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, Mass NOW, Mujeres and Menstruators United, National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Period Education Project, PERIOD., and Period Law.

    The full text of the bill can be found here.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MENG VISITS FIREFIGHTERS AT MASPETH FIREHOUSE

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Grace Meng (6th District of New York)

    QUEENS, NY – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) recently visited with Queens firefighters from Squad 288/HazMat 1 at their firehouse in Maspeth, Queens.

    Also joining Meng for the visit were Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker, Chief of Department John Esposito and other FDNY officials.

     “I thank the members of Squad 288/HazMat 1 for welcoming me to their firehouse,” said Congresswoman Meng. “It was an honor to meet with them and thank them for working tirelessly to keep many of my constituents safe. I am always proud to be a friend of the FDNY and support the work they do so that New York’s Bravest can continue saving lives and protecting our communities.”

    During her visit, Meng toured the firehouse and its equipment, talked with firefighters and officials and discussed funding for the firehouse. She also had lunch with the firefighters. In addition, she remembered the nineteen firefighters from the firehouse who were killed while responding to the World Trade Center attack on 9/11, which was the most of any New York City firehouse.

    Squad 288 and HazMat 1 share the same firehouse in Maspeth which is located at 56-29 68th Street. HazMat 1 also serves as the HazMat headquarters for the FDNY.

    Meng also supports efforts to designate the firehouse as a city landmark in honor of its historical significance and the loss of many firefighters.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Secretary of Defense Visits Sembawang Naval Installation, May 30, 2025 [Image 3 of 3]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    SINGAPORE (May 30, 2025) Yeoman 2nd Class Ayana Blake, center, assigned to Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73, shakes hands with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth after physical fitness training aboard the foc’sle of the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105), May 30, 2025. COMLOG WESTPAC supports deployed surface units and aircraft carriers, along with regional allies and partners, to facilitate patrols in the South China Sea, participation in naval exercises and responses to natural disasters. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 05.30.2025
    Date Posted: 05.31.2025 02:28
    Photo ID: 9074882
    VIRIN: 250530-N-ED646-1668
    Resolution: 6730×4939
    Size: 4.51 MB
    Location: SG
    Web Views: 32
    Downloads: 2

    PUBLIC DOMAIN  

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2025 Conducts Mission Stop in Philippines, June 2025 [Image 1 of 9]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    VIRAC, Philippines (June 1, 2025) – Hawaii National Guardsmen and personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines construct a platform used to conduct urban rescue training with local emergency responders and civilian authorities in Virac, Philippines, June 1, 2025. This effort is part of a two-week urban rescue training exercise supporting the humanitarian assistance and disaster response objectives of Pacific Partnership 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Jennings)

    Date Taken: 06.01.2025
    Date Posted: 06.03.2025 20:23
    Photo ID: 9081875
    VIRIN: 250601-N-YV347-1009
    Resolution: 7189×4793
    Size: 16.89 MB
    Location: VIRAC, PH
    Web Views: 2
    Downloads: 0

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2025 Kicks off with urban rescue training in Virac, Philippines, June 2, 2025 [Image 6 of 9]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    VIRAC, Philippines (June 2, 2025) – Hawaii National Guard Spc. Jayeson Laga, instructs Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel, local emergency responders, and civilian authorities how to tie different knots to perform urban rescue operations in Virac, Philippines, June 2, 2025. This effort is part of a two-week urban rescue training exercise supporting the humanitarian assistance and disaster response objectives of Pacific Partnership 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Jennings)

    Date Taken: 06.02.2025
    Date Posted: 06.03.2025 20:23
    Photo ID: 9081880
    VIRIN: 250602-N-YV347-2108
    Resolution: 8256×5504
    Size: 23.67 MB
    Location: VIRAC, PH
    Web Views: 2
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  • MIL-OSI Security: Owner of Santee Trucking Company Charged in $2 Million Credit Card Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN DIEGO – Hasan Korkmaz, the owner and operator of San Diego Logistics Group Inc., a Santee trucking company, was arraigned in federal court today on an 18-count indictment charging him with bank fraud, money laundering and aggravated identity theft.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Army Demonstrates Multi-Modal Mobility of HIMARS in Support of Salaknib 25

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    ZAMBALES, Philippines — U.S. Army soldiers from the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force’s 5th Battalion, 3rd Long Range Fires Battalion, working alongside the U.S. Air Force’s 374th Airlift Wing, 5th Air Force, and the Philippine Navy successfully demonstrated the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) multi-modal mobility throughout northern Luzon May 24-31, 2025

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Vice President JD Vance Attends the American Compass Fifth Anniversary Gala

    Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)

    Vice President JD Vance attends the American Compass Fifth Anniversary Gala and participates in a discussion with American Compass founder and chief economist Oren Cass.

