NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Manitoba Government Investing in Construction Project on Provincial Road 224

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    September 20, 2024

    Manitoba Government Investing in Construction Project on Provincial Road 224

    The Manitoba government is investing in making roads safer for Manitobans travelling on Provincial Road (PR) 224 from PR 325 to Fisher River First Nation, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor announced today.

    “Many sections along PR 224 became nearly impassable due to large surface failures caused by the 2024 spring breakup,” said Naylor. “This road is the main access route to Peguis First Nation, Fisher River First Nation and many other communities, and our government is committed to restoring its serviceability.”

    The Manitoba government is investing $18.3 million to reconstruct a 45-kilometre section of PR 224. The project will include excavating failed sections, repairing the subgrade and replacing the surface. Additionally, sections that have not yet failed will receive a thin lift overlay of bituminous asphalt to increase the overall life of the roadway, noted the minister, adding the gravel shoulders along the route will also be reconstructed.

    Construction is expected to be completed in fall 2025, said Naylor.

    Budget 2024 invests $500 million in capital funding to repair and rebuild Manitoba’s highways and public infrastructure to spur economic development and make it easier to get around the province.

    Additional details regarding Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s capital projects can be found on an interactive map at www.gov.mb.ca/mti/mipmap/map.html.

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    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Malliotakis Statement on House’s Passage of The Enhanced Presidential Security Act of 2024

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

    (WASHINGTON, DC) – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis issued the following statement regarding the House’s unanimous passage of H.R. 9106, the Enhanced Presidential Security Act of 2024. 

    “I’m pleased the House unanimously passed legislation I cosponsored with Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) to give President Trump and all major presidential candidates the same security as the sitting President. There is no greater threat to our democracy than an attempt to assassinate a presidential candidate, right before an election.”

    The legislation will direct the Director of the United States Secret Service to apply the same standards for determining the number of agents required to protect Presidents, Vice Presidents, and major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Murray, Rosen, Baldwin Lead Introduction of Resolution Affirming Access to Emergency Health Care, Including Abortion

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    September 20, 2024
    Washington, D.C. –  U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Patty Murray, D-Wash., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., today introduced a resolution that would protect the right to emergency health care, including abortion care, for all patients, regardless of where they live. 
     
    The Every Woman Has the Right to Emergency Health Care resolution comes as new reporting from ProPublica shows Republican abortion bans are preventing women from receiving lifesaving emergency health care and resulting in preventable deaths. 
     
    “As Donald Trump brags about overturning Roe, women are dying because they’re not receiving the health care they need. Doctors are fearing jail time for doing their jobs,” Wyden said. “The fight to restore reproductive health care protections and the right of women everywhere to make choices about their own bodies is the fight of a lifetime – we can’t let Donald Trump and Republicans roll back the clock.”
    “I introduced this resolution alongside my colleagues to simply reaffirm the basic principle that when you go to the ER, doctors should be allowed to treat you, and when you need emergency care—including abortion care—no politician should stop you from getting it,” Murray said. “Yet here in America, in the 21st century, pregnant women die—not because doctors don’t know how to save them, but because doctors don’t know if Republicans will let them. Democrats will keep pressing to fully restore reproductive freedoms for every woman in America and we will continue to put a white-hot spotlight on the devastating, deadly fallout of Donald Trump’s abortion bans.”
    “Since Roe v. Wade was overturned more than two years ago, extreme abortion bans across our nation are restricting women’s ability to get life-saving care,” Rosen said. “All women, regardless of where they live, should be able to access the emergency medical care they need, which is why I’m helping introduce this resolution. I’ll continue standing up for women’s freedom to make decisions over their own bodies and working to restore Roe.”
    “Under our state’s 1849 criminal abortion ban, Wisconsinites learned firsthand what it meant to not have the right to access lifesaving abortion care. For 15 months, we heard stories about women with unviable pregnancies or suffering miscarriages who were denied care until they were on the brink of death all because Republicans overturned Roe v. Wade. These are not exaggerations, they are real stories about what it means when we strip Americans of their freedom to control their own bodies,” Baldwin said. “I’m in this fight until every woman has the freedom to decide what is best for her health, family, and future, without interference from judges and politicians – and that most certainly means when her life depends on it.”
    Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade more than two years ago, nearly two dozen US states led by Republicans have passed, banned, or severely restricted access to abortion. These strict laws have created confusion around the treatment doctors can provide even when a pregnant patient’s life is in danger, as physicians fear they may lose their medical license, be sued, or even be charged with a felony if they perform life-saving emergency care. Despite federal requirements that Medicare-participating hospitals treat and stabilize pregnant patients in need of emergency medical care, women are being turned away from emergency rooms following the Dobbs decision.
    In Moyle v. United States, the U.S. Supreme Court had the opportunity to reaffirm that federal law requires pregnant patients to have access to life-saving emergency care in every state, but instead, the Court dismissed the case and sent it back to the lower courts, effectively punting on making a decision on the case itself. While the litigation continues in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the health and lives of women remain at risk as uncertainty around emergency abortion care persists. A total of 121 Congressional Republicans, including 26 Senators, filed an amicus brief arguing incorrectly that federal law does not require hospitals to provide abortion care as emergency stabilizing care in order to save a patient’s life. 
    In addition to Senators Wyden, Murray, D-Wash., Rosen, D-Nev., and Baldwin, D-Wis., the resolution is cosponsored by Senators Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Laphonza Butler, D-Calif., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Ben Cardin, D-Md., Tom Carper, D-Del., Bob Casey, D-Pa., Chris Coons, D-Del., Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., John Fetterman, D-Pa., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., George Helmy, D-N.J., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawai’i, Tim Kaine, D-Va., Angus King, I-Maine, Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Gary Peters, D-Mich., Jack Reed, D-R.I., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Brian Schatz, D-Hawai’i, Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Mark Warner, D-Va., Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.
    The resolution is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Center for Reproductive Rights, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, Reproductive Freedom For All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, National Women’s Law Center, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Power to Decide, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, Guttmacher Institute, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, All* Above All, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, URGE: Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity, National Council of Jewish Women, and National Partnership for Women and Families.
    Last week, U.S. Representatives Emilia Sykes, D-Ohio, and Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., introduced the House companion to today’s Senate resolution. 
    The text of the resolution is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Huizenga Announces Legislation to Protect Taxpayer Dollars From Funding the Taliban

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

    Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) announced the introduction of H.R. 9503, the Protecting Taxpayer Dollars from Taliban Theft Act. In May 2024, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) found that at least $10.9 million in U.S. taxpayer dollars went to the Taliban in the form of taxes, fees, duties, and utilities. Even more troubling, since the Biden-Harris Administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, the report found that neither the State Department nor USAID have a true accounting of the amount of U.S. taxpayer dollars that were paid to the Taliban by relief organizations operating in Afghanistan and funded by American taxpayers.

    “After leaving billions of dollars in taxpayer funded military equipment in the hands of the Taliban, the Biden-Harris Administration continues to fail American taxpayers,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “It is an absolute disgrace that the Biden-Harris Administration has failed to set up the appropriate safeguards to ensure American taxpayer dollars do not flow into the coffers of the Taliban. With interest payments on our national debt now exceeding what we spend on defense, the federal government must make every effort to end waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars. The Protecting Taxpayer Dollars from Taliban Theft Act is a commonsense measure that will save millions of taxpayer dollars from being wasted and funding the oppressive Taliban regime.”

    The Protecting Taxpayer Dollars from Taliban Theft Act takes the following actions:

    • Prohibits US taxpayer dollars in the form of taxes, fees, duties, and utilities from being paid to the Taliban.
    • Requires the State Department and USAID to promulgate reporting regulations for any payments or withholdings made to the Taliban, state-owned enterprises, or governing institutions in Afghanistan by an implementing partner receiving funding from American taxpayers.
    • Requires the State Department and USAID to amend existing grants and contracts to include language prohibiting these activities.

    Last week, Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee released a report detailing the Biden-Harris Administration’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. Read the report here.

    The Protecting Taxpayer Dollars from Taliban Theft Act is cosponsored by: House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, Congresswoman Maria Salazar, Congressman Mike Lawler, Congressman Keith Self, Congressman Jim Baird, Congressman Warren Davidson, Congressman Michael Guest, Congressman Ben Cline, Congressman Ralph Norman, Congressman Randy Weber, Congressman Josh Brecheen, and Congressman Byron Donalds.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Passes Lankford’s Bill to Reduce Dependence on China and Other Adversarial Nations for Critical Minerals

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford

    OKLAHOMA CITY, OK —The Senate passed legislation authored by Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Mitt Romney (R-UT) to reduce American reliance on China and other adversarial nations for critical minerals.

    “The United States should not depend on communist China to keep our critical mineral supply chain running. Relying on China for critical minerals means relying on our adversary for batteries, medical supplies, and military equipment,” said Lankford. “We need to prioritize American-produced energy solutions and give US suppliers a seat at the table.”   

    “America must reduce its reliance on China and other adversaries for critical minerals and rare earth metals in order to stay competitive on the global economic stage —especially when it comes to the future of electric vehicles and the auto industry,” said Peters. “Our nation’s dependence on foreign sources for these materials creates a serious threat to our national and economic security. My bipartisan legislation will mitigate this growing threat by strengthening our domestic supply chain and creating more good paying jobs here at home.”  

    “By relying on China for critical minerals, we continue to put our economic and national security at risk,” Romney said. “Today’s passage of our legislation is a strong step in the right direction to shore up our supply chains and bolster production of critical minerals here in the United States. I hope to see it passed by the House and signed into law by the President soon.” 

    Critical minerals and rare earth metals are used to manufacture electric vehicle batteries, military equipment, and other technology that is vital to American economic competitiveness and homeland security. China remains the largest source for more than half of the critical minerals on the US Geological Survey’s 2022 list that the United States imports, such as lithium and cobalt. The Senators’ bill would address this threat to our manufacturing supply chains by creating an intergovernmental task force to identify opportunities to increase domestic production and recycling of critical minerals. The bill now moves to the House for consideration.  

    The Intergovernmental Critical Minerals Task Force Act creates a presidential task force with representatives from federal agencies who must consult with state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to determine how to address national security risks associated with America’s critical mineral supply chains. The task force will also identify new domestic opportunities for mining, processing, refinement, reuse, and recycling of critical minerals. The legislation would also require the task force to publish a report to Congress and publish findings, guidelines, and recommendations to combat the United States’ reliance on China and other foreign nations for critical minerals.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Jayapal, Bonamici, Merkley Introduce Legislation to Stop Predatory Payday Lending Practices

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

    WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswomen Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced legislation to protect consumers from predatory payday lending practices.

