NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Global: Is China the new cool? How Beijing is using pop culture to win the soft power war

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Shaoyu Yuan, Research Scientist at the Division of Global Affairs, Rutgers University – Newark

    IShowSpeed, a 20-year-old American YouTuber and internet star, recently livestreamed hourslong tours of Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai, showcasing the locations to some of his nearly 40 million viewers.

    During the March events, IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., marveled at friendly locals, spotless streets and the high-speed Wi-Fi available on the subway; Chinese fans mobbed him for selfies on the Great Wall.

    Beijing’s state media lapped up the attention, with one Chinese blogger proclaiming that the American influencer had “eliminated all Western propaganda about China” in the eyes of a new generation.

    IShowSpeed’s YouTube page attests to this assessment.

    “China is so underrated wtf,” reads one top comment. “After watching this video, I realized how foolish my previous views on China were,” reads another.

    The providence of such comments isn’t clear. Nonetheless, to someone who researches the use of Chinese soft power, I find the spectacle of a young American burnishing China’s image to Western audiences hugely significant. It provides an example of how soft power norms have been upended in recent years – and how China appears to be having some success in winning over the global youth.

    Mixing pop and politics

    Soft power refers to a country’s ability to influence others, not through coercion but through attraction – by shaping preferences through culture, values and public diplomacy. Coined by political scientist Joseph Nye, the term captures how nations project power by making others want what they have, rather than forcing outcomes through military or economic pressure.

    Throughout the Cold War and into the 21st century, U.S. soft power didn’t have to try that hard. It came wrapped in denim, was broadcast on MTV and blasted from boom boxes. Rock music crossed the Iron Curtain when diplomacy couldn’t, with artists like Bruce Springsteen and Madonna reaching Soviet youth more effectively than any ambassador.

    And in China, Michael Jackson became a pop icon well before McDonald’s or Hollywood blockbusters arrived, symbolizing a glamorous, open America that millions dreamed of. To many growing up in China in the 1990s, American culture wasn’t just entertainment – it was persuasion, aspiration, even subversion.

    Beijing’s blockbusters

    The U.S. is, of course, still a cultural powerhouse; American stars of film and music continue to be recognizable around the world.

    But there are signs that China is chipping away at that dominance.

    Take cinema. Not so long ago, Chinese films were considered niche abroad. Yet in January 2025, an animated Chinese feature film, “Ne Zha 2,” smashed box-office records. The movie, a dazzling retelling of a mythic boy-god, has grossed an astonishing US$2 billion worldwide, outperforming many Hollywood releases.

    It’s now the highest-grossing animated movie of all time, and it wasn’t made by Disney or Pixar but by a Chinese studio employing hundreds of local animators.

    An artist paints an image of Ne Zha, a character from the animated blockbuster, on an electricity distribution box in a farm field in southwest China.
    Zhong Min/Feature China/Future Publishing via Getty Images

    Beijing lost no time in co-opting “Ne Zha 2” as a symbol of China’s creative rise and cultural “soft power moment.” State media touted the film’s success as proof that Chinese folklore and artistry can captivate the globe just as powerfully as Marvel superheroes.

    “Ne Zha 2” isn’t a one-off. “Detective Chinatown 1900,” released in January by the Beijing-based Wanda Films, is 2025’s third-biggest grossing movie to date.

    Hollywood, once confident in its cultural monopoly, suddenly faces a colossal new competitor on the global stage – one backed by 1.4 billion people and a government eager to topple Western pop-cultural dominance. And the audience isn’t all domestic. “Ne Zha 2” also proved successful when it opened in the U.S.

    Gamers journey to the East

    And it’s not just movies.

    For decades, video games were an American and Japanese stronghold. Yet it is a Chinese-developed game, Black Myth: Wukong – developed by a studio in Hangzhou – that has become the talk of gamers worldwide.

    When its gameplay trailers first appeared in 2020, they went viral, with Black Myth: Wukong promising AAA-level graphics and action rooted in China’s classic “Journey to the West” tale.

    Skeptics wondered whether the final product could really compete with the likes of established franchise God of War or the George R. R. Martin-inspired Elden Ring. But those doubts evaporated when the game finally launched in 2024. Black Myth: Wukong debuted to massive global fanfare in summer 2024, instantly claiming a spot alongside the biggest Western franchises.

    Reviewers around the globe have hailed it as China’s first true blockbuster video game and evidence that the country can produce world-class entertainment.

    Black Myth: Wukong won Best Action Game and Players’ Voice awards at The Game Awards 2024 on Dec. 13, 2024.
    VCG/VCG via Getty Images

    I’d argue that this isn’t just about bragging rights in China’s gaming community; it’s about narrative power for the Chinese state. When millions of young people around the world spend 30 or 40 hours a week immersed in the adventures of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King hero, rather than, say, a Marvel superhero or a Tolkien epic, that subtly shifts the cultural center of gravity eastward.

    It suggests that Chinese myths are becoming as cool as Western ones to a global audience. And that is soft power.

    Small screen, big impact

    Meanwhile, on the smaller screens we carry in our pockets, another Chinese export has embedded itself deeply into global culture: TikTok.

    As of 2025, TikTok boasts over 1.6 billion monthly users worldwide.

    More striking is TikTok’s cultural reach. The app’s algorithm has propelled songs from musicians in South Korea or Nigeria to the top of global charts; it has teenagers in Kansas learning Indonesian dance moves, and grandmothers in Italy trying Mexican recipes they saw on a viral Chinese app.

    In effect, TikTok has built a new transnational pop culture commons – one owned by a Beijing-based company. Yes, the content on TikTok is created by users everywhere, not dictated by the Chinese state, but the platform’s very existence is a triumph of Chinese tech entrepreneurship and global ambition.

    Every minute that Western youths spend scrolling TikTok is a minute they’re within a Chinese-designed cultural sphere. Little wonder the U.S. government has fretted about TikTok’s influence – it’s not just about data security, it’s about cultural security.

    Banning it outright has proven politically difficult, and so TikTok remains, steadily entrenching its position as a staple of global youth culture.

    All these strands – blockbuster films, hit video games, viral apps – tie into a larger truth: China is rapidly building its soft power as America risks letting its own erode. At a time when the U.S. slashes foreign aid, China expands its influence through the Belt and Road Initiative and development loans. And while the U.S. curtails visas for students and scientists, China’s universities – some of which now rank in the global top 20 – become more attractive destinations.

    Can the US maintain a cultural edge?

    Assessing the impact of soft power is notoriously hard – nations that employ it are typically playing a very long game. And Beijing’s soft power push is not guaranteed success everywhere. Many societies remain skeptical of Beijing’s intentions, and China’s authoritarian system limits the appeal of its political model in democratic nations.

    Yet there are clear signs that China’s cultural exports are gaining traction among the younger generation.

    The U.S. once set the global cultural tempo almost by default. But today, as China invests heavily in its creative industries and digital platforms, it is increasingly shaping the soundtrack and storylines for a rising global generation.

    The question is no longer whether China can compete for soft power influence but whether America has a plan to hold its ground.

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

    – ref. Is China the new cool? How Beijing is using pop culture to win the soft power war – https://theconversation.com/is-china-the-new-cool-how-beijing-is-using-pop-culture-to-win-the-soft-power-war-254923

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: From Doing Business to B-READY: World Bank’s new rankings represent a rebrand, not a revamp

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Fernanda G Nicola, Professor of Law, American University

    The 2025 spring meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund takes place in Washington, D.C. Bryan Dozier/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

    In 2021, the World Bank shut down one of its flagship projects: the Doing Business index, a global ranking system that measured how easy it was to start and run a business in 190 countries.

    It followed an independent investigation that found World Bank officials had manipulated the rankings to favor powerful countries, including China and Saudi Arabia. The scandal raised serious concerns about the use of global benchmarks to shape development policy.

    Now, the Bank is trying again. In October 2024, it launched its newest flagship report, Business Ready. The 2025 spring meeting of the World Bank and its sister institution, the International Monetary Fund, mark the first time the report will be formally presented to delegates as part of the institutions’ high-level agenda.

    Nicknamed B-READY, the report aims to evaluate business environments through more transparent data. This time, the annual assessment has a broader ambition: to go beyond laws and efficiency and also measure social inclusion, environmental sustainability and public service delivery.

    As experts on international organizations, law and development, we have given B-READY a closer look. While we appreciate that a global assessment of the economic health of countries through data collection and participation of private stakeholders is a worthwhile endeavor, we worry that the World Bank’s latest effort risks recreating many of the same flaws that plagued its predecessor.

    From Doing Business to doing what?

    To understand what’s at stake, it’s worth recalling what the Doing Business index measured. From 2003 to 2021, the flagship report was used by governments, investors and World Bank officials alike to assess the business environment of any given country. It ranked countries based on how easy it was to start and run a business in 190 economies.

    In prioritizing that as its marker, the index often celebrated reforms that stripped away labor protections, environmental safeguards and corporate taxes in the name of greater “efficiency” of common law versus civil law jurisdictions.

    As economist Joseph E. Stiglitz argued in 2021, from its creation, the Doing Business index reflected the values of the so-called Washington Consensus − a development model rooted in deregulation, privatization and market liberalization.

    The World Bank building in Washington, D.C.
    AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

    Critics warned for years that the Doing Business index encouraged a global “race to the bottom.” Countries competed to improve their rankings, often by adopting symbolic legal reforms with little real impact.

    In some cases, internal data manipulation at the World Bank penalized governments that did not appear sufficiently business-friendly. These structural flaws − and the political pressures behind them − ultimately led to the project’s demise in 2021.

    What is B-READY?

    B-READY is the World Bank’s attempt to regain credibility after the Doing Business scandal. In recent years, there has been both internal and external pressure to create a successor − and B-READY responds to that demand while aiming to fix the methodological flaws.

    In theory, while it retains a focus on the business environment, B-READY shifts away from a narrow deregulatory logic and instead seeks to capture how regulations interact with infrastructure, services and equity considerations.

    B-READY, which in the pilot stage covers a mix of 50 countries, does not rank countries with a single score. Rather, it provides more accurate data across 10 topics grouped into three pillars: regulatory framework, public services and operational efficiency. The report also introduces new themes such as digital access, environmental sustainability and gender equity.

    Unlike the Doing Business index, B-READY publishes its full methodology and makes its data publicly available.

    On the surface, this looks like progress. But a criticism of B-READY is that in practice, the changes offer only a more fragmented ranking system — one that is harder to interpret and still shaped by the same investor driven macroeconomic assumptions.

    In our view, the framework continues to reflect a narrow view of what constitutes a healthy legal and economic system, not just for investors but for society as a whole.

    Labor flexibility over labor rights

    A key concern is how B-READY handles labor standards. The report relies on two main data sources: expert consultations and firm-level surveys.

    For assessing labor and social security regulations, the World Bank consults lawyers with expertise in each country. But when it comes to how these laws function in practice, the report relies on surveys that ask businesses whether labor costs, dismissal protections and public services are “burdens.”

    This approach captures the employer’s perspective, but leaves out workers’ experiences and the real impact on labor rights. In some cases, the scoring system even rewards weaker protections. For example, countries are encouraged to have a minimum-wage law on the books − but are penalized if the wage is “too high” relative to gross domestic product per capita. This creates pressure to keep wages low in order to appear competitive. And while that might be good news for international companies seeking to reduce their labor costs, it isn’t necessarily good for the local workforce or a country’s economic well-being.

    According to the International Trade Union Confederation, this approach risks encouraging symbolic reforms while doing little to protect workers. Georgia, for example, ranks near the top of the B-READY labor assessment, despite not having updated its minimum wage since 1999 and setting it below the subsistence level.

    Courts that work − for whom?

    Another troubling area, to us as comparative law experts, is how B-READY evaluates legal issues. It measures how quickly commercial courts resolve disputes but ignores judicial independence or respect for the rule of law. As a result, countries such as Hungary and Georgia, which have been widely criticized for democratic backsliding and the erosion of the rule of law, score surprisingly high. Not coincidentally, both governments have already used these scores for propaganda and political gain.

    This reflects a deeper problem, we believe. B-READY treats the legal system primarily as a means to attract investment, not as a framework for public accountability. It assumes that making life easier for businesses will automatically benefit everyone. But that assumption risks ignoring the people most affected by these laws and institutions − workers, communities and civil society groups.

    Be … better?

    B-READY introduces greater transparency and public data − and that, for sure, is a step up from its predecessor. But in our opinion it still reflects a narrow view of what a “good” legal system looks like: one that might deliver efficiency for firms but not necessarily justice or equity for society.

    Whether B-Ready becomes a tool for meaningful reform − or just another scoreboard for deregulation − will depend on the World Bank’s willingness to confront its long-standing biases and listen to its critics.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. From Doing Business to B-READY: World Bank’s new rankings represent a rebrand, not a revamp – https://theconversation.com/from-doing-business-to-b-ready-world-banks-new-rankings-represent-a-rebrand-not-a-revamp-254958

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: What They’re Saying: Support Grows for Hickenlooper’s Bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper

    Hickenlooper’s Fix Our Forests Act will help reduce wildfire risk for Colorado communities and speed up mitigation projects while maintaining environmental safeguards and encouraging local involvement

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, John Curtis, Alex Padilla, and Tim Sheehy announced growing support from state officials, community leaders, and environmental organizations for the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act. The bill works to strengthen wildfire resilience by improving forest management, supporting fire-safe communities, and streamlining approvals for projects that protect communities and ecosystems from extreme wildfires.

    The comprehensive bill reflects months of bipartisan negotiations to find consensus on how to accelerate forest management projects, promote safe and responsible prescribed fire treatments, expand public input in assessments of wildfire resilience needs, and enhance collaboration between federal agencies, states, tribes, and stakeholders.

    The Fix Our Forests Act is supported by Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Colorado State Forest Service, ColoradoDivision of Fire Prevention and Control, The Nature Conservancy, Environmental Defense Fund, National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Bipartisan Policy Center Action, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Alliance for Wildfire Resilience, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Federation of American Scientists, American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), Association of Firetech Innovation (AFI), Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO), Wildfire Alliance, Tall Timbers, Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition, The Stewardship Project, Megafire Action, Property and Environment Research Center (PERC), National Association of State Foresters (NASF), Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Arnold Ventures, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, American Forests, National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), Utah Department of Natural Resources, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), Utah Farm Bureau Federation, California Natural Resources Agency, and Climate & Wildfire Institute.

    WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:

    “I applaud the bipartisan work and leadership of the Senate sponsors of this bill, including Colorado’s Senator Hickenlooper, in crafting a bill that will make Colorado communities safer amidst the urgent and growing wildfire crisis in the West. From supporting responsible and expedited on-the-ground fuel reductions, to bolstering the use and development of the latest wildfire satellite monitoring technology which compliments Colorado’s national leadership in the aerospace sector, and to investing in stewardship practices for local communities to be better prepared for wildfires and reforestation efforts with the state nursery to improve our ability to recover – this bill makes major strides in addressing the country’s wildfire risk and will support Colorado’s continued leadership in wildfire preparedness, response and recovery,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis.

    “Extreme risk of catastrophic wildfires across the West demands urgent action,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom. “In California, we’re fast-tracking projects by streamlining state requirements and using more fuel breaks and prescribed fire. The Fix Our Forests Act is a step forward that will build on this progress — enabling good projects to happen faster on federal lands. I’m appreciative of Senator Padilla and the bipartisan team of Senators who crafted a balanced solution that will both protect communities and improve the health of our forests.”

    “A century of fire suppression and decades of reduced forest management have left us with overgrown, unhealthy forests that are more vulnerable to disease and catastrophic wildfire,” said Utah Governor Spencer Cox. “The Fix Our Forest Act, along with the tools provided by President Trump’s executive order, will help us actively manage our forests—protecting our watersheds, improving wildlife habitat, reducing wildfire risk, and providing the timber we need to build strong homes and neighborhoods.”

    “We applaud the efforts made by Senator Hickenlooper in the Fix Our Forests Act to provide federal, state, and local partners with the tools needed to address wildfire mitigation in the most vulnerable areas in Colorado. Wildfires do not abide by our political boundaries. But here in Colorado we have built strong coordination among federal, state, local land managers and stakeholders to help reduce the impact of wildfires on our critical infrastructure and landscapes,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “We appreciate that this legislation builds upon this important collaboration and draws on existing agreements, such as Shared Stewardship, which will help strengthen our intergovernmental partnerships as we prepare for the next Colorado mega-fire.”

    “Forests are central to our way of life in Colorado. They support world-class outdoor recreation and a vital water supply that more than 40 million Americans rely upon. I am grateful to Senator John Hickenlooper for his work on the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act,” said Matt McCombs, Colorado State Forester and Director of the Colorado State Forest Service. “This critical legislation will bolster our shared stewardship ethic in Colorado and enhance our ability as a state to improve forest health, protect lives, communities and water supplies from wildfire, and ensure that the forests that define Colorado endure for generations to come.”

    “First of all, thanks to Senators Hickenlooper, Curtis, Sheehy, and Padilla for their leadership in moving all this forward! Having spent so many hours working on the Wildfire Mitigation and Management Commission, it is refreshing to see so many of the recommendations moving forward!” said Mike Morgan, Director of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control.“Colorado has taken a very aggressive approach in addressing the wildfire challenges we face and we are pleased to see these efforts at the federal level taking a more holistic look at the challenges we all face and in support of the Commission’s recommendations. This bipartisan effort will serve Colorado and America well! I fully support this effort and I am happy to help in any way that would be helpful.”

    “TNC appreciates the serious undertaking of Senators Curtis, Hickenlooper, Sheehy, and Padilla to build on legislation targeted at preventing more catastrophic wildfires through improved forest and fuels management and expanded use of prescribed fire. TNC has been working to restore beneficial fire and improve the resilience of forest systems on the ground for more than 60 years. Every year, wildfires continue to grow deadlier and more devastating to communities and the environment, and we remain concerned that the significant cuts to the Forest Service workforce will impede work to protect people and nature from these wildfire risks.  We support this legislative effort aimed at improving the forest management process to better address catastrophic wildfires,” said Kameran Onley, managing director of North America policy and government relations, The Nature Conservancy.

    “For many Americans, catastrophic wildfires are a very real and growing threat to their homes and lives,” said Environmental Defense Fund Executive Director Amanda Leland. “The U.S. Forest Service needs new tools and more resources now to prevent and control these wildfires, and with the right funding, this bipartisan proposal will help. Protecting people and nature from catastrophic wildfire requires both a robust, science-based plan of forest management and the resources to implement it.”

    “As the megafire crisis grows larger and more severe with each fire season, we need policy solutions that reflect the urgency and scale of the problem. Senators Curtis, Hickenlooper, Padilla and Sheehy have negotiated a Senate companion to the Fix Our Forests Act that will move the federal government towards a science-based, strategic approach to addressing megafires. We look forward to working with the sponsors to advance this bill and enact the most transformative wildfire and land management law in a generation—since the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003, if not the National Forest Management Act of 1976,” said Matt Weiner, CEO of Megafire Action.

    “We are thrilled to see the Fix Our Forests Act introduced in the Senate through a bipartisan cooperation between Senators Curtis, Hickenlooper, Padilla, and Sheehy. The bill greatly expands upon the version that passed the House, adding critical details to support wildfire risk reduction in the built environment and provisions for mitigating the health impacts of smoke to communities while promoting expanded use of prescribed fire,”said Annie Schmidt and Tyson Bertone-Riggs, Managing Directors, Alliance for Wildfire Resilience. “Covering a third of the recommendations of the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission, this bill is a significant step forward in wildfire policy and, coupled with sufficient funding and staffing to realize the proposed tools and programs, will make a real difference in our nation’s experience with wildfire.”

    “I thank Senators Hickenlooper, Padilla, Curtis, and Sheehy for introducing this bipartisan legislation,” said Fire Chief Josh Waldo, President and Board Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. “As we saw in January’s fires in Los Angeles, the nation faces a serious and growing risk from fires in the wildland urban interface (WUI). This legislation will enact many of the recommendations of the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission. It also will improve coordination of federal wildland fire preparedness efforts; promote the use of prescribed fires and other preventative measures to prevent WUI fires; and promote the development of new technologies to help local fire departments. We look forward to working with the bill’s sponsors to pass this legislation.”

    “Our national forests provide essential wildlife habitat, store carbon, and supply communities across the nation with clean air and water. These vital landscapes are under threat and must be proactively stewarded if they are to survive the changing climate, rapidly intensifying wildfires, and past management missteps. The bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act will help increase the pace and scale of evidence-backed forest management, including the use of beneficial prescribed fire and the restoration of white oak forests. But we must have a robust and talented federal workforce in place for it to succeed,” said Abby Tinsley, vice president for conservation policy at the National Wildlife Federation. “We will work with Senators Hickenlooper, Padilla, Sheehy, Curtis, and Chairman Westerman in the House to strengthen and advance this important conversation.”

    “The health of our nation’s forests is dependent on the rivers, streams, and wetlands that sustain them. Actively conserving and restoring these critical aquatic resources is an important tool that can be used to mitigate the impacts of wildfire and drought, among other threats,” said Alicia Marrs, director of western water for the National Wildlife Federation. “We’re encouraged to see language in the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act that recognizes the wildfire benefits of aquatic restoration. We look forward to continuing to work with leaders from both sides of the aisle to elevate these common sense and cost-effective approaches to forest and water management for all Americans.”

    “Wildfires grow more intense and destructive each year, leaving behind immense devastation for our forests, wildlife, and communities,” said Marshall Johnson, chief conservation officer at the National Audubon Society.“The bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act represents an important step in reducing wildfire risks across forested landscapes. Audubon thanks Senators Hickenlooper, Curtis, Padilla, and Sheehy for working together to craft a bill that sets the stage for improved forest management, and we urge Congress to dedicate the resources necessary to ensure federal agencies are well-equipped to reduce wildfire risks, steward our forestlands, and protect wildlife habitat.”

    “The growing frequency and severity of wildfires pose a tremendous threat to the health of our forests and the safety of countless communities. The Fix Our Forests Act takes important steps to mitigate wildfires, improve forest health, and protect local communities. We appreciate this thoughtful, bipartisan effort led by Senators Curtis, Hickenlooper, Sheehy, and Padilla to advance this important legislation,” said Jennifer Tyler, VP of Government Affairs at Citizens’ Climate Lobby.

    “The declining health of our National Forests and the fish and wildlife habitat that they provide is a concern for America’s hunters and anglers,”said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “TRCP applauds the leadership of Senators Curtis, Sheehy, Hickenlooper, and Padilla for introducing the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act in the Senate and urges Congress to advance these important forest management provisions and to accompany them with adequate resources and capacity to carry out on-the-ground work.”   

    “HECHO enthusiastically applauds the impressive bipartisan leadership behind the Senate’s Fix Our Forests Act. At a time when cooperation is more important than ever, these Senators are putting forward real, thoughtful solutions to reduce wildfire risk while engaging local and rural communities. This legislation is a critical step toward actively managing our forests to protect public lands, watersheds, and the communities that depend on them. By expediting emergency authorities in high-risk firesheds —and through the creation of the Wildfire Intelligence Center—this effort has the potential to significantly reduce catastrophic wildfires and strengthen prediction and response, particularly in fire-prone states like Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah. It’s a shining example of the kind of balanced, forward-looking leadership we need to protect our natural landscapes and communities,” said Camilla Simon, Executive Director of Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO).

    “BPC Action applauds the bipartisan leadership of Sens. Curtis (R-UT), Hickenlooper (D-CO), Sheehy (R-MT), and Padilla (D-CA) on the introduction of the Fix Our Forests Act. By streamlining and improving forest and hazardous fuels management activities on public and Tribal lands, this legislation will help reduce wildfire risks, improve forest health, and protect communities in fire-prone areas. The Fix Our Forests Act also delivers substantial economic and environmental benefits by addressing critical needs to enhance the domestic supply chain of seeds and advance biochar commercialization,” said Michele Stockwell, President of Bipartisan Policy Center Action (BPC Action).

    “The Senate’s bipartisan Fix Our Forest Act is a critical step toward restoring forest health and reducing catastrophic wildfire risk. This bipartisan legislation tackles the root causes of catastrophic wildfires by fixing the Cottonwood decision, reforming litigation standards, expanding categorical exclusions up to 10,000 acres, and boosting restoration capacity through long-term stewardship contracts and extended Good Neighbor Authority. Healthy forests require active stewardship—not bureaucratic delay. We thank Senators Hickenlooper, Sheehy, Padilla, and Curtis for bringing forward this bill, and we urge swift passage of this much-needed legislation,” said Brian Yabolnski, CEO of The Property and Environment Research Center (PERC).

    “Wildfires continue to ravage communities igniting homes, businesses, and infrastructure. APCIA commends Senators Curtis, Hickenlooper, Sheehy, and Padilla for their bipartisan leadership of the Fix Our Forests Act. The bill would improve fire assessment and prediction for wildland areas and communities to improve response, reduce hazardous fuels, enable greater vegetation management by utilities in federal rights-of-way to prevent fires, and create a community wildfire risk reduction program to support fire-resistant building methods, codes, and standards, promote ignition-resistant materials, defensible space, and other measures to reduce risk,” said David A. Sampson, President & CEO of APCIA

    “The Fix Our Forests Act streamlines collaboration between the National Wild Turkey Federation, the USDA Forest Service, and other partners, cutting red tape to accelerate urgent forest restoration and management on federal lands,” said Matt Lindler, NWTF Director of Government Affairs. “This bill ensures we can better manage and conserve vital natural resources for wildlife, hunters and anglers. We are grateful to see the Senate introduce this critical piece of legislation and await the signature from the president.”   

    “There is no time to waste in restoring and reforesting the forests that work every day to be the lungs of our nation,” said Brian Kittler, Chief Program Officer-Resilient Forests. “More than ever before successful and timely forest restoration will require strengthened coordination across federal, state, and tribal governments together with non-profit organizations. This bill prioritizes a complementary series of actions that will accelerate wildfire resilience and community resilience including ensuring post-fire reforestation is implemented quickly and with the best available science.”

    “The science is clear: tackling the wildfire crisis requires better forest management, increasing the use of prescribed fire, and investing in and deploying the next generation of wildfire technologies. The Fix Our Forests Act will get this urgently needed work done. Now is the time for the Senate to build on the bipartisan leadership demonstrated by the sponsors and pass this bill,” said James Campbell, Wildfire Policy Specialist at the Federation of American Scientists.

    “CWI commends Senator Curtis, Senator Hickenlooper, Senator Sheehy, and Senator Padilla for their bipartisan efforts to meaningfully address the wildfire crisis. The Fix Our Forests Act is an important step towards accelerating proven solutions to reduce catastrophic fire risk, improve forest and ecosystem health, and safeguard our local communities,” said Marissa Christiansen, Executive Director at the Climate and Wildfire Institute.“We are pleased to see many recommendations from the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission Report included in the updated legislation, including a directive to establish the Wildfire Intelligence Center to serve as the national hub for wildfire data, prediction, and response. We look forward to working with the bill’s sponsors to help accelerate solutions to the wildfire crisis by incorporating the best available science, data, and management principles into commonsense policy reform and decision-making.”

    “AFI supports the Fix Our Forests Act and calls on the United States Senate to pass it with the urgency the $100 billion a year wildfire crisis warrants from our elected officials,” said Bill Clerico, Founding Chair of AFI and Managing Partner of Convective Capital. “AFI is particularly supportive of the legislation’s inclusion of a Wildfire Intelligence Center, a long-overdue step to better integrate and coordinate wildfire response efforts and invest in cutting-edge technology. Our country’s wildfire response efforts are antiquated and are leaving us ill-prepared for this growing crisis. FOFA is a critical step to refining our wildfire response efforts and protecting our communities.”

    “State forestry agencies play a lead role not only in managing and protecting over 550 million acres of state and private forests, but also working to improve the health and resiliency of federal lands through cross-boundary partnerships nationwide. State Foresters are also responsible for wildfire protection on more than 1.5 billion acres and, in collaboration with local fire departments, responding to 80 percent of the nation’s wildland fires,” said Jay Farrell, Executive Director of the NASF. “NASF applauds the bipartisan work of Senators Sheehy, Curtis, Hickenlooper, and Padilla to chart a path forward to greatly enhance wildfire management and recovery efforts and stem the tide of disastrous wildfires that threaten our nation’s forests and the livelihood of communities that depend on them. We recognize that many of the improvements made in the Fix Our Forests Act are nuanced and look forward to continuing our work with Congress to ensure its landmark reforms become law.”

    “The poor health of our federal forests exacerbates the wildfires that negatively impact wildlife habitat, sportsmen’s access, and communities across the country, and comprehensive reforms are needed to actively treat hazardous fuels efficiently and at scale to increase forest resiliency to severe wildfires, insects, and disease,” said John Culclasure, Senior Director of Forest Policy at the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. “We are grateful for the bipartisan leadership of Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Members Senators Curtis, Hickenlooper, Padilla, and Sheehy for introducing the Fix Our Forests Act to improve forest management through strengthened authorities, collaborative tools, and improved processes. We look forward to working with the bill sponsors to advance the legislation quickly as we approach wildfire season.”

    “Arnold Ventures praises the bipartisan introduction of the Fix Our Forests Act, an evidence-based, constructive proposal to cut red tape and prevent catastrophic forest fires. We applaud Senators John Curtis (R‑UT), John Hickenlooper (D‑CO), Tim Sheehy (R‑MT), and Alex Padilla (D‑CA) for their work to craft and introduce this important and necessary legislation. We encourage all Senators to support and ultimately pass the Fix Our Forests Act,” said Charlie Anderson, Executive Vice President for infrastructure at Arnold Ventures. “AV also thanks Reps. Bruce Westerman (R‑AR) and Scott Peters (D‑CA) for championing this vital work in the House of Representatives. We are heartened by the collaborative work across party lines in both chambers to support thoughtful, bipartisan policy that will save lives and property.”

    “Berkshire Hathaway Energy applauds the Senate introduction of the Fix Our Forests Act and thanks the bipartisan group of Senators who worked together to move it forward. The bill’s provisions would improve forest management activities on federal and tribal lands in common-sense ways, improving their resilience to wildfire,” said Scott Thon, President and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Energy. “Passage and enactment of these provisions would be a step to help prevent catastrophic wildfires and lessen their environmental damage. Berkshire Hathaway Energy recognizes the growing threat of wildfires affects everyone and requires holistic solutions with businesses, governments and key stakeholders working together to design and implement constructive, enduring solutions.”

    “Our forests face serious threats, and this bipartisan bill is a vital step forward in addressing complex forest health challenges,” said Joel Ferry, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources. “It gives land managers the tools to proactively reduce wildfire risk, protect critical watersheds, and restore forest ecosystems through stronger collaboration.”

    “The bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act provides much-needed tools that will move the needle and improve our work to mitigate wildfires,” said CAL FIRE Director and Fire Chief Joe Tyler. “This bill will bring California’s use of cutting-edge technology to the rest of the country. The proposed Wildfire Intelligence Center will advance the kind of predictive services, monitoring, and early detection work already happening at California’s Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center.”

    “Utah’s farmers and ranchers applaud Senator Curtis’ sponsorship of the ‘Fix Our Forests Act’, which will enhance forest health, reduce wildfire risks, and protect vital watersheds. We are particularly encouraged by provisions promoting locally-led restoration efforts, targeted grazing as a wildfire mitigation tool, and watershed protection strategies,” said ValJay Rigby, Utah Farm Bureau Federation President. “The Utah Farm Bureau appreciates the bill’s emphasis on active forest management and increasing the pace and scale of treatment projects to address catastrophic wildfire risks. The ‘Fix Our Forests Act’ represents a significant step toward healthier forests and safer communities.”

    BACKGROUND:

    The West has long been prone to wildfires, but climate change, prolonged drought, and the buildup of dry fuels have increasingly intensified these fires and extended fire seasons. Wildfires today are more catastrophic – growing larger, spreading faster, and burning more land than ever before.

    Colorado has seen four of the five largest fires in our state’s history since 2018. The 2021 Marshall fire was Colorado’s most destructive on record, burning over 1,000 homes. The Cameron Peak and East Troublesome fires in 2020 together burned more than 400,000 acres, the two largest fires in the state’s history. Nationwide, total acres burned rose from 2.7 million in 2023 to nearly 9 million in 2024, a 231% increase.

    Forest health challenges are also increasing in frequency and severity due to climate stressors like drought and fire, and biological threats like invasive species – all of which the West is particularly vulnerable to. From 2001 to 2019, total U.S. forest area declined by 2.3%, with the Intermountain West experiencing the largest losses by area.

    To address these challenges, the Fix Our Forests Act would:

    • Establish new and updated programs to reduce wildfire risks across large, high-priority “firesheds,” with an emphasis on cross-boundary collaboration.
    • Streamline and expand tools for forest health projects (e.g., stewardship contracting, Good Neighbor Agreements) and provide faster processes for certain hazardous fuels treatments.
    • Create a single interagency program to help communities in the wildland-urban interface build and retrofit with wildfire-resistant measures, while simplifying and consolidating grant applications.
    • Boost reforestation with the inclusion of Hickenlooper’s Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources (RNGR) Support Act to support reforestation capacity of state, tribal, and private nurseries.
    • Strengthen coordination efforts across agencies through a new Wildfire Intelligence Center with the inclusion of Hickenlooper’s bipartisan Wildfire Intelligence Collaboration and Coordination Act of 2025, which would streamline federal response and create a whole-of-government approach to combating wildfires.
    • Support prescribed fire activities on both federal and non-federal lands – prioritizing large, cross-boundary projects, strengthening the prescribed fire workforce, and facilitating coordination on air quality protections.
    • Expand research and demonstration initiatives – including biochar projects and the Community Wildfire Defense Research Program – to test and deploy cutting-edge wildfire prevention, detection, and mitigation technologies.
    • Enable watershed protection and restoration projects to include adjacent non-federal lands; establish new programs for white oak restoration; and clarify policies to reduce wildfire-related litigation and expedite forest health treatments.

    A one-pager can be found here, and a section-by-section can be found here.

    The Fix Our Forests Act was originally introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Bruce Westerman and Scott Peters.

    Hickenlooper has been an active supporter of wildfire resilience, including sponsorship of legislation to restore land management agency staffing and pushback on the firings of the federal employees that support wildfire resilience on our public lands. The Fix Our Forests Act provides the tools necessary to accelerate wildfire resilience, which will work alongside Hickenlooper’s sustained efforts for the funding and staffing necessary for land management efforts.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Why international alignment of cybersecurity regulations needs to be a priority

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Why international alignment of cybersecurity regulations needs to be a priority

    The cyber threat landscape continues to become more dangerous and complex. Ransomware attacks have disrupted services to the public in dozens of countries around the world. Sophisticated cyber threat actors challenge even the best-prepared organizations and individuals.

    In response, governments around the world have passed new cybersecurity laws and regulations in recent years, hoping to better protect societies from malicious cyber activity. We commend these efforts to keep our digital systems secure. However, as we’ve said before, the fragmentation of cybersecurity regulations complicates our efforts to thwart these attacks.

    This growing regulatory divergence across countries and across sectors makes it difficult to implement consistent security measures across jurisdictions and causes potential delays due to the complexity of managing multiple regulatory landscapes. It also exacerbates the global cybersecurity talent shortage organizations are facing.

    To effectively strengthen our collective defenses, the public and private sectors must streamline regulations and promote international alignment, including reciprocity agreements. 

    Greater alignment of cybersecurity regulations is a growing priority for industry leaders. More than 50 Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) from leading global companies, including Microsoft, have signed a letter emphasizing the urgency to take such action.

    The CISO letter highlights key challenges created by the current regulatory landscape, including incident response and crisis management complexities during cyberattacks and delays in coordinating defense efforts. The increasing divergence among regulations across different jurisdictions also limits the ability of governments and private sector entities to share threat intelligence efficiently, weakening collective cyber resilience.

    The CISO community calls on governments to:

    1. Encourage high-level commitments from global policymakers to enhance regulatory alignment and promote a balanced approach to cybersecurity regulations
    2. Facilitate international dialogue among regulators through established global platforms, including the OECD, ensuring diverse stakeholder participation.
    3. Explore mutual recognition agreements and other mechanisms that streamline compliance while raising the global cybersecurity baseline.

    While there are many cybersecurity conferences, there is currently no dedicated forum that regularly convenes cybersecurity regulators and provides an opportunity to learn from each other and to engage with industry to ensure we achieve stronger cybersecurity.

    The joint CISO letter recommends leveraging the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), which is uniquely positioned to help drive meaningful progress across key countries. By convening relevant stakeholders, analyzing regulatory impacts, and providing data-driven recommendations, the OECD can serve as a key facilitator in ensuring cybersecurity regulations are effective and aligned across jurisdictions.

    Collaboration between international organizations, governments, and industry is essential to translating these efforts into impactful, real-world solutions.

    Countries around the world have an opportunity to lead together. Through cooperation across borders and sectors, we can reduce complexity, build trust, and create a regulatory environment that strengthens cyber resilience worldwide.

    Microsoft is ready to partner with governments, international organizations, and industry partners to promote alignment in cybersecurity regulation. We invite all stakeholders to join this global conversation because protecting our shared digital future is a team effort.

    Read the full letter from the CISO’s here.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Merkley Demand Trump Administration Restore Funding for National Endowment for the Humanities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    April 23, 2025

    “Libraries, museums, historic sites, and community centers in rural communities and small towns face particularly dire financial futures without grant funding from state humanities councils and the NEH.”

    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined Senate and House colleagues to demand the Trump administration reverse its termination of congressionally-appropriated funding for grants administered by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

    Their letter follows the Oregon Democratic delegation’s denouncement of this administration’s egregious attacks on humanities funding earlier this month. 

    In this latest letter to Donald Trump and NEH Acting Chair Michael McDonald, the lawmakers wrote: “Overnight, on April 2, 2025, the NEH terminated all current five-year General Operating Support grants awarded to state and jurisdictional humanities councils. This funding provides the majority of operating support for state humanities council partners of NEH. The administration is also targeting NEH with the aim of terminating more than 1,400 other grant awards, substantially reducing its staff, and eliminating many of the agency’s previously announced grant programs. Such reckless actions will have a devastating impact on museums, historic sites, universities, educators, libraries, public television and radio stations, research institutions, and local humanities programming throughout our nation.

    “For over 60 years, NEH staff have helped grantees, from individuals to museums and nonprofits, provide high-quality humanities programs to communities across the country, including 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils. NEH funds, allocated to state humanities councils, are for local use and allow councils to leverage $2 in private investment for every federal dollar spent. The loss of NEH funding to humanities councils will decimate the ability of these nonprofits to serve localities in their states, eliminating programs that are essential to each state’s cultural infrastructure. This will lead to significant job loss in communities that are the most vulnerable to the lack of federal support,” the lawmakers continued. 

    “These cuts will not provide significant savings for the federal government nor the American taxpayer, but they will impact millions who benefit from the far-reaching humanities programs, including our veterans, students, educators, and seniors. We urge the Administration to reconsider this decision. Supporting the NEH is not merely an investment in cultural preservation; it is also a crucial investment in community health, education, social development, and economic vitality,” the lawmakers concluded. 

    NEH funding provides the majority of operating support for state humanities councils. The Trump administration is also threatening to terminate more than 1,400 other grant awards at the NEH, substantially reducing its staff, and eliminating many of the agency’s previously awarded and announced grant programs.  

    U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) led the letter, which was co-signed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Angus King (I-Me.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai’i), Kristen Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and 108 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, in addition to Wyden and Merkley.  

    Full text of the letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2026

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    April 23, 2025

    After serving seven House terms and five Senate terms, Durbin says, “I truly love the job of being a United States Senator. But in my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch.”

    CHICAGO – In a video message shared with Illinois voters today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that he will not seek re-election in 2026.

    “The decision of whether to run for re-election has not been easy. I truly love the job of being a United States Senator. But in my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch. So, I am announcing today that I will not be seeking re-election at the end of my term,” Durbin said in the video.

    “The people of Illinois have honored me with this responsibility longer than anyone elected to the Senate in our state’s history. I am truly grateful,” Durbin said. “Right now, the challenges facing our country are historic and unprecedented. The threats to our democracy and way of life are very real, and I can assure you that I will do everything in my power to fight for Illinois and the future of our country every day of my remaining time in the Senate.”

    Durbin concluded, “To the Illinoisans who gave this kid from East St. Louis a chance to serve: Thank you for supporting me—through words and actions—over the years. Now that I have this announcement behind me, I need to get back to work.”

    Senator Durbin is the 47th U.S. Senator from the State of Illinois, the state’s senior Senator, and the longest serving, popularly elected Senator from Illinois. Durbin also serves as the Senate Democratic Whip, the second highest ranking position among Senate Democrats. Durbin has been elected to this leadership post by his Democratic colleagues every two years since 2005 and is the longest serving Whip for either party.

    Senator Durbin served as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee for the 117th and 118th Congresses. During his time as Chair, the committee held 145 full committee hearings, 88 subcommittee hearings, and 86 executive business meetings; advanced 373 executive and judicial nominees out of the committee; and reported 56 bills out of the committee. The Senate also confirmed a record 235 judges, including Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

    Senator Durbin has given more than half of his life to House and Senate Congressional service, having first been elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982, representing the Springfield-based 20th congressional district. After serving seven House terms, Durbin was elected to the U.S. Senate on November 5, 1996, and re-elected in 2002, 2008, 2014, and 2020. Durbin fills the seat left vacant by the retirement of his long-time friend and mentor, U.S. Senator Paul Simon.

    A video summary of Durbin’s accomplishments as a member of the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate can be found here. Below is a list of some of Durbin’s top legislative accomplishments throughout his career.

    • Judicial Confirmations. During his time as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senate Democrats confirmed 235 judges to lifetime positions. This included the confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court. Of the confirmations, two-thirds were women, two-thirds were people of color, and two-fifths were women of color.
    • Curbing Tobacco and E-Cigarette Use. As a Congressman, Durbin was the primary author of legislation that ended smoking on airplanes. Since, he has continued to work to reduce tobacco use—especially by young people—by leading the passage of legislation to increase the tobacco purchase age to 21, pressing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, and repeatedly calling on the FDA to better enforce laws regulating unauthorized e-cigarettes.
    • Dream Act/DACA. Beginning in 2001, Durbin introduced the Dream Act to give young immigrants the chance to earn U.S. citizenship. He has introduced the legislation every Congress since. Durbin has spoken on the Senate Floor 147 times to tell the stories of these young people. In 2012, Durbin worked with President Obama to establish the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to allow these young people to gain temporary status. As of September 2024, roughly 530,000 people had active DACA status. 
    • Criminal Justice Reform. Durbin’s Fair Sentencing Act, enacted in 2010, reduced the federal sentencing disparity for crack/powder cocaine offenses. In 2019, Durbin led bipartisan efforts to enact the First Step Act, the most significant criminal justice reform legislation in a generation. More than 40,000 people had been released under the First Step Act as of January 2024, with a recidivism rate of only 9.7 percent. Durbin continues to work to further these efforts through his Safer Detention Act, Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act, and Smarter Sentencing Act.
    • Infrastructure Investments. Durbin has made strengthening Illinois’ role as a transportation hub a top priority. He has led efforts to secure funding to relieve congestion on Illinois’ roads; modernize O’Hare International Airport; expand air service downstate; improve and expand passenger rail service—including Amtrak, CTA, and Metra; modernize locks and dams; and improve pedestrian safety. Since the return of earmarks from Fiscal Year 2022 – Fiscal Year 2024 alone, Durbin secured $548.1 million for Illinois projects. 
    • Health Care Shortages. Durbin has led efforts to expand health care access, especially in rural areas. Durbin’s bipartisan SIREN Act, first enacted in 2018, provides grants to rural fire and EMS agencies. He secured $1 billion for the National Health Service Corps and Nurse Corps in the American Rescue Plan to recruit more doctors, nurses, dentists, and behavioral health providers. Durbin has also worked to expand oral health care access through Medicaid. 
    • Medical & Scientific Research. Through Durbin’s American Cures and American Innovation Acts, and his America Grows Act, he has led efforts to secure increased funding—with the goal of five percent real growth—for federal medical and scientific research funding, including through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Defense (DoD), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and other agencies. Durbin’s efforts resulted in a 60 percent funding increase for NIH over the past decade.
    • Support for the Baltics. Durbin was a strong supporter of the accession of Poland and the Baltics into NATO. He has been a steadfast Senate champion of the NATO alliance. And he has worked to provide further security support through his bipartisan Baltic Security Initiative Act and by securing funding for Baltic security through defense appropriations. 
    • College Affordability. In 2013, Durbin helped negotiate the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act to lower interest rates on federal student loans. Durbin’s Open Textbooks Pilot program has resulted in more than $250 million in estimated savings for students.  Durbin also led efforts to hold fraudulent for-profit colleges accountable and has pushed the Education Department to discharge the student loans of borrowers who attended these predatory schools. 
    • Gun Violence Prevention. Durbin has prioritized addressing childhood trauma to break the cycle of violence, including through his Chicago HEAL Initiative and his Trauma Support in Schools grant program with Senator Capito. In 2023, the 10 HEAL hospitals provided 4,403 students with employment/training opportunities and provided 2,614 victims of violence with trauma-informed case management. Durbin is working to further these efforts through his bipartisan RISE from Trauma Act.
    • Consumer Protection. In 2008, Durbin first introduced legislation to create an agency focused on consumer protection, which eventually was added to Dodd-Frank and resulted in the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Dodd-Frank also included the Durbin swipe fee amendment to cap debit card swipe fees, estimated to have saved consumers $6 billion in the first year after implementation. Durbin has continued to work to protect consumers through his bipartisan Credit Card Competition Act—and more recently, legislation to protect consumers from crypto ATM fraud and to bring transparency to airline rewards programs.
    • Protecting the Environment. Durbin has led efforts to protect the Great Lakes, including through Army Corps projects like Brandon Road, securing funding for Chicago shoreline restoration, supporting the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and introducing legislation to prohibit the discharge of plastic pellets into waterways. Durbin has worked to reduce emissions and chemical discharges, including to reduce ethylene oxide emissions and more recently, legislation to phase out non-essential uses of PFAS. Durbin has also secured significant funding for electric vehicle production and charging infrastructure in Illinois.
    • Veterans Care. Durbin’s Veteran Servicemember Caregiver Support Act led to a new, national program at the VA, enacted in 2010, to provide financial assistance, health care, and counseling to family caregivers of disabled veterans. In 2023, the VA provided services to more than 74,000 caregivers participating in the program. Durbin also led the effort to establish the Lovell Federal Health Care Facility in North Chicago.
    • Defense Funding. Durbin served as Chairman/Vice Chairman of Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee from the 113th-116th Congresses. As a leader and member of that subcommittee, Durbin secured funding for a range of small defense contractors in Illinois, strengthened manufacturing at Rock Island Arsenal and capabilities at Scott Air Force Base, and led efforts to increase service member pay. Durbin also led the effort to bring a DoD Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute to Illinois (MxD) and has worked to address DoD’s PFAS releases to protect service members and their families.

    Durbin was born in East St. Louis, Illinois, to his father, William Durbin, and his Lithuanian-born mother, Ona (Kutkaite) Durbin. He is married to Loretta Schaefer Durbin. Their family consists of three children—Christine, Paul, and Jennifer—as well as six grandchildren.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Joint session of Parliament commemorates Pope Francis

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    23 Aprile 2025

    The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, delivered an address to the joint session of Parliament held at the Chamber of Deputies today to commemorate His Holiness Pope Francis.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: New child care spaces, training centre open in North Vancouver

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Students and families will have more access to affordable child care spaces and a new centre to train early childhood educators (ECE) at Capilano University (CapU) in North Vancouver. 

    “Access to high-quality, affordable child care is essential, not only for advancing equality but also for strengthening our economy by helping more people pursue an education or find a job,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “The new Fulmer Family Centre for Childhood Studies doubles the number of child care spaces on campus, supporting families in the community, while also providing more opportunities for early childhood education students to get the education they need to join the workforce in their chosen field.”

    The centre adds 74 child care spaces for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, for a total of 143 on-campus spaces. A purpose-built learning space with labs and classrooms is also opening to provide education for 20 additional early childhood educators, bringing the practicum placements for students on campus to 48.

    “As I finish the final year of my bachelor’s degree in early childhood education at Capilano University, I look back on my educational journey that started 30 years ago when only diplomas were available,” said Kate Berry-deWynter, student, CapU. “Now, as a mother of three university-age children, I am achieving my dream of completing a degree. Being an ECE student at CapU has reinvigorated my passion for education, social justice and advocacy for educators.”

    The Fulmer Family Centre for Childhood Studies is Western Canada’s only degree-granting, integrated centre for early childhood care, research and education. The child care centre will be on the main floor and the education facility for ECE students will be upstairs.

    “As we continue to build a future where affordable, quality and inclusive child care is a core service that working families, women and single parents can count on, we know early childhood educators play a vital role,” said Rohini Arora, parliamentary secretary for child care. “This new centre is co-located, increasing access to child care and providing more practicum opportunities for students. This is not only great news for families on the North Shore, but any community where these future ECEs decide to live and work.”

    The $25-million Centre for Childhood Studies project received more than $11 million from the Province, including nearly $3 million from the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund. Capilano University contributed more than $8 million toward the project, with nearly $6 million from donors.

    “The Centre for Childhood Studies at Capilano University is one of many ways our government is investing in education and training for early childhood educators, and we are making a difference,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “Since 2017, over 8,900 students have enrolled in early childhood education programs at public post-secondary institutions across B.C., an 85% increase. By expanding opportunities for on-the-job training for future early child care educators and creating more child care spaces for families, this new centre will set up learners of all ages for success.”

    Since 2018, ChildCareBC’s accelerated space-creation programs have helped fund the creation of more than 40,000 new licensed child care spaces in B.C., with more than 23,000 of these operational. Funding the creation of new child care spaces is part of the Province’s ChildCareBC plan to build access to affordable, quality and inclusive child care as a core service for families.

    Children will begin attending the child care centre in June 2025 and classes for the ECE program will begin in the new centre in fall 2025.

    Quotes:

    Susie Chant, MLA North Vancouver-Seymour –

    “As a parent and foster parent, I know how vital stable support is in a child’s early years. Families thrive when they have access to reliable care and skilled early childhood educators. That’s why the new centre at Capilano University is so important. It offers a safe, supportive space where children, parents and future educators can learn and grow together.”

    Brad Martin, dean, faculty of education, health and human development, Capilano University –

    “The opening of this innovative teaching, learning and research space reimagines how we prepare future educators to meet the needs of 21st-century children and provides quality child care that is vital for children, families and communities to thrive.”  

    Learn More:

    For more information about how B.C. is delivering quality and affordable child care to more families in the province, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/childcare

    For more information about supports, training and professional development opportunities for child care and early learning professionals, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/childcare/ecestrategy

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Speaks to Passage of Pro-Ag Bills Through Second Round Debate

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Speaks to Passage of Pro-Ag Bills Through Second Round Debate

    LINCOLN, NE – Today, the Nebraska Legislature voted two pro-agriculture bills through the second round of debate. Both were introduced at the request of Governor Jim Pillen.

    LB317 would merge the Department of Natural Resources with the Department of Environment and Energy, forming the Department of Water, Energy and Environment. Sponsored by Senator Tom Brandt, LB317 aims to streamline the operations of both agencies, especially in areas for which they currently have shared interest, like water quality, quantity and management.

    The second bill, LB246 sponsored by Senator Barry DeKay, would prohibit the production, sale, promotion or distribution of cell-cultured meat products in the state.

    “These are commonsense pieces of legislation that support Nebraska’s number one economic driver – agriculture. And, in the case of LB317, it reduces the scope of state government operations,” said Gov. Pillen. “I look forward to signing both bills once they are voted through final reading.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Stakeholders acknowledge progress with Zimbabwe arrears clearance dialogue, call for more effort and support

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

    WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, April 23, 2025/APO Group/ —

    • Challenges should not overshadow the good results achieved so far, says former president Chissano
    • “Zimbabwe has made a lot of progress, against all odds. Now, we all should rally around it to conclude this process,” Adesina
    • Former farm owners welcome compensation payment

    International organisations, creditors, and other stakeholders in the Zimbabwe arrears clearance and debt resolution unanimously acknowledged on Monday that tremendous progress has been made after two years of an extensive Structured Dialogue process but observed several challenges that need to be addressed.

    At a roundtable meeting on Zimbabwe’s Arrears Clearance and Debt Resolution Process held on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Group Spring Meetings in Washington, participants highlighted achievements in two of three reform areas: economic growth and stability, land reforms, and compensation of former farm owners. However, they called for more effort in the governance pillar.

    “The parameters of the dialogue have been set. Most issues have been dealt with. Commitments and targets have been agreed upon. We should all be proud of the dialogue process and what it has achieved,” said Joachim Chissano, former president of Mozambique and facilitator of Zimbabwe’s Arrears Clearance and Debt Resolution Process.

    Other speakers included Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank and champion of the dialogue process; Ndiamé Diop, the World Bank Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa; Abebe Selassie, Director of the African Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who represented the Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva; representatives of the governments of the Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany; and the Southern African Development Community Executive Secretary Elias M. Magosi.

    “Zimbabwe has made a lot of progress, against all odds,” said Adesina, pointing out, however, that recent ascent to the Private Voluntary Organization (PVO) bill is a significant setback and poses a risk to the arrears clearance and debt resolution process.

    Adesina laid out several concrete next steps, including the need for the IMF to approve the Staff Monitored Programme for Zimbabwe at the Spring Meetings, support from potential donors for bridge loan financing, exploration of additional resources from the African Development Fund, and prioritisation of Zimbabwe’s arrears clearance within the G20 Common Framework.

    He said the African Development Bank Group will explore the possibility of mobilising additional resources for Zimbabwe’s arrears clearance within the framework of the 17th replenishment of the African Development Fund coming up towards the end of the year. This will form part of an agreed-upon process for clearing the bridge loan.

    “Similarly, we encourage the World Bank’s International Development Association to do the same to clear arrears,” the Bank Group president said.

    “To move the arrears clearance and debt resolution forward, the African Development Bank Group is financing the Global Sovereign Advisory and legal advisors, Kepler-Karst, to support the arrears clearance and debt resolution process, with clear timelines,” Adesina said.

    Progress across three reform pillars

    Chissano outlined other reforms that the Zimbabwe government undertook within the dialogue process framework, including the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe ceasing its quasi-fiscal operations, with all liabilities transferred to the treasury; the exchange rate system moving closer to market-determined rates; prudent fiscal policy and expenditure rationalisation being pursued; and the ongoing token payments to creditors.

    Under the land tenure reform, Chissano and other speakers welcomed the ongoing compensation for former farm owners and the Farm Title Deed programme launched in December 2024. The programme provides for a 99-year lease agreement that is bankable and transferable.

    Regarding governance reforms, the meeting heard that Zimbabwe had abolished the death penalty and that other significant reforms were underway to improve efficiency in the justice sector, enhance measures to fight corruption, and improve public sector transparency and accountability.

    However, like other speakers, Chissano noted that challenges remain in civil society engagement, democratic elections, judicial processes, freedom of assembly, and freedom of expression.

    “These challenges show that dialogue is still needed for reforms to take root. They also show that political reforms are not a linear process,” he said, urging that these challenges “should mobilise us to redouble our efforts and re-energise the dialogue process.”

    The government of Zimbabwe has proposed a plan to secure bridge financing of $2.6 billion to clear arrears to international financial institutions.

    In his presentation, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion, Mthuli Ncube said the country’s economic outlook shows signs of recovery with expected growth of 6.0% in 2025. This is a remarkable improvement on last year’s 2.0% due to severe drought. The introduction of ZiG currency in April 2024 is helping to restore macroeconomic stability.

    The arrears clearance roadmap aims to secure and implement a Staff Monitored Programme with the IMF in 2025, develop a credible strategy to close the fiscal financing gap, clear arrears with international financial institutions by early 2026, and complete comprehensive debt restructuring under the G20 Common Framework.

    The Southern African Development Community Executive Secretary, Elias M. Magosi, said Zimbabwe should be supported to bounce back, pointing to its strategic role in regional trade, integration, and development.

    Back in Zimbabwe, the former president of the Commercial Farmers Union, Mr. Andrew J. Pascoe, confirmed receipt of payments made to former landowners, describing the development as “another momentous event.”

    “Monday, 24 March 2025, saw the first US Dollar Cash payments due under this plan being paid to the signed-up Former Farm Owners (FFOs),” he said. “After almost 20 years, we, as Zimbabweans had been able to put aside our differences and, in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust, negotiated an agreement that laid the foundation for the payment of compensation for improvements on farms which the government of Zimbabwe had acquired under the Fast Track Land Reform Programme.”

    “I would like, as a representative of these farmers, to sincerely thank His Excellency, President Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa and his government for standing by the commitment made by His Excellency in 2018 to pay compensation for acquired farms in line with the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” he said.

    Nearly three years ago, President Emmerson Mnangagwa asked Dr Adesina to champion Zimbabwe’s arrears clearance and debt resolution process.

    “I knew the job would be difficult,” Adesina recalled and expressed confidence, saying, “We will succeed in giving Zimbabwe and its people a full arrears clearance and debt resolution so that it can receive critical concessional financing needed to boost its growth and development further.”

    “Now, we all should rally around it to conclude this process,” he added.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Province is on the right track toward safer roads in B.C.

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    People in British Columbia will benefit from further road and pedestrian safety measures in their communities through the Vision Zero Grant Program.

    The grants are awarded directly to communities in B.C. to improve local road safety, make active transportation more accessible and prevent injuries. In 2025, a total of $794,991 has been distributed to 50 communities. This includes 15 projects in First Nations communities.

    “Putting the prevention of serious injuries and fatalities at the heart of our transportation systems makes our communities healthier and safer,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “Through the Vision Zero Grant Program, communities are receiving the resources they need to make meaningful road-safety improvements. By working together, we are creating safer, more inclusive spaces for everyone, whether they walk, cycle or drive.”

    This is the fourth year of the Vision Zero Grant Program, a joint initiative between the provincial government, the regional health authorities, First Nations Health Authority and the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit (BCIRPU). The grants are provided by the Province through the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, with additional funding top-ups provided by the regional health authorities. The Vision Zero Grant Program has funded more than 200 projects, totaling more than $3 million in awards disbursed since its inception in 2021.

    By implementing Vision Zero, the Province is working toward making roads in British Columbia safer by preventing vulnerable road-user injuries or reducing their severity. Making roads safer for all users also contributes to:

    • helping address the disproportionate number of traffic injuries occurring in underserved communities, neighbourhoods and populations, as well as within Indigenous communities;
    • reducing health-care system usage, lowering health-care costs and improving health-system capacity by freeing up health-care space when injuries are prevented;
    • building capacity in the public-health system in an area of injury that represents one of the two largest sources of trauma presented at British Columbia emergency departments; and
    • supporting provincial climate change efforts by shifting people to transportation with lower carbon footprint, such as walking, cycling and micro-mobility (e.g., e-scooters, e-bikes), and by taking specific steps to make these modes safer and more attractive.

    “Keeping people safely on the move is a top priority for our ministry,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit. “These grants will upgrade the infrastructure that makes it safer to walk, cycle and use other forms of active transportation, and improve road safety in our communities.”

    This initiative builds on the $24 million recently provided to 53 active transportation infrastructure projects and nine transportation network plans through the B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program, helping to increase safety and improve active transportation options in the province. 

    Quotes:

    Dr. Shelina Babul, director, BCIRPU –

    “It takes foresight and recognition to identify a problem in your community and then to try and do something about it. The BCIRPU is responsible for co-ordinating the Vision Zero Grant Program in the province. We’re pleased that these applicants took the initiative to improve road safety in their communities and encourage active transportation in a tangible way.”

    Chief Alice Mackay, Matsqui First Nation –

    “Our First Nation is very happy that we have received funding from the BC Vision Zero in Road Safety Grant Program for our Máthxwi Temexw Bus Connector project. Many of our members don’t own cars, so having a safe public-transportation option for our members will fill a long-time mobility gap for our community. Currently, the nearest bus stop is a four-kilometre walk away along a very unsafe, narrow, fast road with lots of traffic and no shoulder at all. With this funding secured, we can now work with BC Transit, the City of Abbotsford and other partners to start a transit-service pilot project to show that this service is needed and will be used, and to get real-world learnings about what would make a permanent service successful for our community.”

    Patrick Johnstone, mayor of New Westminster –

    “The City of New Westminster is grateful to receive funding to support the comprehensive redesign of this section of Princess Street. These improvements result from consultation with concerned community members and advance our goal of providing safe, comfortable and accessible mobility options for people of all ages and abilities, especially vulnerable road users. Thank you to the Vision Zero Grant Program for this opportunity to make our streets safer.”

    Ken Popove, mayor of Chilliwack –

    “The BC Vision Zero in Road Safety Grant will help us improve safety for people using the Lickman Park and Ride, a very well-used transit facility connecting Chilliwack to Abbotsford, Langley and Burnaby. Improving the pedestrian crossing at this location will really help to create a safer and more comfortable environment for people who are interested in using transit here. We are thankful that the BC Vision Zero Grant Program has provided us with this opportunity to improve pedestrian safety in our community.”

    Learn More:

    For more details about the program, visit: https://www.visionzerobc.ca/

    For information about the list of communities receiving funding, visit: https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/678ef2b34de2f87c67fbbdaa/67f970573dd5008f6429b8ca_Vision%20Zero%20BC%20-%202025-2026%20Projects%20List.pdf

    For information about each funded project, visit: https://www.visionzerobc.ca/our-projects

    For information about B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/funding-engagement-permits/funding-grants/active-transportation-infrastructure-grants

    For more information about BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit, visit https://injuryresearch.bc.ca

    A backgrounder follows.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: UPDATE — HP Announces 2025 Digital Equity Accelerator Cohort

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    News Highlights:

    • Eight nonprofit organizations in Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Spain selected for the 2025 Digital Equity Accelerator.
    • Organizations are serving disconnected adolescents and adults through digital skills training, education access, and other community-driven initiatives.
    • Each nonprofit will receive $100,000 of HP technology and solutions, capacity-building cash grants, and six–months of training and programming to support scale.
    • In its first three years, the Accelerator helped 27 participating organizations expand their reach by more than 9 million people.
    • The Digital Equity Accelerator, a joint initiative of HP Inc. and the HP Foundation, helps power the future of work by improving access to technology, digital literacy, and AI-driven skills development.

    PALO ALTO, Calif., April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) and the HP Foundation announced the selection of 8 nonprofit organizations in Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Spain for the 2025 Digital Equity Accelerator (Accelerator). The Accelerator will provide the 2025 cohort with a USD $100,000 grant, HP technology (~USD $100,000 value), and six months of virtual training to strengthen capacity and drive digital inclusion.

    “The future of work depends on equitable access to technology, digital skills, and opportunity,” said Michele Malejki, Global Head of Social Impact, HP Inc. and Executive Director, HP Foundation. “Through the Digital Equity Accelerator, HP is empowering nonprofits to bridge the digital divide, ensuring disconnected adolescents and adults have the tools and training needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world. By investing in these organizations, we are not just expanding access—we are powering the future of work.”

    A $1 trillion-plus digital divide is limiting billions from achieving equal access to education and economic opportunities. Through the Accelerator, HP collaborates with a network of partners to help nonprofit organizations scale digital equity solutions.

    “We are fortunate to work with companies like HP that are committed to scaling tech for good through this Accelerator,” said Hala Hanna, Executive Director, MIT Solve. “Our support programs are designed to meet nonprofit leaders where they are – providing capacity building workshops, executive coaching, peer-to-peer collaboration, and a library of in-kind resources to help them fully benefit from the program.”

    Accelerating Digital Equity in Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Spain
    The Accelerator helps nonprofits scale digital equity programs for disconnected adults and adolescents to power the future of work. Meet the 2025 Digital Equity Accelerator cohort:

    Greece:

    • Socialinnov (Social Impact and Innovation) – Leveraging technology to drive social change, Socialinnov has equipped more than 40,000 people in underrepresented communities in Greece with digital skills training that expands access to the digital economy.
    • The Smile of the Child (TSoC) – Founded in 1995 by 10-year-old Andreas Yannopoulos, The Smile of the Child (TSoC) is a non-profit organization supporting more than 2.2 million adults and adolescents with tools, technology and other resources.

    Indonesia:

    • Solve Education Foundation – Focusing on empowering Indonesian youth with 21st century skills through its AI-powered learning platform, edbot.ai, an innovative enrichment program, helping students succeed in school and beyond.
    • Markoding (Daya Kreasi Anak Bangsa Foundation) – Helps equip underprivileged youth with 21st-century skills to foster a generation of innovators. Its flagship program, Perempuan Inovasi, has empowered over 35,000 women with STEM training, mentorship, and access to job opportunities.

    Nigeria:

    • She-Code Africa Women Tech Initiative (She Code Africa) – Provides participants across Africa with in-demand digital and technical skills. Since 2016, its training, mentorship, scholarships, and career programs have helped more than 62,000 people receive the digital skills needed to thrive in the digital economy.
    • The Slum to School Initiative (Slum2School Africa) – Addressing Africa’s education crisis, this volunteer-driven organization provides quality education, skills development, and psychosocial support to underserved children and youth, empowering them to drive sustainable development.

    Spain:

    • AlmaNatura Foundation – Founded in a small village in Southern Spain, AlmaNatura designs and implements projects that revitalize rural areas through employment, education, health, and sustainability, fostering opportunities for local communities to thrive.
    • Fundación Esplai Ciudadanía Comprometida (Committed Citizenship Esplai Foundation) – Focuses on promoting citizen empowerment through inclusive, rights-based projects and programs. It collaborates with local, national, and international organizations to support socio-educational initiatives in information and communication technologies (ICT).

    Since 2022, the Accelerator has helped expand the reach of 27 nonprofit organizations in Brazil, Canada, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, South Africa, and the U.S. by more than 9 million people.

    HP’s Commitment to Digital Equity and Sustainable Impact
    As nearly half of the world’s population remains offline, equipping youth and adults with critical skills reflects HP’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and supporting economic inclusion. The Digital Equity Accelerator is one way HP is delivering progress toward its goal to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people by 2030.

    For more information on the Digital Equity Accelerator, please visit the website.

    About HP
    HP Inc. is a global technology leader and creator of solutions that enable people to bring their ideas to life and connect to the things that matter most. Operating in more than 170 countries, HP delivers a wide range of innovative and sustainable devices, services and subscriptions for personal computing, printing, 3D printing, hybrid work, gaming, and more. For more information, please visit http://www.hp.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth on Durbin Retirement: The Senate is Losing a Giant

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    April 22, 2025
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—Senate Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation Ranking Member—with House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA-02) and House Subcommittee on Aviation Ranking Member Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) today wrote to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau with their concerns regarding the safety of aircraft operations in and around Washington National Airport (DCA) in the wake of recent tragic incidents and multiple close calls. 
    “In the wake of the tragic January 29, 2025 midair collision, the operational challenges at DCA were thrust into the spotlight, drawing increased scrutiny and attention,” the Members wrote. “This includes numerous underlying issues, such as problems with existing standard operating procedures and air traffic controller resourcing.”
    Given the continuing pattern of safety incidents at DCA following the tragic mid-air collision on January 29, the Members called for the FAA to take the following actions: 
    Ensure that the required updated staffing targets at the DCA air traffic control tower are met and ensure that any necessary support roles are also fully staffed.
    Keep the hourly aircraft arrival rate at DCA at reduced levels, at least until the—
    DCA air traffic control tower is fully staffed up to such staffing targets; and
    FAA fully addresses the safety risks identified from the agency’s ongoing safety risk management panel (SRMP) review of DCA.
    Evaluate and modify any agreements with the Department of Defense and any other relevant government agencies pertaining to flight operations in the DCA capital region to ensure the safety of the flying public.
    Hold regular briefings for Congress about DCA, its operations, and any progress made in the agency’s review.
    In addition to the above actions, the Ranking Members call on the FAA to expand its ongoing SRMP review of DCA to include an analysis of various additional factors, including congestion in the airspace, the ideal staffing levels of the air traffic control tower, outstanding National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations, aircraft safety technology equipage and communication standards and the general mental health of aviation professionals working or operating at DCA. To ensure safer skies for the flying public, the FAA must take these immediate actions.
    The full letter is available on the Senator’s website and below.
    Dear Acting Administrator Rocheleau,
    We write to express our considerable concerns regarding the safety of aircraft operations in and around Washington National Airport (DCA). In the wake of the tragic January 29, 2025 midair collision, the operational challenges at DCA were thrust into the spotlight, drawing increased scrutiny and attention. This includes numerous underlying issues, such as problems with existing standard operating procedures (SOP) and air traffic controller resourcing.  In response, the FAA has made urgent safety changes which we strongly support, including the prohibition of operations on helicopter route 4 at DCA, the examination of helicopter operations at 21 other U.S. airports in 10 metro areas, a review of air traffic controllers staffing levels at the DCA tower, and an evaluation of DCA’s current hourly aircraft arrival rates.
    Despite these efforts, incidents at DCA continue to occur at an alarming rate. On Thursday, March 27, two air traffic controllers at DCA’s tower were involved in a physical altercation, with one controller being arrested and put on administrative leave while the FAA investigates the matter. Although the cause of the altercation has yet to be determined, we remain concerned that the mounting stress arising from the January 29 accident is having a lasting effect on air traffic controllers at DCA and that FAA’s dispatching of a ‘stress management team,’ while welcome, may be an insufficient response.
    On Friday, March 28, there was another alarming loss of separation between a military aircraft and civilian commercial carrier. According to numerous sources, a flight of four Air Force T-38 Talons was conducting a flyby of the Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), at which point DCA was advised to stop departures. Despite the notification, DCA continued to launch departures as the group of Talons continued inbound to the ANC. After Delta Airlines Flight 2983 departed Runway 19, separation was lost with the Talons, resulting in a serious near-miss event that allowed a distance between the two aircraft to be as close as 3,900 feet laterally and 100 feet vertically.
    Finally, on Thursday, April 10, 2025, two American Eagle flights, Flight 5490 operated by PSA Airlines and Flight 4522 operated by Republic Airways, made contact on a DCA taxiway. Together these planes were transporting a total of 143 passengers to Charleston International Airport (CHS) in South Carolina and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries and both aircraft safely returned to the terminal and were taken out of service for inspection. However, this event is yet another in a growing pattern of concerning incidents at this congested airport.
    Given these significant ongoing issues at DCA, we call for the FAA to take the following actions:
    Immediately implement, in coordination with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the Collaborative Resource Working Group (CRWG) staffing targets at the DCA air traffic control tower and ensure that any necessary support roles are also fully staffed.
    Maintain the reduced hourly aircraft arrival rate at DCA to the rate put in place after standard operations first resumed on all three runways on or around February 11, 2025, at least until the—
    DCA control tower is fully staffed in alignment with the CRWG staffing targets; and
    FAA fully addresses the safety risks identified from the agency’s ongoing safety risk management panel (SRMP) review of DCA, including any risks identified from the analysis of the additional factors enumerated below.
    Evaluate and, as appropriate, modify any agreements or established SOPs with the Department of Defense and any other relevant governmental agencies pertaining to flight operations in the DCA capital region to ensure the safety of the flying public.
    Commence, at minimum, monthly briefings for our Committees describing
    Aviation safety incidents that occur in the DCA capital region, including identified airspace risks;
    Reforms the FAA or other agencies are actively implementing to improve the safety of DCA and its surrounding airspace; and
    Progress of the DCA SRMP and the implementation of its recommendations.
    In addition to the above actions, the FAA should ensure it is conducting a comprehensive analysis reviewing issues that may not currently be within the scope of the existing DCA SRMP. We urge you to either extend the scope and timeline for the existing DCA SRMP or conduct a separate review to sufficiently examine the following factors pertaining to DCA and its surrounding airspace:
    Congestion levels at DCA and its surrounding airspace;
    Any outstanding NTSB recommendations that, if implemented immediately, could improve the safety of DCA and its surrounding airspace;
    Existing data from the DCA capital region that has been collected but not analyzed, with the purpose of identifying presently unknown risks to aviation safety;
    Staffing levels of the DCA air traffic control tower and related facilities;
    General mental health of aviation professionals working or operating at DCA, including air traffic controllers, pilots, and airport first responders;
    Effectiveness and timeliness of mental health resources provided to these professionals, particularly after aviation accidents and other emergencies;
    Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) usage on aircraft operating near DCA; and
    Communication practices between air traffic controllers and flight crews, including—
    The segregation of various aircraft communications frequencies; and
    Air traffic controller and pilot callback standards and best practices;
    While it may take time for the NTSB to determine the causes of the tragic January 29 midair collision over the Potomac, we can act now to ensure safer skies for the flying public. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.
    Sincerely,
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal alien sentenced in multimillion-dollar elder fraud ring

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HOUSTON – The second ringleader in an international fraud scheme victimizing the elderly has been ordered to prison, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei for the Southern District of Texas (SDTX).

    Hardik Jayantilal Patel, 37, illegally resided in Lexington, Kentucky. He pleaded guilty Dec. 1, 2023.

    U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen has now sentenced Patel to serve 46 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. Patel will also pay a combined $3,203,478 in restitution to 85 identified victims. In handing down the sentence, Judge Hanen noted the large number of victims and the significant harm Patel and his conspirators caused. Not a U.S. citizen, Patel is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence.

    “We have an obligation to protect our seniors from the predations of scammers,” said Ganjei. “SDTX will tirelessly pursue those that seek to profit by swindling the elderly.”

    From March through November 2019, Patel led a team of domestic money mules aka “runners.” They laundered money tied to telemarketing fraud schemes originating from call centers in India. Most victims were elderly.

    Scammers pretended to work for the U.S. government and claimed the victims were under investigation. They claimed the only way to clear their name was to send cash by mail. Runners in the United States would then pick up the packages and launder the cash.

    At least three runners worked under Patel in 2019. He also collaborated with an associate, Sohil Usmangani Vahora, who managed his own team of four runners. Together, they coordinated efforts to launder fraud proceeds.

    Runners under both Patel and Vahora picked up hundreds of packages between 2019 and 2020 nationwide. These packages contained millions of dollars in cash that victims in multiple states had sent.

    Patel was the last of seven to be sentenced in related cases in the SDTX. Vahora, 40, Des Plaines, Illinois, received more than 15 years in prison and was ordered to pay over $3.5 million in restitution.

    Zaheen Malvi, 30, Heber Springs, Arkansas, initially worked as a runner in the scheme. He later assisted Vahora in managing two other individuals involved in the operation. He received a 54-month sentence and was ordered to pay more than $1.6 million in restitution.

    Dhirenkumar Patel, 33, Richmond, Kentucky, was a runner who worked for Patel. He was ordered to serve 18 months in prison and pay $225,221 in restitution to his victims.

    Three other runners received sentences ranging from 29-60 months.

    With the exception of Vahora, who was a legal permanent resident, Patel and his co-conspirators were all illegally in the country when they committed their crimes.

    Patel will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

    The Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General (SSA-OIG), Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the FBI, Kentucky State Police and police departments in Heber Springs, Arkansas, and Frankfort, Kentucky. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Bauman and Kate Suh are prosecuting the case. 

    The SSA and its OIG consistently warns people of similar scams. Protect yourself! 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Chancellor unveils plans to maintain level playing field for British business

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    Chancellor unveils plans to maintain level playing field for British business

    British businesses will be supported to trade freely as the Chancellor chooses to act on practices that undercut fair trade, such as the dumping of cheap goods into the UK.

    • Chancellor Rachel Reeves takes action to mitigate the impacts of practices such as potential future ‘dumping’ of cheap goods into the UK to help boost growth and deliver the Plan for Change.

    • Increased support for businesses to report unfair practices, improved monitoring of trade data, and an acceleration of potential measures to deter import surges. 

    • Review of the customs treatment of Low Value Imports – which some of the UK’s best-known retailers argue disadvantages them with overseas competitors.

    The government announced immediate action by the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), the body responsible for defending the UK against certain unfair international trade practices.  

    The Chancellor also announced her intention to review the customs treatment of Low Value Imports, which allows goods valued at £135 or less to be imported without paying customs duty.  

    Some of Britain’s best-known retailers such as Next and Sainsburys, have called to amend the treatment, arguing that it disadvantages them by allowing international companies to undercut them.  

    Speaking in Washington D.C. at the annual IMF Springs meetings, Reeves was clear that an open global economy is crucial for UK growth, the number one priority of the government’s Plan for Change. 

    She said that free and open trade is good for the UK, but fairness needs to be injected into the global economic system.  

    Gains from global economic growth have not been equally shared both at home and abroad, and more needs to be done to tackle the rise in non-market practices that harm working people’s incomes.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

    The world has changed, and we are in a new era of global trade.  

    We must stand up for free and open trade – crucial to deliver our Plan for Change to make everyone better off. We must help businesses keep their access to trade around the world.   

    This government is meeting the moment to protect fair and open trade. Following recent announcements reducing tariffs and support for the zero-emissions vehicles industry, today’s package will help businesses compete fairly with international exporters, supporting a world economy that provides stability and fairness for working people and businesses alike.

    Today’s (23 April) support comes in addition to recent action taken by the government recently to support industry and businesses navigate tough global economic headwinds.   

    This includes action to protect British steelmaking, as the UK vows to take a strategic approach to the forthcoming industrial strategy so the economy that can make, sell, and buy more in Britain.   

    As part of the Spring Statement tariffs were suspended on 89 foreign products – ranging from pasta, fruit juices and spices to plastics and gardening supplies – over the next two years.  

    The Prime Minister announced earlier this month that the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate is changing to make it easier for industry to upgrade to make electric vehicles while delivering the manifesto commitment to stop sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    This government won’t stand idly by while cheap imports flood our markets and harm British industries. That is why I met with the TRA recently to agree urgent steps to tackle these issues in real time to deliver quicker protections for firms. 

    This is about standing up for our national interest, and as part of our Plan for Change, creating a level playing field where UK businesses can thrive and grow.

    More information

    Low Value Imports

    • Many of Britain’s most well-known domestic retailers have criticised the customs treatment of Low Value Imports.

    • They argue that it gives preferential tariff treatment to firms who manufacture and warehouse their goods overseas and then ship directly to UK customers – paying no tariffs.

    • Listening to the concerns the Chancellor will review this regime. Officials will engage stakeholders from next month to consider the impact on UK consumers, minimising administrative costs and other factors.

    • For stakeholders looking to engage the government on the review of the customs treatment of low value imports, please contact lowvalueimports@hmtreasury.gov.uk.

    Theo Paphitis, Retail Entrepreneur, said:

    This is a much-needed injection of confidence for retailers and a common sense move to protect the UK economy. The sector has been crying out to level the unfair playing field and is a welcome, positive and strong step in the right direction by the Chancellor. This shows the government is listening and responding to UK business.

    George Weston, Chief Executive of Associated British Foods, said:

    We welcome the Chancellor’s plan to review the customs treatment of Low Value Imports. The abolition of the favourable tax treatment of low value imports would be a significant step forwards in the government’s support for British businesses. We have long advocated for the closure of this tax loophole which undermines many UK companies that make a substantial contribution to the British economy, to the British high street and to the British Government’s own revenues.

    Alex Baldock, CEO of Currys PLC said:

    Today’s government announcement is encouraging. All retailers selling to UK consumers should play by the same rules. If you want to sell to UK consumers, then abide by UK standards, and pay UK tax, just as UK retailers do.    Today, low-value shipments delivered from abroad straight to UK consumers avoid import duty, often evade VAT, and can fail to meet safety standards. There’s a growing risk of unsafe and tax-dodging product being dumped in the UK, as tariffs bite and the US and EU close their own import duty loopholes. I’m pleased that the government is urgently reviewing the low-value shipment loophole, and that they’re committed to levelling the playing field between British and overseas retailers.

    Improved Global Trade Data

    • Dumping of cheap goods into the UK is where foreign exports are sold into the UK at lower than market rates, harming UK producers as a result.

    The government announced immediate steps the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) – which defends the UK against certain unfair international trade practices – will take to mitigate risks to the UK economy:

    • The TRA will be surging resources into its pre-application office by pulling in the best and the brightest analysts, lawyers and accountants from across the Civil Service to support British businesses. The pre-application office advises and supports businesses with the evidence the TRA needs to launch cases. Staff will shift more focus to work with businesses on the ground, especially small and medium companies, to help them report and evidence unfair trade practices where they see them happening.

    • The TRA will act to enhance it’s monitoring of emerging trade risks; including new surveillance and data gathering measures. This will help the government spot and tackle the potential dumping of cheap goods into the UK.

    • The TRA are going to work to reduce the time it takes them to carry out investigations and implement measures – to deter harmful imports and help bring action quicker to British businesses.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis Hosts Colorado-Mexico Friendship Day to Celebrate State’s Strong Trade, Tourism & Cultural Partnership

    Source: US State of Colorado

    Mexico is one of Colorado’s biggest trade partners

    DENVER – While President Trump’s tariffs barrels the U.S. toward a recession and raises costs on hardworking Coloradans, Colorado Governor Jared Polis seeks to strengthen economic prosperity  with Mexico and Canada, Colorado’s largest trading partners, and has been outspoken against the national tariffs and about the important partnerships that Colorado has with both countries. That’s why Governor Polis today hosted Colorado-Mexico Friendship Day alongside Mexican Consul General Pavel Meléndez Cruz. This comes after the Governor hosted Colorado Canada Friendship Day in March alongside Sylvain Fabi, Consul General of Canada in Denver.

    “Trump’s tariff tax increase is raising costs on hardworking people, businesses, housing, agriculture, manufacturing, and creating uncertainty for businesses. I hope our state and country do not fall into a recession because of the economic uncertainty caused by these reckless tariffs. In Colorado, we are doing everything we can to help ensure our economy, jobs, and our future are not destroyed by President Trump’s tariff tax. Republicans and Democrats in Congress can and must stop these federal tariffs,” said Governor Polis. “Colorado-Mexico Friendship Day is a great opportunity for businesses and Coloradans to celebrate the strong trade partnerships with our allies.”

    Mexico and Canada are significant economic partners for Colorado, representing 38.5% and 31% of the state’s imports and exports in 2024. Mexico was the top export destination for Colorado goods, valued at $1.7 billion, or 17% of total exports, followed by Canada at $1.6 billion. Combined, the two countries also account for 46% of Colorado’s international visitation, with Mexico leading at over 250,000 visitors, followed by Canada at 183,000 visitors. The economic impact of international travel from these two countries in 2024 was over $265 million.

    The President’s tariff tax has created uncertainty for Colorado’s thriving industries, from agriculture to manufacturing and small businesses. People in Colorado are deeply concerned about how the President’s tariff tax will increase the costs of everyday life, from gas to groceries. Much of the fruit sold in Colorado grocery stores is imported from Mexico and could see a price spike.

    Governor Polis has taken strong steps to support Colorado’s farmers and ranchers accessing new markets across the world. For instance, Governor Polis helped open exports into Mexico for Colorado’s potato growers. The Trump tariffs could threaten the livelihoods of our farmers in places like the San Luis Valley if Mexico imposes retaliatory tariffs. We have already seen damaging retaliatory tariffs put in place that hit other commodities as well as agricultural equipment. This is another way the Trump tariffs will continue raising the costs of doing business for our nation’s farmers and ranchers.

    “Recently announced widespread tariffs will harm agriculture. History tells us that farmers and ranchers will bear the burden because they rely on imports on inputs and retaliatory tariffs by other countries will lower commodity prices. Higher input costs and lower market prices are going to cause the loss of more family farms and ranches, which will further hurt our rural communities and our country. We call on the administration to use a more thoughtful and less widespread approach to trade policy,” said Chad Franke, Farmer and President of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union.

    “The tariffs will increase expenses and cut revenues for America’s agricultural producers. The most vulnerable producers are the younger folks, who already face a huge challenge in gaining a foothold in this industry. We have already been losing producers and rural businesses for many years.  I believe if the administration continues to institute these policies this will lead to the need for them to institute a massive government bail-out program to mitigate the economic damage they are inflicting on the agricultural community and rural America. The average American consumer will also feel the pain of these tariffs through their continually increasing grocery bill,” said Kent Peppler, Former Colorado State Director for the Farm Services Agency and former President of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union.

    Colorado is 5th in the nation for beef exports. Beef is among Colorado’s largest exports and is a top driver of Colorado’s agricultural economy. In 2024, the U.S. exported a total of $10.45 billion in beef and beef products around the world. Colorado’s top export countries for beef are Mexico, Canada, South Korea, Japan, China, all countries now facing Trump’s on-again off-again tariffs. Colorado’s other largest agricultural commodities, including dairy, wheat, and corn, all rely on export markets to do business.

    In 2024, Colorado exported a record $10.5 billion of goods to the world and imported $16.8 B in goods. Colorado’s top export partners are Mexico ($1.7B), Canada ($1.6B), China ($0.8B)  South Korea ($0.6B), and Malaysia ($0.6 B), accounting for half of all Colorado exports in 2024. Top export commodities include meat (17%); nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery (15%); electric machinery (13%); optic, photo, medical or surgical instruments (11%); and aircraft, spacecraft, and related parts (5%). In 2022, exports from Colorado supported an estimated 40 thousand jobs.

    An estimated 820,200 jobs in Colorado are supported by international trade, representing 20.8% of all jobs in the state.

    ###

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Former CIA Official Pleads Guilty to Acting as a Foreign Agent and Mishandling Classified Materials

    Source: US State of California

    Dale Britt Bendler, 68, of Miami, Florida, pleaded guilty today to, while being a public official at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), acting as a foreign agent required to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act and removing classified material, classified up to the SECRET//NOFORN level, from authorized locations without authority and with the intent to retain such material at an unauthorized location.

    As described in the plea agreement, starting in 2014, Bendler began working as a full-time contractor at the CIA with a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance. Before he was a CIA contractor, Bendler spent over 30 years working for the CIA as an intelligence officer and retired as a member of the Senior Intelligence Service in 2014. Beginning in July 2017 and continuing through at least July 2020, while a full-time CIA contractor and TS/SCI clearance holder, Bendler worked with a U.S. lobbying firm and engaged in unauthorized and hidden lobbying and public relations activities on behalf of foreign national clients. As described in the plea agreement, Bendler’s undisclosed lobbying activities included an attempt to use his position and access at the CIA to influence a foreign government’s embezzlement investigation of one of Bendler’s foreign national clients and a separate attempt to use his position and access at the CIA to influence the U.S. government’s decision as to whether to grant a U.S. visa to another of Bendler’s clients, who was alleged to be associated with terrorism financing. In exchange for his unauthorized outside activities, Bendler was paid hundreds of thousands of dollars.

    During the course of Bendler’s unauthorized lobbying and public relations activities, Bendler also abused his access to CIA resources and personnel by, among other things, searching classified CIA systems for any information related to his private lobbying clients, improperly storing and disclosing non-public, sensitive, and classified U.S. government information to people not authorized to receive such information, and lying to the CIA and the FBI about his status as a foreign agent and his unauthorized lobbying and public relations activities. The CIA terminated Bendler’s contract and access in September 2020.

    In addition to pleading guilty, Bendler consented to the forfeiture of $85,000. Bendler faces a maximum penalty of seven years in prison – two years for acting as a foreign agent while being a public official and five years for mishandling classified material. Bendler is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16.

    Sue Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia, Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division and Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen of the FBI Washington Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI’s Washington Field Office investigated the case.

    Trial Attorney Adam P. Barry and Senior Trial Attorney Heather M. Schmidt of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gordon D. Kromberg of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case. Chief Jennifer Kennedy Gellie of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section provided substantial assistance in this investigation in her prior role as a trial attorney. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former CIA Official Pleads Guilty to Acting as a Foreign Agent and Mishandling Classified Materials

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    Dale Britt Bendler, 68, of Miami, Florida, pleaded guilty today to, while being a public official at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), acting as a foreign agent required to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act and removing classified material, classified up to the SECRET//NOFORN level, from authorized locations without authority and with the intent to retain such material at an unauthorized location.

    As described in the plea agreement, starting in 2014, Bendler began working as a full-time contractor at the CIA with a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance. Before he was a CIA contractor, Bendler spent over 30 years working for the CIA as an intelligence officer and retired as a member of the Senior Intelligence Service in 2014. Beginning in July 2017 and continuing through at least July 2020, while a full-time CIA contractor and TS/SCI clearance holder, Bendler worked with a U.S. lobbying firm and engaged in unauthorized and hidden lobbying and public relations activities on behalf of foreign national clients. As described in the plea agreement, Bendler’s undisclosed lobbying activities included an attempt to use his position and access at the CIA to influence a foreign government’s embezzlement investigation of one of Bendler’s foreign national clients and a separate attempt to use his position and access at the CIA to influence the U.S. government’s decision as to whether to grant a U.S. visa to another of Bendler’s clients, who was alleged to be associated with terrorism financing. In exchange for his unauthorized outside activities, Bendler was paid hundreds of thousands of dollars.

    During the course of Bendler’s unauthorized lobbying and public relations activities, Bendler also abused his access to CIA resources and personnel by, among other things, searching classified CIA systems for any information related to his private lobbying clients, improperly storing and disclosing non-public, sensitive, and classified U.S. government information to people not authorized to receive such information, and lying to the CIA and the FBI about his status as a foreign agent and his unauthorized lobbying and public relations activities. The CIA terminated Bendler’s contract and access in September 2020.

    In addition to pleading guilty, Bendler consented to the forfeiture of $85,000. Bendler faces a maximum penalty of seven years in prison – two years for acting as a foreign agent while being a public official and five years for mishandling classified material. Bendler is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16.

    Sue Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia, Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division and Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen of the FBI Washington Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI’s Washington Field Office investigated the case.

    Trial Attorney Adam P. Barry and Senior Trial Attorney Heather M. Schmidt of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gordon D. Kromberg of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case. Chief Jennifer Kennedy Gellie of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section provided substantial assistance in this investigation in her prior role as a trial attorney. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Vault Agrees to Pay $8 Million to Settle Allegations of Billing False Claims to the COVID-19 Uninsured Program for Patients with Health Insurance

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – Vault Medical Services, P.A. and Vault Medical Services of New Jersey, P.C. (collectively “Vault”), have agreed to pay the United States $8 million to resolve allegations that Vault violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting or causing the submission of false claims to the Health Resources & Services Administration COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement to Health Care Providers and Facilities for Testing, Treatment, and Vaccine Administration for the Uninsured Program (the “Uninsured Program”) for patients who had health insurance, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    Between approximately May 2020 and April 2022, the Uninsured Program reimbursed eligible providers for COVID-19 tests, testing-related items and services, treatment, and vaccines performed on uninsured individuals.  During the public health emergency, Vault provided various COVID-19 related services to patients across the country, including specimen collection services and vaccine administration.  Vault provided these services via telehealth and at in-person testing sites, and specimens were sent to laboratories for processing.  The settlement announced resolves allegations that Vault knowingly submitted or caused the submission of claims for these services to the Uninsured Program for patients who had active health insurance.

    Specifically, the United States alleges Vault was aware of data integrity issues with patient information collected at the point of service but failed to substantively address those issues, and did not ensure the collection of complete patient information, including demographic and insurance information. The United States further alleges that Vault failed to properly confirm whether certain patients had health insurance coverage, and disregarded insurance information for individuals for whom Vault had valid insurance information on file, including confirmation through an insurance verification process, before submitting claims to the Uninsured Program.

    “The Uninsured Program provided critical support for testing and treatment for uninsured Americans during the height of the pandemic. Our office will not tolerate the alleged fraud, abuse, and waste of these funds.”

    – U.S. Attorney Alina Habba

    “Individuals and entities that participate in the federal healthcare system are required by law to preserve the integrity of program funds,” stated Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “The settlement in this case involves a provider that knowingly sought reimbursement for federal funds to which they were not entitled, and by doing so jeopardized the provision of services for the uninsured.”

    The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey and the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, with assistance from HHS-OIG.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kruti Dharia of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit and Trial Attorneys Lindsay DeFrancesco, Elizabeth J. Kappakas, and James Nealon in the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch (Fraud Section).

    The government’s pursuit of these matters illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services, at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

                                                                                                                        ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hudson County Man Sentenced to 26 Years in Prison for Role in Four Robberies and Two Shootings in Jersey City, New Jersey

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – A Hudson County man was sentenced today for his role in four robberies and two shootings in Jersey City, New Jersey, which took place the same night, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced today.

    Rodney Williams, 33, of Jersey City, New Jersey pleaded guilty in December 2024 before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court to an Indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, conspiracy to use and carry a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, Hobbs Act robbery, attempted Hobbs Act robbery, using and carrying a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

    In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Williams to 5 years of supervised release.  Williams’ co-defendant, Siobhan Chandler, was sentenced on April 25, 2024 to 12 years’ imprisonment followed by 5 years’ supervised release for her role.

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    On the evening of November 14, 2021, Williams and Chandler committed multiple armed robberies and two shootings in Jersey City.  The criminal activity began when Williams, acting alone, robbed a store while he pointed his gun at the clerk and demanded money.  The clerk handed money to Williams who then fled.

    A short time later, Williams, now with Chandler, robbed a gas station, where Williams pointed his gun at two attendants and demanded money.  When the attendants did not immediately comply, Williams shot one of the attendants in the chest.  Williams and Chandler then fled.

    Williams and Chandler later entered another store, and Williams again pointed his gun at a clerk and demanded money.  The clerk handed money to Williams and he and Chandler fled.

    Williams and Chandler then entered a nearby restaurant, and Williams again pointed his gun at the cashier and demanded money.  When the cashier did not immediately comply, Williams shot the cashier in the chest.  The cashier then handed money to Williams, after which Williams and Chandler fled.

    U.S. Attorney Habba credited officers of the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Acting Chief Kearns, and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office with the investigation leading to today’s sentence.  She also thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their assistance.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shontae D. Gray and Eli Jacobs of the Criminal Division in Newark.

                                                                           ###

    Defense counsel: John C. Whipple, Esq. and Adam M. Elewa, Esq. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Monongalia County Man Sentenced for Firearms Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Todd Matthew Houston, 36, of Morgantown, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 51 months in federal prison for to conspiring to straw purchase firearms.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, officers were called to a home in Morgantown on a domestic violence incident involving Houston and a firearm. Officers later found Houston attempting to pawn more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition at a pawn shop. The vehicle Houston was driving was searched and officers found a pistol. Investigators determined the firearm had been purchased by someone else for Houston in exchange for heroin. Houston is prohibited from having firearms because of prior felony convictions that include domestic battery, drug trafficking, robbery, and grand larceny.

    Houston will serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Rhee prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: IMF World Economic Outlook: economic uncertainty is now higher than it ever was during COVID

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Sergi Basco, Profesor Agregado de Economia, Universitat de Barcelona

    Skorzewiak/Shutterstock

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has just published its World Economic Outlook, and it does not take an expert to deduce that, even among some of the world’s top economic minds, confident predictions are currently hard to come by.

    Every spring the IMF and World Bank hold their Spring Meetings in Washington DC: a week of seminars, briefings and press conferences focusing on the global economy, international development and world financial markets. At both the Spring Meetings and the Annual Meeting, held each autumn, the IMF publishes its global economic growth forecasts.

    For its 2025 Spring Meeting the IMF has published a baseline forecast, as well as an addendum analysing the tariff events that took place between 9 and 14 April. According to the Fund’s report, world GDP will grow by 2.8% in 2025 and 3.0% in 2026. For the euro area, growth will be 0.8% and 1.2% for 2025 and 2026 respectively.

    These forecasts represent a substantial downward revision from IMF figures published just three months ago. Globally, growth in 2025 is down by 0.5% compared to the Fund’s January update, with a reduction of 0.2% for the euro area.

    One major shift is key to understanding the most recent IMF report and its pessimistic predictions: we live in a much more uncertain world than we did three months ago.

    Trump, tariffs and uncertainty

    If one had to sum up the new US tariff policy in a word, “unpredictable” would suffice, as the so-called “Liberation Day” of 2 April 2025 represented the largest tariff increase in modern history.

    Just one week later, the US president then made two further announcements. First, a 90-day freeze on tariff hikes, apparently in search of bilateral agreements with the countries to which he had applied tariffs above 10%. Second, that China would be excluded from this exception, with tariffs on its products being raised to 145%.

    This freeze means that until July EU goods being sold to the US will have a 10% tariff instead of the 20% that was announced on 2 April. However, the 10% applied by the new US administration is still much higher than the average tariff of 1.34% that was in force before 5 April.

    But what will the tariff be after these 90 days? What about in December? What about in 2 years’ time? What goods will be exempted? How far will the trade war between China and the US go? The answer to all of these questions is: nobody knows. This uncertainty is evident in of the IMF’s spring forecast.

    Uncertainty is off the charts

    The IMF’s world trade uncertainty index is currently 7 times higher than it was in October 2024, much higher than in the pandemic.

    As far as the economy is concerned, this uncertainty is far worse than a high but definitive tariff. With a tariff, companies can at least reorganise their production chain, and consumers can look for alternative products. There is a cost, but at least businesses and consumers can plan for it.

    However, nobody can calculate these costs today because nobody knows how tariffs will evolve. An American company may decide today to buy a particular product from the EU thinking that the tariff will be 10%, but upon the product’s arrival in the US it turns out the tariff has risen to 100% because a presidential advisor said it would be good for the US economy to raise tariffs on that product.

    Unbelievable though it may sound, this appears to be how the tariffs are being decided and enacted. According to one account, the US Treasury and Commerce Secretaries were only able to persuade Trump to freeze recent tariff hikes because Peter Navarro – the president’s economic advisor and tariff ideologue – was in another room at the time.

    The end result of this unpredictability is that the best course of action, for consumers and businesses alike, is inaction.



    Leer más:
    Trump tariff chaos: radical uncertainty will likely make companies delay investments

    Fear and volatility

    It is no surprise that these constant changes of plans are causing great instability in financial markets. Although Trump may have triumphantly celebrated rising stock prices immediately after the tariff freeze was announced, financial markets are now subject to levels of uncertainty and fear similar to those seen during COVID-19.

    Five years ago, volatility was associated with increased demand for US government debt due to the “flight to safety” effect: investors selling higher risk investments and buying safer assets, such as gold and government bonds, in times of uncertainty.

    Now we are seeing the exact opposite. The price of US bonds has fallen since “Liberation Day”, and this means that investors are selling them. In other words, markets no longer believe that US government debt is a safe asset. Given the role of the dollar and US debt in international markets, this paradigm shift may generate even more financial instability down the line.

    Supply chains are breaking (again)

    COVID-19, the last major global economic crisis, has one thing in common with the current situation: disruption of global supply chains. During the pandemic it was confinement that forced production to stop. Today, it is the imposition of tariffs.

    However, there is another major difference. During COVID people knew it was a matter of time before vaccines became available and normality returned. Today, instability in financial markets comes not from any virus, but from President Trump’s own advisors selling him all manner of plans to protect US economic interests.

    Sergi Basco no recibe salario, ni ejerce labores de consultoría, ni posee acciones, ni recibe financiación de ninguna compañía u organización que pueda obtener beneficio de este artículo, y ha declarado carecer de vínculos relevantes más allá del cargo académico citado.

    – ref. IMF World Economic Outlook: economic uncertainty is now higher than it ever was during COVID – https://theconversation.com/imf-world-economic-outlook-economic-uncertainty-is-now-higher-than-it-ever-was-during-covid-255055

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Developments in AI need to be properly regulated as the world scrambles for advantage

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Nisreen Ameen, Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Digital Marketing, Royal Holloway University of London

    AlinStock/Shutterstock

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is often hailed as the defining technology of the 21st century, shaping everything from economic growth to national security. But as global investment in AI accelerates, many experts are beginning to ask whether the world has embarked on an AI “arms race”.

    With China, the US, UK and the European Union each pledging billions to advance AI, competition in research, infrastructure and industrial applications for the new technology is intensifying. But, at the same time, regulation is struggling to keep pace with rapid development in some regions. This is raising concerns about ethical risks, economic inequality and global AI governance.

    There have been rapid advances in AI in the past few years. Companies such as America’s Accenture and China’s DeepSeek have developed large-scale generative AI systems – which can learn from existing content to generate new material such as text, images, music, or videos.

    The UK government recently announced its intention to “shape the AI revolution rather than wait to see how it shapes us” through its AI Opportunities Action Plan. This will have a strong focus on regulation, skills and ethical governance.

    If the UK and continental Europe are prioritising regulation, China is using its sheer size and appetite for innovation to develop rapidly into what has been described as an “AI super market”, and the US is balancing innovation with national security concerns.

    China recently released details of new regulations, which come into force in September, that will require explicit labelling of AI-generated content and providing metadata to link such content to the service provider that generated it. The onus will be on platforms that feature AI generated content to provide such information.

    But the different approaches highlight the growing geopolitical dimension of AI development which risks divergence of standards. While competition can drive innovation, without international cooperation on safety, ethics and governance, the global AI race could lead to regulatory gaps and fragmented oversight.

    Many analysts fear this would bring significant downsides. Most worryingly there is the prospect of unchecked AI-generated disinformation undermining elections and democratic institutions.

    Why does this matter?

    AI is more than just another technological breakthrough – it’s a strategic driver of economic power and influence. The countries leading in AI today will play an important role in shaping the future of automation, digital economies and international regulatory frameworks.

    AI’s global expansion is driven by several key motivations. It has the potential to massively boost productivity and creativity. It can create new business models and transform entire industries. Governments investing in AI aim to secure long-term economic advantages, particularly in sectors such as finance, healthcare and advanced manufacturing.

    Meanwhile AI is increasingly integrated into defence, cybersecurity and intelligence. Governments are exploring ways to use AI for strategic advantage, while also ensuring resilience against AI-enabled threats.

    But as AI investment surges it is increasingly important to ensure that the challenges the new technology will bring are not overlooked in the rush.

    Risks of rapid AI investment

    As AI advances, ethical issues become more pressing. AI-powered surveillance systems raise privacy concerns. Deepfake technology, meanwhile, which is capable of generating hyper-realistic video and audio, is already being used for disinformation. Without clear regulatory oversight this could seriously undermine trust and security and threaten democratic institutions.

    At the same time, we are already seeing inequality baked into AI development. Many AI-driven innovations cater to wealthy markets and corporations. Meanwhile, marginalised communities face barriers to accessing AI-enhanced education, healthcare and job opportunities – the latter was demonstrated as long ago as 2018 when Amazon reportedly withdrew a recruitment tool that was shown to discriminate against women.

    One AI application was withdraws after it was found to discriminate against women.
    metamorworks/Shutterstock

    Ensuring that AI development benefits society as a whole will require a strategic approach to skills, education and governance. I have conducted studies into how AI tools are being harnessed with a great deal of success in the UK and US and also in China. The research showed how AI capabilities can be combined with strategic agility to drive product and service innovation in many contexts.

    But the AI race is not just about economic progress, it also has geopolitical implications. Restrictions on AI-related exports, particularly in semiconductor technology, highlight growing concerns over technological dependencies and national security. Without greater international cooperation, uncoordinated AI policies could lead to economic fragmentation, regulatory inconsistencies across borders and the inevitable risks those bring.

    Although some nations are advocating for global AI agreements, these discussions remain in their early stages, so enforcement mechanisms remain limited.

    The way forward

    This will require multilateral governance, similar to global frameworks on cybersecurity and climate change. Existing discussions by the United Nations as well as the G7 and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) need to incorporate stronger AI-specific enforcement mechanisms that guide development responsibly.

    There are signs of progress. The G7’s Hiroshima AI Process has resulted in shared guiding principles and a voluntary code of conduct for advanced AI systems. The OECD’s AI Policy Observatory, meanwhile, is helping coordinate best practices across member states. But binding international enforcement mechanisms are still in their infancy.

    Individual countries, meanwhile, need to develop flexible regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with accountability. The EU’s AI Act, the first major attempt to comprehensively regulate AI, classifies AI systems by risk and imposes obligations on developers accordingly.

    This has included bans on certain high-risk applications, such as social scoring – which ranks individuals based on behaviour and can lead to discrimination. It’s a step in the right direction, but broader cooperation is still needed to ensure coherent global AI standards.

    An enforceable set of rules governing AI development is needed – and quickly. AI could pose more risks than opportunities if left unchecked.

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

    – ref. Developments in AI need to be properly regulated as the world scrambles for advantage – https://theconversation.com/developments-in-ai-need-to-be-properly-regulated-as-the-world-scrambles-for-advantage-248404

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Democrats seek answers from inspector general on Social Security cuts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    April 23, 2025

    Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (New York) and four other Senate Democrats are urging the Social Security Administration’s inspector general’s office to investigate the impacts of the U.S. DOGE Service’s dramatic restructuring and sweeping cuts to the government agency.
    The letter sent to the inspector general’s office Wednesday is part of a broader Democratic effort to defend Social Security from what they describe as a reckless government downsizing campaign spearheaded by Donald Trump adviser Elon Musk. The agency provides critical benefits to more than 70 million Americans, and the lawmakers say the recent upheaval could leave many without access to basic services.

    Having received few answers about the scale and effect of the cuts, Schumer led the call for oversight from the agency’s independent watchdog because that avenue has yielded answers in the past, according to a person familiar with his thinking who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak candidly.
    The letter was signed by Schumer, Sens. Ron Wyden (Oregon), Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts), Kirsten Gillibrand (New York), and Mark Kelly (Arizona).
    In the sharply worded letter to acting inspector general Michelle L. Anderson, the lawmakers expressed “deep concern” over what they called a “drastic” disruption to Social Security’s ability to serve the public. The letter cites mass layoffs, additional pressure on existing staff and a dramatic overhaul of internal agency structures — many carried out, the lawmakers say, with little to no transparency.
    “This will undoubtedly lead to disruption in benefit payments and increasing barriers for Americans to access their Social Security benefits,” the senators wrote.
    The senators asked the inspector general to determine whether Social Security assessed what effect the changes could have had and whether they have affected customer service. The lawmakers also requested quarterly updates from the independent watchdog on the effects stemming from the agency’s changes.
    White House spokeswoman Liz Huston told The Post in a statement that Democrats’ concerns were “fake.”
    “President Trump will fiercely protect Social Security, eliminate unfair benefit taxes to boost seniors’ take-home pay, and drive the Social Security Administration to modernize systems, enhance customer service, and combat fraud,” she said.
    The move follows a similar push in the House. Last week, Gerry Connolly (Virginia) — the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee — sent a separate letter to Anderson urging a full investigation into DOGE’s changes within the agency, citing whistleblower allegations that the restructuring has “already degraded operations” and put beneficiaries’ sensitive data at risk.
    While Musk and DOGE officials have defended their approach as an overdue modernization of a bloated bureaucracy, Democrats argue the opaque, rapid-fire changes are putting some of the country’s most vulnerable citizens at risk.
    The growing drumbeat from Democrats suggests Social Security could become a centerpiece issue in the lead-up to the 2026 midterm elections. Party operatives have already begun using the Musk-led restructuring efforts in political ads targeting Republican lawmakers. Last week, former president Joe Biden broke his silence for the first time since leaving office to warn of the consequences of cuts to Social Security.
    By:  Meryl KornfieldSource: Washington Post

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Great British Energy to lead the field in ethical supply chains

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    Great British Energy to lead the field in ethical supply chains

    An amendment to the Great British Energy Bill will enable the company to ensure forced labour is not used in its supply chains.

    Great British Energy will act to secure supply chains that are free of forced labour, under an amendment brought forward by the government today.

    Owned by and for the British public, Great British Energy will be a sector leader in building new energy infrastructure using ethical supply chains.

    A new measure set out in the Great British Energy Bill will enable the company to ensure that forced labour does not take place in its business or its supply chains.

    The amendment is the latest move in the government’s work to tackle the issue of forced labour as it becomes a global leader in clean energy. Great British Energy is already able to bar suppliers that use illegal and immoral practices from bidding for its contracts.

    Energy Minister Michael Shanks said:

    Great British Energy will be an industry-leader in developing supply chains free of forced labour as it propels us in our clean energy superpower mission.

    Owned by and for the British public, Great British Energy will be an institution we can all be proud of as we build our clean energy future here in the UK.

    The government has already:

    • brought the Procurement Act 2023 into force, so public bodies can reject bids and terminate contracts with suppliers that are known to use forced labour
    • committed that Great British Energy’s strategic priorities will include an overarching expectation to tackle forced labour, becoming a sector leader in this space, as expected from any company owned by the British public
    • set out that Great British Energy will appoint a senior leader on ethical supply chains and modern slavery
    • relaunched the Solar Taskforce, to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable and free from forced labour
    • encouraged renewable developers accessing its flagship Contracts for Difference scheme to grow the supply chain through the Supply Chain Plan process
    • published updated guidance on producing modern slavery statements, providing all businesses and public bodies with practical advice on how to tackle modern slavery in their supply chains

    And the Solar Roadmap will set out how government will work with industry to triple the UK’s solar capacity by 2030. It is set to be published later this year.

    Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of the trade association Solar Energy UK said:

    Solar Energy UK welcomes the government’s amendment to the GB Energy Bill.

    The Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI), which we developed with SolarPower Europe, is already having a real impact on the global supply chain. By the end of this year, SSI-certified manufacturing facilities will be able to produce 100 gigawatts of solar panels per year from independently-assessed sites that are not complicit in forced labour. That is around five times more than all of the UK’s existing solar panels put together, more than enough to meet both UK and EU demand. This number will continue to grow.

    Given progress in ensuring that the UK supply chain is free from solar panels produced with raw materials tainted by human rights abuses, we are confident that there will be no slowdown in solar deployment. The amendment poses no threat to the attainment of clean power by 2030, nor to reaching net zero by 2050.

    This latest commitment will support growth in the UK and plans to deliver clean power by 2030, by using domestic suppliers, alongside those across the world, who have safe supply chain practices.

    The solar industry is confident that the government can meet its clean power ambitions whilst also tackling forced labour in supply chains, and the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan sets out the supply chain requirements to deliver on this ambition.  

    Notes to editors

    The proposed amendment, to Clause 3 of the GBE Bill, will be voted on by MPs and Peers.

    This clause sets Great British Energy’s activities as: facilitating, encouraging and participating in clean energy projects; reducing greenhouse gas emissions; improving energy efficiency; ensuring energy security; and now, measures to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in its business or supply chains.

    The amendment text is available in full here:

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: History in numbers: how statistics help us understand the stability of Soviet society

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    On April 16, as part of XXV April International Scientific Conference of the National Research University Higher School of Economics a round table discussion entitled “Historical Statistics for Studying Mechanisms of Social Stability in the USSR” was held. The event was supported by Interdisciplinary group on historical statistics of the National Center for Humanities and Social Sciences “Center for Interdisciplinary Research of Human Potential”.

    The opening speech was given by the Vice-Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics Liliya Ovcharova. She emphasized the importance of studying the socio-economic legacy of the USSR not only for understanding the past, but also for analyzing modern trends: “The Soviet past contains the reasons for those long-term trends that are still in effect today. We see them in science and scientific schools, in education, in demography, as well as in the development features of Russian regions. Without attention from the Russian research community, important components may be missed in this history, which I include the connecting, civilizational role of the Soviet Union and Russia, as an institution for the development of union republics – future independent states in the post-Soviet space, as well as adjacent territories.”

    Round table chaired by the director Expert Institute And Center for Productivity Research The HSE Ilya Voskoboinikov conference brought together not only HSE experts, but also representatives of the Presidential Academy (RANEPA), Rosstat, Moscow State University, and the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The discussion focused on rethinking Soviet official statistics and the availability of archival data, as well as the need for an interdisciplinary approach to studying the socio-economic development of the USSR and Russia using modern quantitative methods. Participants discussed the complexity of interpreting Soviet data, the comparability of sources, and the institutional barriers facing researchers.

    Vladimir Sokolin, Chairman of the Federal State Statistics Service (1999-2008) and the Interstate Statistical Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States (2009-2022), devoted his speech to the importance of revising and refining official Soviet statistics based on modern scientific principles. He emphasized the uneven quality of Soviet data — high in terms of physical indicators of industrial production and transport, but questionable in agriculture. He also pointed out the almost complete lack of data in terms of price statistics and mentioned the influence of ideology on decisions to publish data and even statistical developments in certain areas — for example, in cross-country comparisons of living standards. The expert paid special attention to the importance of restoring long dynamic series of statistical indicators and preserving expert knowledge in the field of Soviet statistics as long as its bearers are alive.

    A presentation of the results of a project to analyze wage inequality in the USSR was given by Professor Leonid Borodkin of Lomonosov Moscow State University and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. His research showed how the degree of differentiation of wages between workers and engineering and technical workers changed in different periods, from the NEP to the late Soviet era. The professor emphasized that data on actual accruals in the archives of enterprises often contradict official statistics. For example, under the conditions of equalization in the post-war period, responsible engineering and technical workers (ITW) were supposed to receive salaries comparable to or even lower than those of workers. This did not correspond to the role of IWW in production and could lead to a shortage of specialists. The solution was incentive funds, which made it possible to create material incentives for responsible and qualified engineers.

    Roman Konchakov, Dean of the Faculty of History and Philology at the Institute of Social Sciences of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, spoke about institutional and methodological obstacles to the use of Soviet statistics. He presented statistics not only as a source of data, but also as an element of state building. Konchakov emphasized the importance of the 1920s as a key period for the formation of the Soviet statistical school and pointed out the need to create an infrastructure for combining various historical datasets.

    Speech by Ekaterina Boltunova, Director Institute of Regional Historical Research HSE, was devoted to the study of financial and time budgets of households in the context of late Soviet domestic tourism (late 1950s – 1960s). She paid special attention to how the prism of tourism can be used to study the availability of infrastructure, the perception of territories and the everyday economy of Soviet citizens.

    Mikhail Denisenko, director Institute of Demography HSE named after A.G. Vishnevsky, in his report examined the dynamics of the age structure of the population of Russia in the 20th century. In his speech, the expert emphasized the importance of demographic data for the analysis of social sustainability, and also spoke about the challenges that researchers face when reconstructing this data, especially in the absence of continuous data for a number of years.

    The discussion was summed up by the moderator of the round table, Ilya Voskoboinikov: “When a modern statistician submits a report, the document goes into the archive – but this is not the end of the work. In ten, twenty, fifty years, a historian will come to this archive. Statistics are not only numbers, but also a long-term contribution to our understanding of the past and the present. Soviet historical statistics are very important for modern research, since the Soviet experience touches on a big issue of the modern economy – finding a balance between economic efficiency and social sustainability.”

    The second part of the round table included a discussion with representatives of the scientific community, including Maria Drobysheva, Deputy Head of the Department of Living Standards Statistics and Household Surveys of Rosstat, Vyacheslav Stepanov, Leading Researcher at the Center for Ethnopolitical Studies at the Institute of Economics and Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Researcher Laboratories for institutional analysis of economic reforms HSE University Alexey Popov. The latter noted that many statistical funds still remain classified and this greatly complicates working with data.

    The discussion confirmed the high interest in the topic and emphasized the need for further development of the historical data infrastructure. Deputy Vice-Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics Maria Nagernyak noted the often fragmented and unsystematic nature of a large part of the statistical data collected over a long period of time: “These data on various areas of the socio-economic development of our country are of interest not only to the scientific community, but also to the general public. The activities of the Interdisciplinary Group on Historical Statistics are aimed at uniting the efforts of scientists from various fields of science for the joint study of historical statistical data on the development of human potential both in our country and in the post-Soviet space, as well as in friendly foreign countries.”

    The group plans to create working groups to discuss statistics in various areas and to formulate an official position of Rosstat on unofficial data, as well as to organize regular conferences to discuss issues of access to archival data and cooperation between historians, economists and statisticians with the involvement of specialists from the faculties of social and economic sciences, as well as schools of historical research National Research University Higher School of Economics.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: B.C. supports advanced manufacturing of forestry products

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    New support for forestry-sector manufacturers in the province is creating sustainable jobs, strengthening local supply chains, establishing new made-in-B.C. products and reinforcing B.C.’s position as a leader in mass-timber innovation.

    “These timely investments into our province’s manufacturing and forestry value-added sectors will help strengthen homegrown B.C. companies, which in turn creates stronger local economies and sustainable jobs,” said Diana Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. “We’re working alongside industry to build a stronger, more resilient economy that works better for people and communities.”

    Through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF), the Government of B.C. is contributing as much as $11 million toward four forestry-sector capital projects in the province. The projects are helping B.C.-based forestry-product manufacturers grow their businesses by constructing new production facilities, purchasing new equipment and adding new high-value product lines, while creating and protecting hundreds of jobs.

    Spearhead Timberworks Inc., near Nelson, specializes in the design and fabrication of highly advanced timber architecture. Spearhead is strengthening its capabilities, backed by as much as $7.5 million from the B.C. government to drive its expansion. This includes construction of a new purpose-built facility and implementation of advanced technology that will increase its competitiveness on the international stage, adding state-of-the-art production lines for specialized curved and double-curved glulam. The project will strengthen Spearhead’s capacity to fabricate high-complexity, high-value timber projects using B.C. wood, while creating more than 60 skilled jobs in the Nelson area.

    Spearhead’s cutting-edge technology and high-value products demonstrate how B.C.’s fibre can be used to generate significant economic benefits and highly skilled jobs in a high-demand sector. The Kootenay region is quickly establishing itself as a hub for British Columbia’s growing mass-timber economy, uniting a network of local sawmills. The network includes but is not limited to Harrop-Procter Community Cooperative and J.H. Huscroft Ltd., value-added wood manufacturers, such as Kalesnikoff Mass Timber Inc., and progressive training in wood design, digital fabrication and sustainable construction delivered through Selkirk College.

    “Over the past 35 years, we’ve honed our craft in advanced timber fabrication, completing over 450 projects worldwide and building a reputation as trailblazers in our field,” said Josh Hall, partner at Spearhead Timberworks Inc. “This investment from the Province will help us showcase B.C.’s remarkable wood resources globally, while creating long-term jobs at home. We’re honoured by the trust placed in us and excited to continue contributing meaningfully to our community and timber industry.”

    More forestry-sector manufacturers receiving funds from the BCMJF include:

    • Langley – Westlam Industries Ltd. is a wood-product manufacturer that specializes in construction-grade plywood. Westlam’s products play an important role in the housing and commercial building sector in B.C. and Canada, ensuring a strong local supply of key building materials. It will receive as much as $1.5 million to construct a new production facility and install new automated equipment that will introduce automation, improve fibre utilization, and increase output and productivity, while creating 46 jobs.
    • Castlegar – Mercer Celgar Limited Partnership is a kraft pulp mill and biorefinery that produces premium pulp and generates bioenergy for the BC Hydro power grid. The company will receive as much as $1.75 million to modernize its small-log line and install equipment capable of processing smaller-diameter logs and a wider range of low-grade fibre. This investment will help maximize the value of fibre inputs and secure more than 400 jobs at the facility, making it one of the largest employers in the region.
    • Penticton – Greyback Construction Ltd. is a commercial, residential and industrial construction contractor that is diversifying into prefabricated housing construction. It will receive as much as $235,000 to renovate a former mill site and purchase equipment that will vertically integrate and streamline production of prefabricated exterior walls and floors while creating 12 jobs, helping to create more homes quicker in B.C.

    “British Columbia’s forestry companies and workers show what innovation, craftsmanship and hard work looks like,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “Spearhead, Westlam, Mercer Celgar, Greyback Construction, and many, many more across the province are stepping up and investing in their workers and their communities, and we’re right there with them. The Manufacturing Jobs Fund creates jobs, strengthens supply chains and supports people in their incredible work around this province.”

    The BCMJF is helping manufacturers throughout the province scale and grow their operations to make more made-in-B.C. products that create good jobs and strengthen the economy. BCMJF has also accelerated transition within the forestry-product sector to high-value manufacturing. The program has incentivized more than $680 million flowing into forestry-product manufacturing, leading to the direct creation and protection of more than 3,500 forestry-sector jobs, many in regional, remote and Indigenous communities. Nearly one-quarter of all wood-product manufacturers in B.C have applied to the program, demonstrating that producers are investing in the future of forestry in the province.

    BCMJF has also led to increased production of mass timber, engineered wood and bioproducts, with B.C.-based companies leading the way in innovative uses of waste wood, residuals and available fibre for high-value, high-demand products and exports. The Province has partnered with 73 forestry-product manufacturers with more to come, dedicating more than $97 million to the industry in collaboration toward a stable, sustainable forestry sector in B.C.

    Quick Facts:

    • The BCMJF supports high-value industrial and manufacturing capital projects in all sectors that create and protect well-paying jobs.
    • The BCMJF has committed $146 million toward 132 projects to date, unlocking more than $1 billion in private-sector and other public investment.
      • Every million dollars invested results in $7 million in total direct capital investments in B.C., $590,000 in tax revenue to the Province and $5.3 million in provincial gross domestic product (GDP) during the capital construction phase alone.
    • Funded projects will create and protect more than 4,700 jobs throughout B.C. 

    Learn More:

    To learn about the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, including a list of recipients and updated application deadline information, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/ManufacturingJobsFund     

    A backgrounder follows.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan Uranium Production and Sales Reach all Time Highs

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on April 23, 2025

    Saskatchewan’s uranium industry is responding to growing global demand by setting new records for annual sales and production in 2024.  

    Last year, uranium sales reached a new high of $2.6 billion, exceeding Saskatchewan’s Growth Plan target of increasing the annual value of uranium sales to $2 billion dollars by 2030. Uranium production also reached a new record high of 16.7 thousand tonnes in 2024, up 28 per cent from 2023.  

    “The strong growth of our world-class uranium industry is great news for Saskatchewan,” Energy and Resources Minister Colleen Young said. “With our abundant, high-quality reserves and stable regulatory approach to resource development, our government is very optimistic about Saskatchewan’s increasing role in global energy security in the coming years. We expect uranium production will continue to rise with the McClean Lake mine resuming operations this year and other major projects approaching construction.”  

    In 2024, uranium exploration spending is estimated to have reached $200 million and is expected to remain strong in 2025. With this increased exploration investment targeting uranium, Saskatchewan is projected to reach its Critical Minerals Strategy goal of securing 15 per cent of Canadian mineral exploration spending this year, well ahead of the 2030 target.  

    Saskatchewan potash production also reached record highs in 2024. Last year, 15.1 million metric tonnes potassium oxide (K2O) of potash was produced in Saskatchewan, an eight per cent increase from 2023. Saskatchewan is the world’s leading potash producer, accounting for approximately one-third of global production.

    Saskatchewan is the world’s second-largest producer of uranium and has the largest high-grade uranium deposits in the world in the Athabasca Basin. The province’s uranium industry employs over 3,400 people and procures hundreds of millions of dollars in goods and services from Saskatchewan businesses.  

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: HP Announces 2025 Digital Equity Accelerator Cohort

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    News Highlights:

    • Eight nonprofit organizations in Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Spain selected for the 2025 Digital Equity Accelerator.
    • Organizations are serving disconnected adolescents and adults through digital skills training, education access, and other community-driven initiatives.
    • Each nonprofit will receive $100,000 of HP technology and solutions, capacity-building cash grants, and six–months of training and programming to support scale.
    • In its first three years, the Accelerator helped 27 participating organizations expand their reach by more than 9 million people.
    • The Digital Equity Accelerator, a joint initiative of HP Inc. and the HP Foundation, helps power the future of work by improving access to technology, digital literacy, and AI-driven skills development.

    PALO ALTO, Calif., April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) and the HP Foundation announced the selection of 8 nonprofit organizations in Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Spain for the 2025 Digital Equity Accelerator (Accelerator). The Accelerator will provide the 2025 cohort with a USD $100,000 grant, HP technology (~USD $100,000 value), and six months of virtual training to strengthen capacity and drive digital inclusion.

    “The future of work depends on equitable access to technology, digital skills, and opportunity,” said Michele Malejki, Global Head of Social Impact, HP Inc. and Executive Director, HP Foundation. “Through the Digital Equity Accelerator, HP is empowering nonprofits to bridge the digital divide, ensuring disconnected adolescents and adults have the tools and training needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world. By investing in these organizations, we are not just expanding access—we are powering the future of work.”

    A $1 trillion-plus digital divide is limiting billions from achieving equal access to education and economic opportunities. Through the Accelerator, HP collaborates with a network of partners to help nonprofit organizations scale digital equity solutions.

    “We are fortunate to work with inspiring innovators to amplify their impact through a six-month learning journey for the Accelerator,” said Hala Hanna, Executive Director, MIT Solve. “Our capacity-building workshops are designed to meet nonprofit leaders where they are – providing executive coaching, peer-to-peer collaboration, and a library of in-kind resources to help them fully benefit from the program.”

    Accelerating Digital Equity in Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Spain
    The Accelerator helps nonprofits scale digital equity programs for disconnected adults and adolescents to power the future of work. Meet the 2025 Digital Equity Accelerator cohort:

    Greece:

    • Socialinnov (Social Impact and Innovation) – Leveraging technology to drive social change, Socialinnov has equipped more than 40,000 people in underrepresented communities in Greece with digital skills training that expands access to the digital economy.
    • The Smile of the Child (TSoC) – Founded in 1995 by 10-year-old Andreas Yannopoulos, The Smile of the Child (TSoC) is a non-profit organization supporting more than 2.2 million adults and adolescents with tools, technology and other resources.

    Indonesia:

    • Solve Education Foundation – Focusing on empowering Indonesian youth with 21st century skills through its AI-powered learning platform, edbot.ai, an innovative enrichment program, helping students succeed in school and beyond.
    • Markoding (Daya Kreasi Anak Bangsa Foundation) – Helps equip underprivileged youth with 21st-century skills to foster a generation of innovators. Its flagship program, Perempuan Inovasi, has empowered over 35,000 women with STEM training, mentorship, and access to job opportunities.

    Nigeria:

    • She-Code Africa Women Tech Initiative (She Code Africa) – Provides participants across Africa with in-demand digital and technical skills. Since 2016, its training, mentorship, scholarships, and career programs have helped more than 62,000 people receive the digital skills needed to thrive in the digital economy.
    • The Slum to School Initiative (Slum2School Africa) – Addressing Africa’s education crisis, this volunteer-driven organization provides quality education, skills development, and psychosocial support to underserved children and youth, empowering them to drive sustainable development.

    Spain:

    • AlmaNatura Foundation – Founded in a small village in Southern Spain, AlmaNatura designs and implements projects that revitalize rural areas through employment, education, health, and sustainability, fostering opportunities for local communities to thrive.
    • Fundación Esplai Ciudadanía Comprometida (Committed Citizenship Esplai Foundation) – Focuses on promoting citizen empowerment through inclusive, rights-based projects and programs. It collaborates with local, national, and international organizations to support socio-educational initiatives in information and communication technologies (ICT).

    Since 2022, the Accelerator has helped expand the reach of 27 nonprofit organizations in Brazil, Canada, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, South Africa, and the U.S. by more than 9 million people.

    HP’s Commitment to Digital Equity and Sustainable Impact
    As nearly half of the world’s population remains offline, equipping youth and adults with critical skills reflects HP’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and supporting economic inclusion. The Digital Equity Accelerator is one way HP is delivering progress toward its goal to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people by 2030.

    For more information on the Digital Equity Accelerator, please visit the website.

    About HP
    HP Inc. is a global technology leader and creator of solutions that enable people to bring their ideas to life and connect to the things that matter most. Operating in more than 170 countries, HP delivers a wide range of innovative and sustainable devices, services and subscriptions for personal computing, printing, 3D printing, hybrid work, gaming, and more. For more information, please visit http://www.hp.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Rep. Pfluger On Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)

    Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) joined Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street to discuss his recent visit to Midland. On the visit, Rep. Pfluger hosted EPA Regional Administrator Scott Mason and Rep. Julie Fedorcheck (ND-At-Large) to tour one of Diamondback Energy’s production sites and participate in a roundtable discussion with producers, stakeholders, EPA officials, and other local leaders on the energy industry’s future. Read more about the trip and view pictures here.

    Watch the full interview HERE or read highlights below.

    Maria Bartiromo: Earlier this week, you hosted EPA officials at the Permian Basin, the energy capital of West Texas and your district, to address these federal oil and gas regulations that were put in place under the Biden administration. Tell me about that, and how is Trump cutting back on that red tape, and what are the challenges that energy producers are still facing? Because I know this is night and day when you look at the policies, correct?

    Rep. Pfluger: Well, you’re absolutely right, and they are still facing a number of challenges… But what a difference an election makes to bring in Mr. Scott Mason, who is the Region 6 EPA Director, as well as Lee Zeldin, who showed up in the Permian Basin, and to demonstrate to them the work that has been done in the Permian Basin and throughout the other producing regions in the country, to produce efficient, affordable, reliable energy…I think most producers there really want a sweet spot, and that sweet spot, price-wise, is somewhere between $65 and $80 / bbl because they want predictability.Rig counts are already starting downward because they’re making business decisions and are not quite sure about what the future holds. But when you talk about lower gasoline prices, yes, that is very, very important, but it’s also important that we have a good, predictable supply and demand, and that’s what producers are worried about right now, which is just predictability. They’re going to hang in there, they always have. We’ve always survived. But again, a good sweet spot, $65 to $85 really helps our economy flourish.

    Maria Bartiromo: They also need predictability on policy, because these are long-term contracts that these oil companies and oil suppliers, and drillers are making. And so, they need to know that permitting, for example, is going to be sustained, permitting deregulation, so that they can actually get the permits on a timely basis, and they can actually invest the way they want to. How can you, as a lawmaker, codify some of these executive orders that President Trump has put in place to ensure that they don’t go away in four years?

    Rep. Pfluger: Well, President Trump has taken very aggressive action on deregulation. Administrator Lee Zeldin is leading the way with 31 deregulatory acts, and as chairman of the Republican Study Committee, we are championing an initiative that would codify many of those actions already, and you’re exactly right. They [companies] want predictability, not to have to compete against the U.S. government, not to have to compete against the overreaching nature of that far left liberal machine that we’ve seen for so long. And they want to know that the investments that they’re going to make are actually going to return profits that they can put into more drilling, more access to energy, so that we can actually have affordable, reliable energy, not just here, but also for our partners and allies.

    MIL OSI USA News –