NewzIntel.com

Category: Security

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illinois Man Sentenced to 97 Months in Prison for Trying to Arrange Florida Murder

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CAPE GIRARDEAU – U.S. District Sarah E. Pitlyk on Tuesday sentenced an Illinois man to 97 months in prison for trying to have a business associate in Florida murdered.

    At an initial meeting in Missouri in January of 2024, Ben Patrick Mullavey asked a former employee to kill Mullavey’s business partner in Florida. That employee contacted authorities. In subsequent conversations, many of which were recorded by the FBI, Mullavey told the employee that he had been planning the murder for months and had conducted surveillance of the victim and had stolen a Florida license plate. Mullavey suggested the best time and place to commit the murder, how to avoid being identified on surveillance cameras and several ways of disposing of the victim’s body.

    On Jan. 13, 2024, the employee left Mullavey’s home with orders to kill the victim, a crossbow, arrows, the stolen Florida license plate, handwritten directions to a restaurant located next door to the victim’s business and $2,100 in cash.

    In a victim impact letter, Mullavey’s target said that since being informed that he was the target of a murder-for-hire scheme, he has lived in a “state of constant fear.” Forced to abandon his business out of concern over the risk of being in a public place every day, he also lost his financial security, his apartment and everything inside it. “This is not just something that happened once. It is something that will affect me every day for the rest of my life,” he wrote.

    Mullavey, 66, of Mechanicsburg, in Sangamon County, pleaded guilty in April in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau to one felony count of use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of attempted murder-for-hire.

    The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Shelton prosecuted the case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Clifton T. Barrett Takes Oath as U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    GREENSBORO, N.C. – Clifton T. “Cliff” Barrett took the oath of office yesterday to become the United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina. The oath was administered by U.S. District Judge William L. Osteen, Jr. at the L. Richardson Preyer Federal Building in Greensboro. Attorney General Pamela Bondi appointed Mr. Barrett as the interim U.S. Attorney on June 21.

    “I am honored to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina and thank President Trump and Attorney General Bondi for placing their trust in me,” said U.S. Attorney Barrett. “I look forward, along with other prosecutors in the office, to making the Middle District a safer place to live by holding offenders accountable for their actions.  We will work closely with state, local, and federal law enforcement in addressing President Trump’s law enforcement priorities.”

    As the U.S. Attorney, Mr. Barrett is the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the Middle District of North Carolina, which covers 24 counties in the central part of the state from Durham County on the east to Yadkin County on the west, stretching up to Virginia on the north side and down to South Carolina on the south. Approximately 3 million people live in the Middle District of North Carolina. The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to immigration, gang violence, National Security, drug trafficking, and violent crime. The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.

    U.S. Attorney Barrett joined the Department of Justice as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Middle District of North Carolina in September 1994. He has prosecuted a broad range of federal criminal cases, including drug trafficking organizations, violent crime, child exploitation, public corruption, tax fraud, and offenses related to terrorism. He has held numerous leadership roles in the office, including 25 years as Chief of the Criminal Division. He has also served in leadership at the Department of Justice as an evaluator of other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and as a member of the Criminal Chiefs Working Group, an appointed committee that works in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney General’s Advisory Commission in providing advice to the U.S. Attorney General.

    Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Barrett was an Assistant District Attorney for nine years in Forsyth County, North Carolina where he primarily prosecuted violent crime cases.

    Barrett received his bachelor’s degree in history cum laude from Wake Forest University in 1982, and his Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1985. He has been an Adjunct Professor at Wake Forest University School of Law teaching Criminal Trial Advocacy since 1996.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Clifton T. Barrett Takes Oath as U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    GREENSBORO, N.C. – Clifton T. “Cliff” Barrett took the oath of office yesterday to become the United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina. The oath was administered by U.S. District Judge William L. Osteen, Jr. at the L. Richardson Preyer Federal Building in Greensboro. Attorney General Pamela Bondi appointed Mr. Barrett as the interim U.S. Attorney on June 21.

    “I am honored to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina and thank President Trump and Attorney General Bondi for placing their trust in me,” said U.S. Attorney Barrett. “I look forward, along with other prosecutors in the office, to making the Middle District a safer place to live by holding offenders accountable for their actions.  We will work closely with state, local, and federal law enforcement in addressing President Trump’s law enforcement priorities.”

    As the U.S. Attorney, Mr. Barrett is the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the Middle District of North Carolina, which covers 24 counties in the central part of the state from Durham County on the east to Yadkin County on the west, stretching up to Virginia on the north side and down to South Carolina on the south. Approximately 3 million people live in the Middle District of North Carolina. The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to immigration, gang violence, National Security, drug trafficking, and violent crime. The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.

    U.S. Attorney Barrett joined the Department of Justice as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Middle District of North Carolina in September 1994. He has prosecuted a broad range of federal criminal cases, including drug trafficking organizations, violent crime, child exploitation, public corruption, tax fraud, and offenses related to terrorism. He has held numerous leadership roles in the office, including 25 years as Chief of the Criminal Division. He has also served in leadership at the Department of Justice as an evaluator of other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and as a member of the Criminal Chiefs Working Group, an appointed committee that works in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney General’s Advisory Commission in providing advice to the U.S. Attorney General.

    Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Barrett was an Assistant District Attorney for nine years in Forsyth County, North Carolina where he primarily prosecuted violent crime cases.

    Barrett received his bachelor’s degree in history cum laude from Wake Forest University in 1982, and his Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1985. He has been an Adjunct Professor at Wake Forest University School of Law teaching Criminal Trial Advocacy since 1996.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Forty-Eighth Conviction in Feeding Our Future Fraud Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MINNEAPOLIS – Asad Mohamed Abshir has pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering for his role in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thomspon.  He is the 48th defendant to be convicted in this massive fraud scheme.

    “This guilty plea is another step in exposing the staggering levels of fraud that have been hiding in plain sight across Minnesota,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “This defendant laundered money meant to feed children and funneled it into a web of shell companies and luxury spending. As FBI Director Kah Patel recently said, this case stands as one of the most egregious abuses of public trust in recent memory. The people of Minnesota deserve better.”

    In fall of 2020, the defendant, Asad Mohamed Abshir, 34, assisted his brother and co-defendant, Abdinasir Abshir, in the operations of non-profit called Stigma Free International. Under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future, the Abshir brothers claimed to operate, through Stigma Free, a food distribution site in Mankato, Minneosta. At the same time, Abdinasir Abshir claimed to provide food for the Mankato site through an entity he controlled called Horseed Management LLC. But the Abshirs did not provide the food they claimed to, and they were not entitled to the taxpayer dollars they received for their claims.

    Over the course of 2020 to 2021, the Abshirs fraudulently claimed to have provided 1.6 million meals to children. For his role in the scheme, Abdinasir personally received about $750,000. The defendant used $77,353 in fraud proceeds to purchase a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali truck, which has been seized and will be forfeited to the United States. In addition, the Unites States seized $424,762.51 from the bank account for the defedant’s shell company, Santana LLC, all of which will be forfeited.

    “Asad Abshir’s guilty plea underscores a troubling intersection of deception and exploitation within federal assistance programs designed to nourish vulnerable populations,” said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. “Abshir not only undermined the integrity of the Federal Child Nutrition Program, but also abused the resources intended for the nation’s most at-risk children. This case serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for stringent oversight and accountability in the administration of taxpayer dollars.”

    This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service

    Abshir pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court before Judge Nancy E. Brasel. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert, Harry M. Jacobs, and Daniel W. Bobier are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune is handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Forty-Eighth Conviction in Feeding Our Future Fraud Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MINNEAPOLIS – Asad Mohamed Abshir has pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering for his role in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thomspon.  He is the 48th defendant to be convicted in this massive fraud scheme.

    “This guilty plea is another step in exposing the staggering levels of fraud that have been hiding in plain sight across Minnesota,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “This defendant laundered money meant to feed children and funneled it into a web of shell companies and luxury spending. As FBI Director Kah Patel recently said, this case stands as one of the most egregious abuses of public trust in recent memory. The people of Minnesota deserve better.”

    In fall of 2020, the defendant, Asad Mohamed Abshir, 34, assisted his brother and co-defendant, Abdinasir Abshir, in the operations of non-profit called Stigma Free International. Under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future, the Abshir brothers claimed to operate, through Stigma Free, a food distribution site in Mankato, Minneosta. At the same time, Abdinasir Abshir claimed to provide food for the Mankato site through an entity he controlled called Horseed Management LLC. But the Abshirs did not provide the food they claimed to, and they were not entitled to the taxpayer dollars they received for their claims.

    Over the course of 2020 to 2021, the Abshirs fraudulently claimed to have provided 1.6 million meals to children. For his role in the scheme, Abdinasir personally received about $750,000. The defendant used $77,353 in fraud proceeds to purchase a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali truck, which has been seized and will be forfeited to the United States. In addition, the Unites States seized $424,762.51 from the bank account for the defedant’s shell company, Santana LLC, all of which will be forfeited.

    “Asad Abshir’s guilty plea underscores a troubling intersection of deception and exploitation within federal assistance programs designed to nourish vulnerable populations,” said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. “Abshir not only undermined the integrity of the Federal Child Nutrition Program, but also abused the resources intended for the nation’s most at-risk children. This case serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for stringent oversight and accountability in the administration of taxpayer dollars.”

    This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service

    Abshir pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court before Judge Nancy E. Brasel. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert, Harry M. Jacobs, and Daniel W. Bobier are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune is handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty To Unlawful Reentry

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Angel Urbina-Ramirez, a/k/a Angel Urbina Ramirez, a/k/a Angel Urbinaramirez, age 53, a Mexican national unlawfully present in Poteau, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien, punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than ten years, and a fine of not more than $250,000.00.  

    The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division.

    The Indictment alleged that on June 13, 2025, Urbina-Ramirez, an alien, was found in the United States after having been previously removed on January 30, 2018, without obtaining the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    The Honorable D. Edward Snow, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.

    A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Urbina-Ramirez will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Dak T. Cohen represented the United States.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty To Unlawful Reentry

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Angel Urbina-Ramirez, a/k/a Angel Urbina Ramirez, a/k/a Angel Urbinaramirez, age 53, a Mexican national unlawfully present in Poteau, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien, punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than ten years, and a fine of not more than $250,000.00.  

    The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division.

    The Indictment alleged that on June 13, 2025, Urbina-Ramirez, an alien, was found in the United States after having been previously removed on January 30, 2018, without obtaining the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    The Honorable D. Edward Snow, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.

    A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Urbina-Ramirez will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Dak T. Cohen represented the United States.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Reaches $501,556 Civil Settlement Resolving Allegations of False Claims to Federal Health Care Programs

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. LOUIS – Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Drake on Tuesday announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri and a Missouri psychiatrist have reached a $501,556 civil settlement that will resolve False Claims Act (FCA) allegations.