    Washington, DC

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2Hx_hfR5h8

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Feenstra Supports Legislation to Combat SBA Loan Fraud

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) voted for, and the U.S. House of Representatives passed, the 7(a)Loan Agent Oversight Act, which would require the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide annual reports to Congress on loan agents, which serve as intermediaries, for the SBA 7(a) program.

    “Ensuring that our small businesses have access to reliable, affordable capital is important for economic growth and rural development in Iowa. The SBA’s flagship loan program – the 7(a) loan program – helps facilitate this investment by assisting job creators on Main Street with securing financing. However, a percentage of this program uses loan agents, which have a history of fraud, to disburse small business loans,” said Rep. Feenstra. “It’s why I voted for legislation to conduct vigorous oversight of this program so that small businesses get the financial resources that they need to grow, hire, and invest while protecting taxpayer dollars and combatting fraud. Under President Trump, we are eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government, and this legislation will further that mission at the SBA.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Dragon boat races spark rise in tourism spending during ancient Chinese festival

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

    Villagers compete during a dragon boat race at Xixi National Wetland Park in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province, on May 31, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    In the watery maze of Diejiao Village in Foshan, south China’s Guangdong Province, dragon boat teams race through S-curves, L-bends and tight C-turns with breathtaking precision. Spectators gasp and cheer as the 25-meter-long boats spin around corners at full speed, water spraying in their wake.

    A popular Cantonese saying captures the spirit of the event: “Ning ho bou laan, bat ho paa maan,” meaning, “It’s better to crash the boat than to paddle slowly.” It’s no surprise, then, that Chinese social media users have dubbed this tradition the “F1 on water,” with thrilling clips of races going viral across the country and beyond during the recent Dragon Boat Festival holiday.

    The festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month each year, and in 2009, it became the first Chinese holiday to be inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. People throughout China and all over the world celebrate the festival, which has a history stretching more than 2,000 years.

    Festivities vary from region to region but usually share several features: a memorial ceremony offering sacrifices to an ancient Chinese patriotic poet is combined with sporting events such as dragon boat races, zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) feasts, and folk entertainments such as opera performances.

    These rich traditions are increasingly influencing how people choose their travel destinations. Across China, more tourists are seeking out immersive cultural experiences, and the Dragon Boat Festival offers both vibrant celebrations and a focus on deep-rooted heritage.

    This year’s holiday — May 31 to June 2 — turned Foshan into a travel magnet, with its total tourist bookings up 167 percent year on year. Hotel reservations jumped 145 percent, and airline ticket sales rose 110 percent.

    “Chinese dragon boat racing has long gone global,” said Chen Xiaolin, a Chinese-Canadian and the leader of a dragon boat team from Victoria, Canada, that joined an international dragon boat competition in east China’s Suzhou city on May 31.

    Chen originally founded the team in Victoria to connect with the local Chinese community. But over time, more and more local residents joined. “That might be because residents in Victoria really enjoy water sports like kayaking and canoeing, which have similarities to dragon boat racing,” she said.

    Yvonne Christine Ann Sharpe, a 70-year-old team member, had eight years of canoeing experience before she tried her hand at dragon boat racing. Sharpe told Xinhua that canoeing allows paddlers to switch hands, making it a bit easier than dragon boat racing, which has a complex technique and requires full team synchronization to maintain balance and speed.

    “Hard connectivity, soft connectivity and economic ties lay the foundation for tourism, but cultural connectivity is key to sustaining its appeal,” said Tang Jinwen, an associate professor at the Management College of Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University. Tang noted that traditional festivals like the Dragon Boat Festival are becoming cultural events that connect China with the world.

    Traditional Chinese festival experiences are drawing growing numbers of international visitors to explore and connect with Chinese culture firsthand, particularly following the country’s rollout of its visa-free travel policies.

    According to data from the National Immigration Administration, 231,000 foreign nationals entered China during this year’s Dragon Boat Festival holiday under these new policies — a 59.4 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

    Hotel searches for inbound international tourism during the holiday more than doubled this year, according to data from online travel giant Trip.com. The top-10 source countries for related inbound travel were Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the United States, Russia, Japan, Britain, Australia and France.

    Beijing, China’s capital city, welcomed 67,000 international tourists during the holiday, a year-on-year increase of 35.8 percent. These visitors spent a total of 720 million yuan (about 100 million U.S. dollars), which was 41.1 percent higher than the same period last year.