    The Stopping Abuse and Fraud in Electronic (SAFE) Lending Act of 2024 would safeguard consumers as predatory payday lenders have continued to flourish online despite laws passed by many states to stop abusive lending. Internet lenders hide behind layers of anonymously registered websites and “lead generators” to evade enforcement and can empty consumers’ bank accounts before they have a chance to assert their rights.

    “Payday lenders take advantage of working families, struggling to pay medical bills or rent, by trapping them in a seemingly endless cycle of debt,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. “I’m proud to lead this legislation with Congresswoman Bonamici that would protect consumers across the country by closing loopholes, increasing transparency, and putting an end to these predatory lending practices. Congress has a responsibly to protect hardworking people from bad actors, and that’s exactly what we will accomplish with our SAFE Lending Act.”

    “Predatory payday lenders rob hard-working individuals and families of their resources at a time when they are financially vulnerable,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “The SAFE Lending Act would finally put an end to the unscrupulous practices payday lenders use to trap consumers in an unending cycle of debt.”

    “Predatory payday lenders trap hardworking Americans in an inescapable vortex of debt,” said Senator Jeff Merkley. “Before we kicked payday lenders out of Oregon, they preyed on families in my blue-collar neighborhood. We need strong consumer protections to break this cycle of endless debt for families across America.”

    The SAFE Lending Act is endorsed by the National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low-income clients), Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America, Main Street Alliance, U.S. PIRG, and UnidosUS. It would:

    1. Give Consumers Control of Their Own Bank Accounts

    • Prevent third parties from gaining control of a consumer’s account through remotely created checks (RCCs) – checks from a consumer’s bank account created by third parties. To prevent unauthorized RCCs, consumers would be able to preauthorize exactly who can create an RCC on his or her behalf, such as when traveling.
    • Allow consumers to cancel an automatic withdrawal in connection with a small-dollar loan. This would prevent an internet payday lender from stripping a checking account without a consumer being able to stop it.

     2. Allow Consumers to Regain Control of their Money and Increase Transparency

    • Require all lenders, including banks, to abide by state rules for the small-dollar, payday-like loans they may offer customers in a state. Many individual states currently have much tougher laws than the federal government. There is currently no federal cap on interest or limit on the number of times a loan can be rolled over.
    • Increase transparency and create a better understanding of the small-dollar loan industry by requiring payday lenders to register with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
    • Ban overdraft fees on prepaid cards issued by payday lenders who use them to gain access to consumers’ funds and to add to the already exorbitant costs of payday loans.
    • Require the CFPB to monitor any other fees associated with payday prepaid cards and issue a rule banning any other predatory fees on prepaid cards.

     3. Ban Lead Generators and Anonymous Payday Lending

    • Some websites describe themselves as payday lenders but are actually “lead generators” that collect applications and auction them to payday lenders and others. This practice is rife with abuse and has led to fraudulent debt collection.
    • The SAFE Lending Act bans lead generators and anonymously registered websites in payday lending.

    The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on access to capital on Tribal lands and directs the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to promulgate rules to implement this legislation.  

    A one-page summary of the SAFE Lending Act can be found here. The full text of the legislation can be found here.

    In the House, the legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Susan Wild (D-PA) and Katie Porter (D-CA).

    The Senate, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Tina Smith (D-MN).

    Issues: Jobs, Labor, & the Economy

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: “We Will Not Back Down”: Whip Clark Touts Democrats’ “Commitment to America’s Women”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Katherine Clark (5th District of Massachusetts)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Chair Lois Frankel (FL-22), DWC Vice Chairs Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-3) and Veronica Escobar (TX-18), DWC Communications Co-Chair Shontel Brown (OH-11), DWC Pro-Choice Caucus Liaison Judy Chu (CA-28), and Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-2) to announce the “Commitment to America’s Women,” a platform reaffirming Democrats’ commitment to safeguarding reproductive freedom, lowering costs, strengthening economic security, and opposing MAGA Republicans’ continued attacks on women and girls. Below is a transcript of her remarks: 

    “So grateful to all my colleagues for being here and to Chair Frankel for your leadership of the Democratic Women’s Caucus. In the face of a politics-first MAGA Majority, the DWC has been a force for women’s freedom, for their dignity and prosperity.

    “I am proud to stand with my colleagues in making a solemn commitment to American women. We will not back down from this fight. We will not allow extremists to prioritize their ideology over your wellbeing. We will always defend your basic rights. 

    “Our country faces a choice between two radically different visions for the future of our daughters and our granddaughters. You’ve heard what that means for reproductive freedom. You’ve heard about the need to lower costs. Because this is also about economic opportunity. The ability to have a job, to pursue a career, and raise a family. The ability not just to get by but get ahead. Let’s look at early education.

    “Women know the cost of child care is painfully — outrageously — high. We know it pushes 4 out of 10 families into debt. Trump thinks that child care is — quote — ‘not that expensive.’ 

    “We want to lower those costs and open more classrooms in more neighborhoods. Trump wants to eliminate Head Start. It’s all written down in Project 2025. We want to pay early educators a fair wage. Trump proposes to cut school funding in half, fire teachers, and shut down the Department of Education. 

    “That’s the stark difference between our two plans. Democrats are ready to move our country forward and build a future worthy of our children. A future where every family can afford to give their child a great start. 

    “So, let’s reject the extremism and build that better future. It’s my pleasure to yield to a leader who’s been helping us get there. My friend from the land of enchantment, New Mexico, Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández.” 

    Photos of the event can be found HERE, the full event can be viewed HERE

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Announces $200 Million for Moses Lake’s Group 14 to Help Power America’s Battery Manufacturing Sector, Create 300 Local Jobs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Murray is the Chair of the full Senate Appropriations Committee and the subcommittee that funds the Department of Energy, and has made investments in clean energy and American manufacturing and innovation a top funding priority for the federal government
    ICYMI FROM AUGUST 2023: Senator Murray Discusses New Clean Energy Jobs and Opportunities at Big Bend Community College’s Workforce Training Center in Moses Lake
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Chair of the Energy & Water Development Appropriations subcommittee, announced $200 million in federal funding to help Moses Lake’s Group 14 build a new facility to produce silane. Silane gas is critical for the development and manufacturing of new energy storage devices and advanced batteries. The proposed facility would produce silane in Moses Lake at a significantly reduced capital and energy requirement from the conventional process and be capable of directly feeding silane to multiple silicon anode powder manufacturers via pipeline or container, alleviating a critical bottleneck for the industry.
    “For America to continue building a stronger, cleaner economy and leading the world in new technologies, we have to strengthen our supply chains and invest in bringing the industries that are powering the future to states like Washington—and that’s exactly what this funding from our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will do,” said Senator Murray. “This investment isn’t just bringing hundreds of millions of dollars to Moses Lake, it is bringing hundreds of jobs to Moses Lake and helping our country ramp up production of a key resource that is necessary to make batteries. The new Group14 facility in Washington state will reduce America’s dependence on countries like China for silane gas and provide a crucial foundation to build even more domestic manufacturing of other products for years to come. We are building a stronger clean energy economy while creating good-paying union jobs in our rural communities—this is a win for Moses Lake, for union workers, our future, and our entire economy.”
    By manufacturing and delivering large commercial volumes of transformational silicon-based anode material named SCC55 , Group14 is seeking to support the global transition from fossil fuels to a green energy future with a net zero-carbon economy.
    However, manufacturing large commercial volumes of silicon-based anode materials in the U.S. requires commensurately large-scale commercial access to silane gas. The objective of this project is to install, commission, and operate a U.S.-based silane manufacturing plant.
    While the largest source of silane today is China, Group14 and other silicon battery companies must strategically source this critical raw material domestically to support EV-scale battery production and reduce foreign battery supply chain dependence. Approximately 80% of the largest available source of silane produced in the U.S. is controlled by a single company and earmarked for solar polysilicon. Additional domestic silane capacity is required to develop the silicon battery industry.
    The proposed project will create more than 300 jobs to construct the plant and retain 150 employees to commission, ramp up, and sustain production. Group14 will be meeting quarterly with the Washington Building Trades to collaborate on ensuring there is a skilled workforce to complete the project on time and on budget. In addition, Group14 will use its Project Advisory Council and Youth Advisory Council for local residents to provide feedback on the project and address issues early on in the project. Group14 anticipates that it will provide funding to help support workforce development in the local community.
    As Appropriations Chair, Senator Murray is supporting key investments to ensure the federal government can deliver grants and loans to develop a diversified portfolio of projects that help deliver a durable and secure battery manufacturing supply chain for the American people. In the Fiscal Year 2025 Senate energy bill Murray authored and passed out of committee, she secured $17.74 billion for the Department of Energy’s non-defense programs, a $296 million increase over Fiscal Year 2024. That funding includes key investments to boost renewable energy and strengthen our energy grid. Murray is currently working to pass this bill into law before the end of the year.
    Murray visited Moses Lake just last year to tour Big Bend Community College’s Workforce Training Center and hold a roundtable discussion on how new clean energy investments are bringing career opportunities to communities like Moses Lake while helping tackle the climate crisis. Murray’s visit came shortly after Group14 broke ground on their battery materials manufacturing facility in Moses Lake—with a boost from climate incentives Murray secured in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Collins, King Announce More Than $2,000,000 for Police Departments in Maine

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Angus King announced that six Maine police departments have been awarded a total of $2,075,000 through the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant programs. The various programs overseen by the COPS office support numerous initiatives for local police departments, including improved hiring practices, school violence prevention, community policing development, and mental health wellness for law enforcement officers and their families.

    “Law enforcement officers willingly place themselves in harm’s way to protect our communities. It is our responsibility to equip them with the resources they need,” said Senators Collins and King. “This important funding will help improve community policing across the State of Maine, enhance school safety, and provide essential mental health support for law enforcement officers.”

    The COPS grant funding awarded to Maine law enforcement agencies falls into four distinct categories:

    • COPS Hiring Program (CHP): More than $157 million was awarded to 235 agencies nationwide to hire nearly 1,200 entry-level law enforcement officers, aimed at increasing community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts.
      • In Maine, the recipients include:
        • Town of Rangeley: $125,000
        • Rumford Police Department: $250,000
        • City of Westbrook: $250,000
    • School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP): Approximately $73 million was awarded to 203 school districts and government entities across the country to enhance security on school grounds, improving safety measures for students and staff.
      • In Maine, the recipients include:
        • Lewiston Public Schools: $500,000
        • Maine School Administrative District 17: $500,000
    • Community Policing Development (CPD): This program provided more than $25.1 million nationwide to support crisis intervention teams, accreditation efforts, and innovative policing strategies, all aimed at improving community relations and law enforcement capabilities.
      • In Maine, the recipient of this funding is:
        • Rumford Police Department (supporting law enforcement agencies seeking accreditation in Oxford County): $250,000
    • Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness (LEMHWA) Program: More than $9 million was awarded nationwide to improve the delivery of mental health and wellness services for law enforcement officers and support staff.
      • In Maine, the recipient of this funding is:
        • Maine Indian Township Tribal Government: $200,000

    These grants are part of a broader national effort by the DOJ’s COPS office to combat opioid and methamphetamine distribution, prepare for active shooter situations, and support technical assistance and hiring programs for law enforcement agencies.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Passes Congressman Meuser’s Protecting U.S. Business Sovereignty Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-9)

    Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4790, the Prioritizing Economic Growth Over Woke Policies Act, introduced by Congressman Bill Huizenga. The bill includes a beneficial provision authored by Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA), H.R. 4653, the Protecting U.S. Business Sovereignty Act.

    Rep. Meuser’s legislation specifically targets foreign overreach by addressing the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), requiring the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to study how this EU directive harms U.S. businesses.

    CSDDD imposes politically motivated environmental and social mandates on U.S. businesses operating in European markets, threatening U.S. economic sovereignty, and harming our economy. Any U.S. business that does $100 million in revenue in the EU is captured and forced to comply or face heavy penalties.

    “Let me be clear—Republicans are not against ESG as an investment choice,” said Congressman Meuser. “If individual investors want to prioritize environmental, social, or governance factors, that’s their freedom. What we oppose is when these ideological views are mandated—when investors and businesses are forced to comply with burdensome regulations that prioritize political ideology over profitability.”

    Congressman Meuser’s legislation prioritizes economic growth, limits regulatory overreach, and safeguards the freedom of choice for American investors. Congressman Meuser urges the Senate to swiftly pass this important legislation to ensure American businesses and investors are protected from harmful, unnecessary mandates.

    Text of H.R. 4653, the Protecting U.S. Business Sovereignty Act, can be found here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Sues Wisconsin Townships to Ensure Accessible Voting

    Source: United States Attorneys General 6

    Department Secures Agreement with Lawrence, Wisconsin, to Resolve Voting Rights Lawsuit

    The Justice Department announced today that is has filed a complaint against the Town of Thornapple, Wisconsin, and the State of Wisconsin for violations of Section 301 of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), which requires polling places to be equipped with at least one voting machine that is accessible to voters with disabilities during federal elections. The department also secured an agreement with the Town of Lawrence, Wisconsin, to resolve its complaint alleging HAVA violations.

    “Our democracy works when voters with disabilities have the right to vote on the same terms as any other voter,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “By failing to offer accessible voting systems, Thornapple and Lawrence shirked their responsibilities under the Help America Vote Act to provide equal access to the ballot for all voters. We must ensure that all Wisconsin towns, and indeed all jurisdictions throughout our country, fulfill their duty to guarantee all voters equal access to the ballot. We commend Lawrence for working with the Justice Department to swiftly remedy this violation by taking simple action to ensure that federal elections are accessible to all eligible voters.” 

    “Ensuring equal voting access to all citizens, including those voters with disabilities, is a priority of this office,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea for the Western District of Wisconsin. “We’re pleased that the representatives of the Town of Lawrence agreed to remedy the violations of federal law, and we will continue to work to protect and vindicate the voting rights of voters with disabilities in Wisconsin.”

    Congress passed HAVA in 2002 in part to make in-person voting more accessible for voters with disabilities. Among other things, Section 301 of HAVA requires that each polling place used for federal elections provide at least one voting system that provides voters with disabilities the same opportunity for access and participation as other voters are provided, including the same opportunity to cast ballots privately and independently.

    The complaint alleges that Thornapple and Lawrence violated HAVA by deliberately failing to make accessible voting machines available to voters in certain 2024 federal elections. Specifically, the department alleges that Thornapple violated Section 301 of HAVA by failing to make available at least one accessible voting machine during Wisconsin’s April 2 and Aug. 13 federal primary elections. It also alleges that Lawrence failed to provide an accessible voting machine during the April federal primary election. Both the Thornapple and Lawrence Town Boards voted in 2023 to stop using the accessible voting machines the towns had previously used. Thornapple has neither revisited nor reversed that decision. Lawrence reversed its decision on Sept. 9 as part of its agreement with the department. The complaint alleges that the State of Wisconsin did not ensure that every polling place within the state was accessible to voters with disabilities, as required by federal law. 

    Under the department’s agreement with Lawrence, which is subject to court approval and was filed in conjunction with the complaint, Lawrence will make an accessible voting machine available at every polling place operated by the town in subsequent federal elections and will train its election and municipal staff on the operation of such equipment. The proposed consent decree resolves claims only against Lawrence; litigation against Thornapple and the state will proceed.

    The department also filed a motion for immediate injunctive relief against the Town of Thornapple to remedy the violations of HAVA. Among other things, the department’s motion requests an order requiring Thornapple to ensure that, during the Nov. 5 federal general election, every Thornapple polling place has at least one accessible voting machine.

    More information about voting and elections is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting. Learn more about HAVA and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section. Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Summit of the Future: Opening Ceremony & Plenary segment | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    The Summit of the Future (22-23 September 2024) is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance cooperation on critical challenges and address gaps in global governance, reaffirm existing commitments including to the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Charter, and move towards a reinvigorated multilateral system that is better positioned to positively impact people’s lives.

    —

    Strengthening of the United Nations system – Item 123: Summit of the Future

    09:00 to 10:00: Opening segment

    – Adoption of the outcome document entitled “A Pact for the Future”, agreed in advance by consensus through intergovernmental negotiations, to which the Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations would be annexed if intergovernmentally agreed

    – Opening statements

    President of the General Assembly
    Secretary-General of the United Nations
    Youth representatives: Ms. Monica Malith; Mr. Ghanim Mohammed Al Muftah; Ms. Niria Alicia Garcia
    President, Republic of Namibia
    Chancellor, Federal Republic of Germany

    10:00 to 15:00: Plenary segment

    The Summit of the Future is a high-level event, bringing world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future.

    Effective global cooperation is increasingly critical to our survival but difficult to achieve in an atmosphere of mistrust, using outdated structures that no longer reflect today’s political and economic realities.

    World leaders will convene at the United Nations to adopt the Pact for the Future, which will include a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations as annexes.

    Website: https://www.un.org/en/summit-of-the-future

    Programme: https://www.un.org/en/summit-of-the-future/programme

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejOoz_OhEZ0

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Former Government Official Arrested for Acting as Unregistered Agent of South Korean Government

    Source: US State of California

    Sue Mi Terry Provided South Korean Intelligence Officers Access, Information and Advocacy in Exchange for Luxury Goods and Funding

    Note: View the indictment here.

    Sue Mi Terry, 54, of New York, New York, was arrested yesterday and presented on criminal charges related to offenses under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

    According to court documents, after leaving U.S. government service and for more than a decade, Terry worked as an agent of the government of the Republic of Korea (ROK), commonly known as South Korea, without registering as a foreign agent with the Attorney General, as required by law. As covertly directed by ROK government officials, Terry publicly advocated ROK policy positions, disclosed non-public U.S. government information to ROK intelligence officers and enabled ROK officials to gain access to U.S. government officials. In exchange for these actions, ROK intelligence officers provided Terry with luxury goods, expensive dinners and more than $37,000 in funding for a public policy program focusing on Korean affairs that Terry controlled.

    From in or about 2001 to in or about 2011, Terry served in a series of positions in the U.S. government, including as an analyst on East Asian issues for the Central Intelligence Agency, as the Director for Korea, Japan and Oceanic Affairs for the White House National Security Council and as the Deputy National Intelligence Officer for East Asia at the National Intelligence Council. Since leaving government service in or about 2011, Terry has worked at academic institutions and think tanks in New York City and Washington, D.C. Terry has made media appearances, published articles and hosted conferences as a policy expert specializing in, among other things, South Korea, North Korea and various regional issues impacting Asia. Terry has also testified before Congress on at least three occasions regarding the U.S. government’s policy toward Korea.

    As she admitted in a voluntary interview with the FBI in 2023, Terry served as a valuable “source” of information for the ROK National Intelligence Service (ROK NIS), the primary intelligence agency for the ROK. For example, in or about June 2022, Terry participated in a private, off-the-record group meeting with a U.S. Secretary level official regarding the U.S. Government’s policy toward North Korea. Immediately after the meeting, Terry’s primary ROK NIS point of contact, or handler, picked up Terry in a car with ROK Embassy diplomatic plates. While in the car, Terry passed her handler detailed handwritten notes of her meeting, which were written on the letterhead of a think tank where Terry had recently worked. Terry’s handler then photographed the notes while still sitting in the car with Terry.

    Weeks later, at the request of her ROK NIS handler, Terry hosted a happy hour for Congressional staff. Although the happy hour was ostensibly on behalf of the think tank where Terry worked, the ROK NIS paid for it with Terry’s knowledge. Terry’s handler attended the event and posed as a diplomat, mingling with Congressional staff without disclosing that he was, in fact, an ROK intelligence officer. 

    ROK government rewarded Terry for her services. For example, Terry’s ROK NIS handlers gifted her a $2,950 Bottega Veneta handbag and a $3,450 Louis Vuitton handbag, both of which Terry selected during shopping trips with her handlers. One of Terry’s ROK NIS handlers also gifted her a $2,845 Dolce & Gabbana coat. In addition to luxury goods, Terry’s ROK NIS handlers provided her expensive meals, including at Michelin-starred restaurants. Terry’s ROK NIS handlers also deposited approximately $37,000 into an unrestricted “gift” account that Terry controlled at the think tank where she worked. In addition, ROK government officials paid Terry to write articles in both the U.S. and Korean press conveying positions and phrases dictated by the ROK government.

    Terry is charged with one count of conspiracy to violate FARA and one count of failure to register under FARA. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York and Executive Assistant Director Robert R. Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch made the announcement. 

    The FBI’s Counterintelligence Division and New York Field Office are investigating the case with assistance from the FBI Washington Field Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kyle A. Wirshba, Alexander Li and Sam Adelsberg for the Southern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Christopher M. Rigali of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cartwright’s minions caught lying about Rob Bresnahan

    Source: US National Republican Congressional Committee

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –

    September 20, 2024

    Congressman Cartwright’s minions got caught running an ad about Rob Bresnahan that was so misleading that the ad was pulled off the air.

    “Do-nothing Congressman Cartwright and his minions have nothing else to run on except lies and distortions about Rob Bresnahan. None of Cartwright’s desperate lies will hide the fact that Rob has worked to grow a successful business that provides 150 good-paying union jobs to the people of Pennsylvania.” — NRCC Spokesman Mike Marinella

    Read more from Broad & Libertyhere or see excerpts below.

    Pelosi-allied PAC hits Bresnahan with another unfounded claim, stops ad
    Broad and Liberty
    Bradley Vasoli
    September 20, 2024

    House Majority PAC (HMP), the political outfit that recently mischaracterized northeastern Pennsylvania congressional candidate Rob Bresnahan’s (R) abortion stance, just ran another inaccurate advertisement. 
     
    The new ad was so misleading about Bresnahan, currently running in the 8th Congressional District against Democrat incumbent Matt Cartwright, that Bresnahan was able to get the ad canceled from airing.
     
    The video depicts several costumed, prop-toting narrators taking turns bemoaning what they see as the Republican’s professional shortcomings. One young man holding a skateboard says, “Rob Bresnahan was handed the keys to his family fortune as a teenager.” Then a twenty-something male in a matte cap and gown complains, “Most of us get diplomas; Bresnahan was given a company.” 
     
    But no evidence suggests anyone gave Exeter-based Kuharchik Construction to Bresnahan. Yes, Bresnahan’s grandfather started the electrical contracting firm and Bresnahan became its CFO when he was nineteen. Nevertheless, long before the candidate launched his congressional bid, he attested to buying the entity from his grandparents after graduating college.
     
    In a March 2022 appearance on the On the Stacks podcast, Bresnahan recalled purchasing the company only after meeting his grandmother’s condition that he receive “a four-year college degree from an approved university of her choosing.” He graduated from the University of Scranton in 2012 and, according to his attorney’s missive to TV broadcasters, bought the family business at a fair-market rate. He was no longer “a teenager” like the ad said he was. 
     
    “In fact, he purchased a debt-laden business and turned it into a successful operation, something HMP certainly doesn’t want viewers to know,” lawyer Jessica Johnson of the Holtzman Vogel firm wrote to station executives. “This advertisement is, at best, ignorant, and, at worst, intentionally deceitful. Regardless, it cannot be permitted to continue to air on your stations or elsewhere. With so much at stake this election, voters at the very least deserve to be told the truth about their candidates.”
     
    Incidentally, the ad’s comment that “most of us get diplomas” also doesn’t jibe with local reality; no county in the district has a majority college-graduation rate for adults aged 25-64. Post-secondary degree-holders comprise 43 percent of that demographic in Lackawanna, 38 percent in Pike, 38 percent in Luzerne, 37 percent in Monroe and 31 percent in Wayne. Bresnahan, at any rate, has a diploma, despite the video insinuating that he doesn’t.
     
    This isn’t the first time HMP put an erroneous anti-Bresnahan spot on the airwaves. In late summer, the PAC released a TV ad stating the candidate wanted to “pass a national abortion ban [with] no exceptions,” something he went on record opposing on August 14. HMP didn’t answer a request for comment before Broad + Liberty published that story nor did the committee respond to an inquiry about the newer ad depicting Kuharchik’s ownership transfer as a gift. 
     
    […]

    Read more here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sens. Tim and Rick Scott Introduce Legislation to Bolster Security for Presidential Nominees Following Trump Assassination Attempts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) led 11 of their senate colleagues in introducing the Protect Our Presidents Act, which will enhance the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) protection for presidential nominees to the same level currently provided to a sitting U.S. president.

    “Over the past three months, we’ve seen two assassination attempts on a presidential candidate; it is clear action needs to be taken,” said Senator Tim Scott. “I am glad to join the efforts to beef up protections for presidential candidates at a time when reckless, inflammatory rhetoric is inciting acts of violence. This commonsense legislation needs to be taken up immediately.”

    “Over the course of just 65 days, two deranged individuals have tried to kill President Donald Trump, and one was able to shoot him in the head. It is unthinkable that this could happen in America today, and it demands the immediate action of Congress. Today, I am leading 12 of my Republican colleagues to introduce the Protect Our Presidents Act which mandates that the USSS provide the same level of protective services to presidential nominees that it affords to sitting presidents. President Trump has great officers and agents working around the clock to keep him safe, but it’s clear that the vile rhetoric on the left toward President Trump has made him a target and more resources are required to ensure the safety of him and his family. I urge Senate Democrats to join Republicans to quickly pass this bill that will support the protection of President Trump and all future presidential nominees,” said Senator Rick Scott.

    “The past two assassination attempts on President Trump have been alarming. It is clear safeguards are needed to ensure presidential nominees are safe from violence. I urge my colleagues to pass this bill to provide additional protection to presidential nominees,” said Senator Rubio.

    “The two attempts on President Trump’s life and the failures of the U.S. Secret Service have put the threat of assassination at the forefront of Americans’ concerns. With the Protect Our Presidents Act, will ensure American Presidents and presidential candidates receive the highest level of security. We cannot let our guard down,” said Senator Risch.

    “After two assassination attempts and very real threats directed at President Trump, it is long past time that all nominees receive the highest level of presidential protection. If we cannot keep all candidates safe, our entire system of government will be in peril. That’s why I’m proud to join Senator Rick Scott’s effort to protect candidates for the highest office in the land,” said Senator Budd.

    Senator Barrasso wrote, “Our nation has witnessed two horrifying assassination attempts on President Trump. We were merely inches away from a catastrophic event that would have changed the course of our history. This cannot happen again. The Protect Our Presidents Act will ensure all presidential nominees receive the same level of protection provided to the president. This will give law enforcement the resources they need to keep President Trump and all of the candidates safe.”

    “Ideas we do not align with and policies we do not agree with are not threats to democracy.  Allowing would-be assassins the opportunity to shoot a former president in the ear or to get within firing range to attempt to do so again within the span of just a few short weeks is.  President Trump should have the same level of protective service he had while President, and so should all future presidential nominees from any party.  This should not be political,” said Senator Crapo.

    “In two months, there have been two unprecedented assassination attempts on President Trump’s life. Enough is enough, the current level of Secret Service protection around President Trump is insufficient. It is clear to every American that the threats to President Trump have reached a level that warrants additional security. That’s why we are demanding that President Trump receive the same amount of security resources as the President and Vice President,” said Senator Marshall.

    “The two confirmed assassination attempts against former President Trump have made it abundantly clear that we need to shore up protection details for presidential candidates. What President Trump and his family have gone through in the last 65 days is unimaginable. No presidential candidate should fear for their safety or the wellbeing of their family. I am partnering with Senator Rick Scott to ensure President Trump and all future presidential nominees have the protection they need so they can focus on promoting their respective platforms, not fearing for their safety,” said Senator Lummis.

    Senators Tim Scott and Rick Scott are joined in introducing the legislation by Senators Roger Marshall, Jim Risch, James Lankford, Marco Rubio, Josh Hawley, Ted Budd, Mike Crapo, John Barrasso, Cynthia Lummis, Ted Cruz, and Mike Braun.

    Specifically, the Protect Our Presidents Act would:

    • Require the USSS to provide presidential nominees the same level of protection provided to the president, as well as any necessary protective measures.
      • The nominee may decline the increased protection if they so choose. 
    • Mandate regular reporting:
      • The USSS must brief and report on the status of the presidential nominee’s protection to the Speaker of the House, the House Minority Leader, the Senate Majority Leader, the Senate Minority Leader, members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and the House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee every 15 days during a presidential election year.
      • This report will include the threat level for each presidential nominee, the security measures being implemented, associated costs, the number of personnel permanently assigned to each protective detail, and any unmet security needs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Minister of State for Education and Development of North East Region, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Highlights Landmark Developments in Assam

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 10:07PM by PIB Delhi

    Minister of State for Education and Development of the North East Region, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, visited Guwahati today to inaugurate key projects and review advancements in the educational and research sectors.

    Inauguration of Central Animal and In Vitro Drug Testing Facilities at NIPER

    At the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) – Guwahati, the first national pharma institute in Northeast India, Dr. Majumdar inaugurated the Central Animal and In Vitro Drug Testing Facilities. Sponsored by the North Eastern Council under the aegis of Ministry of DoNER, these facilities were funded under the Science & Technology Intervention in North Eastern Region (STINER) programme.

    “This project aligns with the visionary leadership of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji, transforming Northeast India into a beacon of development and innovation,” Dr. Majumdar stated. The facilities, with an investment of ₹20 crore, will advance research on herbal medicines from indigenous plants.

    Key Objectives of the Facility:

    • Establish a fully equipped Animal House for drug discovery.
    • Evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional medicines.
    • Create a breeding facility for Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) animals.
    • Conduct skill development programs for students.

     

     

     

    During his visit, Dr. Majumdar planted a sapling as part of the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, which aims to plant 80 crore trees by September 2024 and 140 crore by March 2025. This initiative reflects a deep commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development.

    Review Meeting at IIT Guwahati on Higher Education

    Dr. Majumdar chaired a review meeting at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati to assess the status and prospects of Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in Assam and North East India. Discussions focused on enhancing education quality and infrastructure development, with the goal of empowering the youth of our nation.

     

    Inauguration of the Centre for Brahmaputra Studies at Gauhati University

    Later, Dr. Majumdar inaugurated the Centre for Brahmaputra Studies Building at Gauhati University, aimed at sustainable development and research on the Brahmaputra River. The Centre will be a hub for research, policy-making, and knowledge sharing, providing critical insights for the millions reliant on the river.

    “This Centre reflects our government’s vision for holistic development in the North East, rooted in sustainability and innovation,” he remarked.

    Key Features of the Centre for Brahmaputra Studies:

    • Conduct multidisciplinary research on the Brahmaputra’s impact.
    • Establish a data repository for research and policymaking.
    • Collaborate with national and international institutions to address challenges like floods and erosion.
    • Focus on capacity building through training and awareness programs.

    Supported by the North Eastern Council (NEC) with a funding of ₹28 crores, the Centre is poised to become a globally recognized institution dedicated to addressing the challenges of the Brahmaputra River.

    Dr. Majumdar emphasized that under Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the Ministry of DoNER is committed to enriching the education sector in North East India, positioning it as a hub of knowledge and development that contributes to the nation’s progress.

    SB/

    (Release ID: 2057234) Visitor Counter : 12

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ERO Washington, D.C. arrests convicted Ethiopian felon charged with abduction, poisoning and sex crimes

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C. apprehended an unlawfully present 24-year-old Ethiopian felon charged in Northern Virginia with felony abduction of person with intent to defile; felony poison by other method; and felony object sexual penetration by force, threat or incapacity. Officers with ERO Washington, D.C.’s Special Response Team arrested Besam Semirali Bashwie Sept. 6 in Alexandria. Bashwie was previously convicted in Alexandria of conspiracy to violate racketeering provisions.

    “Besam Semirali Bashwie stands accused of some detestable and disturbing crimes against a Virginia resident,” said ERO Washington, D.C. Field Office Director Liana Castano. “ERO Washington, D.C. will not tolerate the victimization of our residents by egregious noncitizen criminals. We will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing such offenders from our neighborhoods.”

    Bashwie lawfully entered the United States April 19, 2019. However, he violated the lawful terms of his admission.

    Alexandria Police arrested Bashwie June 15, 2021, for racketeering charges.

    The Alexandria Circuit Court convicted Bashwie Jan. 25, 2022, of felony conspiracy to violate racketeering provisions and sentenced him to five years in prison. The court then suspended three years, 11 months and 26 days of the prison sentence.

    Fairfax County Police arrested Bashwie Jan. 19, 2023, for driving while intoxicated. Later that day, ERO lodged an immigration detainer against Bashwie with the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. The detention center refused to honor the and released Bashwie without notifying ERO Washington, D.C.

    Between Feb. 18 and May 16, authorities in Alexandria and Arlington arrested Bashwie for obstruction of justice; felony abduction of person with intent to defile; felony poison by other method; and felony object sexual penetration, by force, threat or incapacity.

    ERO Washington lodged an immigration detainer against Bashwie on May 16 with the Arlington County Jail; however, the jail refused to honor the ICE detainer and released Bashwie back into the community without notifying ERO Washington, D.C.

    Arlington County Police again arrested Bashwie May 30 for violating a protection order.

    Officers from ERO Washington, D.C.’s Special Response Team arrested Bashwie Sept. 6, 2024, in Alexandria.

    Detainers are critical public safety tools because they focus enforcement resources on removable noncitizens who have been arrested for criminal activity. Detainers increase the safety of all parties involved — ERO personnel, law enforcement officials, removable noncitizens and the public — by allowing an arrest to be made in a secure and controlled custodial setting as opposed to at-large within the community. Because detainers result in the direct transfer of a noncitizen from state or local custody to ERO custody, they also minimize the potential that an individual will reoffend. Additionally, detainers conserve scarce government resources by allowing ERO to take criminal noncitizens into custody directly rather than expending resources locating these individuals at-large.

    ERO conducts removals of individuals without a lawful basis to remain in the United States, including at the order of immigration judges with Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review. The Executive Office for Immigration Review is a separate entity from the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Immigration judges in these courts make decisions based on the merits of each individual case, determining if a noncitizen is subject to a final order of removal or eligible for certain forms of relief from removal.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in your community on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROWashington.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Public Service Commission declares result based on written part of the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (Ii), 2024

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 9:27PM by PIB Delhi

    On the basis of the result of the written part of the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination, (II) 2024 held by the Union Public Service Commission on 1st September, 2024, candidates with the under mentioned Roll Nos. have qualified for interview by the Services Selection Board(SSB) of the Ministry of Defence for Admission to Army, Navy and Air Force Wings of the National Defence Academy for the 154th Course and for the 116thIndian Naval Academy Course (INAC) commencing from 2nd July, 2025. The result is also available at Commission’s website www.upsc.gov.in.

    2. The candidature of all the candidates, whose Roll Nos. are shown in thelist is provisional. In accordance with the conditions of their admission to the examination, “candidates are requested to register themselves online on the Indian Army Recruiting website joinindianarmy.nic.in within two weeks of announcement of written result. The successful candidates would then be allotted Selection Centres and dates, of SSB interview which shall be communicated on registered e-mail ID. Any candidate who has already registered earlier on the site will not be required to do so. In case of any query/ Login problem, e-mail be forwarded to dir-recruiting6-mod[at]nic[dot]in.”

     “Candidates are also requested to submit original certificates of Age and Educational Qualification to respective Service Selection Boards (SSBs) during the SSB interview.” The candidates must not send the Original Certificates to the Union Public Service Commission. For any further information, the candidates may contact Facilitation Counter near Gate ‘C’ of the Commission, either in person or on telephone Nos. 011-23385271/011-23381125/011-23098543 between 10:00 hours and 17:00 hours on any working day. In addition for SSB/interview related matter the candidates may contact over telephone No. 011-26175473 or joinindianarmy.nic.in for Army as first choice, 011-23010097/

    Email:officer-navy[at]nic[dot]in or joinindiannavy.gov.in for Navy/Naval Academy as first choice and 011-23010231 Extn.7645/7646/7610 or www.careerindianairforce.cdac.in for Air Force as first choice.

    3 The mark-sheets of the candidates, will be put on the Commission’s website within fifteen (15) days from the date of publication of final result.(After concluding SSB Interviews) and will remain available on the website for a period of thirty (30) days.

    Click here to see Result:

    ****

    AG

    (Release ID: 2057218) Visitor Counter : 51

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman McCaul Announces Markup on Various Measures

    Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs

    Media Contact 202-226-8467

    Washington, D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul announced the full committee will hold a markup to consider various measures on Tuesday, September 24th. 

    What: Markup to find Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt of Congress, as well as nine measures, including H.R. 8683, H.R. 9564, H.R. ___, H.Res. 1348, H.R. 9172, H.R. 9718, H.Res. 1449, H.Res. 1435, and H.R. 9082.

    Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2024

    Time: 10:15am ET

    Location: Rayburn 2172

    MARKUP OF:

    Committee Report, Recommending the House of Representatives find Antony Blinken, Secretary, U.S. Department of State, in contempt of Congress for refusal to comply with a subpoena duly issued by the Committee on Foreign Affairs;

    H.R. 8683, To require the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State to monitor efforts by the People’s Republic of China to build or buy strategic foreign ports, and for other purposes;

    H.R. 9564, To authorize the imposition of sanctions with respect to the Houthis, and for other purposes;

    H.R. ___, To amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to modify requirements regarding management of the United States Agency for International Development, and for other purposes;

    H.Res. 1348, Urging the Government of Nigeria to immediately release Tigran Gambaryan from imprisonment;

    H.R. 9172, To establish the Precursor Chemical Destruction Initiative to promote bilateral counterdrug interdiction efforts with the governments of specified countries, and for other purposes;

    H.R. 9718, To provide for the approval of the Amendment to the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for Cooperation on the Uses of Atomic Energy for Mutual Defense Purposes;

    H.Res. 1449, Condemning the global rise of antisemitism and calling upon countries and international bodies to counter antisemitism;

    H.Res. 1435, Raising concern about the proposed constitutional reforms in Mexico; and

    H.R. 9082, To direct the Secretary of State to host regular Summits of the Americas, and for other purposes.

    Documents:

    ***NOTE: Measures may be added or changed. Check here for updates.***

    ***Coverage note: All committee proceedings are webcast live here.***

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Transforming Education Symposium

    Source: Caribbean Development Bank

    Joshua Andall is a transformative leader at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into education across the Caribbean. As a key contributor to UNESCO’s policy guide on AI in the Caribbean, Joshua has played a critical role in shaping how AI is applied responsibly in education to meet the region’s unique needs. His innovative approach has helped ensure that AI supports inclusivity, access, and quality education, particularly for underserved populations.

    As the founder of EduBots AI, Joshua has revolutionized the way educators interact with technology. He has developed subject-specific chatbots tailored to the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) syllabus, providing teachers with powerful tools to create lesson plans, quizzes, and learning materials. These AI-driven solutions enhance teaching efficiency and student engagement, supporting the overall learning experience. His work has agrnerd the support of  CXC and other  minsters and CEOs across the region. Hence, EduBots AI is now being positioned as an essential resource in classrooms across the region. Joshua is also committed to ensuring that AI benefits special needs education, having created a chatbot for them as well making learning more accessible for all students.

    In addition to his impact in education, Joshua is a CARICOM Youth Ambassador. Through this role, he has championed mental health, crime prevention, and reproductive health education across the Caribbean, working with youth leaders, governments, and civil society organizations to address critical social challenges.

    Beyond his contributions to education, Joshua is a digital transformation specialist and AI chatbot architect, focusing on creating AI-powered chatbots that streamline operations for organizations and businesses. His solutions optimize workflows, enhance customer service, and improve operational efficiency across sectors.

    As a digital marketing expert, Joshua has extensive experience in web development, social media management, and ad campaign execution. He has provided end-to-end digital solutions locally and internationally, helping businesses elevate their brands and achieve measurable results.

    With over five years of experience running a digital agency, Joshua has successfully helped corporate organizations, credit unions, and government institutions embrace digital transformation, ensuring they are future-ready and competitive in the evolving digital landscape.

    Joshua is committed to ensuring education is accessible and fun for all.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: The Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG) has institutionalizes the National e-Governance Webinar Series (NeGW) 2023-24 to disseminate and replicate award-winning e-governance initiatives

    Source: Government of India (2)

    The Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG) has institutionalizes the National e-Governance Webinar Series (NeGW) 2023-24 to disseminate and replicate award-winning e-governance initiatives

    DARPG organizes the Webinar on National e-Governance Award-Winning Initiatives under the theme “Excellence in Providing Citizen-Centric Delivery at the State/UT Level,” where two award-winning initiatives were presented

    “Excellence in Providing Citizen-Centric Delivery at the State/UT Level” theme of the 8th National e-Governance Webinar

    Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 9:21PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG) launched the monthly National e-Governance Webinar Series (NeGW 2023-24) on September 22, 2023, to disseminate and replicate India’s award-winning e-governance initiatives. NeGW 2023-24 is held monthly, typically on the third Friday of each month.

    The 8th National e-Governance Webinar, under the theme “Excellence in Providing Citizen-Centric Delivery at the State/UT Level,” was held today.

    The webinar was chaired by Shri V. Srinivas, Secretary, DARPG. He commended the award-winning initiatives—e-Registration (Self Help Portal) and Chikitsa Setu, for leveraging emerging technologies to enhance service delivery and foster innovation in governance practices. He recommended replicating these initiatives.

    The following award-winning initiatives were presented:

    • Shri Shravan Hardikar (IAS), Managing Director, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited, Govt. of Maharashtra, showcased the e-Registration (Self Help Portal) for document registration. This initiative allows developers to register themselves, their projects, and schemes; prepare templates for agreements; and complete data entry forms. Joint District Registrars can verify and approve projects and schemes online. Similar to other e-Registration applications, Sub-Registrars can verify documents, payments, and the identity of the parties involved, and complete the registration process. The application benefits real estate developers, purchasers, and the Department of Registration & Stamps, serving citizens across all sectors of society—from premium flat buyers to PMAY beneficiaries—across the state’s 36 districts.
    • Shri Prashant Sharma (IAS), Special Secretary, Department of Additional Sources of Energy, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, highlighted the Chikitsa Setu mobile application. Launched by the Department of Medical Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh, “Chikitsa Setu” is designed to train doctors, paramedical staff, and other COVID-19 frontline workers. The platform includes videos created by medical experts from King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow—the state government’s premier medical education institution. One of the key aspects of the application is the availability of training material from medical experts at users’ fingertips, with short videos (1 to 7 minutes) that retain audience engagement. More than 30 topics, based on extensive field surveys and research, are covered. Chikitsa Setu has trained over 200 doctors and more than 1,200 paramedical and associated staff.

    The webinar was attended by around 400 officials from across the nation, including Principal Secretaries, Administrative Reforms Secretaries, IT Secretaries of States/UTs, District Collectors, Police Departments, State Information Officers, and academia from IITs/IIITs/NITs and other institutions. The webinar was also broadcastedon YouTube.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Durbin Join Murray, Senate Democrats in Introducing Resolution to Recognize Patients’ Rights to Emergency Health Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    September 20, 2024
    Abortion Bans Have Delayed Emergency Medical Care. In Georgia, Experts Say Were This Mother’s Death Was Preventable.
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and 38 of their Democratic colleagues in introducing a Senate resolution to reinforce the standard that every patient has the basic right to emergency health care, including abortion care, regardless of where they live. The introduction comes as new reporting from ProPublica makes plain that Republican abortion bans are preventing women from receiving lifesaving emergency health care and resulting in preventable deaths.
    “When we warned Donald Trump and Senate Republicans that women would die if they succeeded in overturning Roe, they called us fearmongers. Tragically, it’s now painfully obvious that we were right,” Duckworth said. “We cannot wait for more women to die a preventable death because of Republicans’ draconian abortion bans—we must protect reproductive rights and women’s access to emergency medical care nationwide, and Democrats are working tirelessly to do just that.”
    “When a woman arrives at the emergency room, she should not be worried about whether or not she will receive necessary medical treatment.  Her family should not have to worry that their loved one may die because politics interfered with medical decision making.  But because the right-wing supermajority on the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade, as Donald Trump promised, that is exactly what is happening,” said Durbin.  “I’m joining my colleagues in introducing this legislation to make clear that we will not give up the fight for women to receive the medical care they need, especially in emergency circumstances where access to care is a matter of life and death.”
    Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade over two years ago, nearly two dozen US states led by Republicans have passed, banned or severely restricted access to abortion. These strict laws have created confusion around the treatment doctors can provide even when a pregnant patient’s life is in danger, as physicians fear that they may lose their medical license, be sued, or even charged with a felony if they perform life-saving emergency care. Despite the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act’s (EMTALA) requirements that Medicare-participating hospitals treat and stabilize pregnant patients in need of emergency medical care, women are being turned away from emergency rooms following the Dobbs decision.
    In Moyle v. United States, the U.S. Supreme Court had the opportunity to reaffirm that federal law requires pregnant patients to have access to life-saving emergency care in every state, but instead, the Court dismissed the case and sent it back to the lower courts, effectively punting on making a decision on the case itself. While the litigation continues in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the health and lives of women remain at risk as uncertainty around emergency abortion care persists. 121 Congressional Republicans, including 26 Senators, filed an amicus brief arguing that EMTALA does not require hospitals to provide abortion care as emergency stabilizing care in order to save a patient’s life.
    In addition to Duckworth, Durbin and Murray, this resolution is co-led by U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) and co-sponsored by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tom Carper (D-DE), Bob Casey (D-PA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Marin Heinrich (D-NV), George Helmy (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).
    The resolution is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Center for Reproductive Rights, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, Reproductive Freedom For All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, National Women’s Law Center, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Power to Decide, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, Guttmacher Institute, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, All* Above All, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, URGE: Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity, National Council of Jewish Women and National Partnership for Women and Families.
    Last week, U.S. Representatives Emilia Sykes (D-OH-13) and Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11) introduced the House companion to yesterday’s Senate resolution.
    The full text of the resolution can be found on Senator Murray’s website.
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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada Announces Significant Funding to Unlock More Critical Minerals Development in Northern British Columbia and the Yukon

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    September 20, 2024                                         Vancouver, British Columbia                                                                              Natural Resources Canada

    Investments in critical minerals infrastructure are essential to enable Canada to seize the generational opportunity of the transition to a low-carbon economy and capitalize on our rich mineral resources. Canada is well positioned to be a global leader and first-class producer of a wide variety of critical minerals that are essential to power the clean economy and, in turn, create good jobs and support economic opportunities across critical mineral value chains — from upstream exploration and extraction to downstream processing, manufacturing and recycling.

    Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, with the Honourable Josie Osborne, British Columbia’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, and the Honourable Ranj Pillai, Premier of the Yukon, announced up to $60 million in funding, pending final due diligence from Natural Resources Canada, for two critical minerals infrastructure developments in B.C.’s Golden Triangle and the Yukon. This funding would be provided through the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF).

    Galore Creek Mining Corporation (Galore Creek) is planning to construct a 43-kilometre access road to support the development of its copper mine located in Tahltan Territory in northwest B.C. The Galore Creek deposits contain over 12 billion pounds of copper and, once in production, will significantly increase Canada’s annual copper supply. The construction of the Galore Creek Access Road would link the mine project to existing road infrastructure, provide ground access to proposed mill and processing facilities, and provide the electricity transmission corridor allowing the Galore Creek mine to operate using BC Hydro’s low-emission electricity grid. Road improvements are integral to advancing critical minerals development in B.C.’s northwest, in partnership with First Nations. Pending final due diligence, Natural Resources Canada has conditionally approved an investment of up to $20 million under the CMIF for this project.

    The Government of Yukon is seeking to undertake pre-feasibility activities to advance a 765-kilometre, high-voltage transmission line network that would connect the Yukon electrical grid to the North American grid in B.C. This regional project has proposed energy infrastructure located in two priority regions for critical minerals development — Yukon’s Cassiar and Tanana regions and B.C.’s Golden Triangle. The transmission line could support projects producing critical minerals such as cobalt, copper, molybdenum, nickel, platinum group metals, tungsten and zinc in the Yukon and northern B.C. Pending final due diligence, Natural Resources Canada has conditionally approved an investment of up to $40 million under the CMIF for this project.

    The Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund is a key program under the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy to address infrastructure gaps and enable sustainable critical minerals production and connect resources to markets through various clean energy, electrification and transportation infrastructure projects. Future funding decisions for projects under the CMIF to further critical minerals infrastructure development are also expected in the coming months.

    These projects — which benefit from close collaboration under the B.C. and Yukon Regional Energy and Resource Tables — are, in addition to the recently announced Northwest BC Highway Corridor Improvements Project, key to facilitating critical minerals development in the Golden Triangle and Yukon. B.C.’s Golden Triangle has considerable mineral potential and holds approximately 75 percent of Canada’s known copper reserves. Copper is crucial in various industrial processes and a fundamental component in electrical wiring, electronics and renewable energy systems, including solar panels and wind turbines.

    Critical minerals are essential components in products used for clean energy technologies such as electric vehicles, electrical transmission lines and batteries. B.C. and the Yukon’s mining sectors provide many of the building blocks of clean technologies needed to fight climate change and build a clean economy. Across the country, clean energy solutions are providing enormous economic opportunity for Canada.

    Quotes

    “These two projects, under the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy’s flagship program, will develop the necessary infrastructure to access and transport our rich critical mineral resources in northern B.C. and the Yukon. Developments like these help mines get built faster, and they are a key element in seizing the generational opportunity before us. These investments are needed to support critical minerals development in the region, improve community access and safety, and create good mining jobs across British Columbia and the Yukon.”

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

    Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

    “B.C. has the critical minerals that Canada and the world needs to build a clean economy. We have a generational opportunity to create good jobs, not only in northwest B.C. but also in communities across the province that supply and provide services to our mining sector. That’s why we are working with Canada and First Nations on key infrastructure upgrades needed to unlock billions of investments in new critical mineral mines like Galore Creek and provide new opportunities for people and communities.”

    The Honourable Josie Osborne

    B.C. Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation

    “The Grid Connect Project is more than an energy initiative: it presents a transformative opportunity for all Yukoners. By delivering clean, affordable and reliable clean energy, this project will not only power our homes but also drive economic and social growth. I thank our partners in British Columbia and the federal government for their collaboration on this important project, which will positively impact our northern communities. This is a proud milestone for our government on the path toward a more sustainable energy future.”

    The Honourable Ranj Pillai

    Premier of the Yukon 

    “This project will connect Canada’s two most western jurisdictions, helping bring the Yukon on to the North American power grid. It marks a significant step in our shared journey to build a more connected and resilient energy landscape for Yukoners while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. I extend my deepest thanks to everyone whose hard work and determination made this vision a reality. I look forward to seeing how it will enhance clean energy in the Yukon, help protect our incredible natural landscapes and fuel new opportunities for economic growth.”

    The Honourable John Streicker

    Yukon’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources

    “We’d like to thank Minister Wilkinson and the Government of Canada for their contribution to developing the Galore Creek Mine and, by extension, Canada’s critical minerals industry. Canada’s support for Galore Creek represents confidence in our project, our owners, the relationships we have fostered with the Tahltan Nation and our commitment to responsibly developing a world-class copper–gold mine.”

    Rob Mean

    General Manager, Galore Creek Mining Corporation

    “Galore Creek has the potential to significantly increase Canada’s production of the copper needed for the energy transition and global development, generating jobs and economic activity, in alignment with Teck’s focus as a Canadian-based energy transition metals company. This investment by the Government of Canada will support the development of infrastructure needed to advance critical mineral projects and strengthen the nation’s mining sector.”

    Jonathon Price

    President and Chief Executive Officer, Teck Resources Limited

    “Newmont is a 50/50 partner of the Galore Creek Project with Teck Resources. Galore Creek stands as Canada’s largest undeveloped copper project, poised to play a crucial role in the transition to a low-carbon economy. As global demand for copper surges, we will soon face a supply deficit that underscores the project’s significance. The investment through Canada’s Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund in a vital road for Galore Creek will help unlock the project and the broader region’s substantial critical mineral potential in northwest B.C.”

    Bernard Wessels

    Managing Director North America, Newmont Corporation

    Quick facts

    • Canada has developed its own critical minerals strategy with the aim of advancing the development of these resources and related value chains to drive the transition to a low-carbon economy and support advanced technology and manufacturing.

    • The Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy addresses five core objectives:

      o   supporting economic growth, competitiveness and job creation;

      o   promoting climate action and strong environmental management;

      o   enhancing global security and partnerships with allies;

      o   advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples; and

      o   fostering diverse and inclusive workforces and communities.

    • Canada’s whole-of-government approach to critical mineral development is collaborative, forward-looking, iterative, adaptive and long-term. The initiatives presented in the Strategy will be implemented and refined in collaboration with provincial, territorial, Indigenous, industry and other Canadian and international partners.

    • The CMIF is a key program under the Strategy to support enabling clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects necessary to increase Canada’s supply of responsibly sourced critical minerals.

    • The CMIF supports strategic priorities such as decarbonizing industrial mining operations, strengthening supply chains through transportation infrastructure and advancing economic reconciliation by supporting the participation of Indigenous Peoples in infrastructure and critical minerals projects.

    • In addition, the federal government is helping to develop Canada’s abundant critical minerals through NRCan’s Regional Energy and Resource Tables. These regional tables are joint partnerships with individual provinces and territories — in collaboration with Indigenous partners and with the input of key stakeholders — to identify and accelerate shared economic priorities for a low-carbon future in the energy and resource sectors.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    Natural Resources Canada
    Media Relations
    343-292-6100
    media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

    Cindy Caturao
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
    613-795-5638
    cindy.caturao@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: The 33rd Capacity Building Programme for the Civil Servants of Maldives successfully completed today at NCGG, New Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    The 33rd Capacity Building Programme for the Civil Servants of Maldives successfully completed today at NCGG, New Delhi

    This was the first programme of the second phase post signing of MoU between NCGG and CSC, Maldives to Train 1,000 Civil Servants over next five years (2024-2029)

    34 civil servants from key departments and ministries participated in the programme

    Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 8:45PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) successfully completed the 33rd Capacity Building Programme (CBP) for Civil Servants of Maldives today in New Delhi. The two-week program, was organized from 9th to 20th September 2024, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Notably, this is the first program under the second phase for civil servants of Maldives following the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to train 1,000 Maldivian civil servants. The MoU was signed by India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, and the Maldives’ Foreign Minister, Mr. Moosa Zameer, for the period 2024-2029. The current program was attended by 34 civil servants from the Maldives, including Assistant Directors, Senior Administrators, Council Officers, Faculties and Community Health Officers, representing key ministries and departments from Maldives.

    The valedictory session was chaired by Shri V. Srinivas, Director General of NCGG and Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Government of India. In his address, he reflected on the achievements of the first phase capacity building programmes (2019-2024), during which over 1,000 Maldivian civil servants visited the NCGG. In his address he highlighted how technology has been used in the country to transform institutions and bring citizens closer to the government. He discussed about use of technology in Direct Benefit Transfers, Health, Education and Secretariat and use of Aadhar to bring about governance. He asked the participants to take the learnings from the programme as most of the challenges are common and apply them to bring about greater transparency and efficiency in government processes.

    During the Valedictory the participants also presented three insightful presentations on Bringing Transparency in Government Procurement in Maldives, Climate Change & its impact on Biodiversity in Maldives and Tourism in Maldives showcasing the learnings gained during the programme.

    Mrs. Fathmath Inaya from Civil Service Commission, Maldives and head of delegation, expressed her gratitude to the Indian government and the NCGG for the opportunity. She stated that all of them learnt and gained extensively from the program.

    Dr. B S Bisht, Associate Professor, NCGG and Course Coordinator of the programme while giving the welcome address and summary of the programme highlighted how the focus of the capacity building programme was to share India’s good governance models and best practices from various development schemes among others. He also shared that the second week of the programme had visits planned to Smart City Project and ITDA and Forest Research Institute (FRI) Dehradun, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), International Solar Alliance, Exposure visit to Indira Prayavaran Bahwan: India’s first Zero Energy Building, PM Sangrahalaya and visit to Taj Mahal to give a first hand view of India’s rich culture and heritage.

    The NCGG has till now trained civil servants from 33 countries including Bangladesh, Kenya, Tanzania, Tunisia, Seychelles, Gambia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Laos, Vietnam, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, South Africa, Indonesia, Madagascar, Fiji, Mozambique, Cambodia, Madagascar, Fiji, Indonesia, South Africa among others.

    The programme was supervised and coordinated by Dr. B. S. Bisht, Course Coordinator, Dr. Sanjeev Sharma, Co-Course Coordinator, Shri. Brijesh Bisht, Training Assistant and Ms. Monisha Bahuguna, Young Professional along with the capacity building team of NCGG.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Preparation of Special Campaign 4.0 in the Department of Fisheries

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 20 SEP 2024 7:23PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying is gearing up for the Special Campaign 4.0, an initiative by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG). The campaign to be launched from 2nd October to 31st October 2024 aims to institutionalize Swachhata (cleanliness) and minimize pendency in government offices. Special Campaign 4.0 will be carried out in two phases namely Preparatory Phase from 16th – 30th September 2024 and Implementation Phase from 02nd – 31st October, 2024.

    The Department of Fisheries is playing a key role in this nation-wide initiative to promote cleanliness, expedite the disposal of pending references, and streamline record management. The campaign is aligned with the government’s broader vision of improving governance through better office space management and operational efficiency.

    In preparation for the Special Campaign 4.0, Shri Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, chaired a preparatory meeting with Shri Sagar Mehra, JS (Administration), Department of Fisheries and other officers of the Department. The meeting focused on planning and execution of the activities and drive during the campaign at the Departmental level, as well as in all filed offices/units. Additionally, Shri Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary, Department of Fisheries, chaired a meeting with officers and officials from the Department’s field units, including Fishery Survey of India (FSI), Central Institute of Coastal Engineering for Fishery (CICEF), National Institute of Fisheries Post-Harvest Technology and Training (NIPHATT), National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical & Engineering Training (CIFNET), Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA). The meeting assessed the ongoing preparations for the Special Campaign across these institutions.

    During the Implementation Phase, the Department will be conducting special drives to dispose of pending references, with a specific focus on:

    • Disposal of pending references from the Hon’ble Ministers, Members of Parliament, State Governments, Inter-Ministerial communications, PMO references, Public Grievances, and Parliamentary Assurances.
    • Reviewing, Recording and weeding out physical files/records in compliance with the Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure (CSMOP) and the Public Records Act, 1993.
    • Segregating and disposal of unserviceable stores & office equipments to free up office space, Promoting cleanliness in office accommodation and complexes, reducing clutter, and ensuring an organized and productive work environment.

    As a preparatory exercise for the campaign, the Secretary (Fisheries), along with senior officials, conducted an inspection of the Department’s offices at Krishi Bhawan and Chanderlok Building in New Delhi. The inspection revealed an accumulation of old file/records, unserviceable stores and old magazines/newspapers in various sections/units. Immediate instructions were issued to ensure the timely segregation and disposal of old records/files and stores to improve record management and efficient use of office space.

    Special Campaign 4.0 is a reflection of the government’s commitment to improving governance through enhanced office management, cleanliness, and prompt resolution of pending matters.  The Department of Fisheries is  dedicated to making Swachhata a permanent part of its organizational culture and will continue to engage actively in the campaign to ensure a cleaner and more efficient work environment.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito, Manchin, W.Va. Officials Announce Form Energy Selection for $150 Million to Build Out Battery Factory in Weirton

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), and a number of West Virginia officials announced that Form Energy has been selected for an award negotiation of up to $150 million from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing and Recycling programs to support Form Factory 1 in Weirton, W.Va. The funding is part of the more than $6 billion included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to support a strong domestic battery supply chain.
    “When I was crafting and negotiating the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), delivering support for manufacturing initiatives in West Virginia was an impact I knew we could make. Form Energy is providing a needed boost to the manufacturing industry in our state, specifically to the Weirton community. During my visit to the facility this summer, I saw how their embrace of new technological capabilities will help America continue to lead the way in energy innovation. This grant through the IIJA will expand Form Energy’s production and workforce, and will help continue West Virginia’s proud tradition of being an energy state,” Ranking Member Capito said. 
    “West Virginian workers and families have made the hard sacrifices to power our country to greatness and become a global energy leader. With today’s investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are continuing to ensure that we are producing the materials needed to protect our nation’s energy independence right here in the Mountain State,” Senator Manchin said. “I was proud to secure this funding and I am thrilled that Form Energy will be able to utilize it to create good-paying jobs in Weirton and help preserve our legacy as America’s Energy Powerhouse for decades to come.” 
    “We are incredibly grateful to the Department of Energy, Senator Manchin, Senator Moore Capito, and the many state and local leaders from West Virginia who provided pivotal support on the path to this award selection. This selection will enable us to more rapidly scale up our manufacturing capabilities and hire hundreds of skilled workers at Form Factory 1. We’re proud to help contribute to the growth of a clean, domestic, and independent energy economy in America. And we’re honored to do it alongside a strong local workforce, right here from West Virginia.” Mateo Jaramillo, Co-Founder and CEO of Form Energy, said . 
    “With its investment in Form Energy and Weirton, the U.S. Department of Energy is acknowledging that West Virginia is an ideal place to locate all-of-the-above energy development and manufacturing,” West Virginia Secretary of Economic Development Mitch Carmichael said. “Thanks to the encouragement and support of Senators Manchin and Capito, this backing will ensure even greater success in the Mountain State.”
    “With our robust history and past successes in heavy industry, the Northern Panhandle has paved the way for Form Energy and other innovative companies to be successful here in West Virginia,” Anthony Clements, Executive Director of the Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle, said. “This funding from the U.S. Department of Energy shows the unanimous support from our state and our United States Senators Manchin and Capito for our region. I am thrilled we have the opportunity to see Form Energy grow right here in West Virginia.”
    “For years as a result of the decline and closure of its steel industry, the people of Weirton believed that its days as a manufacturing hub were over,” West Virginia State Senator Ryan Weld said. “Now, thanks to significant investments made by the State of West Virginia and the U.S. Department of Energy, along with the leadership of Senators Manchin and Capito, there is a renewed excitement for Weirton’s future and the products that will be made here.”   
    BACKGROUND:
    This announcement comes after Ranking Member Capito, Senator Manchin, and a group of their bipartisan colleagues sent a letter to DOE urging them to include alternative battery types, like the iron-air batteries manufactured by Form, in their grant awards. Once awarded, Form plans to use the funding to more rapidly scale up its commercial-scale manufacturing lines to produce up to 20 GWh/yr iron-air batteries and employ at least 600 employees to operate them.
    To learn more about the IIJA, click here.
    To learn more about DOE’s Battery Manufacturing and Recycling Grants, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: The First International Seminar on Parliamentary Diplomacy was held in Cuba

    THOUSAND OSI Translation. Region: Spanish/Latin America/UN –

    Source: Republic of Cuba

    First International Seminar on Parliamentary Diplomacy held in Cuba Havana, September 19, 2024. – Topics of relevance to the international community such as the defense of human rights, peaceful solutions and the preservation of world peace were presented this Thursday, from an academic perspective of parliaments, at the First International Seminar on Parliamentary Diplomacy. The meeting, which will run until Friday, took place at the National Capitol of Cuba, the institutional headquarters of the National Assembly of People’s Power (ANPP), with representation from around twenty nations. The event was established, according to Rogelio Sierra Díaz, Rector of the Higher Institute of International Relations, in the opening remarks, as a crucial space to analyze, with a high spirit of collaboration, “the challenges and opportunities that are currently faced with the aim of strengthening international law.”

    The special conference, led by the President of the Permanent Commission on International Relations of the ANPP and President of the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament, Rolando González Patricio, focused on the myths and opportunities of parliamentary diplomacy. Dialogue and understanding, legislative harmonization, integration, mobilization in the confrontation and mitigation of climate change, defense of democracy, defense of international law, defense of peace, communicated González Patricio, “accumulate more than enough reasons to attend to and exercise, carefully and conscientiously, what we now call parliamentary diplomacy on the road to a much better world.”

    The event was chaired by the member of the Political Bureau and president of the ANPP, Esteban Lazo Hernández; the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, Gerardo Peñalver Portal, and the president of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, Fernando González Llort. (Cubaminrex-Granma)

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Urges Small Businesses to Strengthen Resilience During National Disaster Preparedness Month

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    WASHINGTON – This month, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s more than 34 million small businesses, is encouraging small businesses to take proactive steps to safeguard their operations from potential natural disasters. This year’s theme is “Prepare Now, Recover Faster.” 

    “As the frequency and intensity of natural disasters rise due to climate change, it is more critical than ever for Americans to be prepared,” said Administrator Guzman. “This Disaster Preparedness Month, we encourage all small businesses, homeowners, renters, and non-profits to take advantage of the SBA’s resources to create emergency response plans so that they can recover more quickly when disaster strikes, minimizing disruptions in communities and the economy.”

    With a wide range of resources and support services, the SBA is committed to helping businesses and communities across the country prepare for, respond to, and recover from unexpected events. Homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes are eligible for SBA assistance and can learn more here and by utilizing the Business Resilience Guide.

    “A natural disaster can occur anytime, anyplace, and climate change has only added to the problem,” said Francisco Sánchez Jr., Associate Administrator of SBA’s Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience. “That’s why it is important to remember that proper planning and preparation can mitigate a disaster’s impact. ‘Prepare Now, Recover Faster’ highlights the benefits that preparedness offers – that putting in the work now can lead to a quicker recovery and a return to normalcy later.”

    In 2023, the SBA lent nearly $3 billion to disaster survivors nationwide – including over $670,000 for small businesses and over $2.3 million for homeowners and renters – to help them recover from the financial and physical impacts of manmade and natural disasters. Currently, the SBA is responding to 34 disaster declarations across the country.

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    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Publishes Final Rule to Improve Access to Medical Care for People with Disabilities

    Source: US State of California

    On the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Attorney General Merrick B. Garland signed a final rule under Title II of the ADA to improve access to medical diagnostic equipment (MDE) for people with disabilities. MDE includes equipment like medical examination tables, weight scales, dental chairs, x-ray machines and mammography machines. Accessible MDE is essential for people with disabilities to have equal access to medical care.

    The final rule is available for review on the Federal Register’s website at www.federalregister.gov. A fact sheet that provides information about the final rule is available on ada.gov.

    “Thirty-four years after passage of the ADA, people with disabilities should not have to forgo needed medical care due to inaccessible medical diagnostic equipment,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division. “This rule marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to ensure that people with disabilities can get the medical treatment they need. Whether you are talking about access to mammograms or access to general OB/GYN services, it is critical that hospitals and doctors’ offices provide equipment that is accessible to patients with disabilities.” 

    The rule clarifies how public entities that use MDE, such as hospitals and health care clinics operated by state or local governments, can meet their obligations to ensure accessibility under the ADA. The department has heard from many individuals with disabilities who have been denied basic, critically important health care services because medical providers lacked accessible MDE. For example, patients with disabilities reported receiving only a cursory physical examination in their wheelchair because they could not be transferred to the examination table for a full examination. Other patients reported forgoing basic preventative health care, such as dental examinations and mammograms, because providers did not have accessible MDE.

    The rule adopts a technical standard for accessible MDE. The rule also establishes requirements that will help make accessible examination tables and weight scales more available. This will make it easier for people with disabilities — especially people who use wheelchairs — to receive medical care.

    For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit the department’s website at www.justice.gov/crt. For inquiries regarding the ADA, please contact the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (voice) or 833-610-1264 (TTY) or visit the ADA website at www.ada.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Climate Pledge Arena to pay $477K in penalties, refunds as a result of AG Ferguson’s hidden fee investigation

    Source: Washington State News

    Court order ensures concertgoers who paid fee get money back with an additional $10

    SEATTLE — Climate Pledge Arena will pay $477,917 in penalties and refunds as a result of Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s investigation into a hidden fee the arena charged thousands of Washingtonians.

    From February 27, 2023, to July 22, 2023, Climate Pledge added a 3% fee to food and beverage purchases made at the arena. They did not disclose the fee in any way before customers made their purchase, in violation of Washington’s Consumer Protection Act. The Attorney General’s investigation revealed the company charged the fee on approximately 183,000 transactions over the course of 37 events, bringing in $162,917.16. The legally binding agreement is subject to court approval.

    As a condition for resolving his case, Ferguson required that Climate Pledge:

    • Conclude a class action lawsuit resulting in full restitution to all Washington consumers who were harmed, to be administered through a claims process, subject to court approval;
    • Pay affected customers who file a claim an additional $10 for their inconvenience and loss of their money in addition to the full refund;
    • Pay $315,000 to the Attorney General’s Office to pay for the cost of bringing the case, future enforcement work and, if necessary, cover claimants’ additional $10 payment if the $162,917.16 is insufficient; and
    • Disclose all fees it charges customers in the future.

    “Washington law is simple: If you charge a fee, you must clearly disclose that fee before someone pays it,” Ferguson said. “Climate Pledge was not doing that. Now they are paying the price. If you believe a company is charging hidden fees in Washington, contact my office.”

    Ferguson opened his investigation following a KIRO news story about the fee. State law requires companies to clearly disclose all added fees and charges to Washingtonians before they charge them. Instead, the fee was not disclosed at the arena kiosks or in digital payments. Attendees only learned about the fee if they asked for a receipt for their transaction.

    The arena stopped charging the fee following the KIRO story and the Attorney General’s Office confirmed the arena is not currently charging the fee. The court order ensures the arena does not charge any fees without appropriately informing people. If the arena does, the Attorney General’s Office can go to court for any violations.

    Assistant Attorney General Dan Davies handled the case for Washington.

    Honest Fees Initiative

    Companies caught charging hidden fees have paid more than $9.6 million as a result of Ferguson’s Honest Fees Initiative.

    Ferguson is calling on Washingtonians to check their bills, and, if they believe they contain hidden fees, to file a complaint at the Attorney General’s website here.

    Follow these easy steps to check your bill:

    1. Review your bill carefully for additional fees and taxes. Pay special attention to fees that appear to be government-imposed. Though they may appear to be, that may not be the case.
    2. Compare your bill against the advertised purchase price. Is it different? Were fees added on without being disclosed to you when you signed up?
    3. If you see a fee that was not included in the initial purchase price, or that you believe is deceptive, contact the Washington Attorney General’s Office at www.atg.wa.gov/file-complaint.

    Ferguson took the first major action as part of the initiative in December 2019, when global technology company CenturyLink paid $6.1 million to the State of Washington for adding charges to customer bills without accurately disclosing those fees, and failing to provide discounts that their sales agents had promised customers. In July 2020, Frontier Communications Northwest paid $900,000 to Washington to resolve an Attorney General’s Office investigation that found Frontier did not adequately disclose fees when advertising and selling its products, and misled subscribers about internet speeds it could provide. Later in July 2020, Charter Communications paid nearly $1 million for failing to disclose its “Broadcast TV Surcharge” to customers who ordered the company’s services online. In March 2021, Bothell-based TV and broadband internet provider Wave paid $900,000 to more than 23,000 customers who ordered the company’s services online and more than $300,000 to the Attorney General’s Office.

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    Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

    Media Contact:

    Brionna Aho, Communications Director, (360) 753-2727; Brionna.aho@atg.wa.gov

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