    The settlement resolves allegations that from Jan. 1, 2019, through May 31, 2024, Dr. Mohd Azfar Malik falsely indicated to both Medicare and Missouri Medicaid that he provided face-to-face psychotherapy to patients, including by submitting false claims for payment when he was out of town and for services that were provided by other practitioners.  Dr. Malik was part-owner of Behavioral Health Services, LLC which owned and operated Psych Care Consultants in St. Louis, Missouri.

    The settlement consists of $250,778 in restitution, which is doubled under the FCA. 

    The civil settlement contains no admission of liability. In April of 2025, Dr. Malik pleaded guilty to making false statement in federal health care related matters and admitted submitting claims for payment to Medicare, Medicaid and private health insurers in which he falsely claimed to have performed in-person services when he was out of Missouri or out of the country. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 11.

    “Holding health care professionals accountable for submitting false claims for financial gain is crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring that critical resources are appropriately utilized,” said Linda T. Hanley, Special Agent in Charge with the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).  “HHS-OIG, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners will continue to collaborate our efforts to protect the integrity of the Medicare and Medicaid programs.”

    This civil settlement was a result of the combined work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, HHS/OIG Office of Investigations, the Missouri Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Clewiston Felon Sentenced To Prison For Unlawfully Possessing Firearm

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Jose Ignacio Carrizalez III (27, Clewiston) to seven years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. Carrizalez pleaded guilty on March 12, 2025.

    According to court documents, on April 12, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Carrizalez’s residence after he sold a firearm to a confidential informant and offered to sell another one. During the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement seized multiple firearms, assorted ammunition, and a “switch” designed for use in converting a semi-automatic pistol into a machine gun. Carrizalez is a convicted felon and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick L. Darcey.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King Cosponsors Bill to Prohibit Sharing of Personal Data of DACA Program Applicants with Immigration Officials

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) has joined legislation to prohibit the sharing of sensitive personal data, like taxpayer and health information, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act would provide a statutory guarantee to current and prospective Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program applicants, also known as Dreamers, that the private information they provide in their applications will not be used against them. This comes as the Trump Administration increases information sharing to advance its mass deportation agenda.

    The Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act will prohibit the DHS Secretary from disclosing information included in an individual’s application for the DACA program to law enforcement agencies, including ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), for any purpose other than the implementation of the DACA program, with limited exceptions.

    “Dreamers are productive, established members of our community woven into the fabric of our lives; neighbors and friends that go to school, work at the local store, and contribute honestly to American society no matter the passport they hold,” Senator King said. “The Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act would allow thousands of law-abiding Dreamers to continue living their lives and making contributions to society without fear of their personal information being misused by those enforcing the administration’s misguided deportation agenda.”

    Since 2012, more than 825,000 people have received deferred action pursuant to DACA, contributing an estimated $140 billion to the U.S. economy in spending power and paying $40 billion in combined federal, payroll, state, and local taxes. In 2021, a federal district court judge paused the DACA program and prevented USCIS from approving any new DACA applications. In March 2025, however, a Fifth Circuit decision giving United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) the authority to start processing initial DACA applications from states other than Texas went into effect.

    Last month, the Trump Administration gave Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personal data, including immigration status, on millions of Medicaid enrollees and announced it would require some undocumented immigrants to register with DHS. The Administration also finalized an agreement giving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) access to taxpayer data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for immigration enforcement. Meanwhile, the Administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recently gained access to key immigration databases, including the Executive Office for Immigration Review’s (EOIR) Courts and Appeals System (ECAS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) Data Business Intelligence Services, which contains information on noncitizens who have applied for DACA, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Unaccompanied Alien Children portal.

    Specifically, the Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act will:

    1. Direct the DHS Secretary to protect the information included in an individual’s application to the DACA program from disclosure to ICE, CBP, and any other law enforcement agency for any purpose other than the implementation of the DACA program;
    2. Prohibit the DHS Secretary from referring anyone with deferred enforcement protections pursuant to the DACA program to ICE, CBP, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and any other law enforcement agency; and
    3. Provide limited exceptions for when an individual’s application information may be shared with national security and law enforcement agencies, namely:
      1. To identify or prevent fraudulent claims;
      2. For particularized national security concerns; and
      3. For the investigation or prosecution of a felony, provided that the felony in question is not related to the applicant’s immigration status.

    In addition to King, this bill is cosponsored by Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Brian Schatz (D-HI), John Fetterman (D-PA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Patty Murray (D-WA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Peter Welch (D-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Jack Reed (D-RI), Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Chris Murphy (D-CT).

    Senator King is a strong opponent of the Trump Administration’s continued efforts to repeal protections for DACA recipients. He has repeatedly sought a legislative solution to provide stability for DACA recipients. Most recently, he sent a letter to Acting Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Angelica Alfonso-Royals, highlighting the popular support for providing Dreamers a pathway to citizenship and request that the Trump Administration comply with the recent Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling to resume processing applications for DACA. Previously, Senator King joined a group of his Senate colleagues in a letter urging former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to immediately take up the bipartisan House-passed American Dream and Promise Act, which would establish a path to citizenship for Dreamers and immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). In addition, King led a bipartisan proposal with Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) that would have provided legislative protections for Dreamers.

    A one-page summary of the bill is here.

    The text of the bill is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grothman, Dingell Reintroduce Bipartisan Dillon’s Law

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)

    Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) have reintroduced Dillon’s Law, a bipartisan bill that incentivizes states to empower “good Samaritans” to save lives in critical moments. The legislation encourages trained individuals to administer epinephrine in schools during emergencies. Currently, the administration of this medication is limited solely to trained school employees. 

    Dillon’s Law is named in honor of Dillon Mueller, a native of Mishicot, Wisconsin, who tragically passed away in 2014 at just 18 years old after being stung by a bee that resulted in an anaphylactic reaction. At the time of the incident, epinephrine was not readily available and accessible. 

    Several states, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Indiana, have enacted versions of Dillon’s Law with strong bipartisan support. While Congress passed a similar measure in 2013 to support epinephrine programs in schools, this legislation expands access further by allowing any trained individual to administer epinephrine in the event of an emergency.  

    Read more about Dillon’s Story HERE. 

    “We’re working to prevent more heartbreaking tragedies like Dillon’s,” said Congressman Grothman. “No parent should ever have to experience the pain of losing a child simply because lifesaving medication wasn’t available in time. 

    “Dillon’s Law gives states the tools to train and empower everyday people to act in emergencies and save lives. Since Wisconsin enacted a version of this law in 2017, thousands of residents have been trained to use epinephrine in life-threatening situations. This commonsense, bipartisan solution is already making a difference in our state, and it can do the same nationwide. I urge my colleagues in Congress to support this bill, honor Dillon’s legacy, and help save lives.” 

    “Deaths like Dillon’s are heartbreaking and preventable, and we should empower good Samaritans to save lives,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “I’m proud to introduce Dillon’s Law with Rep. Grothman to help prepare individuals to respond to anaphylaxis and prevent tragedies like the one experienced by the Mueller family. We’ve seen programs like this work in my home state of Michigan, and we can help so many people by expanding this to the rest of the country.” 

    “Practicing allergists see firsthand how rapidly anaphylaxis can become life-threatening without immediate access to epinephrine,” said ACAAI President, Dr. James Tracy. “Dillon’s Law is a critical step forward in empowering trained individuals on school grounds to act swiftly and save lives. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) strongly supports this bipartisan effort to expand epinephrine access and Good Samaritan protections. This will help ensure no student or staff member loses their life because lifesaving treatment wasn’t readily available.” 

    “Expanding access to epinephrine will save lives,” said AAFA president and CEO, Kenneth Mendez. “Death from anaphylaxis – a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction – is preventable if epinephrine is administered quickly. By encouraging states to allow any trained individual to administer epinephrine at schools, Dillon’s Law will make it more likely that someone experiencing anaphylaxis receives emergency epinephrine when every second counts. We thank Representatives Grothman and Dingell for their leadership on this lifesaving legislation that helps prevent tragedies before they occur.” 

    “Dillon’s Law is about saving lives by ensuring that more people are prepared to respond to anaphylaxis emergencies when every second counts,” said Lynda Mitchell, CEO of Allergy & Asthma Network. “It empowers everyday citizens to step in during a severe allergic reaction and provide life-saving epinephrine, especially in communities where immediate medical help isn’t always available. We fully support this legislation and urge Congress to move it forward.” 

    “FARE applauds Representative Grothman on the introduction of Dillon’s Law, a common-sense, and cost-effective way to prevent future tragedies,” said Sung Poblete, PhD, RN, CEO of FARE. “Considering that on average, there are two children in every U.S. classroom affected by food allergy alone, the need for this legislation is great. Expanded definitions and protections that allow individuals to act in the event of an emergency, along with the recognition of needle-free epinephrine options are measures that are good for everyone.” 

    “On behalf of more than 431,000 nurse practitioners (NPs) nationwide, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) thanks Congressman Grothman and all of the other Members of Congress who support Dillon’s Law for their leadership on this important bill,” said American Association of Nurse Practitioners President Valerie Fuller, PhD, DNP, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP. “Prompt access to epinephrine is essential when someone is experiencing anaphylaxis and Dillon’s Law will play an important role in increasing the number of trained individuals who can administer this life-saving treatment in schools.” 

    Background Information 

    Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur within minutes of exposure to triggers like insect stings, certain foods, or medications. In the U.S., it causes up to 1,000 deaths and hundreds of thousands of ER visits each year. 

    Dillon’s Law is named after Dillon Mueller, an 18-year-old from Mishicot, Wisconsin, who tragically died from anaphylaxis after a bee sting. Since his passing, Dillon’s parents have championed efforts to expand epinephrine training, leading to the passage of Dillon’s Law in Wisconsin in 2017. The program, certified by the Wisconsin Department of Health, has already helped save lives. 

    This legislation builds on the Public Health Service Act by prioritizing federal grant funding for states that allow trained individuals to administer epinephrine on school grounds. It also requires states to provide civil liability protections to trained responders who act in good faith. 

    By expanding access to lifesaving medication and empowering more individuals to respond in emergencies, Dillon’s Law strengthens community safety and helps prevent avoidable tragedies. 

    This bill is endorsed by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI), Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), and Allergy & Asthma Network. 

    U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) proudly serves the people of Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 15 nomination forms for Election Committee Subsector By-elections received today

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    The nomination period for the 2025 Election Committee (EC) Subsector By-elections runs from today (July 22) until August 4. A total of 12 nomination forms for candidates and three nomination forms from designated bodies were received by the Returning Officers for various subsectors today.

    If there is a contested election for an EC subsector, a poll will be held on September 7.

    The By-elections will fill a total of 93 vacancies in the membership of the EC to be returned by election involving 28 subsectors. The breakdown of nominations by subsectors received today is set out below: 
     

    First Sector
    Subsector No. of nomination forms for candidates received today
    Catering 0
    Commercial (first) 0
    Commercial (second) 0
    Commercial (third) 0
    Employers’ Federation of Hong Kong 0
    Hotel 1
    Import and export 0
    Industrial (first) 0
    Industrial (second) 0
    Real estate and construction 0
    Small and medium enterprises 0
    Tourism 0
    Transport 0
    Second Sector
    Subsector No. of nomination forms for candidates received today
    Architectural, surveying, planning and landscape 0
    Chinese medicine 0
    Education 0
    Legal 0
    Medical and health services 0
    Sports, performing arts, culture and publication 0
    Technology and innovation 0
    Third Sector
    Subsector No. of nomination forms for candidates received today
    Agriculture and fisheries 0
    Associations of Chinese fellow townsmen 1
    Grassroots associations 1
    Labour 1
    Fourth Sector
    Subsector No. of nomination forms for candidates received today
    Heung Yee Kuk 0
    Representatives of members of Area Committees, District Fight Crime Committees, and District Fire Safety Committees of Hong Kong and Kowloon 0
    Representatives of members of Area Committees, District Fight Crime Committees, and District Fire Safety Committees of the New Territories 0
    Fifth Sector
    Subsector No. of nomination forms for candidates received today
    Representatives of Hong Kong members of relevant national organisations 8
       
    Total: 12

    Besides, 10 vacancies involving five subsectors to be returned by nomination will be filled through supplementary nominations by designated bodies. Today, three nomination forms for the relevant subsectors are received, with breakdown as below: 
     

    Accountancy
    Designated body No. of nomination forms received from designated bodies today
    Association of Hong Kong Accounting Advisors Limited 0
     
    Sports, performing arts, culture and publication
    Designated body No. of nomination forms received from designated bodies today
    Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China 0
    Hong Kong Publishing Federation Limited 0
     
    Technology and innovation
    Designated body No. of nomination forms received from designated bodies today
    The Greater Bay Area Association of Academicians 0
     
    Religious
    Designated body No. of nomination forms received from designated bodies today
    Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong 0
    Chinese Muslim Cultural and Fraternal Association 1 (1 nominee in total)
    The Hong Kong Taoist Association 1 (2 nominees in total)
     
    Representatives of associations of Hong Kong residents in the Mainland
    Designated body No. of nomination forms received from designated bodies today
    Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China—Guangdong 1 (1 nominee in total)
       
    Total: 3 (4 nominees in total)

    Particulars of the nominated persons received today will be uploaded to the election website (www.elections.gov.hk).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SCS encourages Administrative Service summer interns

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, met and shared experiences with over 50 tertiary students participating in the Administrative Service Summer Internship Programme today (July 22). She encouraged them to apply for civil service positions such as the Administrative Officer (AO) post, and to use their professional knowledge to serve the community, benefit people’s livelihood and contribute to the development of Hong Kong.
     
         This year, the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) has arranged for the interns to discuss and submit policy proposals in various areas including transport, planning and development, social enterprises, district affairs, the silver economy, etc, based on their observations and insights gained after working in different bureaux or departments. The CSB will submit these proposals to the bureaux or departments where the interns were assigned to for their reference.

         At the gathering, Mrs Yeung listened to the sharing by interns on both their work experiences and proposed policy initiatives during their internships. Drawing on her nearly 40 years of service in the civil service, she shared valuable insights as an AO and encouraged students to actively enrich themselves, plan ahead for their future and contribute to the development of the country and Hong Kong.
     
         She said, “I am aware that this round of the Programme has received a record number of applications, attracting more than 300 applications from tertiary students in Hong Kong, mainland China and overseas. From your sharing, I can genuinely feel your passion for public service. I would like to take this opportunity to call on young people who are dedicated to serve the community and willing to take on responsibilities to join the civil service.

         “I look forward to interns becoming AOs in the near future, serving the public and contributing to the country and Hong Kong with your own strengths and talents.”

         The Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, and Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service Ms Eureka Cheung also joined the sharing session and spoke with interns to learn about their internship experiences and views on Hong Kong’s development.

         AOs are professional public administrators who play a pivotal role in the Government. They are responsible for assisting in the formulation of government policies, co-ordinating and supervising various initiatives, managing the use of public resources, promoting district work and publicising Hong Kong externally, etc. To enable AOs to accumulate experience and unleash their full potential in different public policy areas, they are posted to various bureaux and departments at regular intervals, broadening their horizons and gaining a fuller grasp of the challenges and opportunities in public administration.

         The CSB organises the Administrative Service Internship Programme every summer and winter, offering students who aspire to become AOs opportunities to work alongside serving AOs for around eight weeks to gain early practical experiences in public service and lay a solid foundation for their future career development. Statistics from the past five years show that around one in every five newly recruited AOs had participated in the Programme. 

         The Government will launch a new round of recruitment for the posts of Administrative Officer, Executive Officer II, Assistant Labour Officer II, Assistant Trade Officer II and Management Services Officer II in September this year. Prospective applicants must first take the Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) and the Basic Law and National Security Law Test to attain the requisite scores. The new round of the CRE is currently open for application. Interested candidates are required to apply online by August 1. For details, please refer to the CSB website (www.csb.gov.hk/english/index.html).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hongkong Post updates on the information security incident

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    Hongkong Post announced today (July 22) on the investigation result so far of the information security incident identified on July 21. According to the investigation, the unauthorised party had cyberattacked the system by making countless attempts at the mid-night of July 20 and the following day to access and retrieve information through the address book function of EC-Ship system. Hongkong Post had activated the blocking mechanism immediately after the abnormal activities being detected by its system and disabled the operation of the EC-Ship account which was involved in the cyberattacks at once. During the above-mentioned blockage and interception of these cyberattacks, the concerned accounts’ address books information, including the senders’ and recipients’ person/company names, addresses, and/or phone numbers, fax numbers, and email addresses, was being accessed and retrieved.

    Hongkong Post has sent emails to inform all affected account holders today and reminded them to remain vigilant, and to immediately inform relevant persons of their address books about this incident and remind them to be vigilant. The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) has initiated investigation into the incident and Hongkong Post will fully cooperate with the HKPF in the investigation, and will closely monitor the situation of the involved information.

    Hongkong Post has been following established Government procedures on information and cybersecurity. The Digital Policy Office (DPO) is also in close communication with Hongkong Post on the incident, noting that it has taken immediate actions by promptly blocking the cyberattacks and enhancing the security measures of the system. The services concerned have resumed normal and account holders involved can continue to use the services.

    The spokesman for Hongkong Post said that the global cybersecurity landscape was evolving, with various forms of cyberattacks emerging continuously. Hongkong Post would actively seek advice from the DPO to continuously enhance the cyber resilience level and cybersecurity risk management, to safeguard the information security of users and to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

    Hongkong Post reiterates that it will not send embedded hyperlinks via emails, SMS messages or social media pages for collecting personal information or requesting for payment. Hongkong Post wishes to alert members of the public again to refrain from clicking on any embedded links or providing any personal or financial information such as credit card information, or making any payment to suspicious emails or SMS messages alleged to be sent by Hongkong Post. For enquiries, members of the public may call the Hongkong Post General Enquiry Hotline at 2921 2222.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 30 secondary students to depart for Mainland to join Young Astronaut Training Camp (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         A send-off ceremony for the Young Astronaut Training Camp 2025 was held at the Hong Kong Science Museum today (July 22). Thirty selected secondary students will set off for Beijing, Jiuquan, and Xi’an from July 25 to August 2 for a nine-day training programme.
     
         Addressing the send-off ceremony, the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, encouraged the Young Astronauts to seize this precious training opportunity to immerse themselves in the country’s remarkable aerospace endeavours, look up to aerospace heroes as their role model, and become a valuable new force in promoting the nation’s space development.
     
         Other officiating guests included the First-level Inspector of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Liu Maozhou; the Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Dr Jonathan Choi; the Convenor of the Working Group on Patriotic Education under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee, Legislative Council Member, Dr Starry Lee; the Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ms Vivian Sum; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan; the President of the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre, Mr Hsu Hoi-shan; the Vice-Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Ms Jennifer Yeung; and the Museum Director of the Hong Kong Science Museum, Mr Patrick Lau.
     
         Launched in 2009, the Young Astronaut Training Camp has entered its 14th edition, with a total of 400 students participating over the years. The recruitment of this year’s training camp started in May and received an overwhelming response. After three rounds of the selection process, which included a quiz on astronomy and space science, a three-day training camp and an interview, 30 students from Secondary Two to Secondary Six were selected as Young Astronauts out of around 120 applicants from more than 80 secondary schools.
     
         The students participating in the nine-day training camp will visit various key astronomy and aerospace facilities, including Beijing Aerospace City and the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. This year’s programme also marks the first visit to the Wuqing Station of the National Astronomical Observatories, where they will learn about data reception and deep space communication systems of the Tianwen-1 Mars exploration mission. At the China Astronaut Research and Training Center, they will experience the aerospace medicine project and astronaut training activities, including the donning and doffing of spacesuits and savouring space food.
     
         The training camp is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, in association with the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre. It is organised by the Hong Kong Space Museum and sponsored by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce. For details of the training camp, please visit the website of the Hong Kong Space Museum at hk.space.museum/en/web/spm/activities/yatc.html.
     
         The training camp is one of the programmes under the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. For more information, please visit www.ccpo.gov.hk.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Western Territory Staff Conference Highlights People, Power and Change

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    The IAM Western Territory joined together in a powerful show of solidarity, strategy, and celebration at the territory’s 2025 staff conference. Held under the theme, “People, Power, Change,” the conference brought IAM leadership, staff, and allies together to sharpen their organizing focus, reflect on recent victories, and recommit to building a stronger labor movement.

    Western Territory General Vice President Robert “Bobby” Martinez opened the conference with a message of unity and urgency, reminding attendees that organizing is the foundation of the IAM’s mission.

    “This conference isn’t just about celebrating what we’ve done—it’s about preparing for what’s next,” said Martinez. “The power to organize, to fight back, and to lift each other up lives in every one of us.”

    View photos from the Western Territory Staff Conference here.

    IAM International President Brian Bryant delivered a keynote address focused on transformation within the union. He spoke about returning organizing operations to IAM Headquarters to create a consistent, strategic, and coordinated approach across all territories.

    “Workers are looking for allies at a moment like this – and the IAM Union is going to be that ally,” said Bryant. “We must unite like never before to meet the moment and bring more workers into our union.”

    General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes addressed the IAM’s financial health and growing resources for members, while Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett spoke about the importance of supporting staff and ensuring they have the tools they need to win in today’s labor environment.

    The conference also included a heartfelt tribute to retired Western Territory General Vice President Gary R. Allen, who was honored for his remarkable 45 years of service to the IAM—including 15 years leading the Western Territory on the IAM Executive Council. His legacy of justice, compassion, and fierce dedication to working people was celebrated by all in attendance.

    Other speakers included:

    • Marshall Ganz, Harvard University Professor and Organizer
    • Randy Parraz, Organizing Institute for Democracy
    • Lorena Gonzalez, California Federation of Labor President
    • Carla Siegel, IAM General Counsel
    • Richard Evans, IAM Veterans Services Coordinator, and Bryan Stymacks, IAM Assistant Veterans Services Coordinator
    • Yvette Sheehan, Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines
    • Jon Holden, IAM District 751 President, and Shana Peschek, Machinists Institute
    • Galen Bullock, Employee Benefit Systems, Inc.

    The conference also featured a powerful question and answer session, facilitated by Western Territory International Representatives Richard Suarez and Melissa Morgan.

    The Western Territory gave out awards to recognize districts, locals, members and staff who have gone above and beyond to call of duty.

    • Top Organizing District: District 725
    • Organizer of the Year: Bob Simoni, Local SC 711
    • Joe Reilly IAM Veterans Remembrance Award: Local 1005 member Franklin Wilson Jr. for his work to support unhoused military veterans.
    • Gary R. Allen Heart of Justice Award – Local 695 President Richard Howard for his leadership supporting a wrongfully detained member.

    The  Western Territory also presented the Hawk Awards, which are nominated by peers and given in recognition of individuals who display exceptional leadership in servicing, organizing, community service and/or political activism.

    • Gary R. Allen, Retired General Vice President
    • Jeff Baird, District 725 Business Representative
    • Larry Bickett, District W24 Business Representative/Organizer
    • Brandon Bryant, District W24 President and Directing Business Representative
    • Zac Collins, District 160 Business Representative
    • Billy Corona, District 947 Business Representative/Organizer
    • Joelle Depue, Western Territory Special Representative
    • John Dyrcz, Local 794 Vice President
    • Jennifer Friesen, District 947 Business Representative/Organizer
    • Cindy Gagliardi, District 190 Business Representative
    • Bailey Hardiman-Borsos, Western Territory Associate Organizer
    • Jason Hardwick, Western Territory International Representative
    • Michael Higley, Local 568 Member
    • Jon Holden, District 751 President and Directing Business Representative
    • Richard Jackson, District 751 Secretary-Treasurer
    • Beth Lacey, District W24 Secretary-Treasurer
    • Scott Lacey, District W24 President
    • Justin Mauldin, District 725 Assistant Directing Business Representative
    • Pedro Mendez, District 190 Area Director
    • Ramon Martinez, Local 2515 President and Directing Business Representative
    • Brandon Nottingham, District 947 Business Representative/Organizer
    • Carla Pulido-Jordan, Local 1930 Recording Secretary
    • Joe Ruth, Local 751C Health and Benefits Representative
    • Cornelius Scott, Local 1125 Secretary-Treasurer
    • Bob Simoni, Local SC 711 Business Representative
    • Christian White, Local 2006 President
    • Doug White, Local 1998 Recording Secretary
    • Darrin Williamson, District 725 Business Representative
    • Steve Van Wie, Western Territory International Representative

    The post Western Territory Staff Conference Highlights People, Power and Change appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Columbia Warns of Government Impersonation Scams Using Spoofed FBI Phone Number

    Source: US FBI

    The FBI is warning the public about a rise in government impersonation scams reported across South Carolina. In these schemes, scammers spoof phone numbers associated with the FBI— including the main number for the FBI’s Columbia Field Office— to appear legitimate.
    These scams typically involve criminals posing as government officials who threaten arrest or prosecution unless the victim provides money or personal information.

    Recent reports to the FBI detail a common tactic: victims receive a call informing them they have missed federal jury duty or that there is a warrant for their arrest. They are told to expect a follow-up call from an FBI agent and, when called, the number on the caller ID shows the FBI Columbia number. During that second call, the impersonator instructs victims to withdraw large sums of cash and convert it into digital currency at designated kiosks to avoid fines and penalties. In some cases, victims receive fraudulent documents via text message featuring official-looking government seals and letterhead.

    Victims have reported losing thousands of dollars before realizing they were being scammed.

    While this type of fraud is not new, it is one of many variations that exploit fear and urgency by invoking law enforcement authority.

    Important reminders:

    Anyone who believes they may have been targeted or victimized should report the incident to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: OZ Studio, a Global Firm with Texas Roots, Showcases Ethical AI Governance Model at the United Nations

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VIENNA, AUSTRIA , July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OZ Studio, a global technology firm with offices in Austin, Texas; Geneva, Switzerland; and Monterrey, Mexico, presented a groundbreaking model for municipal governance and ethical artificial intelligence at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna. The presentation marks a significant milestone for the company, which, after 22 years of serving multinational corporations, has pivoted its focus since 2020 toward empowering governments, entrepreneurs, and small businesses with integrated digital platforms.

    Osuna attends sessions at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime that focus on data security and sovereignty.

    The firm, represented by its CEO Daniel Osuna, who also serves on the UN’s AI Council ethics committee, detailed its successful public-private partnerships in the municipalities of Escobedo and Santiago, Mexico. These collaborations showcase a new standard for applying AI ethically at the local government level, a core mission of OZ Studio’s government services division.

    For over two decades, OZ Studio built a reputation for providing high-level services to large multinational companies. However, recognizing a critical gap in the market, the company strategically shifted its focus in 2020. The new mission: to channel its extensive expertise into creating comprehensive digital ecosystems for those who form the backbone of local economies—small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the public institutions that serve them.

    This new direction is embodied by two of its flagship platforms: LINK360 and the OZZY AI system. LINK360 is a digital empowerment platform that provides local businesses with e-commerce tools and AI-powered marketing, ensuring economic value and data sovereignty remain within the community. OZZY AI is an open-source framework trained for municipal processes, designed with ethical principles like transparency, algorithmic fairness, and cultural adaptation at its core.

    The results of this approach are transformative. Under the leadership of Mayor Andrés Mijes, the city of Escobedo has become a 100% digitized municipality, a remarkable achievement that has streamlined public services and eliminated bureaucratic red tape. In Santiago, Mayor David de la Peña is leveraging the LINK360 program to foster a vibrant local entrepreneurial scene.

    The international community has taken notice. Following the conclusion of the UN activities on Monday, July 22, OZ Studio (https://www.oz.studio) has entered into strategic alliances to explore pilot programs with several nations, including: Spain, Egypt, Georgia, Austria, and Australia. This global interest validates OZ Studio’s model as a scalable solution for governments worldwide seeking to innovate responsibly.

    From its strategic locations in Austin, Geneva, and Monterrey, OZ Studio is now positioned to lead the charge in ethical AI for public service. The company’s evolution from a corporate service provider to a champion for local development demonstrates a powerful vision: leveraging top-tier technology to build self-sustaining, equitable, and prosperous communities from the ground up.

    Presenting the OZZI AI framework and the Public Private Partnership for ethical AI

    About OZ Studio

    At OZ Studio, we are your premier destination for transformative digital solutions, anchored in over two decades of innovation and expertise. We are proud to say that we’ve evolved from pioneering basic email marketing to mastering complex digital strategies and immersive creative experiences. Our comprehensive suite of services spans from state-of-the-art website development to advanced SEO strategies, engaging interactive videos, and cutting-edge AI tools. As true digital architects, we empower our clients by merging top-tier technology with unmatched creative prowess, ensuring every digital interaction is compelling and results-oriented. We revolutionized the traditional digital service model through our productized Creative-as-a-Service (CaaS), which guarantees transparency, efficiency, and scalability. Our subscription-based approach simplifies access to a holistic digital strategy, incorporating a full spectrum of expertly managed creative and technical services. Partner with us at OZ Studio, and let us help elevate your brand to new heights, optimizing every touchpoint in your digital journey for growth and transformation. 

    Press inquiries

    OZ Studio
    https://oz.studio
    Daniel Osuna
    oz@oz.studio
    +12123811969
    5900 Balcones Drive
    Austin, TX 78731

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: What was the Battle of Orgreave, and why has the government launched an inquiry into it?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Steven Daniels, Lecturer in Politics, Edge Hill University

    The UK’s home secretary, Yvette Cooper, has announced a full inquiry into the Battle of Orgreave, a large, violent clash between the National Union of Mineworkers and South Yorkshire police that took place over 40 years ago.

    The clash was a flashpoint of the 1984-85 miners’ strike, in which mining communities fought to protect jobs and industry from closure. It descended into a violent confrontation between miners and police, with injuries and accusations of misconduct on both sides.

    The announcement of an inquiry has been a long time coming for miners’ groups. Comparisons have been made to the Hillsborough tragedy and inquiry – another incident involving accusations of mistreatment by South Yorkshire Police.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    The Battle of Orgreave took place on June 18 1984, outside Orgreave coking plant in Rotherham. The miners’ strike had been raging since March 1984, with both sides looking for opportunities to turn the tide in their favour.

    Before ascending to the presidency of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in 1982, British trade unionist Arthur Scargill had gained notoriety during the 1972 miners’ strike. He developed the “flying pickets” tactic. This approach saw large numbers of strikers from around the country descend on an industrially sensitive target, to pressure it into closing. These tactics successfully closed Saltley Gate gasworks in Birmingham, forcing the taxpayer-owned National Coal Board and Edward Heath’s government to concede the 1972 strike to the NUM.

    In 1984, realising that British Steel’s furnaces would be vulnerable without coking coal, Scargill planned to repeat the 1972 victory at Orgreave.

    On June 18, around 8,000 miners began assembling as early as 4am. They were met by 6,000 police in full riot gear. As lorries began arriving to collect coking coal, the conflict began around 8am. This unfolded in waves: mounted police would cavalry charge miners, splitting their lines, with “snatch squads” then swarming miners who had failed to retreat in time, arresting them.

    This continued until the afternoon, when miners retreated into Orgreave village. Police continued trying to disperse miners, even cavalry-charging the village.

    Miners’ groups allege that the police charged their lines despite their picket being peaceful in nature, and there was no trigger for violence. They claim only once police started charging did they retaliate in defence, throwing rocks and other missiles. Controversially, footage of these incidents was allegedly shown in reverse order by the BBC, painting the strikers as the aggressors.

    Orgreave is considered a turning point, both in the strike, and in policing of protest. With the “flying pickets” strategy in tatters, the NUM struggled to maintain pressure and lost momentum as the months dragged on. The strike ended in March 1985 with a full, unconditional return to work.

    The aftermath

    Ninety-five miners were arrested that day, with 55 subsequently charged with riot. This was a serious charge, carrying the maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Many more reported injuries and accused South Yorkshire Police of being unnecessarily violent and heavy handed.

    One of the most famous images from the day shows Lesley Boulton, a woman there to document the strike with her camera, with a mounted policeman swinging his truncheon at her head. This photo sums up the brutality of the day. Accusations also emerged of police removing their collar numbers, so as not to be identified.

    Sensationally, the 1985 trial for riot collapsed after evidence from South Yorkshire Police was found to be unreliable. It was later revealed through archival material that officers were given direction or guidance in their statements.

    It was also revealed that Margaret Thatcher herself attended a drinks reception for police chiefs involved in the strike, thanking them personally for “all they did and their forces did to maintain public order”. Even though the 55 miners were cleared of the charges, many were financially ruined, and unable to return to the coal industry.

    Thirty-nine of those involved subsequently took legal action against South Yorkshire Police for unlawful arrest and malicious prosecution, settling for a payment of £425,000 and no admission of liability. Not a single police officer was prosecuted or punished for their role in Orgreave.



    Read more:
    New files add weight to calls for Battle of Orgreave inquiry

    Calls for inquiry

    Calls for an inquiry into the Battle of Orgreave, as well as the general standard of policing during the strike, have been ongoing for decades. As early as January 1985 (with the strike ongoing), the then home secretary, Leon Brittan, was resistant to any public inquiry into the conduct of police officers during the strike, fearing it would descend into a “witch-hunt”. John Major’s government similarly resisted such calls in 1991, believing them unnecessary.

    In 2015, the Independent Police Complaints Commission declined to mount a formal investigation, despite finding evidence to suggest officers had indeed assaulted miners at Orgreave and other forms of misconduct. The commission argued that too much time had passed for the investigation to have any meaning.

    Theresa May’s government rejected calls for an inquiry in 2016. The then home secretary Amber Rudd claimed an inquiry was not in the public interest, arguing policing standards had changed substantially since the 1980s and that the event had simply occurred too long ago. Rudd also said that many involved in the strike would have died, and most officers involved would no longer be employed by South Yorkshire Police.

    The volunteer-run Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign has long campaigned for a public inquiry, arguing that Orgreave was a serious miscarriage of justice that needs to be adequately addressed. They believe that a full inquiry will provide accountability and clarity regarding the role of the police and the state in such a tumultuous time period.

    The Hillsborough inquiry shows what successful (and persistent) community action can achieve. Accusations made against South Yorkshire Police then were eventually proven correct. While there has yet to be any significantly successful legal action taken against officers involved in Hillsborough, the inquiry itself brought closure (and, crucially, the truth) to families involved. Mining communities will be hoping for similar closure with the Orgreave inquiry.

    Steven Daniels consulted the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign on archival findings from his wider research in 2017.

    – ref. What was the Battle of Orgreave, and why has the government launched an inquiry into it? – https://theconversation.com/what-was-the-battle-of-orgreave-and-why-has-the-government-launched-an-inquiry-into-it-261596

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Deep dive into the International Seabed Authority: Why it matters now

    Source: United Nations 2

    At a time when the international community seeks to regulate the rich tapestry of the planet’s ocean floors while countries and corporations speed towards deep-sea mining opportunities, here’s what you need to know about ISA and why it matters now:

    What does it do?

    ISA manages the mineral resources of the seabed beyond national jurisdiction, which covers 54 per cent of the world’s oceans, for “the shared benefit of all humankind”.

    Created by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1994, ISA is aims to ensure that all economic activities in the deep seabed, including mining, are regulated and responsibly managed.

    Mandated to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects that may arise from deep-seabed-related activities, its work also contributes to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    Seabeds contain rich fauna and an array of rare earth minerals.

    Why it matters now?

    As the world’s only international body that focuses on the deep-sea area beyond national borders, ISA aims to address pressing concerns, from plastic waste littering oceans to the race to secure rare earth minerals to quench the world’s insatiable thirst for lithium batteries and a range of tech items.

    What kind of rare earth minerals are on the ocean floor? Copper, cobalt, gold, lanthanum, neodymium, nickel, silver, yttrium and zinc to name a few.

    Right now, countries can pursue deep-sea mining within their own territorial waters or “exclusive economic zones”. But, under international law, the deep seabed belongs to no single country or corporation, ISA Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho wrote in a recent op-ed.

    “It is our common heritage,” she said.

    An active volcano on the ocean floor.

    What’s the draft mining code?

    Right now, nations are looking for ever more sources of rare earth minerals to meet demand for renewable energy technologies and such items as mobile phones and computers. The deep-sea contains a plethora of supplies. That’s where the draft mining code comes in.

    During its 30th session, ISA members are working on a draft code that would protect the marine environment and build a foundation for ensuring that any activities in the deep-sea area are conducted responsibly and in line with environmental sustainability principles as well as benefitting all of humanity.

    A food container seen resting at 4,947m on the slopes of an underwater canyon near the North Marianas Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

    Tackling the ‘missing plastics paradox’

    Plastic pollution is another part of the problem. To address this and other pressing issues, ISA members adopted a global research agenda in July 2020, serving as an action plan for marine scientific research with six strategic priorities that include advancing knowledge of deep-sea ecosystems, promoting data sharing and providing insights into the scientific landscape of plastics in the deep-sea.

    This latter growing global challenge has potential consequences for the sustainable use of oceans. In 2019, the plastics industry produced over 450 million tonnes of plastic, a figure expected to rise in the coming decades and is likely to increase pressure on marine environments and species. Yet, a portion of plastics entering the oceans remains unaccounted for, a phenomenon known as the “missing plastics paradox”.

    Some researchers suggest that the deep sea may act as a sink for plastic debris, where their prolonged persistence could pose risks to these environments.

    Acorn worms were one of the many types of fauna observed in the deep-sea around the North Marianas Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

    The world’s new deep-sea biobank

    ISA has also just begun filling its new biobank, launched in June on the margins of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France. The Deep-Sea Biobank Initiative (DBI) aims to enhance access to deep-sea biological samples and genetic data collected from the international seabed area.

    Designed to promote deep-sea research and inclusive scientific collaboration, particularly for developing States, the initiative will establish a global repository of biological samples and develop standard operating procedures to enhance data quality, sharing and use by stakeholders.

    “The DBI is ISA’s response to a growing need to advance research, share data, build capacity and facilitate access to deep-sea knowledge, particularly for developing States,” said the authority’s chief Carvalho. “We aim to create standardised and equitable pathways for scientific collaboration, empowering countries and institutions to explore, understand and protect the ocean’s most remote ecosystems.”

    The International Seabed Authority has emerged as a central institution of global ocean architecture, charting a course towards responsible and sustainable use.

    ‘DeepData’ diving

    The wealth of data and information ISA has collected has been critical to shaping environmental management plans. Every data byte collected through deep-sea exploration adds critical new information about life in the ocean and assists with decision making.

    In launching the DeepData database in 2019, ISA made publicly available for the first time the biggest and most complete global repository of environmental data and information on the deep-sea area.

    Exactly how much data has been collected? As of May 2023, DeepData contained over 10 terabytes, roughly equivalent to 6.9 million Instagram uploads. Widely used around the world, it had about 2.4 million hits from visitors in 2022 alone and more than 160 citations in scientific publications.

    Learn more about ISA here.

    • The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has 170 members
    • ISA is an autonomous intergovernmental organization established by the UN
    • Members meet annually to address pressing issues
    • The 30th session concludes with the ISA assembly meeting from 21 to 25 July in Kingston, Jamaica

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: ASIRT concludes investigations on three files

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bapchule Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Stabbing Death

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PHOENIX, Ariz. – Daryl Patrick Johns, 46, of Bapchule, Arizona, a member of the Gila River Indian Community, was sentenced on July 17 by U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to 20 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

    On February 15, 2023, Johns stabbed and killed the victim on the Gila River Indian Community. Johns pleaded guilty on November 1, 2024, to Second Degree Murder.     

    The Gila River Police Department and the FBI Phoenix Indian Country squad conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Raynette Logan, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

    CASE NUMBER:           CR-23-1639-PHX-DLR
    RELEASE NUMBER:    2025-122_Johns

    # # #

    For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
    Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bapchule Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Stabbing Death

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PHOENIX, Ariz. – Daryl Patrick Johns, 46, of Bapchule, Arizona, a member of the Gila River Indian Community, was sentenced on July 17 by U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to 20 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

    On February 15, 2023, Johns stabbed and killed the victim on the Gila River Indian Community. Johns pleaded guilty on November 1, 2024, to Second Degree Murder.     

    The Gila River Police Department and the FBI Phoenix Indian Country squad conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Raynette Logan, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

    CASE NUMBER:           CR-23-1639-PHX-DLR
    RELEASE NUMBER:    2025-122_Johns

    # # #

    For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
    Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Charleroi Staffing Agency Owner Sentenced to Prison and Ordered to Pay More Than $3.6 Million in Restitution for Harboring Illegal Aliens and Failing to Pay Employment Taxes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 30 months of imprisonment and ordered to pay $3,630,479.13 on his convictions of failing to pay employment taxes and harboring individuals who were not legally authorized to be in the United States, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Andy Ha, 28. Ha pleaded guilty to the charges in February of 2025 (read the plea news release here).

    According to information presented to the Court, Ha was the president and owner of the Charleroi staffing agency Prosperity Services, Inc., where Ha employed individuals who were not legally authorized to be in the United States, and paid for such workers to stay in a former hotel. Ha signed false employment tax returns on behalf of the agency, in which Ha reported less than 10% of Prosperity’s employees. Ha and Prosperity failed to pay taxes on the other unreported employees, resulting in a tax loss of at least $3.1 million over the course of a year.

    Assistant United States Attorney William Guappone prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

    Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Ha.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Laredo man sentenced to 63 months for smuggling over 100 illegal aliens in locked trailer

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LAREDO, Texas – A 49-year-old resident of Laredo has been ordered to federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Juan Manuel Aguirre pleaded guilty Feb. 6.

    U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison has now ordered Aguirre to serve 63 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court considered Aguirre’s history of smuggling aliens on multiple occasions and the danger he posed by transporting them in a sealed, locked, dark and unventilated trailer that required authorities to open with a bolt cutter. 

    “Human smuggling is an incredibly dangerous enterprise, and it requires the trafficker to care absolutely nothing about the lives and safety of those they transport,” said Ganjei. “Fortunately, there were no deaths in this case, but the underlying facts indicate that several of those transported had difficulty breathing and feared for their life. The Southern District of Texas will make sure that all human smugglers pay a serious price for their callousness.”

    On Dec. 2, 2024, law enforcement observed several individuals being loading into a white trailer in a warehouse parking lot. Aguirre was the driver of the truck hauling it. After he departed the location, authorities conducted a traffic stop which resulted in the discovery of 101 aliens locked inside the trailer, 13 of whom were children as young as 13 years old.

    Multiple illegal aliens reported they had difficulty breathing and feared for their life due to the conditions in the trailer. They were from the countries of Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba and Honduras.

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

    Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety and Border Patrol conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection, Drug Enforcement Administration and Webb County Sheriff’s Office. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Scott Bowling is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján Secures Nearly $17 Million in Federal Investments for New Mexico in Committee-Passed Appropriations Bills

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced funding secured for New Mexico communities through the Appropriations Committee’s bipartisan passage of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Bill and Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Bill.

    From both appropriations bills, Senator Luján secured $16,820,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for key local projects that will strengthen our national security, boost violence intervention programs, and equip law enforcement with the resources needed to keep New Mexico communities safe.  

    “Across New Mexico, these vital investments will deliver resources to enhance public safety in our communities and upgrade infrastructure at our military bases to boost our military’s readiness and safety,” said Senator Luján. “This funding will equip our brave law enforcement officers with the tools they need to protect New Mexicans, support programs aimed at reducing youth violence and violence in Tribal communities, and reinforce critical infrastructure at our military bases. I’m proud to have fought to secure these investments for our communities, and I’ll continue working to deliver the federal support our families and communities need and deserve.”

    The Committee process is the first step, and the appropriations bills will next be considered by the full U.S. Senate.

    Senator Luján Secured Nearly $17 Million for the Following Local Projects:

    Strengthening New Mexico’s Air Force Bases:

    • $8,100,000 for infrastructure upgrades at Cannon Air Force Base, specifically for ADAL Security Forces Facility. Secured by Senator Luján and Senator Heinrich.
    • $2,000,000 for infrastructure upgrades at Kirtland Air Force Base, specifically for the design for the Wyoming Gate Project. Secured by Senator Luján and Senator Heinrich.
    • $700,000 for infrastructure upgrades at Holloman Air Force Base, specifically for the design for the Holloman High Speed Test Track. Secured by Senator Luján and Senator Heinrich.

    Boosting Public Safety Throughout New Mexico:

    • $1,069,000 for the City of Albuquerque’s Real Time Crime Center for the purchase of law enforcement technology.
    • $1,042,000 for Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office to purchase a new fleet of vehicles.
    • $1,031,000 for the New Mexico Department of Public Safety Police to provide 5G technology in fleet vehicles. Secured by Senator Luján, Senator Heinrich, and Representative Stansbury in the House-companion bill.
    • $1,000,000 for UNM Office of the Medical Investigator DNA processing laboratory to allow for the purchase of equipment for DNA identification. Secured by Senator Luján and Senator Heinrich.
    • $500,000 for Bernalillo Country public safety technology upgrades to address high rates of crime in the Albuquerque metro area. Secured by Senator Luján, Senator Heinrich, and Representative Vasquez in the House-companion bill.
    • $250,000 for the San Juan County Partnership’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program to assist in mitigating individuals with substance use disorder or mental/behavioral health challenges from continuously interacting with law enforcement.

    Funding Violence Intervention and Prevention Programs:

    • $1,0350,000 for the City of Albuquerque’s expansion of school-based violence intervention program to assist at risk students by improving grades and reducing youth violence.
    • $93,000 for the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native women to address challenges in domestic violence and sexual violence in Tribal communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Amid GOP Assault on Healthcare, Pressley, Duckworth, DeGette, Schakowsky, Frost, Colleagues Unveil EACH Act, Keep Up Fight for Reproductive Justice

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    Lawmakers File EACH Act to End Hyde Amendment, Lift Unjust Abortion Coverage Restrictions on Medicaid, Other Government Sponsored Plans

    Follows Passage of Big, Ugly Bill that Guts Medicaid, Defunds Planned Parenthood, Further Restricts Healthcare

    Bill Text (PDF) | Floor Speech (YouTube)

    WASHINGTON – Today, as Republicans continue their assault on healthcare, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01), Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Congressman Maxwell Frost (FL-10), and Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI), led their colleagues in reintroducing the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Healthcare (EACH) Act, bold legislation to guarantee abortion coverage—regardless of how a patient gets their health insurance. The lawmakers’ bill follows the enactment of Trump and Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill, which will gut Medicaid, defund Planned Parenthood health centers, and push essential reproductive care further out of reach for millions of people.

    The EACH Act ends the discriminatory Hyde Amendment and lifts unjust abortion coverage restrictions for those who depend on Medicaid and other government-sponsored plans. The bill affirms the fundamental right to abortion care and helps ensure everyone can get the reproductive healthcare they need, regardless of income, insurance, or zip code.

    Rep. Pressley unveiled the bill in a floor speech last night. Full video of that speech is available here.

    “Abortion care is health care, and health care is a human right. With Trump and Republicans advancing a cruel, coordinated assault on our bodily autonomy—gutting Medicaid, defunding Planned Parenthood, and decimating access to care—we must use every tool available to protect and expand reproductive healthcare,” said Congresswoman Pressley, Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus. “The EACH Act would help us do just that. By repealing the racist and discriminatory Hyde Amendment, which has denied necessary care for vulnerable communities for nearly half a century, our bill would help ensure everyone in America can get the reproductive healthcare they need, regardless of income, insurance, or zip code. I’m grateful to Senator Duckworth and our colleagues for their partnership on this critical priority.”

    “Ever since Trump’s far-right Supreme Court majority struck down Roe, Republicans have made it their mission to strip away a woman’s right to reproductive health care—a right they have no place to stand in the way of,” said Senator Duckworth. “As Republicans’ Big, Beautiful Betrayal kicks millions off their health care, we must act to help strengthen access to abortion coverage for low-income Americans, servicemembers and millions more—no matter their zip code. I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation alongside my colleagues so we can do just that.”

    “For nearly 50 years, the Hyde Amendment has been Republicans’ go-to tool for chipping away at abortion rights, denying coverage to the most vulnerable communities,” said Rep. DeGette, Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus. “Now, they’re doubling down with the Big Bad Bill, blocking Medicaid patients from accessing any kind of care, not only abortion care, but also birth control and cancer screenings, at Planned Parenthood. The EACH Act is how we fight back, guaranteeing access to abortion care—no matter your income, your insurance, or your ZIP code”

    “The Hyde Amendment is a racist, discriminatory policy designed to put reproductive and economic freedom out of reach for women of color and low-income women who need an abortion. By restricting Medicaid coverage of abortion, the Hyde Amendment robs those working to make ends meet of the freedom to control their lives and decisions about what is best for their families,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “Keeping the Hyde Amendment in place is yet another way for Trump and the extremists in the GOP to limit peoples’ reproductive freedom. Every person should have the freedom to make their own reproductive health care decisions regardless of their income, race, where they work, what zip code they live in, or how they get their insurance. That is why our bill, the EACH Act, will finally repeal the harmful Hyde Amendment. Abortion is health care and health care is a human right.”

    “Women should be able to get the abortion care they need no matter where they live or how much money they have. But for decades, the Hyde Amendment and similar abortion restrictions have blocked low-income women from getting the health care they need and wrongfully divided abortion care from health care for no other reason than Republican politicians’ extreme anti-choice views,” said Senator Murray. “The EACH Act would get rid of the Hyde Amendment and related abortion coverage bans that endanger the health and lives of women who rely on Medicaid or other government-sponsored health coverage. I will always fight to end Hyde and other unjust policies that allow politicians to interfere with women’s ability to make decisions about their bodies, their lives, and their futures.”

    “As Republicans gut Medicaid, defund Planned Parenthoods nationwide, and continue their onslaught of attacks on our bodily autonomy, the Hyde Amendment and other federal coverage restrictions are discriminatory barriers that continue to prevent access to safe and legal abortion care,” said Senator Hirono. “Everyone deserves access to reproductive health care. By ending the Hyde Amendment and expanding coverage for abortion services, the EACH Act would help guarantee abortion access for all, protecting our reproductive rights and our ability to make decisions about our own bodies.”

    “Everyone should have the freedom to control their own lives and bodies, no matter their income, race, or zip code,” said Nourbese Flint, President of All* Above All. “For too long, restrictions like the Hyde Amendment have robbed people working to make ends meet of their ability to make personal decisions about their health, families, and futures. In a time of escalating attacks on reproductive freedom – and efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, shut down clinics, and restrict care – the EACH act sets a powerful standard and helps to end racist and classist health care restrictions. We are proud to support this visionary bill to expand abortion access and ensure coverage for all.”

    Trump and Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill, which passed Congress earlier this year, will dismantle access to reproductive health care in every state. It will defund Planned Parenthood, block Medicaid reimbursements to health centers, and slash care for millions of people. It would also gut Medicaid, ripping coverage from at least 10 million Americans and cutting off access to essential maternity care, birth control, cancer screenings, and more.

    Text of the EACH Act is available here.

    Joining the lawmakers in introducing the EACH Act are Representatives Alma Adams, Pete Aguilar, Gabe Amo, Yassamin Ansari, Jake Auchincloss, Becca Balint, Nanette Barragán, Joyce Beatty, Wesley Bell, Ami Bera, Don Beyer, Suzanne Bonamici, Shontel Brown, Julia Brownley, Nikki Budzinski, Janelle Bynum, Salud Carbajal, André Carson, Troy Carter, Greg Casar, Ed Case, Sean Casten, Kathy Castor, Joaquin Castro, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Judy Chu, Gil Cisneros, Katherine Clark, Yvette Clarke, Emanuel Cleaver II, Steve Cohen, J. Luis Correa, Angie Craig, Jasmine Crockett, Jason Crow, Sharice Davids, Danny K. Davis, Madeleine Dean, Diana DeGette, Rosa DeLauro, Suzan DelBene, Chris Deluzio, Mark DeSaulnier, Maxine Dexter, Lloyd Doggett, Sarah Elfreth, Veronica Escobar, Adriano Espaillat, Dwight Evans, Shomari Figures, Lizzie Fletcher, Bill Foster, Valerie Foushee, Lois Frankel, Maxwell Frost, John Garamendi, Robert Garcia, Sylvia Garcia, Jesús “Chuy” García, Jared Golden, Dan Goldman, Maggie Goodlander, Josh Gottheimer, Al Green, Jahana Hayes, Jim Himes, Steven Horsford, Val Hoyle, Jared Huffman, Glenn Ivey, Sara Jacobs, Pramila Jayapal, Hank Johnson, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, William R. Keating, Robin Kelly, Tim Kennedy, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Greg Landsman, Rick Larsen, John B. Larson, George Latimer, Susie Lee, Summer L. Lee, Teresa Leger Fernández, Mike Levin, Ted Lieu, Seth Magaziner, John Mannion, Doris Matsui, Lucy McBath, Sarah McBride, April McClain Delaney, Jennifer McClellan, Betty McCollum, Morgan McGarvey, Jim McGovern, Gregory Meeks, Rob Menendez, Grace Meng, Kweisi Mfume, Dave Min, Gwen Moore, Joseph Morelle, Kelly Morrison, Jared Moskowitz, Seth Moulton, Kevin Mullin, Jerry Nadler, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Frank Pallone Jr., Jimmy Panetta, Chris Pappas, Nancy Pelosi, Scott Peters, Brittany Pettersen, Chellie Pingree, Mark Pocan, Mike Quigley, Delia Ramirez, Emily Randall, Jamie Raskin, Luz Rivas, Deborah Ross, Raul Ruiz, Patrick Ryan, Andrea Salinas, Linda T. Sánchez, Mary Gay Scanlon, Jan Schakowsky, Bradley Scott Schneider, Hillary Scholten, Kim Schrier, David Scott, Brad Sherman, Mikie Sherrill, Lateefah Simon, Adam Smith, Eric Sorensen, Darren Soto, Melanie Stansbury, Greg Stanton, Haley Stevens, Marilyn Strickland, Suhas Subramanyam, Eric Swalwell, Emilia Sykes, Mark Takano, Shri Thanedar, Mike Thompson, Dina Titus, Rashida Tlaib, Jill Tokuda, Paul Tonko, Norma Torres, Ritchie Torres, Lori Trahan, Derek T. Tran, Lauren Underwood, Juan Vargas, Gabe Vasquez, Marc Veasey, Nydia M. Velázquez, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, George Whitesides, Nikema Williams, and Frederica Wilson, along with Senators Klobuchar, Warren, Padilla, Merkley, Blumenthal, Rosen, Shaheen, Schiff, Heinrich, Gillibrand, Coons, Cantwell, Van Hollen, Blunt Rochester, Sanders, Gallego, Booker, Smith, Baldwin, Wyden, Welch, Markey, Murphy, Kim, Whitehouse, Fetterman, Cortez Masto, Kelly, and Lujan.

    The EACH Act is endorsed by the following organizations: All* Above All, National Women’s Law Center, Center for Reproductive Rights, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Center for American Progress, Guttmacher Institute, Power to Decide, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, Brigid Alliance, National Network of Abortion Funds, Midwest Access Coalition, Equality California, Silver State Equality, OutCenter Southwest Michigan, Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, National Abortion Federation, Cobalt, Health Not Prisons Collective, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, Families USA, UCSF Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, Center for Biological Diversity, Reproductive Freedom for All, CA LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network, Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Justice and Joy National Collaborative, End Rape On Campus, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Council of Jewish Women, Silver State Hope Fund of Nevada, Above!, The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH), National Council of Jewish Women, American Humanist Association, The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Chicago Abortion Fund, Ibis Reproductive Health, SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, American Atheists, National Health Law Program, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, Advocates for Youth, Courage California, ProgressNow New Mexico, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, EMAA Project, Black Women for Wellness Action Project, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR), Keystone Progress Education Fund, Wyoming Right To Choose, Safe Abortions For Everyone Maine, REPRO Rising Virginia, National Abortion Federation, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA), National Partnership for Women & Families, Catholics for Choice, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR), Families USA, American Civil Liberties Union, Indivisible, Women’s Foundation of Florida, People Power United, Equality California, Abortion Forward, Black Women’s Health Imperative, SiX Action, Population Institute, URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, Pregnancy Justice, Just Solutions, UltraViolet Action, National Women’s Political Caucus, Equal Rights Advocates, Feminist Majority Foundation, Clearinghouse on Women’s Issues, American Association of University Women (AAUW), Interfaith Alliance, and Community Catalyst.

    Last month, in the wake of the third anniversary of the Dobbs decision, Congresswoman Pressley spent the week convening leaders and impacted families, renewing her calls for comprehensive legislation to protect abortion care, and uplifting the experiences of people impacted by cruel abortion bans and denials of essential medical care.

    Congresswoman Pressley has been outspoken in demanding justice for Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old pregnant mother who was declared brain dead in February and was forced to remain on life support due to Georgia’s abortion ban. Rep. Pressley delivered an impassioned floor speech in which she underscored that Adriana’s case is far too common in the unjust history of denying Black women their dignity, humanity, and right to bodily autonomy – and that GOP abortion bans such as Georgia’s deepen this pain and bar critical healthcare freedom. Last week, Rep. Pressley issued a statement after Adriana’s infant son Chance was delivered via emergency Cesarean section and Adriana was taken off life support.

    Throughout her time in Congress, Rep. Pressley has fought persistently to protect fundamental reproductive and sexual healthcare rights. 

    • On the first anniversary of the Dobbs decision, Rep. Pressley introduced the Abortion Justice Act, sweeping, intersectional legislation to address access to abortion care and put forth a comprehensive vision of a just America where abortion care is readily available—without stigma, shame or systemic barriers—for all who seek it, regardless of zip code, immigration status, income, or background.
    • Rep. Pressley is a lead co-sponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), bicameral federal legislation to guarantee equal access to abortion care, everywhere. 
    • Rep. Pressley is also a lead co-sponsor of the EACH Act, bold legislation to repeal the Hyde Amendment and help guarantee abortion coverage—regardless of how a patient gets their health insurance.
    • Shortly before the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, Rep. Pressley led a group of her Black women colleagues in writing to President Biden urging him to declare a public health emergency amid the unprecedented threats to abortion rights nationwide. 
    • Rep. Pressley condemned the Supreme Court’s leaked draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade., and implored the Senate to protect abortion rights and slammed the white supremacist roots of anti-abortion efforts.
    • In October 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on Josseli Barnica, who died on Sept. 3, 2021 after being denied emergency abortion care in Texas as she suffered a miscarriage.
    • In September 2024, in a House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee Hearing, Rep. Pressley highlighted the harmful and deadly impact of abortion bans in America to date, and outlined in detail the shameful circumstances under which Amber Nicole Thurman died after being denied necessary abortion care in Georgia.
    • In June 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Idaho v. United States; Moyle v. United States – the case about whether emergency abortion care is included under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). 
    • In May 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on a Louisiana bill that would classify medication abortion drugs mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled substances. 
    • In April 2024, at a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley played “Fact or Fiction” with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf to emphasize the safety and efficacy of medication abortion drug mifepristone.
    • In August 2023, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on the Fifth Circuit Court decision in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA.
    • In July 2023, Rep. Pressley, alongside Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Rep. Cori Bush (MO-01), and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), reintroduced the Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act, legislation to help people with disabilities—who face discrimination and extra barriers when seeking care—get better access to reproductive healthcare and the informed care they need to control their own reproductive lives.
    • In July 2023, Rep. Pressley applauded the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of over-the-counter birth control.
    • In May 2023, Rep. Pressley applauded the FDA Advisory Committee’s unanimous, 17-0 vote to recommend the approval of the first-ever application for over-the-counter birth control. She and Senator Murray also held a press conference applauding the decision and urging the FDA to approval over-the-counter birth control without delay.
    • In May 2023, Rep. Pressley, along with Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and Ami Bera, MD (CA-06) and Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), reintroduced their bicameral Affordability is Access Act to ensure that once the FDA determines an over-the-counter birth control option to be safe, insurers fully cover over-the-counter birth control without any fees or out-of-pocket costs.
    • In April 2023, Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning the Texas court ruling on mifepristone, and discussed the Texas case in a recent floor speech in which she affirmed medication abortion as routine medical care and access to mifepristone as essential. She later joined Governor Maura Healey, Senator Elizabth Warren (D-MA), and local leaders in announcing action to protect Mifepristone in Massachusetts.
    • In March 2023, Rep. Pressley, along with Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Reps. Schakowsky, Lee, DeGette, Torres and Strickland, reintroduced the Abortion is Healthcare Everywhere Act harmful and discriminatory Helms Amendment and expand abortion access globally.
    • In March 2023, Rep. Pressley and Senator Hirono led their colleagues in reintroducing a bicameral congressional resolution honoring abortion providers and clinic staff. 
    • In March 2023, Rep. Pressley delivered a speech in which she discussed the pending court case in Texas, which aims to restrict access to medication abortion across the entire nation. In her remarks, Rep. Pressley affirmed medication abortion as routine medical care, and accessibility to the abortion pill mifepristone as essential.
    • In September 2021, Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning the Supreme Court’s inaction on SB-8, Texas’ restrictive abortion law. Later that month, she participated in a House Oversight Committee hearing to examine the threat posed by abortion bans and underscored the urgency of the Senate passing the Women’s Health Protection Act. 
    • In April 2021, Rep. Pressley, along with Congresswomen Barbara Lee (CA-13), Diana DeGette (CO-01) and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), led a group of 131 Democratic members in reintroducing the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Act or the EACH Act, which would repeal the Hyde Amendment and ensure that all people, regardless of income, insurance or zip code, can make personal reproductive healthcare decisions without interference from politicians. She re-Introduced the legislation In January 2023.
    • Rep. Pressley has led calls in Congress for the FDA to remove medically unnecessary restrictions on the medication abortion drug mifepristone, and applauded the FDA’s action in January 2023 to allow retail pharmacies to dispense abortion medication pills.
    • As Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus’s Abortion Rights and Access Task Force, Congresswoman Pressley has led the fight to repeal the Hyde Amendments from annual Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bills and in July 2020 published a Medium post on the importance of doing so. She applauded the removal of the Hyde Amendment in President Biden’s FY2022 budget.
    • In May 2020, she led more than 155 Members of Congress in calling on House Democratic leadership to ensure that any future COVID-19 relief packages rejected Republican efforts to use the public health crisis to diminish abortion access.
    • In August 2021, Rep. Pressley, Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney, and Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Diana DeGette and Barbara Lee led more than 70 of their House Democratic colleagues in introducing a resolution in support of equitable, science-based policies governing access to medication abortion care. 
    • In January 2023, Rep. Pressley introduced a resolution to condemn all forms of political violence in the U.S., regardless of its target or intent. That same day, she delivered a powerful speech on the House floor slamming Republicans’ harmful, misleading anti-abortion resolution.
    • In September 2022, Rep. Pressley hosted U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra at the Codman Square Health Center in Dorchester for a convening on their work to address the Black maternal health crisis and the criminalization of abortion care in states across the nation following the harmful U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health. 
    • In May 2019, she led more than 100 colleagues in introducing H.Con.Res.40, a resolution reaffirming the House of Representative’s support for Roe v. Wade.
    • In June 2019, Rep. Pressley introduced H.R. 3296, the Affordability is Access Act, to make oral contraception available without a prescription. 
    • In September 2016, as a member of the Boston City Council, Pressley championed a resolution calling on Congress and President Obama to repeal the Hyde Amendment and reinstate insurance coverage for abortion services.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Additional Funding Available for Zero-Emission School Buses

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that an additional $200 million is now available for zero-emission school buses through the third installment of funding from the historic $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022. The funding, distributed through the New York School Bus Incentive Program (NYSBIP), supports the purchase of electric buses, charging infrastructure, and fleet electrification planning as public schools transition to zero-emission technologies that improve air quality and reduce pollution in communities. This investment helps ensure that schoolchildren, drivers, and the communities where they live across New York benefit from clean, quiet, and healthy buses.

    “New York State is leaning into our Environmental Bond Act commitment to provide public schools with the funding and resources to make electric school buses more affordable,” Governor Hochul said. “We are leaving no school behind as we reduce pollution from vehicles so every student can benefit from clean air while building healthier, more sustainable communities for New Yorkers across the state.”

    Administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), NYSBIP provides incentives to eligible school bus fleet operators, including school districts and school bus operators, that purchase zero-emission buses. It also offers charging infrastructure vouchers to help support the installation of Level 2 or DC fast chargers and provides funding to develop fleet electrification plans. This support helps ensure safer, more reliable transportation for students while giving schools the tools they need to make smart, cost-effective upgrades.