    China has been vigorously boosting its domestic consumption, notably in its culture and tourism sectors. Since the beginning of 2025, local governments have rolled out a variety of incentives, ranging from cultural vouchers to ticket discounts, aiming to unlock spending potential.

    These efforts intensified during the 2025 Dragon Boat Festival. In central China’s Hubei Province, more than 160 A-level scenic areas offered ticket discounts, pass bundles and family deals. Shandong Province distributed 50 million yuan in cultural tourism vouchers covering attractions, hotels and cultural products.

    As China’s economy reaches a certain level, a growing emphasis is being placed on exploring traditional culture and, in particular, how it is reflected in consumption, said Wang Qing, who works at a market economy institute under the Development Research Center of the State Council.

    Elements of traditional culture are likely to play increasingly important roles in shaping consumption in China, Wang said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis Signs Bills into Law Supporting Service Members, Veterans, and Military Connected Coloradans and Families

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER – Today, Governor Polis bills into law to support members of the military, veterans, and military connected families. 

    Governor Polis signed the following bills into law: 

    • SB25-279 – Colorado Code of Military Justice Updates, sponsored by Senators Matt Ball Byron Pelton, and Representatives Monica Duran and Andrew Hartsook
    • SB25-282 – Protections for Veterans Seeking Benefits, sponsored by Senators Matt Ball and Byron Pelton, and Representatives Lisa Feret and Ryan Armagost
    • HB25-1083 – Vehicle Transactions Deployed Military Families, sponsored by Representatives Eliza Hamrick and Marry Bradfield, and Senators Lisa Frizell and Dafna Michaelson Jenet 

    “Military families and veterans have long called Colorado home, and we are committed to continuing our work to expand resources for military connected Colordans by protecting veterans benefits, creating more transportation options for military families, and ensuring mission readiness for active military personnel,” said Governor Polis. 

    Governor Polis also signed SB25-304 – Measures to Address Sexual Assault Kit Backlog, sponsored by Representatives Willford and Froelich, and Senator Weissman. 

    “Everyone who has experienced sexual assault deserves justice and this new law moves us closer to ensuring that. I thank the bill sponsors for their work to address this urgent situation and help hold perpetrators accountable,” said Governor Polis. 

    Governor Polis also signed the following bills into law administratively: 

    • HB25-1031 – Law Enforcement Whistleblower Protection, sponsored by Representatives Bacon and Clifford, and Senators Roberts and B. Pelton
    • HB25-1198– Regional Planning Roundtable Commission, sponsored by Representatives Froelich and Brown, and Senator Winter
    • HB25-1313 – Modify Laws Within Purview of the Capital Development Committee, sponsored by Representatives Story and Lindsay, and Senators Mullica and Hinrichsen
    • HB25-1322 – Enforce Insurer Compliance Requests Insurance Policy, sponsored by Representatives Carter and Espenoza, and Senators Exum and Roberts
    • HB25-1329 – Foreign Third-Party Litigation Financing, sponsored by Representatives Mabrey and Soper, and Senators Frizell and Gonzales
    • SB25-083 – Limitations on Restrictive Employment Agreements, sponsored by Senators Daugherty and Frizell, and Representatives Brown and Garcia Sander
    • SB25-142 – Changes to Wildfire Resiliency Code Board, sponsored by Senators Baisley and Cutter, and Representative Velasco
    • SB25-145 – Online Cancellation of Automatic Renewal Contracts, sponsored by Senator Kipp, and Representative Lindsay and Zokaie
    • SB25-147 – Modify Board Management Public Employees’ Retirement Association, sponsored by Senators B. Pelton and Kolker, and Representatives Garcia Sander and Lukens
    • SB25-165 – Licensure of Electricians, sponsored by Senators B. Pelton and Daugherty, and Representatives Lindstedt and Woog
    • SB25-193 – Sunset Primary Care Payment Reform Collaborative, sponsored by Senators Ball and Mullica, and Representatives Garcia Sander and McCormick
    • SB25-214 – Healthy School Meals Program For All, sponsored by Senators Bridges and Amabile, and Representatives Sirota and Taggart
    • SB25-262 – Changes to Money in the Capital Construction Fund, sponsored by Senators Amabile and Kirkmeyer, and Representatives Bird and Taggart
    • SB25-268 – Changes to Money in the Marijuana Tax Cash Fund, sponsored by Senators Bridges and Kirkmeyer, and Representatives Bird and Sirota
    • SB25-271 – Repeal Obsolete Family & Medical Leave Study, sponsored by Senators Ball and Rich, and Representatives Espenoza and Luck
    • SB25-274 – Amend Delivery Requirements Wine Direct Shipping, sponsored by Senators Rodriguez and Lundeen, and Representatives Lindstedt and Hartsook
    • SB25-275 – Nonsubstantive Relocation of Definitions in Colorado Revised Statutes, sponsored by Senators Ball and Catlin, and Representatives Luck and Espenoza
    • SB25-287 – Capitol Building Advisory Committee Modifications, sponsored by Senator Michaelson Jenet and Representative Lindstedt
    • SB25-291 Division Criminal Justice Spending Authority Community Corrections, sponsored by Senators Amabile and Kirkmeyer, and Representatives Sirota and Taggart
    • SB25-293 – Transfers from License Plate Cash Fund, sponsored by Senators Bridges and Kirkmeyer, and Representatives Bird and Sirota
    • SB25-307 – Decarbonization Tax Credits Administration Cash Fund, sponsored by Senators Amabile and Bridges, and Representatives Sirota and Bird
    • SB25-311 – Inactive Cash Funds, sponsored by Senators Amabile and Kirkmeyer, and Representatives Bird and Taggart
    • SB25-314 – Recovery Audit Contractor Program, sponsored by Senators Kirkmeyer and Bridges, and Representatives Bird and Sirota
    • SB25-320 – Commercial Motor Vehicle Transportation, sponsored by Senators Bridges and Kirkmeyer, and Representatives Bird and Taggart
    • SB25-321 – Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspection Facilities, sponsored by Senators Kirkmeyer and Rodriguez, and Representatives Joseph and Gonzalez
    • SB25-317 – Transfer Cash Fund Investment Earnings to General Fund, sponsored by Senators Kirkmeyer and Bridges, and Representatives Bird and Taggart
    • HB25-1038 – Postsecondary Credit Transfer Website, sponsored by Representatives Hamrick and Johnson, and Senators Marchman and Baisley
    • HB25-1121 – Permanent Trailer Registration, sponsored by Representatives Suckla and Lukens, and Senators R. Pelton and Marchman
    • HB25-1189 – Motor Vehicle Registration Reform & Fees, sponsored by Representatives Mauro and Weinberg, and Senator Wallace
    • HB25-1014 – Increasing Efficiency Division of Water Resources, sponsored by Representatives Johnson and Lukens, and Senators Roberts and Simpson
    • HB25-1236 – Residential Tenant Screening, sponsored by Representatives Lindsay and Zokaie, and Senators Weissman and Jodeh
    • HB25-1249 – Tenant Security Deposit Protections, sponsored by Representatives Ricks and Bacon, and Senators Exum and Danielson
    • HB25-1289 – Metropolitan District Leases & Property Tax Exemptions, sponsored by Representatives Zokaie and Richardson, and Senators Weissman and Frizell
    • HB25-1333 – Legislative Human Resources Division, sponsored by Speaker McCluskie and Majority Leader Duran, and Senate President Coleman and Majority Leader Rodriguez
    • HB25-1335 – Tax Credit Availability, sponsored by Representatives Sirota and Taggart, and Senators Bridges and Kirkmeyer
    • SB25-018 – Online Search of Sales & Use Tax, sponsored by Senators Bridges and Kipp, and Representative Taggart
    • SB25-026 – Adjusting Certain Tax Expenditures, sponsored by Senator Mullica, and Representatives Marshall and Joseph
    • SB25-027 – Trauma-Informed School Safety Practices, sponsored by Senators Marchman and Representatives Joseph and Gonzalez
    • SB25-037 – Coal Transition Grants, sponsored by Senators Roberts and Kirkmeyer, and Representatives Taggart and Mauro
    • HB25-1149 – Comprehensive Black History & Culture Education in K-12, sponsored by Representative English, and Senator Exum
    • HB25-1117 – Vehicle Immobilization Company Regulation, sponsored by Representatives Joseph and Boesenecker, and Senators Gonzales and Weissman
    • SB25-297 – Implementation of Colorado Natural Medicine Initiative, sponsored by Senator Ball, and Representative Feret
    • HB25-1209 – Marijuana Regulation Streamline, sponsored by Representatives Lindstedt and Willford, and Senator Gonzales and Majority Leader Rodriguez
    • HB25-1245 – Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning Improvement Projects in Schools, sponsored by Representatives Lieder and Hamrick, and Senators Kipp and Danielson
    • HB25-1130 – Labor Requirements for Government Construction Projects, sponsored by Representative Carter and Majority Leader Monica Duran, and Senators Danielson and Kolker
    • HB25-1284 – Regulating Apprentices in Licensed Trades, sponsored by Majority Leader Duran and Senator Sullivan
    • SB25-048 – Diabetes Prevention & Obesity Treatment Act, sponsored by Senators Michaelson Jenet and Mullica, and Representatives Brown and Mabrey
    • HB25-1208 – Local Governments Tip Offsets for Tipped Employees, sponsored by Representatives Woodrow and Valdez, and Senators Amabile and Daugherty
    • HB25-1330 – Exempting Quantum Computing Equipment Right to Repair, sponsored by Representatives Titone and Soper, and Senators Hinrichsen and Baisley
    • HB25-1274 – Healthy School Meals for All Program, sponsored by Representative Garcia, and Senators Michaelson Jenet and Wallace

