NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI USA: North Carolina Zoo Mourns the Passing of Director Pat Simmons

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: North Carolina Zoo Mourns the Passing of Director Pat Simmons

    North Carolina Zoo Mourns the Passing of Director Pat Simmons
    jejohnson6

    It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of Pat Simmons, Director and CEO of the North Carolina Zoo on July 14, 2025. Simmons had courageously battled cancer for nearly five years.

    Pat Simmons was a highly respected zoo director within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Simmons had more than 41 years of experience leading AZA-accredited zoos: the Akron Zoo in Ohio from 1985 to 2014 and the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro from 2015 to 2025. She was Chairwoman of the Board of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2012, and was appointed to the Board of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) from 2015 to 2021.

    Simmons was nationally and internationally recognized in the zoo and aquarium industry, receiving numerous awards and appointments in support of wildlife conservation, sustainability, and women in leadership roles.

    Simmons was renowned as a visionary leader. She spearheaded Vision (2016) and Master Planning (2018 and 2024-2025) for the North Carolina Zoo. Out of these plans, Simmons established an upcoming decade of growth for the Zoo, starting with Asia. The 12.5-acre Asia region will open in June 2026, the first major expansion at the North Carolina Zoo since 1994. Australia, the next continent, is fully funded and slated to open in 2029. The replacement Aviary/Amazon (which is partially funded) completes this period of continent expansion at the North Carolina Zoo. These vibrant new habitats, which will feature some of the world’s most extraordinary animals and plants, will be cherished for generations to come.

    Cheryl Armstrong, the Executive Director of the North Carolina Zoo Society, remarked, “Pat laughed easily and often and extended her warmth toward everyone. The Zoo Society family will always remain grateful for the wisdom, caring, and friendship Pat Simmons shared with us. As much as we will miss her, we know the good she achieved during her lifetime will not stop now. The kindness, integrity, and moxie that Pat instilled in the people who knew her will survive long into the future to help make the world a better place for all its inhabitants.”

    Pat Simmons’ mission was to inspire people to be stewards of the natural world and protect the diversity of animals and plants. Towards this, Simmons prioritized the interconnections between humans, plants, and animals through modern habitat design, award-winning educational programming, and memorable guest experiences. Under Simmons’ leadership, the North Carolina Zoo’s lauded wildlife conservation program has flourished on a global scale. The North Carolina Zoo also took the top award for Sustainability from the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) in 2021. In 2024, the North Carolina Zoo became a certified Botanical Garden through Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BCGI), a longtime dream for the Zoo.

    “The North Carolina Zoo is internationally recognized as one of the very best—and that didn’t happen by accident. It is due in large part to the thoughtful and innovative leadership of Pat Simmons,” said N.C. Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. “To say she’s beloved at the Zoo and beyond is an understatement. On behalf of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, we extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends and thank her on behalf of our state.”

    To know Simmons was to love her. She was a force to be reckoned with, and she made a significant impact during her tenure at the North Carolina Zoo. Those who worked with Simmons described her as immensely funny, smart, and loved by many. She was a sought-after mentor and counselor, helping many find their true passion. Her legacy in the zoo community will carry on through those she touched throughout her lifetime.

    The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the North Carolina Zoo extend our sincere and deepest condolences to the Simmons Family. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all she knew throughout her life.

    About the North Carolina Zoo  
    At the North Carolina Zoo, we celebrate nature. As the world’s largest natural habitat Zoo, we inspire a lifelong curiosity about animals in the hundreds of thousands of people who visit our Zoo each year. Our dedicated team of experts provides exceptional, compassionate care for the more than 1,700 animals and 52,000 plants that call our Park home. We also lead efforts locally and globally to protect wildlife and wild places because we believe nature’s diversity is critical for our collective future. The North Carolina Zoo invites all of our guests to witness the majesty of the wild in the heart of North Carolina and welcomes everyone to join in our mission to protect nature’s diversity. Visit NCZoo.org to begin your life-changing journey.

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Jul 15, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: North Carolina Zoo Mourns the Passing of Director Pat Simmons

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: North Carolina Zoo Mourns the Passing of Director Pat Simmons

    North Carolina Zoo Mourns the Passing of Director Pat Simmons
    jejohnson6

    It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of Pat Simmons, Director and CEO of the North Carolina Zoo on July 14, 2025. Simmons had courageously battled cancer for nearly five years.

    Pat Simmons was a highly respected zoo director within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Simmons had more than 41 years of experience leading AZA-accredited zoos: the Akron Zoo in Ohio from 1985 to 2014 and the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro from 2015 to 2025. She was Chairwoman of the Board of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2012, and was appointed to the Board of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) from 2015 to 2021.

    Simmons was nationally and internationally recognized in the zoo and aquarium industry, receiving numerous awards and appointments in support of wildlife conservation, sustainability, and women in leadership roles.

    Simmons was renowned as a visionary leader. She spearheaded Vision (2016) and Master Planning (2018 and 2024-2025) for the North Carolina Zoo. Out of these plans, Simmons established an upcoming decade of growth for the Zoo, starting with Asia. The 12.5-acre Asia region will open in June 2026, the first major expansion at the North Carolina Zoo since 1994. Australia, the next continent, is fully funded and slated to open in 2029. The replacement Aviary/Amazon (which is partially funded) completes this period of continent expansion at the North Carolina Zoo. These vibrant new habitats, which will feature some of the world’s most extraordinary animals and plants, will be cherished for generations to come.

    Cheryl Armstrong, the Executive Director of the North Carolina Zoo Society, remarked, “Pat laughed easily and often and extended her warmth toward everyone. The Zoo Society family will always remain grateful for the wisdom, caring, and friendship Pat Simmons shared with us. As much as we will miss her, we know the good she achieved during her lifetime will not stop now. The kindness, integrity, and moxie that Pat instilled in the people who knew her will survive long into the future to help make the world a better place for all its inhabitants.”

    Pat Simmons’ mission was to inspire people to be stewards of the natural world and protect the diversity of animals and plants. Towards this, Simmons prioritized the interconnections between humans, plants, and animals through modern habitat design, award-winning educational programming, and memorable guest experiences. Under Simmons’ leadership, the North Carolina Zoo’s lauded wildlife conservation program has flourished on a global scale. The North Carolina Zoo also took the top award for Sustainability from the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) in 2021. In 2024, the North Carolina Zoo became a certified Botanical Garden through Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BCGI), a longtime dream for the Zoo.

    “The North Carolina Zoo is internationally recognized as one of the very best—and that didn’t happen by accident. It is due in large part to the thoughtful and innovative leadership of Pat Simmons,” said N.C. Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. “To say she’s beloved at the Zoo and beyond is an understatement. On behalf of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, we extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends and thank her on behalf of our state.”

    To know Simmons was to love her. She was a force to be reckoned with, and she made a significant impact during her tenure at the North Carolina Zoo. Those who worked with Simmons described her as immensely funny, smart, and loved by many. She was a sought-after mentor and counselor, helping many find their true passion. Her legacy in the zoo community will carry on through those she touched throughout her lifetime.

    The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the North Carolina Zoo extend our sincere and deepest condolences to the Simmons Family. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all she knew throughout her life.

    About the North Carolina Zoo  
    At the North Carolina Zoo, we celebrate nature. As the world’s largest natural habitat Zoo, we inspire a lifelong curiosity about animals in the hundreds of thousands of people who visit our Zoo each year. Our dedicated team of experts provides exceptional, compassionate care for the more than 1,700 animals and 52,000 plants that call our Park home. We also lead efforts locally and globally to protect wildlife and wild places because we believe nature’s diversity is critical for our collective future. The North Carolina Zoo invites all of our guests to witness the majesty of the wild in the heart of North Carolina and welcomes everyone to join in our mission to protect nature’s diversity. Visit NCZoo.org to begin your life-changing journey.

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Jul 15, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: DHS Announces ICE Law Enforcement are Now Facing an 830 Percent Increase in Assaults

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    Mainstream media lies and hysterical political rhetoric are directly contributing to a massive surge in attacks on federal immigration enforcement officers

    WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials are facing an 830 percent increase in assaults from January 21st to July 14th compared with the same period in 2024.

    “Brave ICE law enforcement are risking their lives every day to keep our communities safe from the worst of the worst criminals,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “ICE law enforcement are succeeding to remove terrorists, murderers, pedophiles and the most depraved among us from America’s communities, even as crazed rhetoric from gutter politicians are inspiring a massive increase in assaults against them. It is reprehensible that our officers are facing this threat while simply doing their jobs and enforcing the law.”

    In recent weeks, both the media and politicians have escalated their anti-ICE rhetoric. Democratic members of Congress have been caught red-handed doxing and even physically assaulting ICE officials.

    Just this week, Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA) showed a violent mob an ICE employee’s business card, putting a target on his back and prompting the mob to attack him. The official was struck by a rock and sent to the emergency room where he received multiple stitches.

    Injuries sustained by an ICE employee after he was doxed to a violent mob by Rep. Carbajal

    Earlier this year, Representative LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) trespassed on and stormed the Delaney Hall detention facility, where she proceeded to physically assault an ICE officer. She has been indicted on federal assault charges.

    In Portland, ICE officers have been doxed and threatened by local antifa-affiliated organizations who are posting their pictures and personal addresses and threatening them and their families. One officer even had an individual show up at their house and dump trash on their lawn, which included signs that read “F**k you” and named the officer directly.

    Trash dumped on ICE officer’s lawn with threatening language in Portland, Oregon

    Meanwhile, the mainstream media continues to publish alarmist, patently false stories about federal immigration enforcement efforts.

    During an enforcement operation where ICE and federal law enforcement rescued 14 children from potential exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking, the media falsely reported that a man died in law enforcement custody. This was an outright lie. The man was not being pursued by law enforcement but still chose to climb up to the roof of a green house, where he fell 30 feet.

    The media also falsely accused ICE of “targeting” children in a clear attempt to demonize law enforcement. Rather than separate families, ICE asks mothers if they want to be removed with their children or if the child should be placed with someone else safe the parent designates.

    DHS has debunked dozens of these and other fake news narratives that are demonizing federal law enforcement, especially ICE officers, who are just trying to do their job. Their lies and fake stories continue to stir up hate and violence, which is leading to these assaults.

    # # #

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Jul 15, 2025 1930 UTC Day 3 Severe Thunderstorm Outlook

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

     For best viewing experience, please enable browser JavaScript support.

    Jul 15, 2025 1930 UTC Day 3 Severe Thunderstorm Outlook

    Updated: Tue Jul 15 19:24:10 UTC 2025 (Print Version |   |  )

    Probabilistic to Categorical Outlook Conversion Table

     Forecast Discussion

    SPC AC 151924

    Day 3 Convective Outlook
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    0224 PM CDT Tue Jul 15 2025

    Valid 171200Z – 181200Z

    …THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM THE OHIO
    VALLEY TO THE NORTHEAST STATES…

    …SUMMARY…
    Isolated damaging gusts are possible over parts of the Northeast
    Thursday.

    …Northeast and upper OH Valley…
    Shortwave troughing over the eastern Great Lakes will gradually
    merge with broader cyclonic flow over the Northeast and eastern
    Canada Thursday. A surface low will steadily deepen as it shifts
    eastward with the upper trough. A cold front trailing the low will
    serve as a focus for thunderstorm development through the afternoon
    from the OH valley to the Mid Atlantic and Northeast. Moderate
    buoyancy and strengthening flow aloft will overlap and could support
    scattered thunderstorms capable of damaging gusts ahead of the
    front. A large disparity exists among forecast guidance with regards
    to the position of the cold front, strength of the surface low and
    any potential MCVs from prior day’s convection. While confidence in
    the overall evolution is somewhat low, the broader environment still
    appears favorable enough to support some severe risk.

    …Mid MS Valley and southern Plains…
    Scattered storms are expected along the cold front as it moves
    southward across the Mid South and the Southern Plains. Stronger
    vertical shear should largely lag behind the front especially with
    southward extent. A few stronger storm clusters are possible along
    the front where large buoyancy could support sporadic damaging
    gusts. However, confidence in the frontal timing and convective
    evolution is very low, precluding the addition of severe
    probabilities for now.

    ..Lyons.. 07/15/2025

    CLICK TO GET WUUS03 PTSDY3 PRODUCT

    NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 3 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 0730Z

    Top/Latest Day 1 Outlook/Today’s Outlooks/Forecast Products/Home

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Trump free to begin gutting Department of Education after Supreme Court ‘shadow’ ruling − 5 essential reads

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Bryan Keogh, Managing Editor

    Protesters gather during a demonstration at the headquarters of the Department of Education in Washington. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

    The Trump administration was given the green light by the Supreme Court on July 14, 2025, to proceed with mass layoffs at the Department of Education – part of a wider plan to dismantle the agency. In doing so, the conservative majority on the bench overruled a lower court judge that had blocked the move.

    While the court didn’t explain its decision – and didn’t rule on the merits of the case – Justice Sonia Sotomayor, one of the three liberal justices who objected, issued a strongly worded dissent: “When the Executive publicly announces its intent to break the law, and then executes on that promise, it is the Judiciary’s duty to check that lawlessness, not expedite it.”

    The Conversation has been following the administration’s efforts to take apart the Department of Education since President Donald Trump won the presidential election in November. Here are a few stories from our archives that explain the executive order targeting the department, why the agency has been in the crosshairs of conservatives, and some of the impacts of carrying out the order.

    1. Hollowing out education

    Trump has promised to eliminate the Department of Education since at least September 2023. What started out as a campaign promise eventually became the executive order he issued on March 20, 2025, released shortly after the administration announced plans to lay off about 1,300 of the 4,000 employees in the department.

    “Although the president has broad executive authority, there are many things he cannot order by himself,” wrote Joshua Cowen, a professor of education policy at Michigan State University. “And one of those is the dismantling of a Cabinet agency created by law. But he seems determined to hollow the agency out.”

    And that’s what the Supreme Court says he can do while the case plays out in lower courts. Ultimately, Trump’s order creates a lot of “legal and policy uncertainty around funding for children in local schools and communities.”



    Read more:
    Mass layoffs at Education Department signal Trump’s plan to gut the agency

    Secretary of Education Linda McMahon is responsible for carrying out Trump’s executive order.
    AP Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr.

    2. What the education secretary normally does

    The person directed to actually carry our the president’s order is the education secretary, Linda McMahon. She has called dismantling the department its “final mission.”

    But the secretary – and the department – have many other missions, such as managing students loans and administering Title I funding to help schools serving low-income students obtain an equitable education regardless of their socioeconomic status.

    “Every child in the United States is required to attend school in some capacity, and what happens at the federal level can have real-world impacts on students ranging from preschool to grad school,” wrote Dustin Hornbeck, a scholar of educational policy at the University of Memphis.

    In his article, Hornbeck explored the key duties of the education secretary and the role of the federal government in education, which he argued will continue even if the Education Department is abolished.



    Read more:
    US secretary of education helps set national priorities in a system primarily funded and guided by local governments

    3. Why MAGA targeted the department

    So why did Trump decide getting rid of the Education Department was a top priority and worth the legal risks?

    Fighting what he perceived as “wokeness” was likely one reason, wrote Alex Hinton, an anthropologist who has been studying U.S. political culture at Rutgers University − Newark.

    “First and foremost, Trump and his supporters believe that liberals are ruining public education by instituting what they call a ‘radical woke agenda’ that they say prioritizes identity politics and politically correct groupthink at the expense of the free speech of those, like many conservatives, who have different views,” he explains.

    Trump’s battle against DEI – or diversity, equity and inclusion – is of course a big part of that, but so too are what he and his supporters call “radical” race and gender policies.

    Hinton goes on to describe three other reasons – including supposed “Marxist indoctrination” and school choice – he argues that the MAGA faithful want to eliminate the Department of Education.



    Read more:
    Trump orders a plan to close Education Department – an anthropologist who studies MAGA explains 4 reasons why Trump and his supporters want to eliminate it

    4. It didn’t begin with Trump

    But conservative efforts to gut the department didn’t begin with Trump or MAGA. In fact, the Heritage Foundation, which created the Project 2025 blueprint for remaking the federal government, has been trying to limit or end its role in education since at least 1981 – just two years after the Department of Education was created.

    “In its 1981 mandate, the Heritage Foundation struck now-familiar themes,” including closing the Department of Education and ending funding for disadvantaged students, wrote Fred L. Pincus, a sociology professor focused on diversity and social inequality at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. “And the Heritage Foundation called for ending federal support for programs it claimed were designed to ‘turn elementary- and secondary-school classrooms into vehicles for liberal-left social and political change.’”

    The conservative think tank struck similar themes in its Project 2025 playbook, though it went even further in calling out “leftist indoctrination” and “gender ideology extremism,” Pincus noted.



    Read more:
    Trump’s executive order to dismantle the Education Department was inspired by the Heritage Foundation’s decades-long disapproval of the agency

    Changes at the Department of Education will have a big impact on students across the country.
    skynesher/E+ via Getty Images

    5. Impact on most vulnerable students

    After all the already planned layoffs go into effect, the Department of Education will have roughly half the staff it started the year with. That will have a significant impact on its ability to carry out its many tasks, such as managing federal loans for college and tracking student achievement.

    The department also enforces civil rights for schools and universities, and that office has been hit especially hard by the job cuts, wrote education professors Erica Frankenberg of Penn State and Maithreyi Gopalan of the University of Oregon.

    “The Office for Civil Rights has played an important role in facilitating equitable education for all students,” they wrote. “The full effects of these changes on the most vulnerable public school students will likely be felt for many years.”



    Read more:
    Big cuts at the Education Department’s civil rights office will affect vulnerable students for years to come

    This story is a roundup of articles from The Conversation’s archives.

    – ref. Trump free to begin gutting Department of Education after Supreme Court ‘shadow’ ruling − 5 essential reads – https://theconversation.com/trump-free-to-begin-gutting-department-of-education-after-supreme-court-shadow-ruling-5-essential-reads-261218

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Trump free to begin gutting Department of Education after Supreme Court ‘shadow’ ruling − 5 essential reads

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Bryan Keogh, Managing Editor

    Protesters gather during a demonstration at the headquarters of the Department of Education in Washington. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

    The Trump administration was given the green light by the Supreme Court on July 14, 2025, to proceed with mass layoffs at the Department of Education – part of a wider plan to dismantle the agency. In doing so, the conservative majority on the bench overruled a lower court judge that had blocked the move.

    While the court didn’t explain its decision – and didn’t rule on the merits of the case – Justice Sonia Sotomayor, one of the three liberal justices who objected, issued a strongly worded dissent: “When the Executive publicly announces its intent to break the law, and then executes on that promise, it is the Judiciary’s duty to check that lawlessness, not expedite it.”

    The Conversation has been following the administration’s efforts to take apart the Department of Education since President Donald Trump won the presidential election in November. Here are a few stories from our archives that explain the executive order targeting the department, why the agency has been in the crosshairs of conservatives, and some of the impacts of carrying out the order.

    1. Hollowing out education

    Trump has promised to eliminate the Department of Education since at least September 2023. What started out as a campaign promise eventually became the executive order he issued on March 20, 2025, released shortly after the administration announced plans to lay off about 1,300 of the 4,000 employees in the department.

    “Although the president has broad executive authority, there are many things he cannot order by himself,” wrote Joshua Cowen, a professor of education policy at Michigan State University. “And one of those is the dismantling of a Cabinet agency created by law. But he seems determined to hollow the agency out.”

    And that’s what the Supreme Court says he can do while the case plays out in lower courts. Ultimately, Trump’s order creates a lot of “legal and policy uncertainty around funding for children in local schools and communities.”



    Read more:
    Mass layoffs at Education Department signal Trump’s plan to gut the agency

    Secretary of Education Linda McMahon is responsible for carrying out Trump’s executive order.
    AP Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr.

    2. What the education secretary normally does

    The person directed to actually carry our the president’s order is the education secretary, Linda McMahon. She has called dismantling the department its “final mission.”

    But the secretary – and the department – have many other missions, such as managing students loans and administering Title I funding to help schools serving low-income students obtain an equitable education regardless of their socioeconomic status.

    “Every child in the United States is required to attend school in some capacity, and what happens at the federal level can have real-world impacts on students ranging from preschool to grad school,” wrote Dustin Hornbeck, a scholar of educational policy at the University of Memphis.

    In his article, Hornbeck explored the key duties of the education secretary and the role of the federal government in education, which he argued will continue even if the Education Department is abolished.



    Read more:
    US secretary of education helps set national priorities in a system primarily funded and guided by local governments

    3. Why MAGA targeted the department

    So why did Trump decide getting rid of the Education Department was a top priority and worth the legal risks?

    Fighting what he perceived as “wokeness” was likely one reason, wrote Alex Hinton, an anthropologist who has been studying U.S. political culture at Rutgers University − Newark.

    “First and foremost, Trump and his supporters believe that liberals are ruining public education by instituting what they call a ‘radical woke agenda’ that they say prioritizes identity politics and politically correct groupthink at the expense of the free speech of those, like many conservatives, who have different views,” he explains.

    Trump’s battle against DEI – or diversity, equity and inclusion – is of course a big part of that, but so too are what he and his supporters call “radical” race and gender policies.

    Hinton goes on to describe three other reasons – including supposed “Marxist indoctrination” and school choice – he argues that the MAGA faithful want to eliminate the Department of Education.



    Read more:
    Trump orders a plan to close Education Department – an anthropologist who studies MAGA explains 4 reasons why Trump and his supporters want to eliminate it

    4. It didn’t begin with Trump

    But conservative efforts to gut the department didn’t begin with Trump or MAGA. In fact, the Heritage Foundation, which created the Project 2025 blueprint for remaking the federal government, has been trying to limit or end its role in education since at least 1981 – just two years after the Department of Education was created.

    “In its 1981 mandate, the Heritage Foundation struck now-familiar themes,” including closing the Department of Education and ending funding for disadvantaged students, wrote Fred L. Pincus, a sociology professor focused on diversity and social inequality at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. “And the Heritage Foundation called for ending federal support for programs it claimed were designed to ‘turn elementary- and secondary-school classrooms into vehicles for liberal-left social and political change.’”

    The conservative think tank struck similar themes in its Project 2025 playbook, though it went even further in calling out “leftist indoctrination” and “gender ideology extremism,” Pincus noted.



    Read more:
    Trump’s executive order to dismantle the Education Department was inspired by the Heritage Foundation’s decades-long disapproval of the agency

    Changes at the Department of Education will have a big impact on students across the country.
    skynesher/E+ via Getty Images

    5. Impact on most vulnerable students

    After all the already planned layoffs go into effect, the Department of Education will have roughly half the staff it started the year with. That will have a significant impact on its ability to carry out its many tasks, such as managing federal loans for college and tracking student achievement.

    The department also enforces civil rights for schools and universities, and that office has been hit especially hard by the job cuts, wrote education professors Erica Frankenberg of Penn State and Maithreyi Gopalan of the University of Oregon.

    “The Office for Civil Rights has played an important role in facilitating equitable education for all students,” they wrote. “The full effects of these changes on the most vulnerable public school students will likely be felt for many years.”



    Read more:
    Big cuts at the Education Department’s civil rights office will affect vulnerable students for years to come

    This story is a roundup of articles from The Conversation’s archives.

    – ref. Trump free to begin gutting Department of Education after Supreme Court ‘shadow’ ruling − 5 essential reads – https://theconversation.com/trump-free-to-begin-gutting-department-of-education-after-supreme-court-shadow-ruling-5-essential-reads-261218

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Florida is fronting the $450M cost of Alligator Alcatraz – a legal scholar explains what we still don’t know about the detainees

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Mark Schlakman, Senior Program Director, The Florida State University Center for the Advancement of Human Rights, Florida State University

    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis leads a tour of the new Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention facility for President Donald Trump and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Andrew Cabellero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

    The state of Florida has opened a migrant detention center in the Everglades. Its official name is Alligator Alcatraz, a reference to the former maximum security federal penitentiary in San Francisco Bay.

    While touring Alligator Alcatraz on July 1, 2025, President Donald Trump said, “This facility will house some of the menacing migrants, some of the most vicious people on the planet.” But new reporting from the Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times reveals that of more than 700 detainees, only a third have criminal convictions.

    To find out more about the state of Florida’s involvement in immigration enforcement and who can be detained at Alligator Alcatraz, The Conversation spoke with Mark Schlakman. Schlakman is a lawyer and senior program director for The Florida State University Center for the Advancement of Human Rights. He also served as special counsel to Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles, working as a liaison of sorts with the federal government during the mid-1990s when tens of thousands of Haitians and Cubans fled their island nations on makeshift boats, hoping to reach safe haven in Florida.

    U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has characterized the migrants being detained in facilities like Alligator Alcatraz as “murderers and rapists and traffickers and drug dealers.” Do we know if the detainees at Alligator Alcatraz have been convicted of these sorts of crimes?

    The Times/Herald published a list of 747 current detainees as of Sunday, July 13, 2025. Their reporters found that about a third of the detainees have criminal convictions, including attempted murder, illegal reentry to the U.S., which is a federal crime, and traffic violations. Apparently hundreds more have charges pending, though neither the federal nor state government have made public what those charges are.

    There are also more than 250 detainees with no criminal history, just immigration violations.

    Is it a crime for someone to be in the U.S. without legal status? In other words, is an immigration violation a crime?

    No, not necessarily. It’s well established as a matter of law that physical presence in the U.S. without proper authorization is a civil violation, not a criminal offense.

    However, if the federal government previously deported someone, they can be subject to federal criminal prosecution if they attempt to return without permission. That appears to be the case with some of the detainees at Alligator Alcatraz.

    What usually happens if a noncitizen commits a crime in the U.S.?

    Normally, if a foreign national is accused of committing a crime, they are prosecuted in a state court just like anyone else. If found guilty and sentenced to incarceration, they complete their sentence in a state prison. Once they’ve served their time, state officials can hand them over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. They are subject to deportation, but a federal immigration judge can hear any grounds for relief.

    DHS has clarified that it “has not implemented, authorized, directed or funded” Alligator Alcatraz, but rather the state of Florida is providing startup funds and running this facility. What is Florida’s interest in this? Are these mostly migrants who have been scooped up by ICE in Florida?

    It’s still unclear where most of these detainees were apprehended. But based on a list of six detainees released by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s office, it is clear that at least some were apprehended outside of Florida, and others simply may have been transferred to Alligator Alcatraz from federal custody elsewhere.

    This calls to mind the time in 2022 when Gov. Ron DeSantis flew approximately 50 migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts at Florida taxpayer expense. Those migrants also had no discernible presence in Florida.

    To establish Alligator Alcatraz, DeSantis leveraged an immigration emergency declaration, which has been ongoing since Jan. 6, 2023. A state of emergency allows a governor to exercise extraordinary executive authority. This is how he avoided requirements such as environmental impact analysis in the Everglades and concerns expressed by tribal governance surrounding that area.

    For now, the governor’s declaration remains unchallenged by the Florida Legislature. Environmental advocates have filed a lawsuit over Alligator Alcatraz, and the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a decision by a federal judge temporarily barring Florida from enforcing its new immigration laws, which DeSantis had championed. But no court has yet intervened to contest this prolonged state of emergency.

    This presents a stark contrast to Gov. Lawton Chiles’ declaration of an immigration emergency during the mid-1990s. At that time, tens of thousands of Cubans and Haitians attempted to reach Florida shores in virtually anything that would float. Chiles’ actions as governor were informed by his experience as a U.S. senator during the Mariel boatlift in 1980, when 125,000 Cubans made landfall in Florida over the course of just six months.

    Chiles sued the Clinton administration for failing to adequately enforce U.S. immigration law. But Chiles also entered into unprecedented agreements with the federal government, such as the 1996 Florida Immigration Initiative with U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno. His intent was to protect Florida taxpayers while enhancing federal enforcement capacity, without dehumanizing people fleeing desperate circumstances.

    During my tenure on Chiles’ staff, the governor generally opposed state legislation involving immigration. In the U.S.’s federalist system of government, immigration falls under the purview of the federal government, not the states. Chiles’ primary concern was that Floridians wouldn’t be saddled with what ought to be federal costs and responsibilities.

    Chiles was open to state and local officials supporting federal immigration enforcement. But he was mindful this required finesse to avoid undermining community policing, public health priorities and the economic health of key Florida businesses and industries. To this day, the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s position reflects Chiles’ concerns about such cooperation with the federal government.

    Gov. Ron DeSantis outlines his plans for Alligator Alcatraz to the media on July 1, 2025.
    Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

    Now, in 2025, DeSantis has taken a decidedly different tack by using Florida taxpayer dollars to establish Alligator Alcatraz. The state of Florida has fronted the US$450 million to pay for this facility. DeSantis reportedly intends to seek reimbursement from FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program. Ultimately, congressional action may be necessary to obtain reimbursement. Florida is essentially lending the federal government half a billion dollars and providing other assistance to help support the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement agenda.

    Florida is also establishing another migrant detention facility at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center near Jacksonville. A third apparently is being contemplated for the Panhandle.

    ICE claims that the ultimate decision of whom to detain at these facilities belongs to the state of Florida, through the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Members of Congress who visited Alligator Alcatraz earlier this week have disputed ICE’s claim that Florida is in charge.

    You advised Florida Division of Emergency Management leadership directly for several years during the administrations of Gov. Charlie Crist and Gov. Rick Scott. Does running a detention facility like Alligator Alcatraz fall within its typical mission?

    The division is tasked with preparing for and responding to both natural and human-caused disasters. In Florida, that generally means hurricanes. While the division may engage to facilitate shelter, I don’t recall any policies or procedures contemplating anything even remotely similar to Alligator Alcatraz.

    DeSantis could conceivably argue that this is consistent with a 287(g) agreement authorizing state and local support for federal immigration enforcement. But such agreements typically require federal supervision of state and local activities, not the other way around.

    Mark Schlakman served as special counsel to Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles and as a consultant to Emilio Gonzalez at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during his tenure as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director during the George W. Bush administration.

    – ref. Florida is fronting the $450M cost of Alligator Alcatraz – a legal scholar explains what we still don’t know about the detainees – https://theconversation.com/florida-is-fronting-the-450m-cost-of-alligator-alcatraz-a-legal-scholar-explains-what-we-still-dont-know-about-the-detainees-260665

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Control fire and ferals in Australia’s tropical savannas to bring the small mammals back

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alyson Stobo-Wilson, Research Adjunct in Conservation Ecology, Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University

    Alyson Stobo-Wilson

    In remote central Arnhem Land, finding a northern brushtail possum is encouraging for the local Indigenous rangers. Though once common, such small native mammals are now rare. Many are threatened with extinction.

    Over the past 30 years, small mammals have been disappearing from Australia’s tropical savannas. This landscape is among the nation’s most remote and seemingly untouched. But it is no longer safe from feral animals, overgrazing livestock, poor fire management and other threats.

    Despite growing awareness of the problem, a lack of consensus on the most effective management actions has hindered efforts to reverse these losses. Our new research sought to overcome this hurdle and finally reach consensus on the best way forward.

    We achieved this by working with experts from various land management groups and research institutes, including Traditional Owners and Indigenous rangers within the region.

    Building on 15 years of targeted research

    In 2010, the scale and severity of mammal declines in northern Australia became clear. Research in Kakadu National Park found the number of native mammal species at survey sites had halved, and the number of individual animals dropped by more than two-thirds.

    This prompted a major review of the causes, and more research.

    Advances in technology played a crucial role in efforts to gather further evidence. Motion-activated cameras known as camera traps enabled monitoring over vast areas.

    Extensive surveys using camera traps provided data on the distribution and abundance of small mammals and feral cats. Meanwhile, collar-mounted GPS units and video cameras provided new information about feral cat behaviour.

    Feral cat caught on a camera-trap in Arnhem Land.
    Alyson Stobo-Wilson

    What we did and what we found

    Our new research concerns the higher-rainfall tropical savannas of the Northern Territory and Western Australia. This area covers 950,000 square kilometres from the Kimberley in the west to the Gulf of Carpentaria in the east.

    First we reviewed the literature on the topic of small mammal declines in the region. We found more than 100 relevant studies had been published since 2010.

    From these research papers, we identified 11 plausible threats to small mammals. Then we asked 19 experts to score and rank each threat according to severity and scale, and whether the threat could be effectively mitigated.

    We found the most severe and widespread threat to small mammals was feral cats. But broad-scale cat control is not very effective.

    Ranked second was the habitat destruction caused by livestock (buffalo, horses, donkeys and cattle) and by inappropriate patterns of fire.

    Actions aimed at reducing feral livestock numbers and improving fire regimes would increase vital resources such as food and shelter. Such actions can also make it harder for cats to prey on small mammals.

    Feral cattle graze in the savanna woodland of the northern Kimberley.
    Ian Radford

    Future threats and research priorities

    Habitat loss from land clearing for urban, agricultural or industrial development currently affects only a small proportion of northwestern Australia. But proposed expansions — particularly for cotton and other intensive agriculture — are concerning. These developments overlap with high-rainfall areas in the Top End, where small mammal communities are still relatively intact.

    Our expert group also expressed deep concern and uncertainty about the future as the climate changes. Rising temperatures and more intense rainfall events are expected to increase the frequency, extent and severity of fires. However, managing feral livestock and improving fire regimes can make the ecosystem more resilient to change.

    Developing more effective tools to directly control feral cats remains a top research priority. It’s estimated cats kill around 452 million native mammals a year in Australia. About a third of these deaths occur in the tropical savannas. So while improved land management will alleviate some pressure, certain species will remain highly vulnerable unless cats can be better managed.

    Water buffalo were introduced to northern Australia in the early-1800s, becoming widespread by the mid-1800s.
    Alyson Stobo-Wilson

    Support Indigenous leadership on Country

    Globally, Indigenous stewardship is closely linked to improved biodiversity outcomes.

    In Australia, the historic disruption of Indigenous customary responsibilities — especially fire management — has contributed to the loss of small mammals.

    Fortunately, Indigenous ranger programs and Indigenous Protected Areas have expanded in recent years. Increasingly widespread recognition and application of Indigenous knowledge has deepened and broadened our understanding of mammal declines.

    In northern Australia, Indigenous ranger groups are global leaders in fire management. They monitor and manage some of the most remote and inaccessible parts of the continent. The land management actions needed to conserve our small mammals rely in large part on the continued support and funding of these groups.

    Unfortunately, these programs are under threat. The NT government recently cut A$12 million from its Indigenous ranger funding program.

    While the federal government has committed funding to expand ranger programs nationally, ranger groups say the investment falls short of what’s needed. Mimal Land Management Aboriginal Corporation chief executive officer Dominic Nicholls told us:

    Given the scale at which Indigenous ranger groups operate – and the critical role they play in protecting Australia’s biodiversity and leading innovation in the carbon industry – the level of allocated funding is insufficient to meet the basic delivery costs of these programs.

    A clear path forward

    Our research shows reducing feral livestock numbers and improving fire regimes in northern Australia currently offers the greatest benefit to small mammal populations — especially in the absence of effective cat controls.

    But success will depend on sustained, long-term support for Indigenous rangers, who carry out much of this work. Investing in these programs is not just essential for conserving biodiversity — it also supports cultural connection, community wellbeing and climate resilience.

    The authors gratefully acknowledge the Traditional Knowledge offered by participants from Mimal Land Management Aboriginal Corporation and Warddeken Land Management Limited as part of this research.

    This research was funded by CSIRO. The research benefited from the involvement of researchers and land managers from CSIRO, Charles Darwin University, Warddeken Land Management Limited, Australian National University, Mimal Land Management Aboriginal Corporation, Australian Wildlife Conservancy, the WA and NT governments, Kangaroo Island Landscape Board, Ground Up: Planning and Ecology Support, Dunkeld Pastoral Co Pty Ltd and Desert Support Services.

    John Woinarski has previously received funding from the Australian government’s National Environment Science Program. He is affiliated with Charles Darwin University, a member of the Biodiversity Council and a director of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

    – ref. Control fire and ferals in Australia’s tropical savannas to bring the small mammals back – https://theconversation.com/control-fire-and-ferals-in-australias-tropical-savannas-to-bring-the-small-mammals-back-260813

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Announces FY2026 Defense Bill Wins

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
    Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced that several of her provisions were included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026. 
    “I’m proud to see that this year’s NDAA includes provisions that will expand protections for service members and make our country more secure,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This bill prioritizes the service members who put their lives on the line for our country, and it includes provisions that will expand health care for service members, help victims of sexual assault, and address brain-related health incidents. I’m also pleased to see that this bill expands my Cyber Service Academy scholarship program—which provides students with full scholarships in exchange for public service after school—and includes millions in funding for Fort Drum, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, and other New York military installations.”
    A list of Senator Gillibrand’s priorities included in the FY2026 NDAA is below:
    Personnel: 
    Expanding access to sexual assault medical forensic examinations by requiring the Secretary of Defense to authorize military medical treatment facilities to provide sexual assault medical forensic examinations to all victims, not just victims who are eligible for military health care.   
    Bolstering OBGYN care at Fort Drum by directing a briefing on the adequacy and sufficiency of OBGYN care for TRICARE beneficiaries in the installation’s vicinity.
    Protecting service members’ brain health by conducting blast exposure monitoring within Special Operations Command. 
    Helping victims of anomalous health incidents by encouraging the Department of Defense (DoD) to provide the cross-functional team addressing anomalous health incidents (AHIs) with adequate resources to continue its efforts, particularly treatment of those affected by AHIs, and by ensuring timely compensation under the Helping American Victims Afflicted by Neurological Attacks (HAVANA) Act of 2021. 
    Cyber: 
    In the FY2023 NDAA, Gillibrand created the Cyber Service Academy scholarship program to address the widespread shortage in government cyber personnel. The program grants students a full scholarship in return for public service in a cyber-related discipline in DoD or the Intelligence Community. Successful applicants are provided a scholarship covering the full cost of tuition, select books and fees, a stipend, purchase of a laptop, and more. The following Cyber Service Academy provisions were included in this year’s NDAA:
    Funding to roughly double the number of scholarships available through the Cyber Service Academy scholarship program.
    Encouraging DoD to expand eligibility for the scholarship to freshmen and sophomores.
    Other cyber provisions:
    $10 million in additional funding for the Critical Infrastructure Defense Analysis Center (CIDAC), which works to identify DoD’s reliance on critical infrastructure such as power grids, water treatment, and telecommunications infrastructure and improve DoD’s resiliency against potential cyber and kinetic attacks by adversaries.
    Requires the development of implementation plans for the creation of Joint Task Force-Cyber elements across the geographic combatant commands, starting with United States Indo-Pacific Command, that would have operational control over cyber forces in their areas of operations. This will better align operational control of cyber forces worldwide to better support combatant commanders.
    New York Priorities: 
    Senator Gillibrand secured millions in funding for New York institutions in the NDAA, including: 
    $90 million for the 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters Readiness Center, which will also clear the way for separate investments and construction at Watervliet Arsenal.
    $300 million for LC-130J aircraft, and an additional $70 million for LC-130J non-recurring engineering, which enables the NY Air National Guard to prepare the aircraft for Arctic conditions
    $54 million for the Combined Operations Facility at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station
    $31 million for the Fort Hamilton Child Development Center 
    $21 million for the planning and design of future construction projects at Fort Drum:
    $9.8 for Fort Drum aircraft maintenance hangar addition design
    $8.7 million for Fort Drum Operational Readiness Training Center barracks design.  
    $2.5 million for Fort Drum Range 41c, Automated Record Fire Plus range design

    Strategic Forces: 
    $500 million for Israeli Missile Defense Cooperative Programs such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow. 
    Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs):
    Secured language to update congressional briefing requirements for UAP.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Slams Attempt To Loosen Rail Safety Requirements, Calls On Federal Railroad Administration To Maintain Strong Safety Standards

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
    Proposed Loosened Requirements Could Increase Risk Of Derailments, Spillage Of Dangerous Materials Like Crude Oil
    Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee, is expressing concern about an attempt to reduce track inspections and otherwise loosen rail safety requirements. She is calling on the Federal Railroad Administration to maintain its commitment to strong safety standards.
    If approved, the waiver would reduce the frequency of visual track inspections that railroads are required to conduct from twice a week to twice a month. They would also extend the time allowed to address identified track defects from immediately to a delay of up to three days. This means that passenger trains and trains carrying hazardous materials could be permitted to travel over tracks with known safety issues for as long as three days before repairs are made.
    “Throughout New York and across the country, frequent inspections are vital to rail safety and efficiency. Although new safety technologies should be utilized whenever possible, we must ensure that we do not become overly reliant on new technologies and compromise existing, necessary safety practices,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am very concerned that this proposal would reduce the quality of track inspections and slow the repair of track defects. I urge the administration to deny this request, and I will continue to fight to increase the safety, efficiency, and reliability of rail systems across the country.”
    A full copy of the letter can be found here or below.
    Dear Mr. Feeley: 
    We write to express our concerns with a proposal from the Association of American Railroads to reduce track inspections and lessen requirements to repair track safety defects. The Biden Administration made rail safety a priority, and last year the freight railroad derailment rate decreased by 18 percent, the greatest reduction in the derailment rate in 40 years. We look forward to working with you to continue this downward trend.
    We are supportive of the deployment of advanced safety technologies; but the Federal Railroad Administration should take care not to allow railroads to become overly reliant on technology. AAR on behalf of the Class I railroads, is seeking a waiver to loosen track safety inspection and repair requirements in exchange for deploying automated track inspection (ATI) technology. We know automated track inspection technology works; it has been around since the 1970s. Last year, the Biden Administration proposed requiring railroads to use this important safety technology. However, we are concerned that the exemptions from safety requirements the railroads are seeking could increase risks.
    The waiver requests a decrease in the visual track inspections that railroads are required to conduct, from twice a week to twice a month. While automated track inspection technology is more effective at identifying track geometry defects, there are other safety issues that visual inspections may identify that automated track inspections may not. In fact, track inspectors are trained to look for 17 other kinds of track safety issues, other than track geometry issues, that could cause derailments, including broken rail ties, missing track spikes, and obstructions in the right of way that a train could hit. The waiver does not explain how reducing railroads’ obligation to check for the track issues that ATI technology cannot detect by up to 75 percent will reduce derailments.
    Additionally, the waiver requests railroads that use ATI machines be allowed to take up to 72 hours to address a track safety defect once it is identified. Currently, if a human inspector finds a track defect, the track must be fixed immediately, or other remedial action must be taken, such as slowing the speed of trains on the track. If approved, this waiver would allow passenger trains and trains carrying crude oil, vinyl chloride, benzene, and other hazardous materials to travel over track with a known safety issue for up to three days. The waiver does not explain how slowing remediation response times for track safety defects will improve safety.
    The National Transportation Safety Board has also expressed concerns with over relying on this technology. In its investigation of a September 2021 Amtrak Empire Train derailment on BNSF track in Joplin, Montana, the independent investigators at the National Transportation Safety Board stated that automated track inspections “do not capture the diverse array of unique track hazards detectable to human inspectors.” The report went further and said they “should not be used to supplant an inspector physically examining a track.[2]” We are concerned that the AAR’s proposal would do just that, reducing the inspections for all track safety issues that are currently inspected by humans in exchange for potentially improving the inspection of track geometry issues. 
    For these reasons, we request that you deny the Association of American Railroads’ request to waive track safety requirements and rather finalize the Biden Administration’s proposal to require railroads to use automated track inspection technology.
     Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Slams Attempt To Loosen Rail Safety Requirements, Calls On Federal Railroad Administration To Maintain Strong Safety Standards

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
    Proposed Loosened Requirements Could Increase Risk Of Derailments, Spillage Of Dangerous Materials Like Crude Oil
    Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee, is expressing concern about an attempt to reduce track inspections and otherwise loosen rail safety requirements. She is calling on the Federal Railroad Administration to maintain its commitment to strong safety standards.
    If approved, the waiver would reduce the frequency of visual track inspections that railroads are required to conduct from twice a week to twice a month. They would also extend the time allowed to address identified track defects from immediately to a delay of up to three days. This means that passenger trains and trains carrying hazardous materials could be permitted to travel over tracks with known safety issues for as long as three days before repairs are made.
    “Throughout New York and across the country, frequent inspections are vital to rail safety and efficiency. Although new safety technologies should be utilized whenever possible, we must ensure that we do not become overly reliant on new technologies and compromise existing, necessary safety practices,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am very concerned that this proposal would reduce the quality of track inspections and slow the repair of track defects. I urge the administration to deny this request, and I will continue to fight to increase the safety, efficiency, and reliability of rail systems across the country.”
    A full copy of the letter can be found here or below.
    Dear Mr. Feeley: 
    We write to express our concerns with a proposal from the Association of American Railroads to reduce track inspections and lessen requirements to repair track safety defects. The Biden Administration made rail safety a priority, and last year the freight railroad derailment rate decreased by 18 percent, the greatest reduction in the derailment rate in 40 years. We look forward to working with you to continue this downward trend.
    We are supportive of the deployment of advanced safety technologies; but the Federal Railroad Administration should take care not to allow railroads to become overly reliant on technology. AAR on behalf of the Class I railroads, is seeking a waiver to loosen track safety inspection and repair requirements in exchange for deploying automated track inspection (ATI) technology. We know automated track inspection technology works; it has been around since the 1970s. Last year, the Biden Administration proposed requiring railroads to use this important safety technology. However, we are concerned that the exemptions from safety requirements the railroads are seeking could increase risks.
    The waiver requests a decrease in the visual track inspections that railroads are required to conduct, from twice a week to twice a month. While automated track inspection technology is more effective at identifying track geometry defects, there are other safety issues that visual inspections may identify that automated track inspections may not. In fact, track inspectors are trained to look for 17 other kinds of track safety issues, other than track geometry issues, that could cause derailments, including broken rail ties, missing track spikes, and obstructions in the right of way that a train could hit. The waiver does not explain how reducing railroads’ obligation to check for the track issues that ATI technology cannot detect by up to 75 percent will reduce derailments.
    Additionally, the waiver requests railroads that use ATI machines be allowed to take up to 72 hours to address a track safety defect once it is identified. Currently, if a human inspector finds a track defect, the track must be fixed immediately, or other remedial action must be taken, such as slowing the speed of trains on the track. If approved, this waiver would allow passenger trains and trains carrying crude oil, vinyl chloride, benzene, and other hazardous materials to travel over track with a known safety issue for up to three days. The waiver does not explain how slowing remediation response times for track safety defects will improve safety.
    The National Transportation Safety Board has also expressed concerns with over relying on this technology. In its investigation of a September 2021 Amtrak Empire Train derailment on BNSF track in Joplin, Montana, the independent investigators at the National Transportation Safety Board stated that automated track inspections “do not capture the diverse array of unique track hazards detectable to human inspectors.” The report went further and said they “should not be used to supplant an inspector physically examining a track.[2]” We are concerned that the AAR’s proposal would do just that, reducing the inspections for all track safety issues that are currently inspected by humans in exchange for potentially improving the inspection of track geometry issues. 
    For these reasons, we request that you deny the Association of American Railroads’ request to waive track safety requirements and rather finalize the Biden Administration’s proposal to require railroads to use automated track inspection technology.
     Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Slams Attempt To Loosen Rail Safety Requirements, Calls On Federal Railroad Administration To Maintain Strong Safety Standards

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

    Proposed Loosened Requirements Could Increase Risk Of Derailments, Spillage Of Dangerous Materials Like Crude Oil

    Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee, is expressing concern about an attempt to reduce track inspections and otherwise loosen rail safety requirements. She is calling on the Federal Railroad Administration to maintain its commitment to strong safety standards.

    If approved, the waiver would reduce the frequency of visual track inspections that railroads are required to conduct from twice a week to twice a month. They would also extend the time allowed to address identified track defects from immediately to a delay of up to three days. This means that passenger trains and trains carrying hazardous materials could be permitted to travel over tracks with known safety issues for as long as three days before repairs are made.

    “Throughout New York and across the country, frequent inspections are vital to rail safety and efficiency. Although new safety technologies should be utilized whenever possible, we must ensure that we do not become overly reliant on new technologies and compromise existing, necessary safety practices,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am very concerned that this proposal would reduce the quality of track inspections and slow the repair of track defects. I urge the administration to deny this request, and I will continue to fight to increase the safety, efficiency, and reliability of rail systems across the country.”

    A full copy of the letter can be found here or below.

    Dear Mr. Feeley: 

    We write to express our concerns with a proposal from the Association of American Railroads to reduce track inspections and lessen requirements to repair track safety defects. The Biden Administration made rail safety a priority, and last year the freight railroad derailment rate decreased by 18 percent, the greatest reduction in the derailment rate in 40 years. We look forward to working with you to continue this downward trend.

    We are supportive of the deployment of advanced safety technologies; but the Federal Railroad Administration should take care not to allow railroads to become overly reliant on technology. AAR on behalf of the Class I railroads, is seeking a waiver to loosen track safety inspection and repair requirements in exchange for deploying automated track inspection (ATI) technology. We know automated track inspection technology works; it has been around since the 1970s. Last year, the Biden Administration proposed requiring railroads to use this important safety technology. However, we are concerned that the exemptions from safety requirements the railroads are seeking could increase risks.

    The waiver requests a decrease in the visual track inspections that railroads are required to conduct, from twice a week to twice a month. While automated track inspection technology is more effective at identifying track geometry defects, there are other safety issues that visual inspections may identify that automated track inspections may not. In fact, track inspectors are trained to look for 17 other kinds of track safety issues, other than track geometry issues, that could cause derailments, including broken rail ties, missing track spikes, and obstructions in the right of way that a train could hit. The waiver does not explain how reducing railroads’ obligation to check for the track issues that ATI technology cannot detect by up to 75 percent will reduce derailments.

    Additionally, the waiver requests railroads that use ATI machines be allowed to take up to 72 hours to address a track safety defect once it is identified. Currently, if a human inspector finds a track defect, the track must be fixed immediately, or other remedial action must be taken, such as slowing the speed of trains on the track. If approved, this waiver would allow passenger trains and trains carrying crude oil, vinyl chloride, benzene, and other hazardous materials to travel over track with a known safety issue for up to three days. The waiver does not explain how slowing remediation response times for track safety defects will improve safety.

    The National Transportation Safety Board has also expressed concerns with over relying on this technology. In its investigation of a September 2021 Amtrak Empire Train derailment on BNSF track in Joplin, Montana, the independent investigators at the National Transportation Safety Board stated that automated track inspections “do not capture the diverse array of unique track hazards detectable to human inspectors.” The report went further and said they “should not be used to supplant an inspector physically examining a track.[2]” We are concerned that the AAR’s proposal would do just that, reducing the inspections for all track safety issues that are currently inspected by humans in exchange for potentially improving the inspection of track geometry issues. 

    For these reasons, we request that you deny the Association of American Railroads’ request to waive track safety requirements and rather finalize the Biden Administration’s proposal to require railroads to use automated track inspection technology.

     Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Slams Attempt To Loosen Rail Safety Requirements, Calls On Federal Railroad Administration To Maintain Strong Safety Standards

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

    Proposed Loosened Requirements Could Increase Risk Of Derailments, Spillage Of Dangerous Materials Like Crude Oil

    Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee, is expressing concern about an attempt to reduce track inspections and otherwise loosen rail safety requirements. She is calling on the Federal Railroad Administration to maintain its commitment to strong safety standards.

    If approved, the waiver would reduce the frequency of visual track inspections that railroads are required to conduct from twice a week to twice a month. They would also extend the time allowed to address identified track defects from immediately to a delay of up to three days. This means that passenger trains and trains carrying hazardous materials could be permitted to travel over tracks with known safety issues for as long as three days before repairs are made.

    “Throughout New York and across the country, frequent inspections are vital to rail safety and efficiency. Although new safety technologies should be utilized whenever possible, we must ensure that we do not become overly reliant on new technologies and compromise existing, necessary safety practices,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am very concerned that this proposal would reduce the quality of track inspections and slow the repair of track defects. I urge the administration to deny this request, and I will continue to fight to increase the safety, efficiency, and reliability of rail systems across the country.”

    A full copy of the letter can be found here or below.

    Dear Mr. Feeley: 

    We write to express our concerns with a proposal from the Association of American Railroads to reduce track inspections and lessen requirements to repair track safety defects. The Biden Administration made rail safety a priority, and last year the freight railroad derailment rate decreased by 18 percent, the greatest reduction in the derailment rate in 40 years. We look forward to working with you to continue this downward trend.

    We are supportive of the deployment of advanced safety technologies; but the Federal Railroad Administration should take care not to allow railroads to become overly reliant on technology. AAR on behalf of the Class I railroads, is seeking a waiver to loosen track safety inspection and repair requirements in exchange for deploying automated track inspection (ATI) technology. We know automated track inspection technology works; it has been around since the 1970s. Last year, the Biden Administration proposed requiring railroads to use this important safety technology. However, we are concerned that the exemptions from safety requirements the railroads are seeking could increase risks.

    The waiver requests a decrease in the visual track inspections that railroads are required to conduct, from twice a week to twice a month. While automated track inspection technology is more effective at identifying track geometry defects, there are other safety issues that visual inspections may identify that automated track inspections may not. In fact, track inspectors are trained to look for 17 other kinds of track safety issues, other than track geometry issues, that could cause derailments, including broken rail ties, missing track spikes, and obstructions in the right of way that a train could hit. The waiver does not explain how reducing railroads’ obligation to check for the track issues that ATI technology cannot detect by up to 75 percent will reduce derailments.

    Additionally, the waiver requests railroads that use ATI machines be allowed to take up to 72 hours to address a track safety defect once it is identified. Currently, if a human inspector finds a track defect, the track must be fixed immediately, or other remedial action must be taken, such as slowing the speed of trains on the track. If approved, this waiver would allow passenger trains and trains carrying crude oil, vinyl chloride, benzene, and other hazardous materials to travel over track with a known safety issue for up to three days. The waiver does not explain how slowing remediation response times for track safety defects will improve safety.

    The National Transportation Safety Board has also expressed concerns with over relying on this technology. In its investigation of a September 2021 Amtrak Empire Train derailment on BNSF track in Joplin, Montana, the independent investigators at the National Transportation Safety Board stated that automated track inspections “do not capture the diverse array of unique track hazards detectable to human inspectors.” The report went further and said they “should not be used to supplant an inspector physically examining a track.[2]” We are concerned that the AAR’s proposal would do just that, reducing the inspections for all track safety issues that are currently inspected by humans in exchange for potentially improving the inspection of track geometry issues. 

    For these reasons, we request that you deny the Association of American Railroads’ request to waive track safety requirements and rather finalize the Biden Administration’s proposal to require railroads to use automated track inspection technology.

     Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fourteen Polk County Residents Indicted For Narcotics Trafficking And Gun Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging fourteen Polk County residents with narcotics trafficking and firearms-related charges. If convicted, Curtis Charles Tinsley (47, Lakeland), Tyler Anthony Devaney (32, Winter Haven), Alvin Antonio Barnes III (47, Lakeland), Tonyo Cortez Evans (39, Lakeland), Lamar Anthony Hamilton (43, Lakeland), Albert Lewis III (48, Lakeland), Tyrese Leon Pratt (39, Lakeland), Antonio Groover (32, Dundee), Kenji Antwana Miller (38, Lakeland), Melvin Sharon Murray (48, Lakeland), Robert James Johnson IV (32, Lakeland), Steven Wayne Gay (55, Lakeland), Tiffany Elaine Creach (43, Lakeland), and Sabrina Marie Taylor (40, Dover) each face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.    

    According to the indictment, the charged individuals conspired to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy. Devaney, Barnes, Hamilton, Pratt, and Groover are also charged for possessing firearms or ammunition as convicted felons. Devaney, Pratt, and Hamilton are each charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offense. The indictment also alleges that Tinsley, Devaney, Barnes, Evans, Hamilton, Groover, Miller, Murray, and Gay committed the alleged offenses after convictions for either serious drug or violent felonies.

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lakeland Police Department, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Pardo.

    This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Armed Drug Trafficking Felon from Duquesne Sentenced to More Than 20 Years in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Duquesne, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 248 months of imprisonment, to be followed by six months of supervised release, on his conviction of federal drug trafficking and firearm offenses, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Courtney Washington Jr., 31, who a federal jury in September 2024 found guilty of two counts of violating federal firearms laws. Prior to that trial, Washington pleaded guilty to related charges of distribution of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

    According to information presented to the Court, Washington was a large-scale fentanyl trafficker on whose residence law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on April 17, 2023. As officers called for Washington to exit the home, Washington unsuccessfully attempted to destroy drugs by placing them in a washing machine, with officers later finding approximately $45,000 worth of fentanyl in the machine. Law enforcement also recovered, approximately six feet from the fentanyl, a loaded and stolen .45 Glock handgun that Washington attempted to conceal in the rafters above the washing machine. Having previously been convicted of a federal drug trafficking felony, Washington is prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Brendan T. Conway and V. Joseph Sonson prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

    Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Allegheny County Police Department, and Duquesne Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Washington.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia’s census is getting a stress test – keeping it going is good for everyone

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liz Allen, Demographer, POLIS Centre for Social Policy Research, Australian National University

    GoldPanter/Shutterstock

    The Australian Bureau of Statistics will roll out a large-scale census test next month.

    About 60,000 households will take part across the country to stress test the bureau’s collection processes and IT systems, ahead of next year’s full scale census. The survey questions change little, if at all, between the dry run and the census proper.

    The population count will offer Australians an opportunity to reflect on who we are and the stories we share.

    It comes at a time when traditional censuses are coming under threat worldwide.

    Dying days of census

    Census plays a significant part of the story of humanity. Jesus was born in a stable because a census ordered by Caesar Augusta had brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem.

    They have changed down the centuries. But some things remain the same: the data collected is crucial for taxation, political representation and socio-economic indicators.

    But national head counts are costly and cause enormous headaches for governments.

    Vintage census television ad.

    In other countries, censuses are being killed off, replaced with information compiled by other means, such as administrative government data and population surveys. Think of the overseas versions of Medicare, Centrelink and the Tax Office.

    National statistical offices in the United Kingdom and New Zealand have both flagged the end of traditional censuses

    The UK Office of National Statistics had been preparing for census replacement since 2011, only backtracking after a public backlash.

    Devastating under-enumeration of Maori New Zealanders in 2013 and 2018 meant administrative data was needed to supplement the 2023 NZ census. National data agency, Stats NZ, has now called it quits on traditional census altogether.

    Funding cuts in Canada saw dual short- and long-form questionnaires which resulted in the partial collection of crucial socio-economic data akin to a sample survey. Statistics Canada now uses administrative and survey data to help meet its official statistics program.

    Do we still need the census?

    Replacing the census was floated a decade ago when dwindling government funding saw the Australian Bureau of Statistics struggling to “keep the lights on”.

    Worried after 2016’s “censusfail”, the agency sought to ensure legislatively required data could be achieved even in the absence of a census. The bureau collected population and housing data using experimental administrative data, proving a national census isn’t necessarily needed for population estimates.

    Costs associated with running a five-yearly head count and the decline in the social licence to collect such data are routinely used as justifications for replacing the census. Why conduct a wartime-like undertaking when you don’t have to?

    The threat to the traditional census comes as no surprise to data scientists. Data is now ubiquitous, covering nearly every aspect of our lives – loyalty rewards, public transport cards and even frequent flyer points.

    But there’s so much heavy lifting only a census can do and it’s crucial to helping Australia understand its diverse population.

    More than just numbers

    Data helps contextualise our lives.

    Data made me feel less alone as a young person. I could see I wasn’t the only person doing it tough. Poverty wasn’t my fault, rather a wider structural problem politicians and policymakers failed to understand.

    Being missed by the 1996 census as a homeless teen drives me to ensure Australia’s national census snapshot reflects the needs of the country.

    Data holds powerful truths and has the capability to heal through information. Who we are, how and where we live, our commonalities and differences, and what might come next.

    The Australian Bureau of Statistics is finding increasingly creative ways to communicate and bring Australians along for the ride.

    Its outreach through social media makes data more accessible and fun.

    The paraphernalia promoting previous censuses make it clear how much the agency is invested in ensuring complete coverage of all people. A significant departure from the stuffy practices of national statistical offices overseas.

    Small solar powered census-at-school calculators have been given to pupils to help increase awareness among linguistically diverse communities. This is recognition children complete the census questionnaire in some families.

    Desks of cards gifted to homeless people sleeping rough attests to the bureau’s dedication to ensuring all people are counted, no matter where or how they live

    Behind The News’s take on the census.

    More inclusive family photograph

    But it hasn’t always been plain sailing for the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

    Last year’s unprecedented government interference in the independent conduct of the bureau resulted in proposed questions on sexuality and gender diversity being dumped from the 2026 census.

    Scheduled testing was cancelled and related printed materials were likely pulped.

    A public outcry forced a government back down with the sorry saga clearly demonstrating a myriad of critical data cannot be collected by other means.

    The upcoming census family photograph will be more inclusive – Australians will have the opportunity to have their gender identity and sexual orientation reflected in the tally.

    Family ancestry information will be broadened, and the questionnaire itself will better reflect Australian households overall.

    The alternative to a census is a private, behind-closed-doors collation of personal information by government.

    The good news is Australia’s census is alive and well and keeping up with the times.

    Liz Allen worked as a graduate at the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2006. She receives funding from the Australian Research Council for work examining grandparenting in Australia. Liz is a member of the National Foundation of Australian Women Social Policy Committee.

    – ref. Australia’s census is getting a stress test – keeping it going is good for everyone – https://theconversation.com/australias-census-is-getting-a-stress-test-keeping-it-going-is-good-for-everyone-261077

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Accepting Bribe to Smuggle Contraband to Prison Inmate

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CLEVELAND – James P. Jackson, age 39, of Niles, Ohio, has pleaded guilty to using his role as an employee at a state prison to smuggle illicit substances and other prohibited items to an inmate at the facility.

    According to court documents, Jackson was employed by the Trumbull Correctional Institution (TCI) in Leavittsburg, from 2022 through 2024. He served as a corrections officer and later, as a general maintenance worker, where he regularly came into contact with inmates. His work duties and responsibilities allowed him full access to non-public areas including prison cells.

    Allegations in court documents show that Jackson was in communication with the wife of a TCI inmate. After some time spent exchanging text messages and keeping in touch by phone, the two agreed to meet. On Feb. 1, 2024, they met and she handed him two large, wrapped packages for him to deliver to her husband who was serving a sentence inside the facility. In return, Jackson accepted an initial bribe of $1,000 from her and was promised an additional $1,000 after the contraband was successfully delivered to the intended recipient. The next day, Jackson attempted to take the packages into TCI but was intercepted by law enforcement before entering.

    The investigation revealed that the packages Jackson received−and attempted to smuggle into the prison−contained 97.67 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, 207.63 grams of synthetic cannabinoid, 32.85 grams of phencyclidine (aka PCP or angel dust), various other drugs, a cellphone, and SIM cards.

    On July 15, 2025, Jackson pleaded guilty after being charged by information for Hobbs Act extortion under color of official right for accepting money to smuggle two packages into TCI using his capacity as an employee of the facility. He faces a maximum of up to 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is yet to be scheduled.

    This investigation was conducted by the FBI Cleveland Division, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Trumbull Correctional Institutions-Office of Investigations, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol-Office of Criminal Investigations Prison Drug Unit and Investigative Services for the Warren District.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Chelsea S. Rice and Rebecca C. Lutzko prosecuted the case for the Northern District of Ohio.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defendants Charged with Assaulting Federal Law Enforcement Officers, Other Offenses During Protest Near Spokane ICE Office

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Spokane, Washington – Nine defendants are scheduled to make their first appearances in federal court at 3 P.M. today after the return of an indictment alleging several charges – including assaulting a federal officer – during a protest gathering at the Homeland Security office in Spokane.

    Benjamin Theodore Stuckart, age 53, has been charged with Conspiracy to Impede or Injure Officers

    Justice Forral, age 33, has been charged with Conspiracy to Impede or Injure Officers

    Mikki Pike Hatfield, age 34, has been charged with Conspiracy to Impede or Injure Officers and Assault on a Federal Officer, Employee, or Person Assisting a Federal Officer (intent to cause another felony/use of a dangerous weapon)

    Erin Nicole Lang, age 31 has been charged with Conspiracy to Impede or Injure Officers

    Collin James Muncey, age 34 has been charged with Conspiracy to Impede or Injure Officers

    Thalia Marie Ramirez, age 20, has been charged with Conspiracy to Impede or Injure Officers

    Bobbi Lee Silva, age 38, has been charged with Conspiracy to Impede or Injure Officers and Assault on a Federal Officer, Employee, or Person Assisting a Federal Officer (physical contact / intent to cause another felony)

    Bajun Dhunjisha Mavalwalla II, age 35 has been charged with Conspiracy to Impede or Injure Officers

    Jac Dalitso Archer, age 33, has been charged with Conspiracy to Impede or Injure Officers

    “We respect and honor everyone’s right to peacefully protest. However, the few who choose to cross the line from protest to violence and destruction will be held accountable,” stated Acting United States Attorney Stephanie Van Marter. 

    According to court documents and information shared in court, on June 11, 2025, at approximately 12:52 pm, Stuckart posted on social media a call for others to come and join him as he blocked a bus that was going to be used to transport the federal detainees held at the federal facility in Spokane to Tacoma for their immigration hearings. Archer and other co-conspirators arrived in response to the post, and along with Stuckart, blocked the pathway and door to the transport bus, despite orders to disperse.

    As alleged in the indictment, a short time later, Forral parked his vehicle to block the exit path of the bus. Forral and Lang then released air from the tires of the bus, and other co-conspirators painted the windshield of the bus rendering it unsafe to drive.

    Archer reposted Stuckart’s call and posted additional calls urging others to come and join noting the intent was to “risk arrest to block the exits to ICE”.

    When federal officers attempted to leave the building through a secure parking lot on the south end of property, Forral, Hatfield, Muncey, Silva, Mavalwalla II, Archer, and other co-conspirators blocked the driveway and/or pushed against officers, despite orders to disperse and attempts to remove the defendants from the property. Silva struck a federal officer from behind as the officer was attempting to clear a path for transport vehicles to leave the building.

    Forral, Muncey, Hatfield, and other co-conspirators then placed trash cans, sand/cement bags, benches, signs, and other objects in front of doors and exits to block the exit of federal officers and detainees from the federal facility.

    After Spokane Police arrived, officers placed marked patrol vehicles in front of and behind a red transport van that was then designated to transport the detainees to Tacoma for their immigration hearings. The red van was quickly surrounded by Stuckart, Hatfield, Lang, Silva, and other co-conspirators. Ramirez, armed with a boxcutter, slashed the tires of the van, making it unsafe to drive.

    After dispersal orders issued by Spokane Police Department were ignored, the Spokane Police Department deployed crowd control measures to include inert smoke and pepper balls at the feet of those resistant to leave. According to the indictment, Hatfield picked one up one of those deployed incendiary devices and threw it in the direction of Spokane Police and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

    Multiple calls for assistance were made to local law enforcement agencies. Because of the defendants’ actions, federal agents and the detainees, as well as civilian employees were unable to leave the facility, until approximately 9:00 PM, and only with the assistance of the Spokane Police Department S.W.A.T team.

    This case was investigated by the FBI and other federal agencies, including the USMS.

    An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    2:2025-cr-00113-RLP

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Cherokee County felon sentenced to federal prison for firearms violation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    TYLER, Texas –A Rusk man has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

    Justin Jones, 37, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on July 15, 2025.

    According to information presented in court, on December 4, 2023, was seen driving on County Road 2120 in Cherokee County.  The Sheriff recognized Jones and attempted to stop him for an outstanding arrest warrant.  Jones abandoned his vehicle and fled the scene on foot.  A search of the abandoned vehicle revealed Jones’ cell phone, two rifles, and a pistol.  The phone also contained a photo of Jones holding one of the rifles.  Jones has several prior felony convictions, including four prior convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  As a convicted felon, Jones is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms.

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

    This case was investigated by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives – Tyler Field Office.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: US Departments of Labor, Education implement workforce development partnership

    Source: US Department of Labor

    WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. departments of Labor and Education announced the implementation of a workforce development partnership to create an integrated federal education and workforce system. The Labor Department will take on a greater role in administering the adult education and family literacy programs funded under Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and career and technical education programs funded by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. The programs will be managed alongside Department of Education staff, with continued leadership and oversight by Education. 

    The workforce development partnership marks a major step in shifting management of select Education Department programs to partner agencies. 

    “Our bloated federal bureaucracy has made it increasingly difficult to administer workforce development programs effectively, and our students and workers have been left behind as a result. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are restructuring to meet the needs of our workforce,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “I’m excited to team up with Secretary McMahon as we work together to provide states with clearer guidance, reduced regulatory burdens, and more resources that are directly invested in opportunities for American workers.” 

    “The current structure with various federal agencies each managing pieces of the federal workforce portfolio is inefficient and duplicative. Support from the Department of Labor in administering the Department of Education’s workforce programs is a commonsense step in streamlining these programs to better serve students, families, and educators,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “I look forward to collaborating with Secretary Chavez-DeRemer to create a stronger talent pipeline for our nation’s workforce.” 

    Background 

    The Department of Education signed an Interagency Agreement with the Department of Labor on May 21. One day later, a Massachusetts District Judge granted a preliminary injunction to plaintiffs in McMahon v. New York, forcing the Department of Education to pause implementation of the IAA. Yesterday, the Supreme Court granted an emergency request to stay the injunction, allowing the Education Department to implement this IAA and proceed with the reduction in force to administer its programs more efficiently. 

    The workforce development partnership was created under an IAA, a tool routinely utilized by government agencies to share resources, collaborate, and ensure efficient service delivery. Under the partnership, the Labor Department will provide day-to-day administration of Education’s Perkins and WIOA Title II programs alongside the larger suite of workforce programs the Labor Department already administers. Administering Perkins V and WIOA Title I, II, and III through the Labor Department will facilitate streamlined services for states and grantees, such as allowing for a unified state plan portal and consistent timelines for submitting the required state plans for WIOA and Perkins. The Department of Education will maintain all statutory responsibilities and positions, policy authority, and oversight of these programs. 

    This shared effort will provide a coordinated federal education and workforce system, consistent with Executive Order No. 14278 signed on April 23, 2025. 

    The Department of Labor presently administers the majority of federally funded workforce programs. Greater involvement by the Labor Department in administration of these programs will give states central points of contact in the federal government, reducing duplication of effort and conflicting directives from different agencies. It will ensure more funds can be spent on workforce training and less on state and federal bureaucracy and compliance costs. 

    Education and Labor will provide states with additional guidance in the coming weeks as these changes are implemented. For any immediate program questions, state partners and grantees should reach out to their respective Employee and Training Administration or Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education points of contact. 

    Learn more about the Interagency Agreement. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: The Former Senior Costa Rican Official Has Been Charged, Arrested, and is Pending Extradition to the United States on International Drug Trafficking Charges

    Source: US FBI

    The former senior Costa Rican official has been charged, arrested, and is pending extradition to the United States on international drug trafficking charges

    A former Costa Rican government official and judge has been charged with federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

    Celso Manuel Gamboa Sanchez, 49, was named in a federal indictment returned by a grand jury this week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with manufacturing and distributing cocaine knowing it would be unlawfully imported into the United States and conspiracy.

    The indictment alleges that Gamboa Sanchez conspired with and assisted other international drug traffickers to manufacture, distribute, and transport significant quantities of cocaine, much of which was trafficked through Costa Rica and ultimately into the United States for further distribution. Gamboa Sanchez has held several governmental positions in Costa Rica, including Minister of Public Security in 2014, a position charged with overseeing crime prevention in the country, and judge from 2016 to 2018.  

    On June 23, 2025, Gamboa Sanchez was arrested in Costa Rica, pursuant to a provisional arrest warrant issued because of similar international drug trafficking charges alleged against Gamboa Sanchez in 2024 in the Eastern District of Texas. Also on June 23, 2025, Costa Rican officials arrested another alleged Costa Rican international narcotics trafficker, Edwin Danny Lopez Vega, who was an associate of Gamboa Sanchez, and indicted in the Eastern District of Texas.

    Both remain jailed in Costa Rica and are awaiting extradition to the United States. 

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

    If convicted, Gamboa Sanchez and Lopez Vega face a minimum of ten years and a maximum of life in federal prison.

    This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the North Texas Strike Force.  The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Wes Wynne and Christopher Eason.

    A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Sentenced to Federal Prison in Human Smuggling Conspiracy

    Source: US FBI

    TYLER, Texas –A Mexican national has been sentenced for illegally smuggling aliens through the United States, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

    Octavio Hernandez-Hernandez, 50, a Mexican national illegally living in Austin, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens within the United States and was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker on July 10, 2025.

    According to information presented in court, in 2022 and 2023, Hernandez-Hernandez conspired with others to transport illegal aliens from the Texas border to other locations throughout the United States. Hernandez-Hernandez provided instructions and directions to those who were transporting the illegal aliens, including some from Smith County.  Hernandez-Hernandez admitted to conspiring to smuggle at least 100 illegal aliens, including unaccompanied minors.                                                 

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

    This case was investigated by the FBI; Department of Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and Texas Department of Public Safety-Criminal Investigation Division.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Jackson.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Whole-of-Government, Whole-of-Society Approach Critical to Addressing Gender Equality, Executive Director Tells High-level Political Forum

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Nearly a decade since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 dedicated to achieving gender equality and empowerment of women and girls “remains the most off-track”, speakers told a United Nations high-level political forum today, calling for reinforced measures to accelerate progress against a tide of backsliding rights and opportunities.

    The first of two daily panels addressed “SDG 5 and interlinkages with other SDGs — Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”, with Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), warning that at the current pace, true gender equality in economic life, leadership and safety will remain generations away.  “That is unacceptable,” she stressed.

    With the growing erosion of rights, she called for a “push forward against the pushback” with investment in women and youth-led organizations and tackling misogyny head-on, be it online or off. Further, societies must invest in robust gender data systems that track real impact, ensure follow-up and address intersecting inequalities.  “What gets measured, gets done,” she stated.

    Offering concrete proposals, she urged stakeholders to work with Governments to advance nationally-owned development priorities.  A whole-of-Government, whole-of-society approach is needed, as gender equality cannot be the remit of one ministry or one actor.  Investment in care systems is critical, as unpaid care limits women’s full participation in economic and public life.  Further, the UN80 initiative — a unique opportunity to make the UN more effective, efficient and impactful for women and girls — can help propel gender equality forward, ensuring enhanced regional and cross-regional coordination and increasing efficiency.

    “A girl born today would see gender equality achieved in her ninety-seventh year” warned Albert Motivans, Head of Data and Insights at Equal Measures 2030 — a coalition of civil society organizations.  The backslide is being driven by numerous factors including a resource crunch, with less international financing, domestic austerity measures and declining household incomes.  He further highlighted a “democracy crunch”, as gender equality is closely linked with democracy, while its foundations worldwide are at risk due to rising economic inequality, social and political polarization, and the closing of civic space. Additionally, the “safety and security crunch” of rising conflict and militarization impacts women and girls in their choices and their personal safety.

    He called for elevating women’s and girls’ leadership, power and voices — noting the progress in parliamentary participation at 27 per cent.  Further, it is important to reform and adopt equality laws and policies to engage Governments and the wider public, and close gender-sensitive data gaps, with increased investment in public services and social infrastructure, including care.

    Further, “there is unequal access to education for women all over the world”, said Zara Khanna, Youth Ambassador for She Loves Tech, citing artificial intelligence (AI)-powered learning programmes as a “key tool to aid us in bridging the divide”.  They can approach students on an individual level, offering personalized feedback, which is especially important for those who face cultural and other barriers to gaining an education.  She spotlighted Khan Academy — a free AI-powered personalized tutor that offers a range of subjects, from English to math, or Rori, which was piloted in Ghana and is available on all mobile devices, as it operates via WhatsApp.  This is especially important, given that mobile penetration is extremely high; while 129 million girls lack access to education, 4.9 billion people worldwide have access to smartphones.

    Outlining solutions, she underscored the need to accelerate connectivity by distributing more Internet hotspots.  One single hotspot can power a village, and hundreds of girls can gain access to the wealth of knowledge available online. Additionally, more devices, such as smartphones and tablets, shall be distributed, so girls can access this knowledge.  She underscored that Governments must invest in creating culture and language-specific AI-powered programmes to cater to the job markets that these girls will be entering. Through early science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) intervention, mentorship programmes and more gender-neutral language, “we can all move together to reach SDG 5 by 2030” and “a more gender-neutral future”.

    Echoing those comments, Ms. Bahous cited the launch of the Beijing+30 Action Agenda, focused on six critical areas:  digital inclusion, freedom from poverty, zero violence, leadership, peace and security, and climate justice.  Cutting across these areas is engagement with young women and youth.  “These are not distant goals,” she stated.  “They are urgent demands from women and girls around the world”.

    Mr. Motivans also emphasized the importance of reinforcing the use of national and global gender data like those in the Equal Measures SDG Gender Index.  “But it’s not just to measure, it’s not just to count”, he said, noting the importance of evaluating not only the status of women and girls, but their impact on societies.  Data can identify blocks to progress and gaps in various Goals, unpaid care and reproductive rights.

    Recalling progress in countries implementing anti-discrimination laws, he noted that “Governments do that well” — but the next step requires ensuring that “equal opportunities for women and men” are met, as this is where countries may fall short.  He called for mobilizing a society-wide range of partners, developing value propositions to engage those working on the ground with expert knowledge of the issues faced by women and girls.

    […]

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Foreign Minister Meets with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    TIANJIN, July 16 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu in north China’s Tianjin Municipality on Tuesday.

    Wang Yi, also a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, said that under the leadership of the two heads of state, Chinese-Kazakh relations are experiencing the best period in their history.

    The head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized that China has always given Kazakhstan an important place in its diplomacy with neighboring countries and hopes to firmly support each other, strengthen political mutual trust and create more new bright points of cooperation together with the Kazakh side.

    Noting that Kazakhstan is a founding member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Wang Yi indicated that China is ready to work with Kazakhstan and other SCO member countries to successfully hold the organization’s summit in Tianjin.

    M. Nurtleu, for his part, emphasized that Kazakhstan fully supports all cooperation initiatives put forward by China and is ready to make a positive contribution to the holding of the Tianjin SCO summit.

    According to him, Kazakhstan is ready to work with China to implement the consensus reached by the heads of the two states, prepare for high-level exchanges, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in such areas as economics, trade, investment, energy, railways and the construction of industrial parks, strengthen cultural and humanitarian exchanges and promote the continuous progress of bilateral relations. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform initiative steps up experience-sharing, reviews subsidy impacts

    Source: WTO

    Headline: Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform initiative steps up experience-sharing, reviews subsidy impacts

    Ambassador Clare Kelly of New Zealand, coordinator of the FFSR initiative, summarized the progress made on the three key pillars of the initiative’s work in 2025. Noting the strong interest in experience-sharing under the third pillar — “identifying and addressing harmful fossil fuel subsidies” — she encouraged participating members to continue exchanging ideas and to draw lessons from others’ reforms and complementary strategies to address social and developmental challenges.
    As part of the dedicated discussion on fossil fuel reforms, the Philippines shared its experiences on energy market and fossil fuel subsidy reform, including in support of the transition to sustainable energy solutions, while aligning with development priorities. The World Bank presented two new databases that enable users to track changes in retail fuel prices and related subsidy policies across countries in a timely manner. These tools are designed to support global efforts to address challenges associated with fuel pricing and subsidies, particularly in the context of volatile market conditions.
    In further discussions under the third pillar, co-sponsors examined the trade and environmental impacts of fossil fuel subsidies passed through to emissions-intensive industries. The International Energy Agency (IEA) presented its latest energy investment report, which indicated that fossil fuel subsidy support to industry had remained constant, despite a significant global shift towards increased clean energy investment.
    The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shared key findings from a recent study on the implications of government support for aluminium smelting and steelmaking. The study concludes that reforming such support offers a cost-effective way to reduce emissions while freeing public resources for more sustainable uses. The WTO Secretariat also presented a 2024 working paper on the trade effects of carbon pricing policies, which contains analysis of the potential impacts of different carbon pricing policies, including removal of fossil fuel subsidies, on comparative advantage in carbon-intensive industries.
    Co-sponsors thanked members and stakeholders for the valuable insights shared, which underscored the importance of strengthening fossil fuel subsidy reform through collective efforts. They emphasized the persistent scale and impact of fossil fuel subsidies, even amid increasing investment in clean energy. The empirical evidence presented confirmed that such subsidies distort comparative advantages and global trade, reinforcing the relevance of the FFSR initiative’s focus on subsidy reform. Co-sponsors also proposed ways to improve the understanding and classification of different types of fossil fuel subsidies.
    Under the first pillar — “Enhanced transparency” — several co-sponsors, including Colombia, Norway and Switzerland, provided updates on their respective efforts to compile information on fossil fuel subsidies and related reforms as part of their recent or upcoming Trade Policy Reviews. The WTO Secretariat presented data from members’ questions and answers related to fossil fuel subsidies and their reform, based on 18 Trade Policy Reviews conducted in 2024 and 2025. The findings reflect increased transparency on the topic, in part as a result of the non-exhaustive list of sample questions to be asked at TPRs adopted by the FFSR initiative co-sponsors at MC13.
    Under the second pillar — “Crisis support measures” — the coordinator highlighted ongoing efforts to compile information on temporary fossil fuel support measures introduced during the 2022–2023 energy crisis, with the aim of developing a practical set of guidelines to help members design any future such measures effectively. Co-sponsors reaffirmed the usefulness of the work on planned guidelines to help ensure that such measures remain targeted, transparent and temporary.
    In conclusion, Ambassador Kelly noted that the next FFSR meeting, scheduled for 2 October 2025, will continue to promote experience-sharing and maintain a focus on the three core pillars of the work programme.
    The FFSR initiative seeks to achieve the rationalization, phasing-out or elimination of harmful fossil fuel subsidies through the use of existing mechanisms or the development of new pathways to reform. It encourages WTO members to share information and experiences to advance discussions at the WTO. More information about the FFSR initiative is available here.

    Share

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: One Survey by NASA’s Roman Could Unveil 100,000 Cosmic Explosions

    Source: NASA

    Scientists predict one of the major surveys by NASA’s upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope may reveal around 100,000 celestial blasts, ranging from exploding stars to feeding black holes. Roman may even find evidence of some of the universe’s first stars, which are thought to completely self-destruct without leaving any remnant behind.

    Cosmic explosions offer clues to some of the biggest mysteries of the universe. One is the nature of dark energy, the mysterious pressure thought to be accelerating the universe’s expansion.
    “Whether you want to explore dark energy, dying stars, galactic powerhouses, or probably even entirely new things we’ve never seen before, this survey will be a gold mine,” said Benjamin Rose, an assistant professor at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, who led a study about the results. The paper is published in The Astrophysical Journal.
    Called the High-Latitude Time-Domain Survey, this observation program will scan the same large region of the cosmos every five days for two years. Scientists will stitch these observations together to create movies that uncover all sorts of cosmic fireworks.
    Chief among them are exploding stars. The survey is largely geared toward finding a special class of supernova called type Ia. These stellar cataclysms allow scientists to measure cosmic distances and trace the universe’s expansion because they peak at about the same intrinsic brightness. Figuring out how fast the universe has ballooned during different cosmic epochs offers clues to dark energy.

    In the new study, scientists simulated Roman’s entire High-Latitude Time-Domain Survey. The results suggest Roman could see around 27,000 type Ia supernovae—about 10 times more than all previous surveys combined.
    Beyond dramatically increasing our total sample of these supernovae, Roman will push the boundaries of how far back in time we can see them. While most of those detected so far occurred within approximately the last 8 billion years, Roman is expected to see vast numbers of them earlier in the universe’s history, including more than a thousand that exploded more than 10 billion years ago and potentially dozens from as far back as 11.5 billion years. That means Roman will almost certainly set a new record for the farthest type Ia supernova while profoundly expanding our view of the early universe and filling in a critical gap in our understanding of how the cosmos has evolved over time.
    “Filling these data gaps could also fill in gaps in our understanding of dark energy,” Rose said. “Evidence is mounting that dark energy has changed over time, and Roman will help us understand that change by exploring cosmic history in ways other telescopes can’t.”
    But type Ia supernovae will be hidden among a much bigger sample of exploding stars Roman will see once it begins science operations in 2027. The team estimates Roman will also spot about 60,000 core-collapse supernovae, which occur when a massive star runs out of fuel and collapses under its own weight.
    That’s different from type Ia supernovae, which originate from binary star systems that contain at least one white dwarf — the small, hot core remnant of a Sun-like star — siphoning material from a companion star. Core-collapse supernovae aren’t as useful for dark energy studies as type Ias are, but their signals look similar from halfway across the cosmos.
    “By seeing the way an object’s light changes over time and splitting it into spectra — individual colors with patterns that reveal information about the object that emitted the light—we can distinguish between all the different types of flashes Roman will see,” said Rebekah Hounsell, an assistant research scientist at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County working at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland and a co-author of the study.
    “With the dataset we’ve created, scientists can train machine-learning algorithms to distinguish between different types of objects and sift through Roman’s downpour of data to find them,” Hounsell added. “While searching for type Ia supernovae, Roman is going to collect a lot of cosmic ‘bycatch’—other phenomena that aren’t useful to some scientists, but will be invaluable to others.”
    Hidden Gems
    Thanks to Roman’s large, deep view of space, scientists say the survey should also unearth extremely rare and elusive phenomena, including even scarcer stellar explosions and disintegrating stars.
    Upon close approach to a black hole, intense gravity can shred a star in a so-called tidal disruption event. The stellar crumbs heat up as they swirl around the black hole, creating a glow astronomers can see from across vast stretches of space-time. Scientists think Roman’s survey will unveil 40 tidal disruption events, offering a chance to learn more about black hole physics.
    The team also estimates Roman will find about 90 superluminous supernovae, which can be 100 times brighter than a typical supernova. They pack a punch, but scientists aren’t completely sure why. Finding more of them will help astronomers weigh different theories.
    Even rarer and more powerful, Roman could also detect several kilonovae. These blasts occur when two neutron stars — extremely dense cores leftover from stars that exploded as supernovae — collide. To date, there has been only one definitive kilonova detection. The team estimates Roman could spot five more.

    That would help astronomers learn much more about these mysterious events, potentially including their fate. As of now, scientists are unsure whether kilonovae result in a single neutron star, a black hole, or something else entirely.
    Roman may even spot the detonations of some of the first stars that formed in the universe. These nuclear furnaces were giants, up to hundreds of times more massive than our Sun, and unsullied by heavy elements that hadn’t yet formed.
    They were so massive that scientists think they exploded differently than modern massive stars do. Instead of reaching the point where a heavy star today would collapse, intense gamma rays inside the first stars may have turned into matter-antimatter pairs (electrons and positrons). That would drain the pressure holding the stars up until they collapsed, self-destructing in explosions so powerful they’re thought to leave nothing behind.
    So far, astronomers have found about half a dozen candidates of these “pair-instability” supernovae, but none have been confirmed.
    “I think Roman will make the first confirmed detection of a pair-instability supernova,” Rose said — in fact the study suggests Roman will find more than 10. “They’re incredibly far away and very rare, so you need a telescope that can survey a lot of the sky at a deep exposure level in near-infrared light, and that’s Roman.”
    A future rendition of the simulation could include even more types of cosmic flashes, such as variable stars and active galaxies. Other telescopes may follow up on the rare phenomena and objects Roman discovers to view them in different wavelengths of light to study them in more detail.
    “Roman’s going to find a whole bunch of weird and wonderful things out in space, including some we haven’t even thought of yet,” Hounsell said. “We’re definitely expecting the unexpected.”
    For more information about the Roman Space Telescope visit www.nasa.gov/roman.
    The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is managed at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, with participation by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California; Caltech/IPAC in Pasadena, California; the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore; and a science team comprising scientists from various research institutions. The primary industrial partners are BAE Systems Inc. in Boulder, Colorado; L3Harris Technologies in Rochester, New York; and Teledyne Scientific & Imaging in Thousand Oaks, California.
    By Ashley BalzerNASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: DG thanks 2024 Young Trade Leaders, group issues report on youth attitudes to trade

    Source: WTO

    Headline: DG thanks 2024 Young Trade Leaders, group issues report on youth attitudes to trade

    The Young Trade Leaders Programme was launched in 2024 to bring young people closer to the work of the WTO. Over the past year, the group have developed their trade expertise, organized a range of activities in their home countries on key trade issues, and highlighted emerging trade priorities for young people.
    Recognizing their input, the Director-General urged the outgoing cohort to continue their important engagement at all levels as they further their careers. She also encouraged the group to share their expertise with the new cohort and help build a global network of enthusiastic young trade leaders.
    The Global Youth Consultations Report on Trade issued by the group presents the outcomes of a series of regional consultations led by the 2024 WTO Young Trade Leaders, with over 100 young people across six continents articulating their priorities, insights and recommendations for international trade policy.
    Despite the varied geographical and socio-economic background of the participants in the consultations, a common narrative emerged in the report: trade can be a tool to address the world’s evolving challenges.
    Read the report here.
    About the Young Trade Leaders programme
    The Young Trade Leaders Programme aims to foster a better understanding of the WTO’s work and international trade among young people.  
    More information on the programme is available here.

    Share

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Spain: Indra Group to step up research and development of defence and space technologies with €385 million in EIB financing

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • Credit marks EIB’s largest financing operation in Spain to strengthen EU security and defence capabilities.
    • Financing to enable Indra to build a technological research and development centre, Indra Technology Hub, and push ahead in radar, electronic defence and other technologies.
    • Agreement supports technological innovation in Europe and is part of the EIB Group’s efforts to strengthen European security and defence capabilities, one of its cross-cutting priorities. It also contributes to the TechEU initiative.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €385 million financing agreement with Spanish technology company Indra Group to boost research, development and innovation of cutting-edge technologies for the defence and space sector. This is the largest EIB’s financing agreement in Spain to date to strengthen the European Union security and defence capabilities.

    The loan is aimed at spurring cutting-edge technologies in areas such as radar, electronic defence, electro-optics, command and control communications and advanced digitalisation. The EIB support will enable Indra to build an integrated technology centre in Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid region. The planned Indra Technology Hub will be equipped with laboratories and advanced manufacturing technologies to serve the defence and space sector.

    The financing agreement was signed today at the EIB headquarters in Luxembourg. EIB President Nadia Calviño and Vice-President Robert de Groot attended the event along with Indra Chaiman Angel Escribano.

    “Today we are signing a strategic agreement with Indra to boost research and development of cutting-edge technologies. In the current geopolitical context, it is more important than ever to strengthen Europe’s security capabilities, with a pan-European approach and strategic projects. Investing in innovation and technology is investing in security, and the EIB’s support is key to enabling companies to develop projects that contribute to the security of all Europeans,” said Nadia Calviño, President of the EIB Group.

    “This agreement is about turning new ideas into real capabilities across Europe’s defence and space ecosystem,” said EIB Vice-President de Groot. “Space in particular has a critical role in Europe’s security and defence. By backing Indra’s innovation and supporting the creation of its Technology Hub, we are helping Europe stay ahead of the curve in technology, in resilience and in its ability to act with greater autonomy in a fast-changing world.”

    The project will boost the competitiveness of European industry and strengthen the resilience of the EU aerospace, security and defence supply chain. It supports the EIB’s  goal of strengthening European security and defence capabilities as well as the priorities included in its Strategic Roadmap to strengthen the European security and defence industry and accelerate digitalisation and technological innovation. It also contributes to the EIB’s TechEU initiative.

    “The EIB’s financing will boost our industrial and technological development supporting our ’Leading the Future’ strategic plan and our vision of becoming a key player in Europe’s security, defence and aerospace sectors,” said Indra Chairman Ángel Escribano. “The support of this public funding will enable Indra to accelerate the deployment of our industrial and innovation capabilities as well as strengthen our leadership in the security and defence field amidst the new European sovereignty environment.”

    EIB Group support for European security and defence

    Since 2024, the EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), has significantly stepped up its support for European security and defence. This line of activities is now a permanent cross-cutting public policy goal for the Group and one of its eight strategic priorities for 2024-2027.

    The Group has updated its lending policy, broadening the eligibility criteria and the range of security and defence projects it can finance. It has also set up a Security and Defence Office to ensure a rapid and effective response to project proposals.

    The EIB Group aims to allocate 3.5% – or about €3.5 billion  – of its total planned financing for 2025 to security and defence projects.

    As a result of ongoing fruitful dialogue with industry, financial intermediaries, defence ministries and key institutions such as the European Commission, the European Defence Agency and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Group currently has a solid pipeline of 80 projects contributing to Europe’s security and defence capabilities.

    For more information on EIB support for the European security and defence sector, click here.

    Background information

    EIB

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the capital markets union, and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world.

    The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.

    All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Agreement, as pledged in its Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.

    In Spain, the EIB Group signed €12.3 billion of new financing for more than 100 high-impact projects in 2024. In France, the EIB Group signed €12.6 billion of new financing for more than 100 high-impact projects in 2024. This financing is contributing to the green and digital transition of both countries, economic growth, competitiveness and improved services for residents.

    High-quality, up-to-date photos of the organisation’s headquarters for media use are available here.

    Indra Group

    Indra Group (www.indracompany.com) is a holding company that promotes technological progress, which includes Indra, a leading global defence, air traffic and space company; and Minsait, a leader in digital transformation and information technologies in Spain and Latin America. Indra Group drives a safer, more secure and connected future through innovative solutions, trusted relationships and the best talent. Sustainability is part of its strategy and culture, in order to respond to present and future social and environmental challenges. At year-end 2024, Indra Group had revenues of 4,843 million euros, local presence in 49 countries and commercial operations in more than 140 countries.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fourth NASA-Enabled Private Flight to Space Station Completes Safely

    Source: NASA

    The NASA-supported fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4, completed its flight as part of the agency’s efforts to demonstrate demand and build operational knowledge for future commercial space stations.
    The four-person crew safely returned to Earth, splashing down off the coast of California at 5:31 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Teams aboard SpaceX recovery vessels retrieved the spacecraft and astronauts. 
    Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, and ESA (European Space Agency) project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) astronaut Tibor Kapu of Hungary, completed about two and a half weeks in space.
    The Axiom Mission 4 crew launched at 2:31 a.m. on June 25, on a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Approximately 28 hours later, Dragon docked to the space-facing port of the space station’s Harmony module. The astronauts undocked at 7:15 a.m. on July 14, to begin the trip home.
    The crew conducted microgravity research, educational outreach, and commercial activities. The spacecraft will return to Florida for inspection and processing at SpaceX’s refurbishing facilities. Throughout their mission, the astronauts conducted about 60 science experiments, and returned science, including NASA cargo, back to Earth.
    A collaboration between NASA and ISRO allowed Axiom Mission 4 to deliver on a commitment highlighted by President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send the first ISRO astronaut to the station. The space agencies participated in five joint science investigations and two in-orbit science, technology, engineering, and mathematics demonstrations. NASA and ISRO have a long-standing relationship built on a shared vision to advance scientific knowledge and expand space collaboration.
    The private mission also carried the first astronauts from Poland and Hungary to stay aboard the space station.
    The International Space Station is a springboard for developing a low Earth orbit economy. NASA’s goal is to achieve a strong economy off the Earth where the agency can purchase services as one of many customers to meet its science and research objectives in microgravity. NASA’s commercial strategy for low Earth orbit provides the government with reliable and safe services at a lower cost, enabling the agency to focus on Artemis missions to the Moon in preparation for Mars while also continuing to use low Earth orbit as a training and proving ground for those deep space missions.
    Learn more about NASA’s commercial space strategy at:
    https://www.nasa.gov/commercial-space
    News Media Contacts:Claire O’Shea Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1100 claire.a.o’shea@nasa.gov
    Anna Schneider Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 anna.c.schneider@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN urges de-escalation, protection of civilians as conflict roils Syria

    Source: United Nations 2

    On Sunday, violence erupted between Sunni Bedouin tribal fighters and Druze militias in Sweida, two days after a Druze merchant was abducted on the highway to Damascus.

    The casualty figures are unclear according to local reports, but the death toll is at least 30, and hundreds have been injured.  

    As violent unrest continued Monday, interim government security forces were deployed to restore order, which reportedly led to clashes with local armed militia.

    On the same day, Israeli forces struck tanks under the control of Syrian forces in defence of the Druze, whom it considers a loyal minority at home and in the occupied Golan area, according to news reports.

    Shortly after forces of the caretaker government in Damascus arrived in Sweida on Tuesday, Syria’s defence chief announced a ceasefire.

    Tensions have historically been high between minority groups in the city since Islamist rebels toppled former president Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December and a new caretaker government was installed which is gaining increasing international recognition.

    Guterres expresses concern

    Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, addressed the situation in Syria on behalf of Secretary-General António Guterres at Tuesday’s briefing in New York.

    “The Secretary-General is deeply concerned over the continued violence we have seen in the Druze-majority area in Sweida governorate,” Mr. Dujarric said, adding that he is particularly alarmed by reports of arbitrary violence against civilians.

    Mr. Guterres condemned “all violence against civilians, especially acts that risk enflaming sectarian tensions,” and urged de-escalation, protection of civilians and a transparent investigation into those responsible for the killings and injuries.

    Israel urged to end violations within Syria

    “The Secretary-General is also concerned by Israel’s airstrikes on Syria’s territory and calls on Israel to refrain from violations of Syria’s independence, its sovereignty and its territorial integrity,” Mr. Dujarric stressed.  

    Mr. Guterres urged support for “a credible, orderly and inclusive political transition in Syria in line with the key principles of Security Council Resolution 2254.” 

    Mr. Dujarric also relayed reports from UN humanitarian partners in Sweida, noting that medical services are overstretched and that markets and essential services – including water, electricity and education – have been disrupted.

    While UN aid operations have been suspended in impacted areas due to blocked roads, the UN is mobilising to respond when conditions allow. 

    Investigators raise alarm

    Also on Tuesday, the UN Human Rights Council mandated Syria Commission of Inquiry released a statement expressing concern over the situation in Sweida and stressing the urgent need for de-escalation and the protection of human rights.

    The statement cited reports from local residents of killings, abductions, property burnings, looting and a rise in hate speech both online and in person.

    In addition to highlighting concern over sectarian violence and Israeli airstrikes, the Commission emphasized the interim government’s responsibility to uphold human rights and ensure safe passage and humanitarian aid access.

    The independent human rights investigators said they had begun an investigation into alleged human rights abuses related to the killings in Sweida in recent days.  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –