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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Energy Leaders Call for Investigation into Department of Energy’s Scheme to Cancel Awards and Contracts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

    Washington, DC — Appropriations Energy and Water Development Subcommittee Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur (OH-09); Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (CT-03); Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06); Energy and Commerce Energy Subcommittee Ranking Member Kathy Castor (FL-14); Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (CA-18); Science, Space, and Technology Energy Subcommittee Ranking Member Deborah Ross (NC-02) sent a letter to United States Department of Energy (DOE) Acting Inspector General Sarah Nelson requesting an investigation into all financial assistance and contracts including any cancelled awards and contracts.

    In their letter, Kaptur, DeLauro, Pallone, Castor, Lofgren, and Ross raise concerns that DOE’s actions are politically motivated and will immediately contribute to rising energy costs for families and businesses.

    “It is widely understood that the integrity of DOE’s contract and award processes is critical to fostering an environment of fair competition and advancing national energy goals. Competitive-based awards ensure that federal funds are allocated to projects that offer the best value to the taxpayers, based on merit and the technical and financial qualifications of applicants,” write the lawmakers. “However, the recent comprehensive portfolio review and the potential resulting cancellations of various awards and contracts appear to violate this principle by undermining the fairness of the process. It appears that some projects previously deemed worthy of funding are being cancelled without adequate justification, and in some cases, with no clear rationale other than administrative convenience.”

    The lawmakers highlight recent reports that the Trump Administration’s award and contract cancellations target states and districts led by Democrats and note that this would be a serious abuse of power: “The politicization of financial assistance and contract awards is deeply concerning, as it could harm not only the progress of critical energy initiatives but also erode public trust in the impartiality of federal agencies. As a nation, we must ensure that such decisions are made based on objective criteria rather than political considerations.”

    “Unfortunately, DOE’s actions create mass uncertainty, will cause energy prices to rise, risk good-paying jobs in communities across the country, and undermine the pursuit of energy dominance,” the lawmakers conclude, before demanding an inquiry into their grave concerns.

    Full text of the letter is available by clicking here and below:

    Dear Acting Inspector General Nelson,

    We are writing to formally request an investigation into the Department of Energy’s (DOE or the Department) recent comprehensive portfolio review of all financial assistance and contracts, as well as the subsequent award and contract cancellations that may occur. It is our belief that these actions not only undermine the spirit of competitive-based awards but also raise significant concerns regarding potential political motivations behind the targeting of projects in Democratic-leaning states and districts. DOE’s actions to delay these programs will immediately contribute to rising energy costs for American families and businesses. These actions are also a dereliction of the Department’s responsibility to carry out duly enacted laws.

    It is widely understood that the integrity of DOE’s contract and award processes is critical to fostering an environment of fair competition and advancing national energy goals. Competitive-based awards ensure that federal funds are allocated to projects that offer the best value to the taxpayers, based on merit and the technical and financial qualifications of applicants. That is reflected in both law and regulations. Section 989 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 states that “research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities carried out by the Department should be awarded using competitive procedures, to the maximum extent practicable.” And the Department’s financial assistance regulations (2 CFR § 910.126) state that “DOE shall solicit applications for Federal financial assistance in a manner which provides for the maximum amount of competition feasible.”

    However, the recent comprehensive portfolio review and the potential resulting cancellations of various awards and contracts appear to violate this principle by undermining the fairness of the process. It appears that some projects previously deemed worthy of funding are being cancelled without adequate justification, and in some cases, with no clear rationale other than administrative convenience.

    Troubling reports have also surfaced suggesting that the review and subsequent cancellations may be politically motivated, targeting projects in Democratic states and districts. If this is the case, it would represent a serious abuse of power and an attempt to manipulate federal funding for partisan purposes. Additionally, these actions and the pattern of decision making could be in violation of the Hatch Act (5 U.S.C. 7323(a)(4)) that restricts any federal employee to “knowingly solicit or discourage the participation in any political activity of any person who…has an application for any compensation, grant, contract, ruling, license, permit, or certificate pending before the employing office of such employee.”

    The politicization of financial assistance and contract awards is deeply concerning, as it could harm not only the progress of critical energy initiatives but also erode public trust in the impartiality of federal agencies. As a nation, we must ensure that such decisions are made based on objective criteria rather than political considerations.

    Given the significant public interest and the potential ramifications of these actions, we request that your office initiate a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the comprehensive portfolio review, the decision-making process that may lead to contract cancellations, and whether any political bias influenced these decisions.

    It is crucial that DOE’s actions be transparent and fully accountable so that all stakeholders can be confident that public funds are being used in the best interests of the nation. Unfortunately, DOE’s actions create mass uncertainty, will cause energy prices to rise, risk good-paying jobs in communities across the country, and undermine the pursuit of energy dominance.

    Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your prompt response and the initiation of an inquiry into these serious concerns.

     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: What are Key Conditions for Marsh Survival Amid Rising Seas?

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Figure shows satellite image of China Camp marsh, with model boundaries from the Delft3D model shown with white lines and the observation points marked with red dots; red lines mark where x and y are 0. Click “View Media Details” for the full figure explanation.

    A new study led by USGS scientists uses advanced 3D modeling to identify the key factors that determine whether a marsh gains or loses sediment—findings that could improve efforts to protect these vital ecosystems.

    How Marshes Keep Up with Sea-Level Rise

    For a marsh to keep pace with sea-level rise, it must build up enough sediment via accretion to counteract erosion. This sediment can come from nearby rivers, bays, and mudflats, but the process of sediment transport is complex and often poorly understood. In the study, researchers created a numerical model incorporating flow, waves, vegetation, and sediment movement to better understand which conditions help or hinder marsh survival.

    Their analysis found that marshes accumulate sediment the fastest when two of the following occur simultaneously: 

    By simulating these interactions, researchers were able to fine-tune their model parameters and improve predictions about sediment accretion, and thus marsh resilience.

    Why It Matters

    Coastal marshes provide critical habitat for fish and wildlife, buffer shorelines from storm surges, and help store carbon, making their survival essential in the face of climate change. This study highlights the importance of adjacent mudflats in delivering sediment to marshes, and underscores how small variations in wave activity and sediment behavior can play an outsized role in marsh resilience.

    By improving how models capture these dynamics, scientists can better predict how marshes will respond to sea-level rise and identify strategies for their protection. These findings could help guide future restoration efforts and inform coastal management policies. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New summer ferry schedule for Anacortes/San Juan Islands route available online

    Source: Washington State News 2

    Summer vehicle reservations available April 15

    SEATTLE – Heads up to ferry riders in the San Juan Islands: a new sailing schedule will be on deck this summer. Starting June 15, Washington State Ferries will embark on a new schedule for its Anacortes/San Juan Islands route. Vehicle reservations for the summer travel season will be available at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 15. 

    The updated summer schedule runs through Sept. 20. It will follow the successful rollout of winter and spring changes. The revamped seasonal schedules include a more realistic timetable that helps vessels stay on time. It also makes crewing schedules more manageable, leading to fewer crewing cancelations.

    The sailing schedules for the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route have not been updated in over a decade. Since then, the area has grown significantly, with more than 754,000 passengers using the route last summer.

    Since 2023, WSF has worked to improve the Anacortes/San Juan Islands sailing schedules. Through public outreach and input from a community task force, WSF developed better timetables for its winter, spring and now summer sailing seasons. The new spring schedule will be used again for the fall sailing season.

    WSF, a division of the Washington State Department of Transportation, is the largest ferry system in the U.S. and safely and efficiently carries tens of millions of people a year through some of the most majestic scenery in the world. For the latest service updates, sign up for rider alerts and track each ferry using the real-time map online.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Lamont Announces State Grants to Municipalities for Maintenance of Neglected Cemeteries

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration is awarding state grants to 37 municipalities across Connecticut for the purposes of providing maintenance to neglected cemeteries.

    “Cemeteries are solemn places, and taking care of them is essential to respecting those who have passed and preserving the heritage of our communities,” Governor Lamont said. “Our local cemeteries are the final resting places of veterans, local leaders, and ancestors of current town residents. Maintaining them helps to ensure that the deceased are remembered in a respectful manner.”

    The grants, totaling $8,000 each, are being released under the state’s Neglected Cemetery Account Grant Program, which is administered by the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM). Established in 2014, this program is funded from revenue collected by the Connecticut Department of Public Health through the issuance of death certificates. To be eligible for a grant, towns and cities must have submitted an application to OPM.

    Grants can be used by the municipalities to support basic maintenance of cemeteries, including the clearing of weeds, briars, and bushes; mowing of the ground’s lawn areas; repairing the ground’s fences or walls; and straightening, repairing, and restoring memorial stones.

    The following municipalities have been selected to receive a grant under this application round, contingent upon the successful submission and approval of required contractual documents:

    • Andover
    • Berlin
    • Bethel
    • Bloomfield
    • Branford
    • Canaan
    • Canterbury
    • Chester
    • Darien
    • Eastford
    • Easton
    • Glastonbury
    • Granby
    • Greenwich
    • Groton
    • Guilford
    • Haddam
    • Harwinton
    • Ledyard
    • Marlborough
    • Middlefield
    • New Canaan
    • New Milford
    • Newington
    • Plymouth
    • Redding
    • Ridgefield
    • Roxbury
    • Salisbury
    • Seymour
    • Southington
    • Stonington
    • Thompson
    • Tolland
    • Union
    • Vernon
    • Waterford

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Armstrong helps break ground on new Heart River Correctional Center; facility slated to open in 2027

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Gov. Kelly Armstrong and Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden today joined staff and residents from the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR) to break ground on the Heart River Correctional Center (HRCC), the state’s new women’s correctional facility, highlighting its focus on rehabilitation and safety.

    The 191,500-square-foot facility in Mandan will provide 304 beds – 178 more than the Dakota Women’s Correctional Rehab Center in New England, a remodeled school that has served as the state’s correctional facility for women since 2003. The HRCC is slated for completion in fall 2027.

    “This day is historic for North Dakota because for the first time in our state’s 135-year history, we’re breaking ground on a correctional facility designed specifically for women,” Armstrong said. “This long-overdue project will ensure DOCR staff and the women in their custody have safe, modern and comparable facilities where residents can serve their sentences and build toward their eventual reentry into their communities.”

    DOCR Director Colby Braun and HRCC Warden Connie Hackman Rivinius highlighted the vision behind HRCC and its role in transforming lives. In addition to having more space for volunteers, programs, treatment, vocational and career development, the facility will focus on reinforcing family connections to improve outcomes for children of incarcerated parents.

    “From the very first day someone enters this facility, the focus will be on reentry – on preparing them for the day they will return to their families and communities,” Braun said. “We are not simply building a prison; we are creating a place of opportunity, responsibility and hope.”

    “We will continue to expand on what HRCC currently does, assist women in becoming the best versions of themselves through programming, role modeling, relationships, and accountability,” Hackman Rivinius said. “The goal is to create a safe and healthy, relationship-based environment that is trauma and gender-responsive, with a high level of care and skill-building programming.”

    Armstrong thanked state legislators for approving $131.2 million in funding in 2023 for design and construction of the HRCC, along with intent language for additional funding, which Armstrong has proposed at $35.6 million in his 2025-27 budget recommendation, for a total project budget of $166.8 million. The DOCR worked with JLG Architects in collaboration with JB Marie and DLR Group to design the facility.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: April is Second Chance Month: Exploring North Dakota’s Collaborative Approach to Reentry Success for Justice-Involved Individuals

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Reentering society after incarceration presents a host of challenges, from securing stable housing and employment to accessing health care and recovery resources. In North Dakota, a robust partnership between multiple state agencies and community organizations is making a tangible difference in the lives of justice-involved individuals. Through collaboration between the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR), North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS), Job Service North Dakota (JSND), the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), and various community partners, providers, nonprofits and faith-based organizations, reentry efforts are more coordinated and effective than ever before.

    “Reentry isn’t just about leaving incarceration—it’s about having the right support in place to build a stable future,” said Reentry and Recovery Commissioner Jonathan Holth. “By working together, we’re creating stronger pathways for people to succeed.”

    In recognition of Second Chance Month this April, here’s a deeper look into the collaborative network supporting reentry success and an effort to reduce new victims of crime in North Dakota.

    Breaking Down Barriers

    DOCR’s reentry initiatives are built on the principle that successful reintegration requires a network of support. Affordable housing, overcoming the stigma of a criminal record, and maintaining engagement with support services post-release are ongoing hurdles this public-private network collaborates on together to address. By bridging gaps in housing, employment, healthcare, and recovery services, these initiatives aim to reduce recidivism and promote long-term success. The commitment of these agencies and organizations ensures that justice-involved individuals have the tools they need to rebuild their lives.

    According to DOCR Reentry Manager Robyn Schmalenberger there’s both an evidence-based approach and personalized aspect to support reentry success for each individual.

    “Every person has a different pathway into the choices they make, and every person is going to have somewhat of a different pathway out of it,” said Schmalenberger. “This underscores the need for flexible, personalized services and support systems.”

    The Power of Partnerships

    DOCR Community Resource Manager Travis Collins joins Schmalenberger in supporting DOCR and the state’s reentry efforts. Collins underscores the importance of early intervention as a key factor in reentry success for justice-involved individuals.
    “By bringing services into the facilities, we’re not just preparing people for release—we’re helping them build relationships and access the resources they need to succeed from day one,” said Collins.

    Collins’ work includes numerous initiatives to connect with external businesses and organizations. For example, he regularly hosts resource fairs held inside correctional facilities. These events connect individuals with service providers before release, easing their transition back into the community.

    HHS is one agency that plays a significant role in a variety of initiatives by sending team members into correctional facilities to establish these early connections with individuals, increasing the likelihood of post-release follow-through with programs that support housing, job training and medical care.

    NDDOT plays a crucial role in ensuring individuals leaving incarceration have proper identification. Without a state-issued ID, securing employment, housing, and other essential services becomes significantly more difficult. NDDOT staff visit correctional facilities to process ID applications before release, reducing barriers and helping individuals transition more smoothly into society.

    Healthcare

    Ensuring access to healthcare upon release is a critical component of successful reentry. Through a collaborative effort between DOCR and HHS, incarcerated individuals can apply for Medicaid before their release. For eligible participants, this ensures uninterrupted access to essential medical and behavioral health services. This proactive approach helps individuals secure necessary medications, continue treatment for chronic conditions, and access mental health or substance use support as they transition back into the community. By eliminating gaps in coverage, this initiative reduces the risk of health-related setbacks that could contribute to recidivism, promoting stability and long-term success.

    Employment Support

    JSND plays a vital role in supporting both justice-involved individuals and the employer community. Through career readiness classes, JSND support reentry by providing essential job search skills, including resume building, interview techniques, and strategies for addressing justice involvement. Within 90 days of release, participants can attend job fairs to connect with potential employers. Those who complete the Career Readiness class and meet specific criteria may be referred by DOCR to the Job Placement Pilot Program (JP3). Launched in July 2023, JP3 helps individuals secure and retain employment by providing assessments, goal planning, and support services to remove barriers to work. Additional programs, such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), offer training for in-demand jobs in North Dakota.

    JSND’s efforts are yielding strong results, with program participants achieving employment rates of 75-80%. Data through September 2024 shows that individuals who complete the program earn an average of $9,480 per quarter—significantly higher than those who did not complete it ($2,928) or those who never enrolled ($3,902).

    “The positive impact of this program is evident, not just for individuals but for North Dakota’s workforce as a whole,” said Amy Arenz, JSND Bismarck workforce center manager.

    To further support employers, JSND offers resources such as Federal Bonding, the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, and funding for on-the-job training. Additionally, JSND provides education on hiring justice-involved individuals, recently hosting the webinar, “Breaking Barriers: Hiring Justice-Involved Individuals,” where experts and employers shared insights on creating second-chance employment opportunities for a stronger workforce and community.

    The HHS Vocational Rehabilitation program partners with DOCR to support individuals preparing for release by offering vocational assessments, job search training, and career counseling. Services begin three to six months before release to ensure a smooth transition into employment.

    Additionally, DOCR’s Rough Rider Industries (RRI) program provides incarcerated individuals with employment and skill-building opportunities. Those who engage in RRI for at least six months have a significantly lower recidivism rate of 7.9%, compared to the overall DOCR recidivism rate of 37.2%.

    Child Support

    North Dakota Child Support, administered through HHS, recognizes the financial challenges that can arise when a parent is incarcerated and unable to earn income. To support successful re-entry and reduce long-term barriers, HHS pursued a law change that ensures that a parent’s child support obligation is automatically terminated if they are sentenced to 180 days or more. This change helps parents reintegrate and regain financial stability upon release, ultimately benefiting their children in the long run.

    Additionally, an HHS agency rule provides a six-month adjustment period after release before child support obligations are reinstated, allowing time for parents to secure employment and establish financial stability. These updates aim to create a fair and supportive path forward for families while balancing the needs of both parents and children.

    JSND administers the Parental Responsibility Initiative for the Development of Employment (PRIDE) working with individuals referred from child support who are non-custodial parents. This program helps individuals obtain employment or better paying jobs to meet child support obligations.

    Housing, Basic Needs and Recovery Support

    Helping individuals secure stable housing to prevent homelessness upon reentry is another critical dimension of wellness that supports success.

    The Recovery Housing Assistance Program (RHAP) is an HHS state-funded program that provides up to 12 weeks of housing expenses for individuals in recovery, paid directly to participating providers, to help them access safe and stable living environments. Working with a network of approved RHAP providers, the program aims to increase the number of supportive recovery housing environments available in North Dakota, establish and reinforce evidence-based best practices in recovery housing, reduce homelessness, expand individual options for recovery experiences, and provide housing stability, which indirectly impacts employment.

    Recovery housing aims to provide a safe, structured, and supportive environment with peer support, access to community resources, and opportunities for personal growth and recovery.

    Launched in 2018, Free Through Recovery (FTR) is a partnership between HHS and DOCR. The program is designed to increase access to recovery support services for individuals engaged with the criminal justice system who have behavioral health concerns. Participants engage with a Care Coordinator and Peer Support Specialist who help them identify their needs and find creative, effective ways to meet them. Peer support specialists—many of whom have lived experience—serve as mentors, offering guidance and motivation as individuals rebuild their lives.

    Heather Brandt, HHS manager behavioral health community supports, emphasizes the role of recovery services in successful reintegration.

    “Having stable housing and recovery support in place can be the difference between success and returning to the system,” noted Brandt. “Our goal is to create a bridge that helps people find the services and supports.”

    Faith-based organizations and nonprofits also play a vital role in this ecosystem, offering support services, mentorship, and community-based reentry meals at places like Trinity Lutheran Church. DOCR also hosts reentry simulations to give policymakers and community members a firsthand look at the challenges faced by individuals upon release, highlighting the need for structured support systems.

    “Collaboratively, all of these programs are foundational to supporting basic needs, critical dimensions of wellness and overall success,” said Schmalenberger. “Through collaboration, we’re not just reducing recidivism—we’re giving people real opportunities to rebuild their lives.”

    DOCR Director Colby Braun echoed this sentiment.

    “When people return to our communities with the right resources in place, it benefits everyone as it leads to stronger families, safer communities, and better outcomes for all. Successful reentry is more than the success of an individual, it is the success of a community. This is public safety,” said Braun.

    For more information on North Dakota’s reentry initiatives, visit docr.nd.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Matthew Carpen appointed Chief Executive of Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation

    Source: Mayor of London

    Matthew Carpen, a highly experienced development leader, has been appointed to the role of Chief Executive of the Mayor of London’s Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC), which is delivering London’s largest brownfield development opportunity around the new High Speed 2 station at Old Oak Common.

    Matthew has a long background in strategic planning and infrastructure delivery having spent 22 years working in London on major projects. He is currently Managing Director of Barking Riverside Limited (BRL), a joint venture between the Mayor of London and L&Q. In post at Barking Riverside, Matthew has overseen a new masterplan set to deliver up to 20,000 homes and has secured over £300m in public and private investment for this key part of East London, alongside delivering a new transport interchange used by thousands of people each day from a growing community of 3,500 new homes.

    Matthew has been a Board Member of OPDC since 2022 and is a member of the organisation’s Development, Investment and Sustainability Committee. His appointment follows an open and competitive procurement process that was launched following the announcement that current CEO, David Lunts, will step down after six years in the role.

    OPDC is the Mayor of London’s statutory regeneration and planning authority, taking forward development opportunities on 650 hectares of land in Old Oak and Park Royal in West London. Over the next 25 years, it will create a whole new district for London with a mix of homes, employment space, high streets, community facilities and high-quality public realm, built around the new HS2 station at Old Oak Common. Old Oak Common Station will be the only interchange between HS2, the Elizabeth line and the Great Western mainline, and will connect to Heathrow and Bond Street in ten minutes.

    The first stage of the project will deliver around 9,000 homes and 11,000 jobs across approximately 70 acres of publicly owned land. With an estimated gross development value (GDV) of £10bn, the project has secured over £300m of public funding to date. Later this year, OPDC will commence procurement for a long-term development and investment partnership to support the regeneration of Old Oak.

    Matthew joins OPDC’s established leadership team under the newly appointed Chair of the OPDC Board, Dame Karen Buck.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: South Dakota and Colorado Men Convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine Across the State of South Dakota Including the Crow Creek Reservation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SIOUX FALLS – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Christopher Spider, a/k/a “House”, age 45 of South Dakota and Lance Brunsting, age 56, of Colorado, of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance following a four-day jury trial in federal district court in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on March 27, 2025.

    The charges carry a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in custody and/or a $10,000,000 fine, mandatory minimum of five years and up to life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

    Christopher Spider was also convicted of Tampering with a Witness. That charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, a possibility of up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

    Spider and Brunsting were indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2023.

    Brunsting and Spider, along with numerous other individuals, conspired to distribute hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine throughout the state of South Dakota.

    Spider, a resident of Crow Creek, was responsible for distributing approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine throughout the Crow Creek Indian Reservation during his involvement in the conspiracy. While under Indictment for the offense, Spider sent a letter to another witness attempting to intimidate the witness into changing her testimony at trial. The letter was reported to law enforcement and Spider was subsequently indicted for Witness Tampering.

    Brunsting, a resident of Denver, Colorado, was responsible for assisting in the weighing, packaging, and ultimate distribution of approximately 100 pounds of methamphetamine. Brunsting made a trip to South Dakota alongside another co-conspirator where he assisted in selling approximately 41 pounds of methamphetamine throughout the state of South Dakota and into Minnesota.

    “Christopher Spider and Lance Brunsting were involved in one of the largest methamphetamine conspiracies in South Dakota history,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “Our office was able to successfully prosecute the large-scale drug conspiracy thanks to the exceptional collaborative and investigative efforts of our federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners. Last week’s convictions represent a crucial step toward bringing these individuals to justice for the roles they played in bringing hundreds of pounds of illegal narcotics into our South Dakota communities.”

    The Drug Enforcement Administration provided the following statement: “The two individuals convicted last week are responsible for inflicting immeasurable harm on members of our South Dakota communities,” Drug Enforcement Administration Omaha Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Rafael Mattei said. “Their arrest and conviction should serve as a warning to drug traffickers that the combined efforts of state, local and federal law enforcement will bring those pushing these dangerous substances to justice.”

    This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (including the Rocky Mountain Field Division, Omaha Field Division, Mexico City Country Office, Los Angeles Field Division, Special Operations Division), as well as South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force, FBI, South Dakota Highway Patrol, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS Criminal Investigation team, El Paso Intelligence Center, and collaboration received from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Marshals Service, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, Sioux Falls Police Department, Mitchell Police Department, Denver Police Department, Las Vegas Metro Police Department, Worthington Police Department, Brookings Police Department, Brookings Sherriff’s Department, Rock County Sheriff’s Office, Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force, Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force,  Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force, and the Colorado Department of Corrections. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Petersen prosecuted the case.

    A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date has been set for June 16, 2025. The defendants were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

     

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Milwaukee Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Carjackings

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of announced today that James Poole (age 19) was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for his role in armed carjackings in Milwaukee.

    According to court records, Poole participated in two armed carjackings in late January 2024.  In each of the carjackings, Poole brandished a firearm. On January 29, 2024, at approximately 7:45 pm, Poole committed a carjacking on the 2400 block of N. Farwell Avenue on the East Side of Milwaukee. The following day, at approximately 5:00 pm, Poole engaged in a carjacking in a parking lot in downtown Milwaukee, near 2nd Street and Plankinton Avenue. Shortly after the second carjacking, while driving the stolen vehicle, Poole led members of the Milwaukee Police Department on a high-speed chase through residential neighborhoods and reaching speeds of 90 mph. Poole ultimately crashed the stolen car into a tree near 82nd and Burleigh Streets, causing life-threatening injuries to all passengers inside the stolen vehicle. Following his term of imprisonment, Poole also will spend three years on supervised release.  He also was ordered to pay restitution.

    Poole’s co-defendant, Jabari Griffin (age 21), was sentenced on February 27, 2025, for his role in aiding and abetting Poole in the January 30, 2024, carjacking. Griffin was sentenced to 6 years in federal prison and three years of supervised release.      

    “Individuals who engage in violent crimes – like these armed carjackings – not only endanger the lives and well-being of their victims but also can shatter the confidence of all residents that our cities are safe places in which to live and work,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Frohling. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to working with all of its federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to hold these individuals accountable for their actions and to pursue justice for all impacted victims.”

    “Armed carjackings and the dangerous actions of those who committed the offenses in this case endangered the public and impacted the victims of this crime. This sentencing reflects the severity of the crimes committed by James Poole,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Michael Hensle. “The FBI remains steadfastly committed to working with our partners to investigate violent crime matters—to include armed carjackings—in our ongoing efforts to positively impact public safety within our community.”

    “The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) is proud of the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in holding violent individuals accountable for their actions. Armed carjackings are violent acts that cause great harm to our community.  Those that bring harm to our community must be held accountable.” said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman. “MPD values our collaboration with the community, federal, state and local law enforcement partners to build a safer city for everyone to live, work and play.”   

    This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Milwaukee Area Violent Crimes Task Force, including the Milwaukee Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Abbey M. Marzick and Michael C. Schindhelm.

    # # #

    For Additional Information Contact:

    Public Information Officer

    Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov

    414-297-1700

     

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sentences Imposed in Northeast Kingdom Drug Distribution Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on March 31, 2025, Nathaniel “JJ” Jones, 39, of Springfield, Massachusetts, was sentenced by United States District Judge William K. Sessions III to a term of 135 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Jones previously pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl and cocaine.

    Three codefendants had previously been sentenced in the case. Jermaine “Bear” Douchette, 44, of Springfield, Massachusetts also received a sentence of 135 months’ imprisonment on December 16, 2024. Michelle Provencher, 26, of Irasburg, Vermont received a sentence of 37 months’ imprisonment on February 10, 2025. Daniel Peters, 29, of Newport, Vermont received a sentence of 45 months’ imprisonment on February 24, 2025. Three additional codefendants—Tyler Norris, Erica Desormeaux, and Jeremy Young—are awaiting sentencing.

    According to court records, “JJ” Jones and co-defendant “Bear” Douchette stayed at multiple short-term rental units and residences in Orleans County in 2022 while distributing fentanyl and cocaine they periodically acquired in Massachusetts. Between August and October 2022, they used the residence of Desormeaux and Young in Barton, Vermont, to prepare, store, and distribute the drugs to customers in the Northeast Kingdom. Provencher assisted Jones and Douchette in finding customers and willing hosts. Many of the conspirators carried firearms as part of their activities, and the group took firearms from some customers in exchange for drugs. Some of the group, including Jones and Douchette, made threats and engaged in acts of violence in furtherance of the conspiracy.

    Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of the Northern Vermont Drug Task Force (NVDTF) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in this case. He also noted the assistance NVDTF and ATF received from the Vermont State Police, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, the Newport Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations, and Homeland Security Investigations throughout the investigation and prosecution.

    “This case underscores the relentless commitment of ATF and our law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that threaten the safety of our communities through the distribution of deadly narcotics and illegal firearms,” said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Boston Field Division. “The sentences handed down as a result of this investigation send a clear message:  we will not tolerate violent criminal activity in the Northeast Kingdom or anywhere else in Vermont.”

    “Our commitment to community safety remains unwavering”, said Sheriff Jennifer L. Harlow of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department. “We will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to dismantle drug trafficking organizations that distribute deadly narcotics and illegal firearms. We thank our federal partners for their dedication to ensuring these individuals are held responsible.”

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Lasher. Jones was represented by Mark Kaplan, Esq.; Douchette was represented by Gregory Mertz, Esq; Provencher was represented by Robert Sussman, Esq.; and Peters was represented by Heather Ross, Esq. Tyler Norris is represented by Chandler Matson, Esq.; Erica Desormeaux is represented by Natasha Sen, Esq.; and Jeremy Young is represented by Allan Sullivan, Esq. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Heinrich, Luján Join Senate Democrats in Demanding Trump Rescind Illegal Executive Order Threatening Federal Employee Collective Bargaining Agreements

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján
    Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in urging President Donald Trump to rescind his March 27 executive order to end collective bargaining agreements between public employee unions and dozens of federal agencies and bureaus. In their letter, the Democratic Senators blasted the move as a “gross overreach” of presidential authority, asserting that the executive order is a clear attempt to gut the federal merit-based civil service and implement a system of political cronyism. They stressed that the order poses a grave threat to the ability of over 1 million federal workers to carry out their missions and deliver important services for the American people – and thus should be rescinded immediately.
    “We write today in outrage over your recent executive order entitled Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs, a gross overreach of the authority granted in the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA). This order is an insult to the hardworking public servants who go to work on behalf of the American people,” the Senators began.
    “The executive order effectively classifies two thirds of the federal workforce as having national security missions, a blatant misuse of a limited authority intended to provide operational flexibility to address legitimate security needs,” they continued. “There is no evidence that the long-standing collective bargaining agreements at these agencies have jeopardized our nation’s security in any way; to the contrary, the protection collective bargaining has provided for employees allows them to conduct their work on behalf of the American people—including blowing the whistle on fraud or abuse—without political interference.”
    “This Administration clearly does not have even a basic understanding of the legally binding nature of federal collective bargaining agreements and is actively trying to bend the law to undermine protections for federal civil servants. We urge you to immediately rescind this illegal executive order so that our dedicated public servants can continue to work on behalf of the American public without fear for their job or political retribution,” the Senators concluded.
    The Senators’ letter is endorsed by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), and Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
    Led by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Senators Heinrich and Luján were joined on this letter by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
    A copy of the letter is available here and below.
    Dear President Trump: 
    We write today in outrage over your recent executive order entitled Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs, a gross overreach of the authority granted in the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA). 
    This order is an insult to the hardworking public servants who go to work on behalf of the American people. They care for our veterans, deliver disaster assistance, prevent wildfires, help farmers improve crop yields, manage health benefits for 9/11 first responders, research treatments and cures for diseases, keep air travel safe, process tax returns, staff our national parks and much, much more. Nearly one third of these dedicated civil servants are veterans seeking to continue their service to our country out of uniform.  
    The executive order effectively classifies two thirds of the federal workforce as having national security missions, a blatant misuse of a limited authority intended to provide operational flexibility to address legitimate security needs. The national security exemption has existed for nearly 50 years and has been used only sparingly by Republican and Democratic Administrations—including during your first term—to exclude federal offices with an unquestionable core function in intelligence, counterintelligence, or national security. There is no evidence that the long-standing collective bargaining agreements at these agencies have jeopardized our nation’s security in any way; to the contrary, the protection collective bargaining has provided for employees allows them to conduct their work on behalf of the American people—including blowing the whistle on fraud or abuse—without political interference. 
    Federal employees’ collective bargaining agreements are critical to ensuring they continue to serve the American people with the peace of mind that comes with being protected from unfair labor practices. Unlike in the private sector, federal employee unions in most cases cannot negotiate pay or benefits, which are set by Congress, and they are legally prohibited from striking. The federal collective bargaining agreements do, however, protect federal employees from illegal firings, retaliation, and discrimination. They also promote resources for whistleblowers and veterans. These federal union contracts give employees in the civil service protections from retaliation so they can serve the American people fairly and effectively without partisan political interference.  
    This executive order, which ruthlessly strips collective bargaining agreements for over one million federal workers, is the most recent attack your Administration has levied against our merit-based civil service in the effort to cut the workforce and replace them with political cronies. While the CSRA does give the president the authority to limit collective bargaining agreements due to national security concerns, the executive order’s direction to terminate mass swaths of federal employee collective bargaining agreements is clearly intended to broadly dismantle the CSRA, which is specifically designed to grant federal employees the right to collective bargaining as a means to resolve workplace issues while maintaining the smooth functioning of government operations.  
    When the Secretary of Labor testified in February in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Members of Congress asked her both in-person and through questions for the record whether she and the Administration would commit to honoring all legally binding collective bargaining agreements signed by federal agencies and labor unions, and whether federal employees have the right to organize and collectively bargain without fear of retaliation. The Secretary answered, “if confirmed, I will follow the law and work with the experts at the Department to understand the collective bargaining process at the Department and the terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreements in place.” This Administration clearly does not have even a basic understanding of the legally binding nature of federal collective bargaining agreements and is actively trying to bend the law to undermine protections for federal civil servants.  
    We urge you to immediately rescind this illegal executive order so that our dedicated public servants can continue to work on behalf of the American public without fear for their job or political retribution.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Mullin Breaks Down the Leaderless Left on Hannity

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)
    “Their poll numbers show it, 21% favorability across the United States with Democrat voters, that’s about as low as it gets.”
    Washington, D.C. –On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) joined Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Hannity and spoke to the collapse of the Democrat Party’s leadership. Highlights below.

    Sen. Mullin’s full interview can be found here.
    On how the left has fallen apart:
    “Since she [Nancy Pelosi] left, they have completely fell apart. I mean, Cory Booker, personally, I actually get along with him, politically, we couldn’t be more different. He spoke for 25 hours. I can’t think of a single thing he said other than what you said. He ranted against Elon Musk and Donald Trump. Well, that’s the same playbook that the Democrat Party has had. Hakeem Jeffries isn’t leading it. Chuck Schumer isn’t leading it. And their poll numbers show it, 21% favorability across the United States with Democrat voters, that’s about as low as it gets.”
    On how the Liberals have lost labor workers:
    “This is what happens when you have career politicians that’s running your party. Chuck Schumer is running their party right now. If you want to say he’s a leader, the guy is out of touch with the American people. They’ve lost the working class, as so many of my labor friends now will tell you, they didn’t leave the Democrat Party, the Democrat Party left them. That is the way that the Democrat Party has been moving since Obama was in office, and now who is left standing is just what you said, Bernie Sanders is the leader, essentially leading the Senate right now, and he’s a socialist.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Regionally led security co-operation is vital for peace in West Africa: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Regionally led security co-operation is vital for peace in West Africa: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Jess Jambert-Gray, UK Deputy Political Coordinator, on peace consolidation in West Africa.

    I will make three points today. First, the United Kingdom urges support for democracy, constitutional order and the protection of civic space in the region. We welcome the steps taken towards a return to constitutional order in Guinea and Mali and note recent developments in Niger. 

    We urge the authorities to maintain progress in their transitions, and call on them to lift restrictions on political parties, civil society and media institutions and on peaceful public demonstrations

    We note the upcoming Presidential elections in Cote D’Ivoire and Guinea Bissau this year and call on the governments to ensure these are inclusive and align with their constitutions.

    Second, the United Kingdom is concerned by the security situation in the Sahel, including terrorist groups controlling territory and wreaking havoc on local populations. We reiterate our condemnation of terrorist attacks across the region, including in Niger on 21 March, and express our condolences to the families of the victims.

    We encourage UNOWAS to continue its critical role in supporting inclusive dialogue processes, which respond to and address, root causes of violence, to prevent further breaches of international humanitarian law. 

    Regionally led security co-operation remains vital, and the UK welcomes efforts such as the ECOWAS standby force which will enable Member States to deploy rapidly to counter shared threats. We also encourage careful consideration of security partners in the region to avoid worsening the threat posed. 

    Third, the United Kingdom is concerned at the worsening humanitarian situation in the region. Since 2019, the UK has provided life-saving assistance to over 16 million people in the Sahel. We encourage all parties to ensure rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance and protect the safety of humanitarian convoys. 

    To conclude, given the significant challenges the region is facing, including challenges which transcend national borders. It is imperative, therefore, that there is cooperation, coordination and communication between the states and peoples of the region with the international community.

    The United Kingdom welcomes the efforts made to bridge the differences between the Alliance of Sahel States and ECOWAS. The United Kingdom also expresses its thanks to UNOWAS for its work in aiding African states to promote freedom, security, and prosperity.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 3 April 2025 Departmental update WHO unveils bold commitments at Nutrition for Growth Summit

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Paris, France – The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced 13 ambitious commitments across 8 key areas at the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit, hosted by the Government of France. The Summit raised US$ 28 billion in global funding for nutrition – an increase from the previous milestone of US$ 27 billion in 2021. This represents positive and hopeful moment for global solidarity amidst major funding crises faced in the development aid sector. It also showcases growing commitments from countries to improve health and well-being for all through nutrition.

    Malnutrition remains a global crisis, affecting every country. In 2022, approximately 390 million adults 18 years and older worldwide were underweight, while 2.5 billion were overweight, including 890 million living with obesity. Additionally, 148 million children under 5 years suffered from stunting, and 37 million were overweight or obese. Nearly half of all deaths among children under 5 are linked to undernutrition, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries.

    WHO commitments aim to accelerate progress towards ending all forms of malnutrition and achieving the Global Nutrition Targets and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

    “Malnutrition in all its forms is one of the greatest global health challenges of our time. WHO is answering the N4G call for bold action with concrete, time-bound commitments that will drive measurable impact and accelerate progress,” said Dr Luz María De Regil, Director of the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety at WHO.

    WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus gave closing remarks, expressing gratitude to the Government of France for their leadership in organizing the summit and emphasizing that “nutrition is the foundation of health, and therefore of thriving individuals, families, communities, societies and economies … by contrast, where there is malnutrition of any form, disease follows close behind.” Dr Tedros also underscored WHO’s commitment to ensuring global access to essential nutrition services and safe, healthy and sustainable diets.

    Key WHO commitments:

    Anaemia: WHO will enhance the prevention, diagnosis and management of anaemia, building off the 2023 Accelerating anaemia reduction: a comprehensive framework for action and collaborating with UNICEF and partners of the Anaemia Action Alliance. This will include updated guidance on anaemia management in pregnancy and postpartum patients along with updated estimates on the global prevalence of anaemia in high-risk groups.

    Healthy diets: By 2027, WHO will release comprehensive guidance on optimal animal-source foods tailored to specific age, gender and country contexts. WHO will also address ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption with updated definitions and recommendations.

    Monitoring: Annual updates on country scorecards for trans–fatty acids, sodium and sugars will be provided through the Global database on the Implementation of Food and Nutrition Action (GIFNA). These scorecards shows country progress towards recommended policies as outlined in the WHO Best buys for preventing NCDs as well as technical packages including REPLACE and SHAKE. In addition, by 2026 WHO will develop a dashboard illustrating country progress towards SDG2.2 and the 2030 Nutrition Targets, including operational targets. 

    School nutrition: By 2030, WHO will support 10 countries in adapting the WHO Guideline on School food and nutrition policies and work with partners to ensure school food and nutrition policies are in line with existing nutrition standards.

    Sodium reduction: WHO will assist at least 10 countries in adopting global or regional sodium benchmarks and support 20 countries in implementing priority interventions for salt reduction in line with the SHAKE technical package and country scorecard indicators.

    Obesity: By 2026, WHO will publish normative guidelines on the clinical management of obesity in children, adolescents and adults and support 34 frontrunner countries of the WHO acceleration plan to stop obesity in reducing obesity prevalence by 5% by 2030. This will include developing an accountability framework to track progress towards national obesity roadmaps across health systems and food and activity environments.

    Wasting: Based on the Global Action Plan on Child Wasting: A framework for action to accelerate progress in preventing and managing child wasting (GAP) and the  WHO guideline on the prevention and management of wasting and nutritional oedema (‎acute malnutrition)‎ in infants and children under 5 years, WHO will aim to improve the prevention and treatment of wasting and nutritional oedema by developing implementation tools and supporting 25 frontrunner countries to scale up actions in collaboration with UNICEF and GAP partners.

    Climate change: By 2030, WHO will assist 40 countries to integrate nutrition and health into their climate action plans, aligning with global efforts to achieve SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 3 (good health and well-being), and SDG 13 (climate action). In addition, WHO will publish new guidance on sustainable procurement standards for nutritious and sustainable food in health settings with dedicated support to 20 countries. This will be accomplished through the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate Action and Health (ATACH) in partnership with the Initiative on climate action and nutrition (I-CAN).

    These commitments reflect WHO’s dedication to tackling malnutrition and promoting health and well-being worldwide. A replay of Nutrition for Growth Summit sessions can be found here. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Center Voluntarily Recognizes Union for Frontline Workers Serving LGBTQ+ Community

    Source: Communications Workers of America

    NEW YORK – On Wednesday, workers at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center) announced that the organization has voluntarily recognized their union, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1180.

    The Center has been a fixture of the queer community since the 1980s, providing life-saving services for more than 6,000 New Yorkers a week. The almost 60 newly unionized members support the community by providing health services, youth counseling, substance abuse treatment, advocacy, meeting spaces, and more.

    Voluntary recognition means that a union election was unnecessary because of the overwhelming support for unionization at the Center. In February, a supermajority of workers marched together and delivered a petition requesting management to recognize their union, which was agreed to yesterday.

    “Throughout their organizing campaign, these workers have shown an unwavering commitment to their union, to The Center, and to the LGBTQ+ community,” said Gloria Middleton, president of CWA Local 1180. “By choosing to voluntarily recognize the union, The Center has met us with the spirit of mutual respect that we hope will carry over to the bargaining table as we negotiate a union contract.”

    “I am beyond thrilled that we came together as workers, specifically as queer and trans folks, to support each other during this time,” said Shana Salzberg, a Youth Substance Use Treatment Coordinator. “We worked hard to build this union together, and I’ve never been more proud to work alongside some of the most powerful and brave people I’ve met to build a better world for our community members and for each other.”

    “We’re excited to have a seat at the table when it comes to how workers are treated at The Center,” said Silas Norum-Gross, a Youth Substance USE Counselor. “Having a role in how our working conditions are decided will personally make me feel more in community with the executive staff.”

    “I’m elated that The Center chose to build with us,” said Salem Joseph, a Youth Leadership Coordinator. “I’m excited to showcase our commitment to both the workers and the institution.”

    CWA is committed to advocating for LGBTQ+ workers in partnership with The Center. CWA Local 1180 also represents 400 crisis workers from the Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people.

    Follow campaign updates on Instagram or Bluesky.

    ###

    About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

    cwa-union.org @cwaunion

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VA names nine additional facilities that will deploy Federal EHR in 2026

    Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs

    Skip to content

    Sites are located in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Alaska

    WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs today announced the complete list of additional medical facilities at which it will deploy the Federal Electronic Health Record system in 2026 under its accelerated deployment schedule.

    The nine additional VA medical centers and their associated clinics that will go live with the EHR in 2026 are as follows:

    • Cincinnati VAMC-Fort Thomas (Fort Thomas, KY)
    • Chillicothe VAMC (Chillicothe, OH)
    • Cincinnati VAMC (Cincinnati, OH)
    • Dayton VAMC (Dayton, OH)
    • Louis Stokes Cleveland VAMC (Cleveland, OH)
    • Fort Wayne VAMC (Fort Wayne, IN)
    • Marion VAMC (Marion, IN)
    • Richard L. Roudebush VAMC (Indianapolis, IN)
    • Alaska VA Healthcare System (Anchorage, AK)

    The nine sites announced today were chosen following planning sessions among officials from VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration Office, regional and local VA medical leaders, VA clinicians and EHR vendor Oracle Health.

    “We are excited to bring Veterans in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Alaska a modern medical record system that will result in improvements to care, coordination and convenience. The Federal EHR is integrated across all VA and Department of Defense components, enabling seamless data exchange while enhancing care, safety and customer service for patients,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins.

    The Federal EHR system VA will deploy at a total of 13 sites in 2026 is the same electronic health record that is already operated by the Department of Defense, and the system will improve customer service and convenience for both VA and DOD patients.

    The department previously announced in December 2024 that four VA sites in Michigan — VA Battle Creek Medical Center, VA Detroit Healthcare System, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, and VA Saginaw Healthcare System — would go live with the EHR in 2026. Full implementation of the Federal EHR system at every VA facility is expected as early as 2031.

    VA is pursuing a market-based approach to site selection for its deployments going forward. This will enable the department to scale up the number of concurrent deployments, while also enabling staff to work as efficiently as possible.

    VA will adopt a standard baseline of products, workflows and integrations aligned with subject-matter-expert recommendations. The standardized national baseline will ensure successful Federal EHR implementation, accelerate deployments, simplify decision-making and support future optimizations.

    For more information about VA’s overall EHR modernization effort, see here.

    Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov

    Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.

    Contact us online through Ask VA

    Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions.

    Learn about our chatbot and ask a question

    Subscribe today to receive these news releases in your inbox.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: SIA welcomes news that Martyn’s Law has received Royal Assent

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    SIA welcomes news that Martyn’s Law has received Royal Assent

    The SIA welcomes the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 – Martyn’s Law – receiving Royal Assent.

    Today (Thursday 3 April 2025) the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 – Martyn’s Law – has received Royal Assent.

    In welcoming the news, Heather Baily, Chair of the SIA, said:

    This is a watershed moment for public safety in the UK. Martyn’s Law will improve protective security and security standards at venues across the UK. The SIA has been confirmed as the new Martyn’s Law regulator. We have been entrusted with this important role, alongside our existing role regulating private security, which we will discharge with due care, proportion and diligence. We are working closely with the Home Office to prepare for this and look forward to reporting on progress to Home Office ministers.

    Our thoughts are with all the families who lost loved ones in the Manchester Arena terror attack as well as all those whose lives have been affected by other acts of terrorism.

    We would like to pay tribute to Figen Murray, and the rest of the campaign team, who have worked tirelessly to make the new duty a reality; we know they will be watching closely to ensure it is having the change intended.

    Michelle Russell, Chief Executive of the SIA, said:

    As the new independent regulator, our role will be to educate, support, and guide those covered by the new duty into compliance. This is to empower them to strengthen the protection and preparedness of premises and events across the UK and reduce the risk of harm from acts of terrorism.

    We will ensure in a robust and proportionate way premises and events in scope of this duty comply with the requirements.

    We are working with the Home Office on the preparation work for this new role and we will be setting up a new programme of work in due course.

    There will be a period of time prior to the legislation being commenced. We expect this to be at least 24 months to allow for the set-up of the regulator. This will also ensure sufficient time for those responsible for premises and events in scope to understand their new obligations before they come into force, being able to plan and prepare accordingly. We look forward to engaging with those in scope and other stakeholders during this period as the preparation work progresses.

    In the meantime, premises and events seeking advice on preparing for Martyn’s Law should continue to look for Home Office updates. They can also access free technical guidance and operational advice on protective security on the government partner websites of the National Protective Security Authority and ProtectUK.

    Read the Home Office press release: Landmark anti-terror legislation gains Royal Assent.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Decarbonising homes and buildings

    Source: Scottish Government

    Revised Heat in Buildings Bill to be brought forward

    A revised Heat in Buildings Bill will set a new target for decarbonising heating systems by 2045 alongside continuing work to reduce fuel poverty.

    Acting Minister for Climate Action Alasdair Allan today confirmed the Scottish Government’s intention to bring forward a revised Bill for consideration by the Scottish Parliament later in 2025, to include:

    • A target for decarbonising heating systems by 2045, sending a strong signal to homeowners, landlords and other building owners on the need to prepare for change while outlining collective actions to help do this.
    • Provisions to boost heat network development by developing requirements for large, non-domestic premises, including powers to require public sector buildings to connect to district heating when available.
    • Powers to set minimum energy efficiency standards for owner/occupier and non-domestic properties, subject to further consideration. Regulations will be progressed under existing powers to introduce a minimum energy efficiency standard in the private rented sector.

    Dr Allan said:

    “It is vital that we find the right balance both to reach net zero by 2045, and reduce fuel poverty.

    “Many households, families and businesses are facing difficult circumstances right now and it is simply unaffordable for many building owners to make great changes in the near future – particularly for those in rural and island locations, whose needs and circumstances we must continue to consider carefully. 

    “Our plan to deliver a revised Bill responds to the legitimate reservations and concerns raised since our consultation completed, including the risk of exacerbating fuel poverty and burdening every individual householder with an overly onerous responsibility as we decarbonise.

    “Instead of placing prohibitions on every homeowner, we will establish targets for Government to reach. Rather than looking at action through the lens of decarbonising alone, we will also commit to doing everything within our power to reduce costs for people.”

    The proposed Bill will remain technology-neutral, reflecting that different properties and people will require different solutions – for example, clean heating solutions in some remote and rural areas may vary from urban areas.

    The Bill would accompany related work on a Social Housing Net Zero Standard and reform of Energy Performance Certificates under existing powers.

    Dr Allan also welcomed the second report by the independent Green Heat Finance taskforce, published today. This also takes a collective approach, focusing on options for financing place-based solutions, heat networks and social housing retrofit.

    He added:

    “This report makes a very important contribution to our understanding of the work we need to do to boost clean heat demand amongst consumers and instil market confidence to develop new products, including financing solutions.

    “It also identifies key steps the UK Government needs to take to stimulate the clean heat market and reduce fuel poverty, in particular emphasising the importance of rebalancing relative gas and electricity prices, which we continue to push for.”

    Background

    Responses to consultation on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill undertaken in 2023-24 

    Green Heat Finance Taskforce Report: part 2

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Southsea car boot sales return

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    Weekly car boot sales are returning to Southsea on Sunday 20 April, with the first sale taking place on Castle Field. The remaining dates, from Sunday 27 April, are taking place on Duisburg Way (on the common by the Pier Road roundabout, south side of Duisburg Way).

    Weather permitting, the popular car boot sales are open 7am to 1pm every Sunday until 28 September (except 29 June) and entry is free to bargain hunters, hot food and drinks will be available on site.

    Traders can arrive from 6.30am to 7.30am and all profits will go to local charities and good causes.

    Cllr Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth City Council with responsibility for culture, said: ‘We’re pleased to have the popular car boot sales back in Southsea this April. They complement the range of regular events that we have in Southsea and raise funds for local charities and good causes.’

    For updates and information search https://www.facebook.com/PSCarBoot

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Winpisinger Center Director Mary McHugh Announces End-of-Year Retirement; Julie Frietchen Named as Successor

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    After a storied career advancing education for thousands of IAM members, Winpisinger Center Director Mary McHugh has announced that she will retire, effective Jan. 1, 2026. IAM International President Brian Bryant has announced that Julie Frietchen, currently the IAM’s Women’s and Young Workers Director, will succeed McHugh as the Winpisinger Center’s director.

    McHugh, the center’s fifth director and the first woman to hold the position, served 18 years as the Winpisinger Center’s assistant director starting in 2006 before becoming director in 2022. She joined the IAM in 1995 as an associate general counsel.

    “Mary has been a dedicated leader and a driving force behind the success of the Winpisinger Center,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “Her commitment to ensuring IAM members are equipped with the necessary skills has been invaluable. I want to thank her personally for her dedication to our union.”

    McHugh played a key role in adapting the center’s programs to meet the evolving needs of the workforce.

    “The Winpisinger Center is a special place because of the IAM members who learn with and from each other here,” said McHugh. “It’s been my privilege to have spent so many years working with remarkable people all striving for justice and dignity on the job and in our communities.” 

    Frietchen, an IAM member for over 30 years, served as an education representative at the Winpisinger Center before leading the IAM’s Women’s and Young Workers Departmentsince 2022.

    “Julie is a passionate advocate for workers and a dedicated educator,” Bryant said. “Her experience and leadership will continue strengthening the Winpisinger Center’s mission of empowering IAM members.”

    Frietchen began her IAM career as a Continental Airlines flight attendant in Cleveland and held leadership positions within IAM Local 2339 and District 142. She has a bachelor’s degree in labor studies from the National Labor College and a master’s degree in work and labor policy from SUNY Empire State University.

    She also played a key role in the IAM’s Leadership Assembly of Dedicated Sisters (LEADS) program.

    “I am honored to step into this role and build on the incredible foundation laid by Mary McHugh and the late Chris Wagoner before her,” said Frietchen. “The Winpisinger Center is a cornerstone of our union’s education and leadership development, and I look forward to continuing its vital work.”

    McHugh’s retirement concludes a career focused on labor education and advocacy. Frietchen’s appointment signals the IAM’s ongoing commitment to member development.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bio-Convert Receives Positive Feedback from The Danish Medicine Agency (DKMA) on its Lead Drug Candidate, QR-02 for Oral Leukoplakia

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BEVERLY HILLS, California, April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bio-Convert A/S (“Bio-Convert”), a subsidiary of Nordicus Partners Corporation (OTCQB: NORD) (“Nordicus” or the “Company”), a financial consulting company specializing in supporting Nordic and U.S. life sciences companies in establishing themselves in the U.S. market, announces it has received positive and constructive feedback from the Danish Medicine Agency (“DKMA”) for its lead drug candidate, QR-02 for the treatment of oral leukoplakia.

    DKMA’s feedback paves the way toward a First in Human trial, with a high likelihood of animal studies rendered dispensable for the proposed formulation and route of application.

    Allan Wehnert, CEO and Founder of Bio-Convert commented: “DKMA gave valuable and clear guidance, providing us with a clear pathway towards the initiation of the First in Human trial with QR-02 which is expected to start end of 2025.”

    Bio-Convert has developed a unique and proprietary mucoadhesive oral topical formulation for the treatment of oral leukoplakia with moderate to severe dysplasia.

    The unique feature of the gel formulation (QR-02) is its ability to stay in the oral cavity for 12-24 hours, which is significantly longer than conventional gel formulations which only stay in the oral cavity for 15-20 minutes due to the large washout effect caused by mouth saliva. The active ingredient is imiquimod which is approved for the treatment of Actinic Keratosis, External Genital Warts and Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma (sBCC).

    The goal for QR-02 is to cure and reduce the level of dysplasia so patients with oral leukoplakia potentially can be cured from their disorder.

    For further information, contact:
    Mr. Henrik Rouf
    Chief Executive Officer
    hr@nordicuspartners.com
    Tel +1 310 666 0750

    About Bio-Convert
    Bio-Convert’s mission is to develop the preferred treatment for oral leukoplakia. Our innovative therapeutic agent, QR-02, uses a novel drug delivery technology, that enables more precise, effective and efficient treatment.

    About Nordicus Partners Corporation
    Nordicus Partners Corporation is the only U.S. publicly traded business accelerator and holding company for Nordic life sciences companies. Leveraging decades of combined management experience in domestic and global corporate sectors, Nordicus excels in corporate finance activities including business and market development, growth strategies, talent acquisition, partnership building, capital raising, and facilitating company acquisitions and sales. In 2024, Nordicus acquired 100% of Orocidin A/S, a Danish preclinical-stage biotech company developing next-generation therapies for periodontitis and 100% of Bio-Convert A/S, a Danish preclinical-stage biotech company dedicated to revolutionizing the treatment of oral leukoplakia. For more information about Nordicus, please visit: www.nordicuspartners.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Threads and BlueSky.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
    This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue” or “believe” or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations concerning our business, operating results, financial condition and other similar matters. We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our investors. There may be events in the future, however, that we are not able to predict accurately or control. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release speaks only as of the date on which we make it. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Slams Republicans’ Blueprint to Give Billionaires More Tax Cuts—and Pretend They Are Free—While Kicking Kids Off Medicaid

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former chair of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement on the release of Senate Republicans’ modified budget resolution.
    “Republicans blowing up our national debt to dole out massive tax cuts for billionaires is nothing new, but their attempt to use a ridiculous budget gimmick to try and evade longstanding budget rules and pretend their billionaire tax giveaways are somehow free is some next-level stuff.
    “My preschool students would understand that zero and $3.8 trillion are not the same thing —and I don’t think it’s too much to ask United States Senators to admit that same basic fact. But since Republicans are plowing ahead with budget gimmicks so they can give billionaires new, permanent tax cuts, here’s a question: does that same imaginary math work for child care and housing too? Or is the magical thinking just to help billionaires?
    “It’s worth noting that while Republicans cheer on Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s devastating cuts—insisting our country cannot afford to keep our Social Security offices staffed, or fund cancer research, or spend a single penny more to invest in working families—their number one priority in Congress is blowing up the deficit to give billionaires new tax breaks while kicking kids off Medicaid and cutting nutrition assistance families count on.”
    The budget blueprint Senate Republicans unveiled today sets Republicans up to dole out $5.3 trillion in new tax cuts that will disproportionately benefit billionaires, the ultra-rich, and largest corporations. But to help allow themselves to make the tax cuts permanent without making even more devastating cuts to, for example, Americans’ health care under the Senate’s strict budget reconciliation rules, Republicans want to use a gimmick known as “current policy baseline” to pretend that extending $3.8 billion in tax cuts won’t cost the country a cent–and to try to make them permanent in clear violation of the longstanding Byrd rule that enforces reconciliation in the Senate. The budget resolution also sets Republicans up to make massive cuts to Medicaid, nutrition assistance, and other critical domestic programs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Slams President Trump’s Newly Announced Tariffs That Will Raise Prices For Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    April 02, 2025
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after President Trump unveiled his latest round of tariffs, which will raise prices for Americans, unleash a global trade war, and harm our economy:
    “The President is risking a recession with this national sales tax he calls tariffs—while needlessly alienating our closest allies. When American families see what this does to the price of goods, such as cars, groceries, and gas, it is going to create a negative economic force across this country and cost a lot of American jobs. President Trump seems enamored with tariffs, but he’s going to have a heck of a time explaining how this is going to help reduce the cost of living for Americans.”
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Delivers Remarks On His Credit Card Competition Act At National Restaurant Association Conference

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    April 02, 2025
    Following his remarks, Durbin met with Illinois members of the National Restaurant Association
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered remarks and participated in a fireside chat at the National Restaurant Association’s annual conference.  In his remarks, Durbin spoke about his bipartisan legislation, the Credit Card Competition Act, which would enhance competition and choice in the credit card network market that is currently dominated by the Visa-Mastercard duopoly.  Building off of debit card competition reforms enacted by Congress in 2010, the bill would direct the Federal Reserve to ensure that giant credit card-issuing banks offer a choice of at least two networks over which an electronic credit transaction may be processed.  If enacted, the legislation would save merchants and consumers an estimated $15 billion each year.
    Following his remarks, Durbin met with Illinois members of the National Restaurant Association to discuss the impact of swipe fees on their businesses.  In 2023, merchants paid nearly $101 billion in Visa-Mastercard credit card fees, becoming one of the most expensive costs of operating a business.
      
    Photos of Durbin delivering his remarks and with Illinois members of the National Restaurant Association can be found here.
    Durbin’s remarks as prepared for delivery are below:
    U.S. Senator Dick Durbin Remarks at National Restaurant Association Conference
    April 2, 2025
    As prepared for delivery
    Thank you to all of the business owners and restaurant operators for joining us today.  It is an honor to be here.
    We are here in large part to talk about my Credit Card Competition Act—legislation that would add much-needed competition into the credit card market and reduce the excessive swipe fees that hurt businesses and consumers around the country.
    After helping lead the passage of the Durbin Amendment—legislation that capped interchange fees for debit card transactions—I heard from business owners across the country that there was still work to be done.
    The main area of reform this time?  Swipe fees for credit cards.
    Don from Alabama shared with my office that swipe fees represent approximately 10 percent of his total expenses for the gas stations he owns and operates—the number one item on his expense list.
    Another small business owner, George, owns a convenience store on the Florida Gulf Coast.  After covering the cost of goods, the swipe fees he pays often consume the entirety of his gross profit on single-item transactions—leaving him with nothing.
    Jignesh from Chattanooga, Tennessee, said that the cost of credit card fees his gas station pays is almost as much as paying for one to one-and-a-half employees.
    The same predatory practices that led to the debit card reform are happening in the credit card space and business owners like you are feeling the hurt.
    In the next few days, you’ll meet with various Senators, Congressmen and women, and staff.
    In those meetings, I challenge you to tell your stories.  Tell your representative how swipe fees take up a huge portion of your budget, how they prevent you from lowering prices, and how you are not able to hire additional employees.
    Your stories have the ability to create change, and they need to be heard.
    Because the big banks, Wall Street, the Credit Card industry, all of the people who told us that debit card reform was impossible are again paying a pretty penny to tell a false story to Americans that the Credit Card Competition Act will hurt consumers.
    But they are wrong.  The legislation will give a fighting chance to restaurants like yours, support the mom-and-pop shops that make our communities feel whole, and ultimately keep money in the pockets of hardworking Americans.
    Just like we did with debit cards, we have an opportunity to reform the credit card industry and protect Americans from being exploited by the Big Banks.
    It is an honor to be your partner in this fight.  I look forward to chatting about how we can get it done together today.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Idaho Delegation Applauds Trump, Noem Work to Secure Southern Border

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo and Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher today sent a letter commending President Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on their steadfast work to secure our southern border.

    “Under your leadership, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has arrested over 14,000 convicted illegal criminals within the first 50 days, many of which were known cartel and gang members,” wrote the delegation. “Our nation is witnessing the lowest number of apprehensions at the southern border in over 15 years, sending a clear message to dangerous criminals that they are no longer welcome to come into the U.S. Your aggressive action to secure and safeguard our border has made our neighborhoods safer. As members of the Idaho delegation, we look forward to working together to provide the resources you need to maintain this historic border security.”

    Risch, Crapo, Simpson, and Fulcher highlighted Idaho Governor Brad Little’s deployment of state law enforcement personnel to the southern border to assist the States of Texas and Arizona in combatting the Biden administration’s border disaster. Idaho has taken additional steps to combat the rise in illicit drug and human trafficking tied to the southern border, including launching a dedicated drug interdiction unit, increased behavioral health services, and a fentanyl educational awareness campaign.

    Read the full letter here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Budd Urges Canada to Take Leading Role in Dismantling Cartel Exploitation at Northern Border

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina)

    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) delivered a speech on the Senate floor this afternoon, urging Canada to take a leading role in efforts to dismantle criminal cartel networks from exploiting the U.S.-Canada border as a gateway for trafficking illicit fentanyl into the United States.

    Watch the full speech here.

    Click here to download complete video remarks. 

    Key Excerpts from Sen. Budd’s Speech:

    Last year alone, as my colleagues have shared with you, more than 70,000 Americans died from a fentanyl overdose, and unsurprisingly, the Biden administration failed to act. Instead, President Biden willingly chose to let the situation get worse. 

    For years, our southern border has been a major entry point for illegal drugs to pour into our country. But, under President Trump’s leadership, illegal crossings at the southern border have now dropped 94 percent. 

    That’s real progress.

    Now, however, we are seeing a dangerous shift. Drug cartels have found a new route and a new loophole to continue trafficking drugs into our communities—and it’s through the northern border with Canada. 

    Just last year, Customs and Border Patrol seized enough fentanyl at the northern border to kill 9.5 million Americans. 

    ****

    Mr. President, when I talk to the sheriffs in all 100 counties across North Carolina, I repeatedly hear the same message: every county in North Carolina is a border county. 

    The U.S.-Canada border is the world’s longest international border—at more than 5,500 miles long. But it remains extraordinarily vulnerable, as criminal cartel networks continue to take advantage of the gaps in our porous northern border.

    I think it’s important to know that 87 percent of all terror watchlist suspects that were encountered at land border ports, last year, they came across our northern border. 

    We have invested heavily in our southern border infrastructure—rightfully so—and we should continue to do so. But the northern border has been overlooked and under-resourced for way too long. Our law enforcement officers are doing everything they can, but without enough resources, they are being set up to fail. And that’s not fair to them.

    ****

    As our ally, we need Canada to step up before more lives are lost, because the truth is that behind every statistic is a grieving family. The American people deserve more than just empty words—they deserve real action. 

    The fentanyl crisis will only continue to strangle our country until we deal with the threat at our northern border like the emergency that it truly is.

    ****

    Read the complete transcript here.

    Background:

    During his floor speech, Senator Budd quoted a recent 60 Minutes interview where a self-described member of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, one of Mexico’s largest and most well-known operations, openly claimed that: “Canada’s border is much larger than Mexico’s. There are more entry points through Canada than through Mexico, a lot more entry points. So that won’t stop us.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Over £12m invested to improve city’s urban infrastructure

    Source: City of Derby

    The Council’s investment in building and maintaining urban infrastructure has been highlighted in a new report going to Cabinet on Wednesday 9 April.

    Over £12m has been invested across Derby to deliver wide ranging improvements across the city’s green and grey urban infrastructure. This includes almost 25km of road and over 12km of pavement maintenance as we look to improve the condition of our travel infrastructure.

    The environment has been at the heart of many of these schemes as we look to build a greener, more sustainable city, including large signal replacement schemes to improve efficiency, and the continued work of our Transforming Cities Programme.

    This green push goes beyond delivering physical infrastructure. We worked to decarbonise our highway maintenance operations and employed innovative in-situ recycling techniques to reduce lorry movements and minimise waste.

    Several schemes have also improved safety on roads around the city, including traffic calming measures, School Safe Havens, and ensuring over 200 sets of traffic signals and crossings have been maintained.

    To allow further improvements over the next year, Cabinet will be asked to formally accept over £15m of funding from the East Midlands Combined County Authority and approve a £9.5m capital programme for City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, Bus Service Improvement Plan, and Active Travel Fund.

    The City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement was allocated to Mayoral Combined Authorities following the cancellation of HS2 and would not have been accessible without the creation of EMCCA.

    The report also sets out the proposed capital programmes for a number of key strategic areas including Highways and Transport (£9.4m), Vehicle Plant and Equipment (£5.2m), Flood Defence (£0.25m), and Parks and Open Spaces (£0.3m).

    Councillor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport, and Sustainability, said:

    Our urban infrastructure plays a huge part in the lives of our citizens; from the roads and paths they travel on to the parks where they relax and exercise. Over the past year we’ve worked hard to make sure these assets are in the best condition, and I am confident that this will continue over the next year.

    This isn’t without it’s challenges, and demand for new infrastructure and maintenance continues to escalate, which all costs money. However, I am delighted that funding has been offered from EMCCA to allow such works to continue.

    This influx of funding is good news for Derby. While it’s no secret that we’re navigating a tricky financial situation, I’m glad that we are still able to support these important programmes which are connecting communities, making our streets safer, and our city greener.

    By approving these programmes prior to the start of the financial year means that the schemes, projects and initiatives are delivered in the best possible way and achieve value for money.

    2025/26 will be the first year to be supported through direct investment by EMCCA, which is now the majority funder of Derby City Council’s capital programme. This investment will be subject to appropriate EMCCA strategic plans, governance, assurance and performance processes.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: International Marketing: SUM to Train the Specialists of the Future

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    The State University of Management announces the launch of a new English-language Master’s program in international marketing “International Marketing and Brand Management” in the “Management” program.

    The international English-language program combines academic knowledge, practical cases, and work with real industry experts – key components of preparing a successful marketing director for an international company. Graduates will learn how to enter new markets, create unique promotion strategies, and increase business competitiveness.

    The program was prepared by the Department of Marketing of Services and Brand Management, which has extensive experience working with foreign students.

    The training involves an emphasis on digital technologies and ESG marketing, a focus on developing partnerships and promoting key brand values. Graduates will learn how to enter new markets, create unique promotion strategies, increase business competitiveness and develop sales.

    The developers are confident that the program will be of interest not only to foreign but also to Russian applicants planning to engage in marketing in the foreign economic environment, who are passionate about digital technologies and interested in improving their English language proficiency.

    The program will be implemented in cooperation with the University’s International Service and partners of the Institute of Marketing.

    “I am sure that graduates of the program will be in demand in various sectors of the economy. There is always a consistently high demand for quality marketers. And if they also know how to win in the competitive struggle in foreign markets, know how to communicate with foreign colleagues – such professionals are extremely rare. The demand for them is growing very quickly. We took on the task of training “international” marketers as a result of studying the demand of large and well-known employers in Russia and abroad. They are waiting for such specialists,” noted the Director of the Institute of Marketing, Professor G.L. Azoev.

    Graduates of the program will be able to apply for career positions: marketing director, head of the brand management department, head of the company’s regional division, communications manager, brand analyst, etc. The best students will receive offers to do internships already in their first year of study.

    Details about the program can be found on the official page.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/03/2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: By 2030, it is planned to build more than 100 bridges with a total length of over 40 km on the federal road network

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    April 3, 2025

    Bridge across the Volga on the M-12 Vostok highway, Republic of Tatarstan.

    On April 3, 1760, a decree was issued on the construction of the first bridges in St. Petersburg, and now they are one of the main attractions of the Northern capital. Many bridges in Russia are outstanding monuments of architecture, engineering art, and also an example of the use of the latest technology.

    “The construction of bridges and artificial structures in the regions of Russia is of colossal importance for millions of people. They connect dispersed territories and significantly reduce travel time. This is especially important for regions with seasonal features, when some roads become impassable due to weather conditions. But thanks to artificial structures, people can be sure that they will be able to get to the right place at any time of the year. Bridge construction in the country is noticeably gaining momentum, becoming a platform for the use of innovative technologies that increase the service life of some of the most complex elements of road construction. In recent years alone, the country’s road and transport framework has been replenished with such outstanding structures as the cable-stayed bridge across the Oka on the M-12 “Vostok” highway with a unique architectural appearance and a system developed and certified in Russia, the Vysokogorsky Bridge across the Yenisei in Krasnoyarsk Krai, the bridge across the Svir River in Leningrad Oblast, the railway bridge across the Areda River on the Trans-Siberian Railway, the Crimean Bridge, the bridge across the Ob in Surgut, the bridge across the Volga on the bypass of Tver, the Arkhangelsky Bridge across the Sheksna. By 2030, it is planned to build more than 100 bridges with a total length of more than 40 km on the federal network alone,” said Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

    The Deputy Prime Minister added that promising artificial structures include a 12-kilometer bridge across the Volga on the southern bypass of Saratov, which will be the second longest after the Krymsky. Also, as part of the extension of the M-12 “Vostok” highway, bridges across the Belaya River in the Republic of Bashkortostan with a length of 813 m and a unique bridge across the Bolshaya Sarana River in the Sverdlovsk Region with supports over 50 m high will open this year.

    There are over 250 artificial structures under construction or reconstruction on the federal road network under the jurisdiction of Rosavtodor. For example, the longest overpass in the Southern Urals and the Urals is being built across the Sim River in the Chelyabinsk Region. The complex natural landscape requires road workers to put in the utmost effort and come up with unique engineering solutions. The artificial steel-reinforced concrete structure, over 1 km long and over 40 m high, is being erected as part of a large-scale reconstruction of the M-5 Ural highway and the construction of a bypass around the city of Sim. In total, four bridges, two interchanges and five overpasses are planned to be built here.

    Among the regional projects under construction are bridges across the Ob in Surgut and Novosibirsk, a bridge across the Lena in Yakutsk, which is being built in permafrost conditions, as well as a new bridge across the Volga in Yaroslavl and across the Oka in Ryazan.

    The state-owned company Avtodor is currently constructing 162 artificial structures, including 38 bridges as part of the reconstruction projects of the M-1 Belarus and M-3 Ukraine highways, the new Dyurtyuli-Achit highway, which will be part of the M-12 Vostok highway, and the Adler bypass.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Houston deports 174 criminal aliens to Mexico in 2 weeks who account for 610 criminal convictions as a group

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    April 3, 2025Houston, TX, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

    HOUSTON – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston field office deported 174 criminal aliens, including 24 gang members, to Mexico between March 17 to March 28 who as a group account for 610 criminal convictions and 415 removals from the United States.

    Notable among the 610 criminal convictions were:

    • Two convictions for homicide-related offenses.
    • Four convictions for rape or sexual assault.
    • Five convictions for child sex offenses.
    • 72 convictions for aggravated assault or assault.
    • 49 convictions for theft-related offenses.
    • Five convictions for firearms offenses.
    • 83 convictions for drug trafficking or drug possession-related offenses.
    • 146 convictions for driving while intoxicated.
    • Eight convictions for hit-and-run.
    • 22 convictions for human smuggling-related offenses.

    Many of the criminal aliens removed to Mexico during the two-week period have illegally entered the U.S. numerous times and been convicted of multiple criminal offenses. A few of the more egregious examples include:

    • A 36-year-old criminal alien from Mexico who has been removed from the U.S. 39 times and has been convicted of illegal entry four times and once for DWI, dangerous drugs, and fraud.
    • A 48-year-old criminal alien from Mexico who has been removed from the U.S. 13 times and has 25 criminal convictions including seven for narcotics offenses, six for resisting arrest, two for identity theft, two for domestic violence, two for assault, and once for battery, larceny, kidnapping, illegal entry, illegal reentry, and destruction of evidence.
    • A 50-year-old criminal alien from Mexico and documented Florencia 13 gang member who has been removed from the U.S. eight times and has been convicted of domestic violence, battery, possession of stolen property, drug possession, aggravated assault with a gun, and illegal entry.
    • A 60-year-old criminal alien from Mexico who has been removed from the U.S. seven times and has been convicted of eight DWIs, and once for assault and illegal reentry.
    • A 46-year-old criminal alien from Mexico who has been removed from the U.S. seven times and has been convicted three times for DWI, four times for illegal entry, twice for illegal reentry, twice for obstruction, and once for immigration fraud, narcotics possession, and burglary.

    “This is just a small snapshot of the amazing work that the brave men and women at ICE do every day to enhance public safety in Southeast Texas,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford. “Each day they put their lives on the line to apprehend and remove dangerous criminal aliens, transnational gang members and foreign fugitives who have illegally entered the U.S. and are preying on innocent, hardworking Texans. Fueled by our unwavering commitment to protect the public from harm, and united in our determination to restore integrity to our nation’s system of laws, ICE will continue to aggressively pursue and remove anyone who threatens the safety of our communities and the national security of our country.”

    For more news and information on ICE’s efforts to enforce our nation’s immigration laws and bolster public safety, national security and border security in Southeast Texas follow us on X at @EROHouston.

    MIL OSI USA News –