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard urges boating safety ahead of salmon opener

    Source: United States Coast Guard

     

    06/03/2025 07:24 PM EDT

    The Coast Guard, alongside fellow federal, state and local agency partners will be actively patrolling the Northern California waterways during the recreational salmon fishery open period scheduled for June 7 to 8, 2025.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville, Cruz Introduce Resolution to Officially Name June “Life Month”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and 25 senate colleagues in introducing a resolution declaring June as “Life Month” to recognize the historic overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2022.
    “Ever since I got to Washington, I have been a champion for the unborn,” said Senator Tuberville. “If we are going to dedicate entire months to recognizing every group under the sun, the least we can do is dedicate June to protecting the most vulnerable among us. Now that Republicans control the White House, Senate, and House, we have to send a strong message: Republicans are the party that stands up for life.”
    Joining Senators Tuberville and Cruz in introducing the resolution are U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX), Mike Lee (R-UT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Josh Hawley (R-MO), John Kennedy (R-LA), Ted Budd (R-NC), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), James Lankford (R-OK), Roger Marshall (R-KS),  Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Rick Scott (R-FL), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Todd Young (R-IN), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Jim Risch (R-ID), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Hoeven (R-ND), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Tim Scott (R-SC), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Jim Justice (R-WV), and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY).
    This resolution is supported by ADF, Heritage Action, SBA Pro-life, National Right to Life, Human Coalition, Heartbeat International, Family Research Council, Students for Life, Americans United for Life, Family Policy Alliance, Concerned Women for America, Catholic Vote, March for Life, 40 Days for Life, National Pro-Life Alliance, NIFLA, Citizens for Life, Christian Broadcasting Network, Focus on the Family, Liberty Counsel Action, and Eagle Forum.
    Full text of the resolution can be found here.
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Assessing stream health in Virginia with biology and chemistry

    Source: US Geological Survey

    “How do government and nonprofit agencies assess water quality? How do they know what effects a storm or agricultural practice has on stream health? WMRA’s Randi B. Hagi tagged along on a demonstration and filed this report.

    [stream running, insects and birds calling]

    War Branch is a small stream that winds through the poultry, beef, and crop land of Rockingham County before joining Smith Creek, a tributary of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River. It’s the site of a monitoring station where the U.S. Geological Survey is studying how farm conservation practices – such as cover crops and fertilizer management – affect water quality. The fact that it’s a relatively small watershed makes it unique to study.

    It’s draining about 10 square miles of land area up above us. So that’s still a lot that can happen in that area. A lot of farms, a lot of different activities. But most of our longer-term monitoring networks are in larger rivers and streams – think hundreds of square miles. … It’s really hard in those systems to identify specific activities causing changes in the stream chemistry.

    Jimmy Webber

    Jimmy Webber, the Chesapeake Bay associate coordinator for the USGS, led a group of 20-some attendees on a field trip to see the monitoring station. The trip was a part of the Choose Clean Water Conference held in Harrisonburg in mid-May. The group walked through hayfields and pastures down to the grassy stream banks of the War Branch site. Established a year ago, it’s one of five watersheds in the ongoing study. The others are in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

    Monitoring equipment that lies in the stream collects data and uploads it to an online database about every 15 minutes. It’s a metal tube with smaller cylindrical sensors extending from the end – it kind of looks like a cross between a caulk gun and a gatling gun. A tiny motorized brush sweeps off the end of the sensors before each data reading. As Hydrologic Technician Laura Yates explained, the sensors are gauging metrics including water height, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen. She pointed out another one to the group. . .”

    Read or listen to the full article at WMRA Public Radio

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Trump Administration Adds Two DOE Lithium Processing Projects to Federal Permitting Dashboard

    Source: US Department of Energy

    ICYMI— The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) announced increased transparency and accountability for the federal permitting of two Department of Energy (DOE) lithium processing projects, advancing President Trump’s commitment to bolster domestic production of minerals and support American jobs.

    The projects — Kings Mountain and Liberty Owl — increase lithium processing in the United States. Currently, the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) controls 70% of the market, with lithium as a key component in many energy storage and defense applications. Once completed, these projects will help to develop more secure domestic supply chains, strengthening our national security and our economic security.

    The Kings Mountain, NC Project is owned by Albemarle Corporation, a leading provider in lithium that has established extensive capabilities in chemical manufacturing. The Kings Mountain Lithium Material Processing Plant is receiving a $150 million federal award through DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC). This project supports the construction of a new, commercial scale processing facility that will have the capacity to produce 350,000 tons per year of lithium oxide concentrate.

    The Liberty Owl Project in the Texarkana region is owned by TerraVolta, a US-based critical minerals and resources company. This project is receiving a $225 million award through MESC for the construction of a commercial scale lithium extraction and refining facility to produce battery grade lithium from domestic brine resources from the Smackover region.

    These additions to the Federal Permitting Dashboard reflect the Trump Administration’s commitment to strengthen domestic supply chains for critical minerals and materials, reduce dependence on foreign sources and advance President Trump’s bold agenda for American energy dominance through a more secure, affordable and reliable U.S. energy system.

    The Department looks forward to working with federal partners, project sponsors, and developers to ensure these projects move forward with increased transparency, clear project timelines, expedited reviews, and the support needed to strengthen domestic supply chains, drive economic growth and deliver on President Trump’s commitment to unleashing American energy and economic security.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russian airfields could derail Russia’s war efforts

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By James Horncastle, Assistant Professor and Edward and Emily McWhinney Professor in International Relations, Simon Fraser University

    The drone attacks by Ukrainian Operation Spider’s Web forces on Russian airfields have called into question Russia’s supposed military strength.

    Russian authorities have acknowledged damage from the June 1 attacks — an unusual admission that suggests the strikes were probably effective, given Russia’s usual pattern of downplaying or denying the success of Ukrainian operations.

    The operation’s most significant target was the Belaya air base, north of Mongolia. Belaya, like the other bases targeted, is a critical component in the Russian Air Force’s strategic strike capabilities because it houses planes capable of long-range nuclear and conventional strikes.

    It’s also in Irkutsk, approximately 4,500 kilometres from the front lines in Ukraine.



    Read more:
    Ukraine drone strikes on Russian airbase reveal any country is vulnerable to the same kind of attack

    Ukraine’s ability to successfully strike Belaya — an attempted strike at the even more distant Ukrainka air base failed — probably won’t have much of a military impact on the war. But along with successful attacks on other Russian airfields and the strike at the Kerch Bridge in Crimea, Operation Spider Web’s successes could play a strategic role in the conflict.

    These attacks could shift what has become increasingly negative media coverage and public perception about Ukraine’s chances in the war over the last year. In a war of attrition, which the conflict in Ukraine has become, establishing a belief in victory is a pre-condition for success.

    Explosions hit the Kerch Bridge in Russia on June 3, 2025. (The Independent)

    Increased pessimism

    Policymakers and pundits, instead of recognizing their expectations of a Ukrainian victory in 2023 were unrealistic, have often declared that the war is unwinnable for Ukraine.

    This perspective was even more prevalent following United States President Donald Trump’s resumption of power in January 2025. In the Oval Office spat Trump had with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in late February, he declared Ukraine did not “have the cards” to defeat Russia.

    This turned out to be false. Ukraine’s army may possess significantly less military hardware and fewer soldiers than Russia’s, but war is often a continuation of politics. Politically, Russia faces several issues that could derail its war efforts.

    Russian vulnerabilities

    Russia’s military capabilities are important to Russian nationalists, who make up Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s core constituency. Russian military forces have advanced along nearly all fronts in Ukraine over the last year.

    These advances, however, have largely been insignificant. Furthermore, they have emphasized Russia’s military weakness, which is an ongoing affront to Russian nationalists.

    Not only have Russian military advances over the last year not changed the war in a strictly military sense, but the pace of advance has been incredibly slow. Over the last year, Russian forces have captured 5,107 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory. This territory represents less than one per cent of Ukraine’s pre-war territory.

    In exchange for what amounts to negligible gains, Russian armed forces have suffered significant casualties.

    Both Russia and Ukraine carefully guard the number of casualties their forces have suffered in the war. The British Ministry of Defence, however, estimates that Russia will have suffered more than a million casualties in the war by the end of this month. The Russian casualty rate is also accelerating, with an estimated 160,000 casualties in the first four months of 2025.

    Russia attempts to compensate for this battlefield devastation in two ways.

    First, it’s isolated Ukraine by manipulating Trump’s desire for political wins and business deals. Russia, in appearing to seek an end to the conflict while offering no concessions, has stoked tensions between Zelenskyy and Trump, where there was little love lost between the two to begin with.

    Second, Russia has increased its attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. Large-scale bombing does little to help Russia on the battlefield. The attacks, in fact, put its forces at a disadvantage by redirecting munitions from military targets.

    Attacks on civilians

    The attacks on civilian infrastructure, however, are more about instilling fear in the Ukrainian population and demonstrating American impotence to a Russian audience.

    Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian cities also highlight Russia’s trump card: nuclear weapons. Russia, and specifically former Russian president Dimitry Medvedev, has repeatedly threatened nuclear war in an attempt to dissuade Ukraine’s supporters.

    By bombing Ukrainian cities, albeit with conventional munitions, Russia seeks to demonstrate its ability to deploy even more destructive weapons should the situation call for it.

    These Russian military missteps, combined with a Russian economy that is structurally unsound, means that Russia’s war effort is increasingly fragile.

    Weakening Asian alliances

    Ukraine’s attack on Belaya also signals Russian weakness to its nominal allies in Asia.

    Since the start of hostilities, Russia has relied on the tacit consent of China. This support has taken the form of China purchasing Russian crude oil to maintain the Russian economy and Chinese citizens unofficially fighting for Russia.

    Belaya has been a vital element of Russia’s deterrence strategy in Asia, which has come to rely more heavily on the Russian strategic nuclear threat. The inability of Russia to protect one of its key strategic assets from a Ukrainian drone attack, combined with the weakness of Russian conventional forces in Ukraine, erodes its ability to position itself as a key ally to China.

    In fact, some Russian authorities continue to view China as a major threat.

    At the same time, Operation Spider’s Web gives hope to the Ukrainian people. It may also cause Trump — who prefers to back winners — to ponder whether it’s Putin, not Zelenskyy, who lacks the cards to win the war.

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

    – ref. Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russian airfields could derail Russia’s war efforts – https://theconversation.com/ukraines-drone-attacks-on-russian-airfields-could-derail-russias-war-efforts-258049

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Capito Questions Secretary McMahon on Department of Education’s Budget Request

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    [embedded content]
    Click here or on the image above to watch Senator Capito’s questions. 
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), questioned U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon during a hearing to review the president’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request. 
    HIGHLIGHTS:
    ON KEEPING JEWISH STUDENTS SAFE ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES: 
    SENATOR CAPITO: “I want to ask about antisemitism. The morning before our education hearing last year, there were protestors at Colombia University. I asked the then-secretary, how many people from the Office of Civil Rights have you actually had on campus to see what’s occurring there, to see what kind of violation of civil rights might be occurring on the Colombia University campus. And, apparently there was nobody there from the Office of Civil Rights…This is not a problem that’s going away on our college campuses…How are you going to make sure that the department is taking to ensure all students and in this particular case, Jewish students, are able to learn an environment free from intimidation?” 
    ON COMBATTING POOR LITERACY RATES: 
    SENATOR CAPITO: “Let’s talk about literacy. As I mentioned at my opening statement, these test scores are very troubling, I think, and you want to try to figure out how do we attribute to this. It’s not like there’s not great teachers everywhere, all around this country, trying to figure out how to get their students achievement moving up in the right direction. I will say this, my state of West Virginia, the state legislature recognizing this, did allocate additional funds for reading teachers in the very early you know what, grades one through three to try to move our scores up because we have traditionally lower scores. We did actually make it. That did make a difference. Having that extra teacher in the classroom. We can pull the child aside, give them that one on one attention really does make a difference.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Public Servants Sentenced for COVID-19 Relief Fraud

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    Click Here to View the Original U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Press Release

    Angelo Stephen, 33, a former Federal Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officer, and George Arestuche, 47, a former Miami-Dade County Aviation Department employee, were sentenced in separate cases after pleading guilty to defrauding COVID-19 relief programs.

    Angelo Stephen

    On May 22, Stephen was sentenced to four months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $75,513 in restitution by Chief U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga. Chief Judge Altonaga also entered a forfeiture money judgment against Stephen in the additional amount of $71,166. The sentence follows Stephen’s conviction for wire fraud in connection with his fraudulent applications for two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and one Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), as well as his participation in two bank account takeover schemes.

    During his change of plea hearing, Stephen admitted that on August 4, 2020, he submitted a false and fraudulent EIDL application in his own name to the Small Business Administration (SBA), claiming to be an independent contractor and the sole owner of a business that provided event planning and entertainment services with 10 employees.  The EIDL application falsely certified that for the applicable 12-month period, the business had approximately $62,018 in gross revenue and a cost of goods sold of $0. Based on his false and fraudulent application, Stephen received $20,000 in EIDL proceeds from the SBA.

    Stephen additionally admitted to fraudulently obtaining two PPP loans. On April 24, 2021, Stephen submitted a first-draw PPP loan application, claiming to be the sole proprietor of a non-existent business with $106,554 in gross income in 2020. In support of the application, Stephen submitted a fraudulent IRS Form 1040 Schedule C. Based on his false and fraudulent application, Stephen received $20,833 in PPP loan proceeds from an SBA-approved lender.  On May 11, 2021, Stephen submitted a second-draw PPP loan application, making the same false claims about his nonexistent business that was supported by submission of the identical false Schedule C. Based on his false and fraudulent application, Stephen obtained $20,833 in PPP loan proceeds from a different SBA-approved lender.

    Stephen also admitted to taking part in two bank account takeover schemes. On March 30, 2023, Stephen received a $20,000 wire transfer from the account of an unsuspecting victim in Virginia. Stephen quickly withdrew all illegally obtained money through a series of cash withdrawals and Zelle transfers to others. In the second takeover scheme, Stephen and his accomplices obtained new checks from the credit union account of a different unsuspecting victim. Stephen subsequently used one of those checks to obtain $8,500 in cash that he was not entitled to.

    George Arestuche

    On May 28, Arestuche was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Paul C. Huck to five years of probation to include 210 days in home detention and ordered to pay $114,679 in restitution, plus community service. The sentence follows Arestuche’s conviction for conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with his fraudulent application for an EIDL.

    According to the facts admitted at the change of plea hearing, Arestuche and a co-conspirator devised a scheme to defraud the SBA by submitting a false and fraudulent application for Arestuche to obtain an EIDL and EIDL advance. As part of the conspiracy, Arestuche agreed to pay the co-conspirator a large fee.

    On July 9, 2020, Arestuche’s co-conspirator submitted a false and fraudulent EIDL application to the SBA on behalf of Arestuche, claiming that Arestuche was an independent contractor and the sole owner of an automotive repair business with 10 employees. The EIDL application falsely certified that for the applicable 12-month period, the business had $600,000 in gross revenue and a cost of goods sold of $184,000. In reality, Arestuche was not an independent contractor and did not own any type of business.  The EIDL application was supported by a fraudulent IRS Form 1040 Schedule C. As a result of this false and fraudulent EIDL application, Arestuche obtained $149,900 in EIDL proceeds and a $10,000 EIDL advance from the SBA. Arestuche subsequently paid his co-conspirator $17,275 for helping him fraudulently obtain the money from the SBA. Since pleading guilty, Arestuche has paid $50,000 in advance restitution payments.

    U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida; acting Special Agent in Charge Amber Howell of the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General’s Fraud Detection Office (DOJ-OIG); Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG), Eastern Region; acting Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of FBI Miami; and Inspector General Felix Jimenez of the Miami-Dade County Office of Inspector General (MDC-OIG) made the announcement.

    DOJ-OIG and SBA-OIG investigated the Stephen case. SBA-OIG and the FBI’s Miami Area Corruption Task Force, which includes task force officers from the MDC-OIG, investigated the Arestuche case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward N. Stamm prosecuted both cases.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Annika Miranda is handling forfeiture matters in the Stephen case.

    In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was enacted. It was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other sources of relief, the CARES Act authorized and provided funding to the SBA to provide EIDLs to eligible small businesses, including sole proprietorships and independent contractors, experiencing substantial financial disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic to allow them to meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could otherwise have been met had the disaster not occurred.  EIDL applications were submitted directly to the SBA via the SBA’s on-line application website, and the applications were processed and the loans funded for qualifying applicants directly by the SBA.

    On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

    On September 15, 2022, the Attorney General selected the Southern District of Florida’s U.S. Attorney’s Office to head one of three national COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force Teams. The Department of Justice established the Strike Force to enhance existing efforts to combat and prevent COVID-19 related financial fraud. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please click here.

    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case numbers 25-cr-20014 (Stephen) and 25-cr-20001 (Arestuche).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Mt. Etna Eruption, Smart Traveller Enrollment Program

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    “We are closely monitoring Mount Etna’s eruption yesterday… This is also an important reminder for all Americans traveling to enroll in the Smart traveler enrollment program at STEP.state.gov.” — Spokesperson Tammy Bruce

    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
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    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_haDfisPlHw

    MIL OSI Video –