    The funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis with incentive amounts covering up to 100 percent of the incremental cost of a new or repowered electric school bus. This helps offset some or all of the difference in purchase price between zero-emission buses and comparable diesel or gasoline buses. All school bus fleet operators in New York State can also qualify for funding for fleet electrification plans, which provide a customized roadmap for electric bus adoption.

    New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “Today is the latest in a series of support that NYSERDA has offered to help make it easier for fleet operators to plan, navigate incentives for bus purchases and install vehicle charging infrastructure. We are excited to help more adopt zero-emission school buses through this additional Environmental Bond Act funding.”

    Program eligibility and rules for charging infrastructure funding are available online through the NYSBIP Implementation Manual. School bus fleet operators do not apply directly for school bus funding. Vehicle dealers apply the funding to the price of buses on their behalf after fleet operators have issued purchase orders. Fleet operators apply directly to NYSERDA for charging vouchers, which support adding charging infrastructure to their depots.

    Larger funding amounts are available for high-need school districts and school districts with significant portions of their population living in disadvantaged communities, as determined by the New York State Climate Justice Working Group criteria. While these districts are defined as priority districts through this program, all school districts can earn increased incentives by removing a gas or diesel bus from operation, purchasing wheelchair accessible buses, or purchasing buses with vehicle to grid capability. All school districts that complete fleet electrification plans also become eligible for higher funding amounts.

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “The continued rollout of zero-emission school buses is critical to improving air quality and protecting the health of students and drivers in communities across the State. Investments through the Bond Act are making the transition to these greener vehicles more affordable for school districts. Under the leadership of Governor Hochul and in coordination with our state agency partners, DEC remains focused on administering Bond Act funding to support this important program and continue momentum to help address climate impacts, reduce harmful emissions, and improve quality of life for New York families.”

    New York State Department of Public Service CEO Rory M. Christian said, “Kudos to Governor Hochul and her team for encouraging further adoption and deployment of zero-emission school buses. This program will help continue our move toward a cleaner environment, which benefits all of us.”

    New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “I thank Governor Hochul for her continued investment in the health of our children and commitment to building healthier communities across the state. Cleaner air means healthier kids, and reducing pollution around schools helps protect them from asthma and other respiratory problems.”

    Modernizing public school transportation with zero-emission buses is a priority for Governor Hochul to ensure the health of New York students. The FY25-26 New York State Budget continued to build momentum for school districts to put electric school buses on the road this year while providing districts with additional flexibility and time to complete their electrification plans and get hands-on experience with this new technology. The new independent range estimate requirement for bus manufacturers will also give school districts greater confidence that the buses will meet specific mileage and route conditions.

    Since NYSBIP’s launch, 88 school districts have applied for funds to purchase 529 buses, which includes 50 priority school districts accounting for 406 buses, and 400 districts are now working with NYSERDA to create Fleet Electrification Plans.

    The Bond Act requires that disadvantaged communities receive no less than 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefit of total Bond Act funds. In line with this goal, NYSERDA aims to ensure that at least 40 percent of the New York School Bus Incentive Program benefits disadvantaged communities. Buses domiciled in priority districts are eligible for higher incentive amounts in support of new zero-emission buses and charging infrastructure.

    New York State provides many resources for school bus fleet operators to transition their fleets to zero-emission buses, including an Electric School Bus Guidebook, a collection of practical user guides that highlight the benefits of electric school buses to make each part of transitioning a bus fleet easy to understand. This is a resource that can inform discussions with schools, New York State agencies, legislators, communities, manufacturers, bus dealers, and utilities to raise awareness on the Bond Act funding available to school districts and to help more communities understand the health and climate benefits that electric buses provide. Fleet operators seeking assistance should contact NYSERDA at [email protected].

    State Senator Kevin Parker said, “The additional $200 million in funding for zero-emission school buses is a bold investment in our children’s health, our environment, and the future of clean energy in New York. By accelerating the transition to electric school buses, we’re not only reducing harmful emissions but also improving air quality and public health in our communities, especially in neighborhoods that have long suffered from high pollution levels. This is a win for clean energy, for equity, and for every New Yorker.”

    State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am pleased that an additional $200 million is now available to school districts to support the transition to zero-emission school buses. New York has been a leader in the fight against climate change, and this funding, provided through the historic Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act approved by New Yorkers, will further our efforts to reduce carbon emissions while alleviating financial burdens for New York schools. I would like to thank Governor Hochul and NYSERDA for their dedication to making New York a cleaner place, and I also extend my gratitude to the voters who approved this Bond Act.”

    State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, New York must remain committed to our environmental goals for a brighter future for New Yorkers, but we also realize that the state has a role to play in making this clean energy transition a reality. Today’s announcement is an important step in the right direction, and proof that we’ll continue to help our public schools, bolster charging infrastructure, and create a cleaner, healthier New York.”

    Assemblymember William Magnarelli said, “The Governor’s investment in zero-emission school buses shows the state’s continued commitment to climate leadership and advancing equitable access to clean transportation. The investment allows for a smooth transition to clean transportation and alleviates the anxiety of how districts will pay for the buses.”

    Assemblymember Michael R. Benedetto said, “I applaud Governor Hochul for making this a priority. This $200 million will help many school districts as they work to make the transition to electric buses. It’s a meaningful step toward cleaner air and healthier communities for our children.”

    Assemblymember Didi Barrett said, “The upfront cost of zero emission school buses has been a significant concern for all of the schools in my Assembly District, and the vast majority of districts across the State. This newly released funding from the 2022 Environmental Bond Act offers welcome financial support for our schools to electrify their bus fleets, bringing us closer to creating cleaner, safer and quieter commutes for our school children while helping us get closer to our ambitious climate goals.”

    Association of School Business Officials Executive Director Brian Cechnicki said, “Continued investments, including this funding, are critical for school districts to meet the state’s zero-emission bus mandate, and we are appreciative of NYSERDA for partnering with districts in this work.”

    New York School Bus Contractors Association President Tommy Smith said, “The New York School Bus Contractors Association is grateful that New York State continues to lead in financing the transition to electric school buses. We are excited about the advancements in battery technology that will further accelerate this initiative and help deliver cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable transportation for our students.”

    Mothers Out Front Distributed Senior Organizer Sarah Smiley said, “It is great news for students, parents, and school districts that more funding is now available for electric school buses, charging infrastructure, and fleet transition planning. We hope more districts leverage the New York School Bus Incentive Program funding so that our children have clean rides to school and we can reduce emissions for a healthier planet.”

    For more than fifty years, NYSERDA has been a trusted and objective resource for New Yorkers, taking on the critical role of energy planning and policy analysis, along with making investments that drive New York toward a more sustainable future. New York State is investing nearly $3 billion in electrifying its transportation sector and rapidly advancing measures that all new passenger cars and trucks sold be zero-emission. There are a range of initiatives to grow access to EVs and improve clean transit for all New Yorkers including EV Make Ready, EVolve NY, Charge Ready NY 2.0, the Drive Clean Rebate, the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program, and the New York State’s climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: The Legacy of Martyr Ömer Halisdemir Lives on Through Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency’s (TİKA) Turkish Language Class in Somalia

    Source: APO


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    Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) established the “Martyr Ömer Halisdemir Turkish Language Class” at an orphanage in Somalia that houses the children of martyred police officers.

    TİKA launched this meaningful educational project in honor of the children of Somalia’s fallen police officers. Named after July 15 Martyr Ömer Halisdemir, the Turkish language class was inaugurated during a ceremony at an orphanage in the capital, Mogadishu.

    The opening was held as part of the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day commemoration program, organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Mogadishu.

    The ceremony was attended by Somali Minister of Internal Security, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismael (Fartaag); Minister of Defense, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi; Army Commander Brigadier General Sahal Abdullahi Omar; Somali Police Force Commander, Major General Asad Osman Abdullahi; and Türkiye’s Ambassador to Mogadishu, Alper Aktaş. Also in attendance were the ambassadors of Qatar, Sudan, and Kenya, along with the Permanent Representative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to Somalia, Ambassador Mohamed Bamba.

    The “Martyr Ömer Halisdemir Turkish Language Class” aims to honor the national spirit of July 15, preserve the memory of a heroic martyr through education, and provide Somali students with the opportunity to learn Turkish. Turkish language instruction in the classroom will be provided by Yunus Emre Institute, enabling students to become more familiar with the Turkish language and culture and gain an advantage when pursuing educational opportunities in Türkiye.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tonko, Huizenga Introduce Legislation to Expand Mental Health Care for Seniors

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)

    WASHINGTON, DC—Representatives Paul D. Tonko (D-NY-20) and Bill Huizenga (R-MI-4) today reintroduced the Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act, bipartisan legislation that would improve care for millions of America’s seniors by permanently repealing the Medicare 190-day lifetime limit for inpatient psychiatric care. No such limit exists for any other Medicare inpatient health care service.

    “Mental illness should be treated like any other illness, but stigma continues to limit equal, quality care — too often with dire consequences,” Congressman Tonko said. “Currently, Medicare feeds into this longstanding prejudice, setting an arbitrary cap unique to mental health care that limits treatment and provides gaps in care for seniors. We’re reintroducing our Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act to remove this unjust 190-day limit. I urge my colleagues to join us in standing up for seniors and ensuring they are supported with the quality care they need and deserve.”

    “Mental health policies must be modernized to answer the growing needs of the 21st century,” Congressman Huizenga said. “I am proud to help lead on this issue with bipartisan legislation to modernize Medicare policies and bring them in line with the higher standards used by the State of Michigan and private sector. Hopefully this bipartisan bill can help provide a roadmap for additional mental health reforms and challenges Congress must address.”

    Today, despite the enactment of the landmark Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, Medicare continues to discriminate against seniors with mental illnesses. The 190-day limit in care disproportionately harms individuals who receive Medicare coverage earlier in life due to disability. The vast majority of private health insurance has already removed this antiquated limit. MedPac, an independent congressional agency that advises on Medicare, released a March 2025 report recommending that Congress eliminate this limit.

    This legislation is supported by more than three dozen organizations, including: AARP, Acadia Healthcare, Addiction Policy Forum, The Alliance for Rights and Recovery, American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work, American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, The American Group Psychotherapy Association, American Hospital Association, American Mental Health Counselors Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association Services, Community Catalyst, The Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy, & Action, The Global Alliance for Behavioral Health & Social Justice, IC&RC, Inseparable, The Kennedy Forum, Legal Action Center, Mental Health America, MHANYS, NAMI, National Association for Behavioral Healthcare, The National Association for Rural Mental Health (NARMH), the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD), The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Agency Directors (NASADAD), National Behavioral Health Association of Providers, National Black Harm Reduction Network (NBHRN), National Board for Certified Counselors & Affiliates, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, National Health Care for the Homeless Council, The National League for Nursing, Psychotherapy Action Network (PsiAN), Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative, Treatment Communities of America, Addiction Professionals of North Carolina, California Consortium of Addiction Programs & Professionals

    A fact-sheet of the bill can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –