NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Tim Scott Introduces Legislation to Enhance Employer-Provided Healthcare Options

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott

    WASHINGTON — Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced the Employee Access to Worksite Health Services Act to improve healthcare accessibility and affordability for American workers. 

    The bill would address an existing provision in the Internal Revenue Code Section 223 that unintentionally disincentivizes employer-sponsored health clinics. Specifically, the bill ensures that employees who utilize services provided through worksite health clinics will not be deemed ineligible to contribute pretax dollars to their HSAs. Additionally, the bill broadens the scope of services offered through these clinics to ensure compliance and expand healthcare options for employees.

    “Empowering employers to provide accessible and comprehensive health services directly at the worksite is a win for workers and businesses alike,” said Senator Scott.“This legislation takes important steps to remove barriers that limit innovative healthcare solutions and supports healthier, more productive communities.”

    The proposed legislation is expected to have a transformative impact on health access, benefiting employees in numerous municipalities and companies across the manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, and food processing sectors. 

    “The Corporate Health Care Coalition (CHCC) supports the Employee Access to Worksite Health Clinics Act, which amends the tax code to encourage employees to access the care they need when they need it at worksite health clinics without added costs. CHCC member companies strive to provide innovative health care solutions for their employees, and worksite health clinics are one of many tools employers use to promote employee wellness by increasing access to preventive and primary care services at the worksite. Worksite health clinics are critical to ensuring a healthy workforce, and CHCC applauds Senator Tim Scott for introducing this important legislation to improve access to health care for millions of employees nationwide,” said Kate Hull, Executive Director, Corporate Health Care Coalition.

    “Employers recognize the immense value and cost savings of providing primary care to their employees. Many make this care as accessible as possible for their workforce through near- or on-site clinics that deliver affordable primary and preventive care that is responsive to employee needs. PBGH supports the reintroduction of legislation by Senator Scott that would parallel this commitment, allowing employees with HSAs to receive high-value primary care from these clinics,” said Elizabeth Mitchell, President and CEO, Purchaser Business Group on Health. 

    Full text of the bill can be found here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy announces $18.9 million in Hurricanes Laura, Ida, wildfire aid and generator funding for Louisiana

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $18,901,177 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana.

    “In the face of hurricanes and wildfires, Louisiana communities prove time and time again that they are the toughest and hardest working out there. This $18.9 million will help our state with the heavy costs of emergency response, mitigation efforts and crucial repairs and replacements,” said Kennedy. 

    The FEMA aid will fund the following:

    • $4,478,132 to the Office of Risk Management for the installation of five permanent generators.
    • $3,486,987 to the St. Nicholas Center for Children in Lake Charles, La. to replace its main building due to Hurricane Laura damage.
    • $3,436,062 to the city of Sulphur, La. to repair its wastewater treatment plant generator system and transfer switch due to Hurricane Laura damage.
    • $2,712,733 to the South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association to replace its Houma, La. office building due to severe Hurricane Ida damage. 
    • $1,323,641 to the South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association for the digitization of Hurricane Ida-damaged documents and additional costs.
    • $1,129,735 to the New Providence Baptist Church for repairs to its main building due to Hurricane Laura damage.
    • $1,068,910 to the Louisiana Department of Public Safety for fire suppression operations taken during the Tiger Island Fire.
    • $1,041,070 to the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport for repairs to its east terminal facilities, concourse B and its east terminal-adjacent rental car center due to Hurricane Ida damage. 
    • $223,907 to the Office of Risk Management for management costs associated with generator installation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister McGuinty concludes productive first visit to Europe for Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting and NATO Defence Ministers’ Meeting

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    June 6, 2025 – Brussels, Belgium – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

    The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, concluded a productive visit to Brussels, Belgium, where he participated in the 28th Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting and a meeting of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Defence Ministers. This visit marks Minister McGuinty’s first trip to Europe since he was appointed Minister of National Defence.

    During the UDCG meeting, the Minister announced that Canada is providing over $35 million in military assistance to Ukraine, including:

    • $30 million for Coyote and Bison armoured vehicles, accompanied by new equipment and ammunition supplied by Canadian companies.  This donation complements Canada’s previous donation of 64 Coyote armoured vehicles that arrived in Ukraine in December 2024.
    • $5 million for electronic warfare anti-jammer kits from Canada’s defence industry.

    This military assistance is from existing funds identified in Budget 2024 funding in support of the Canada-Ukraine Strategic Security Partnership

    Minister McGuinty also shared with partners updates on advanced pilot training for Ukrainian pilots underway in Canada. Canada has taken over leadership of the fighter-lead-in-training (FLIT) element of the UDCG Air Force Capability Coalition (AFCC). This $389 million investment over five years includes F-16 pilot training for Ukrainian personnel, critical airfield equipment, and other support to Ukrainian air bases and fleets—all provided by Canadian industry.

    On June 5, Minister McGuinty participated in a meeting of NATO Defence Ministers ahead of the NATO Leaders’ Summit in the Netherlands. This meeting reaffirmed Allies’ commitment to NATO and discussed common defence priorities, including strengthening the Alliance’s deterrence and defence efforts and supporting Ukraine. During the meeting, the Minister reinforced Canada’s commitment to accelerating defence spending and working with NATO Allies and international partners to meet shared security commitments.

    While in Brussels, Minister McGuinty met with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte. He also held a number of productive bilateral engagements with Ministers from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Latvia, and Ukraine, as well as representatives from the European Union. Minister McGuinty participated in a 3+3 dialogue with Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, and Finland. The Minister discussed with his counterparts how Canada can deepen its defence relations and work more closely on the Alliance’s deterrence and defence posture, and support Ukraine.

    During the NATO meeting, Canada signed an agreement to join the NATO Flight Training Europe initiative (NFTE) which is a network of campuses that offer pilot and aircrew training. Participation will allow the RCAF to leverage allied training capacity, providing opportunity to augment RCAF aircrew training when needed. Participation will also offer the opportunity for the RCAF to provide any excess training to allies. Canada’s participation will enhance allied training efforts increasing NATO’s deterrence.

    During this important moment for Euro-Atlantic security, Canada continues to work closely with NATO Allies and international partners. The coordination between Allies ensures the Alliance remains innovative, flexible, and adaptable in the face of current and future security threats.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Church & Dwight Co., Inc. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Zicam® Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, Zicam® Nasal AllClear Swabs, and Orajel™ Baby Teething Swabs Due to Microbial Contamination

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    June 06, 2025
    FDA Publish Date:
    June 06, 2025
    Product Type:
    Drugs
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description
    Microbial contamination

    Company Name:
    Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)
    Zicam® and Orajel™

    Product Description:

    Product Description
    Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, Nasal AllClear Swabs, Baby Teething Swabs

    Company Announcement
    Church & Dwight Co., Inc. is voluntarily recalling all lots within expiry of Zicam® Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, Zicam® Nasal AllClear Swabs, and Orajel™ Baby Teething Swabs to the consumer level. The products are being recalled due to potential microbial contamination identified as fungi in cotton swab components. Swabs found to contain microbial contamination can potentially present a significant risk to the health and safety of consumers including serious and life-threatening blood infections in users whose nasal mucosa may be compromised due to inflammation and mechanical injuries. The risk is highest (potentially severe or life-threatening) among children and individuals with compromised immune systems or other underlying medical conditions. To date, no serious adverse events associated with the affected product have been reported. 
    The recalled products were distributed nationwide in the United States and in Puerto Rico.
    Recalled Product Information

    Zicam® Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, with UPC 732216301205, all lots: A zinc-free, homeopathic cold remedy swab designed to shorten the duration of the common cold.
    Zicam® Nasal AllClear Swabs, with UPC 732216301656, all lots: A nasal cleansing swab product (discontinued in December 2024).
    Orajel™ Baby Teething Swabs, with UPC 310310400002, all lots: Pre-moistened swabs designed to soothe teething discomfort in infants and toddlers.

    What Consumers Should Do
    Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products should stop using the product immediately. Please visit www.churchdwightrecall.com or call its Consumer Relations team at (800) 981-4710 for a full refund. Any additional questions can also be directed to its Consumer Relations team Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm ET.
    Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax. 
    Complete and submit the report Online
    Regular Mail or Fax: Download form or call 1- 800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.
    This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
    This recall is limited exclusively to Zicam and Orajel swab products. All other Zicam and Orajel products, including Zicam RapidMelts, are not affected by this recall. 
    About Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Church & Dwight Co., Inc. is a leading manufacturer of consumer household and personal care products. For more information, visit www.churchdwight.com.
    Media Contact:Keith Walshkeith.walsh@edelman.com

    Company Contact Information

    Consumers:
    Consumer Relations Team
    (800) 981-4710

    Product Photos

    Content current as of:
    06/06/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Death following Bridgewater crash on 20 May

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Death following Bridgewater crash on 20 May

    Saturday, 7 June 2025 – 10:21 am.

    Sadly, police can confirm a 12-year-old girl has died following a crash on the East Derwent Highway at Bridgewater on 20 May.
    At the time of the crash, the girl was crossing the road when she was struck by a vehicle.
    An investigation into the crash is ongoing, and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.
    Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the crash.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Statement Condemning Trump Admin’s ICE Raids Across Los Angeles

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
    LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, issued the following statement after the Trump Administration’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a series of sudden immigration raids across Los Angeles, stoking fear and chaos throughout the region:
    “The ICE raids across Los Angeles today are a continuation of a disturbing pattern of extreme and cruel immigration enforcement operations across the country. These indiscriminate raids prove once again that the Trump administration cares about nothing but instilling harm and fear in our communities to drive immigrants into the shadows. It will not work. This fearmongering is not going to change the fact that immigrants are valued members of our communities who contribute to our society and economy, and my office will demand accountability for today’s actions.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Cuellar Statement on Bipartisan Push to Protect Job Corps

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
     Friday, June 6, 2025

    Fernanda Nunez-Cazares, District Press Secretary
    fernanda.nunez-cazares@mail.house.gov
    Cell: (619) 209-1834

    Matthew Landini, DC Press Secretary
    matt@mail.house.gov
    Cell: (216) 952-8227

    Rep. Cuellar Statement on Bipartisan Push to Protect Job Corps
     Strongly Opposes Disruption to Laredo Center

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), joined with House colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter urging the U.S. Department of Labor to reverse its decision to pause operations at contract-operated Job Corps Centers, including the nationally recognized Laredo Job Corps Center.

    “I joined with my Democrat and Republican colleagues in sending a strong, bipartisan message to the Department of Labor: Congress created the Job Corps program, Congress funds it, and Congress must be involved in any decision about its future,” said Congressman Cuellar. “This is not a decision for the Department to make unilaterally.”

    Despite Congress appropriating nearly $1.8 billion for Job Corps in FY2024, and continuing that funding through FY2025, the Department of Labor recently announced a phased pause in operations at contract-operated centers, effective June 30, 2025. This action would displace nearly 20,000 young people across the country who rely on Job Corps for housing, high school completion, workforce credentials, and pathways into higher education, apprenticeships, and military service.

    In Laredo, the impact would be immediate and severe. Nearly 200 students would be sent home at the beginning of the summer, cutting them off from vital support systems and career training programs. The Laredo Job Corps Center serves approximately 220 students on an 18-acre campus near the Rio Grande and employs nearly 200 staff. The center is a cornerstone of opportunity in the region, offering comprehensive training, dormitory housing, a full-service cafeteria, counseling, medical care, and access to community college classes.

    “Job Corps provides career training in high-demand fields like skilled trades, health care, protective services, and accounting,” Rep. Cuellar continued. “For many young people in our community, this program is the bridge to a better future. Cutting them off at the start of summer, right when they need stability and support the most, is plain wrong.

    “Apprenticeships are important, but they are not a substitute for what Job Corps already delivers. Rather than eliminate Job Corps, we should strengthen it with better oversight and the resources it needs to thrive. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I’m committed to fighting for this life-changing program and the young people it serves.”

    To read the full letter, click HERE.

    ###

    PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA
     Viernes, 6 de Junio de 2025

    Fernanda Nunez-Cazares, Secretaria de Prensa del Distrito
    fernanda.nunez-cazares@mail.house.gov
    Cell: (619) 209-1834

    Matthew Landini, Secretario de Prensa de DC
    matt@mail.house.gov
    Cell: (216) 952-8227

    Declaración del Representante Cuellar sobre el esfuerzo bipartidista para proteger a Job Corps
     Se opone firmemente a la interrupción del Centro de Laredo

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hoy, el congresista Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), se unió a sus colegas de la Cámara de Representantes para enviar una carta bipartidista urgiendo al Departamento de Trabajo de los Estados Unidos a revertir su decisión de detener las operaciones en los Centros Job Corps operados por contrato, incluyendo el nacionalmente reconocido Centro Job Corps de Laredo.

    “Me uní con mis colegas demócratas y republicanos para enviar un mensaje fuerte y bipartidista al Departamento de Trabajo: El Congreso creó el programa Job Corps, el Congreso lo financia, y el Congreso debe participar en cualquier decisión sobre su futuro,” dijo el Congresista Cuellar. “Esta no es una decisión que el Departamento deba tomar unilateralmente.”

    Aunque el Congreso asignó casi 1.800 millones de dólares para Job Corps en el año fiscal 2024, y continuó esa financiación hasta el año fiscal 2025, el Departamento de Trabajo anunció recientemente una pausa gradual en las operaciones de los centros operados por contrato, a partir del 30 de junio de 2025. Esta medida desplazaría a casi 20.000 jóvenes de todo el país que dependen de Job Corps para obtener vivienda, terminar la escuela secundaria, obtener credenciales laborales y acceder a la educación superior, el aprendizaje y el servicio militar.

    En Laredo, el impacto sería inmediato y grave. Casi 200 estudiantes serían enviados a casa al principio del verano, lo que les impediría acceder a sistemas de apoyo vitales y a programas de formación profesional. El Centro Job Corps de Laredo atiende a unos 220 estudiantes en un campus de 18 acres cerca del Río Grande y emplea a casi 200 trabajadores. El centro es una piedra angular de las oportunidades en la región, ya que ofrece formación integral, alojamiento en dormitorios, una cafetería con todos los servicios, asesoramiento, atención médica y acceso a clases en colegios comunitarios.

    “Job Corps ofrece formación profesional en campos de gran demanda como los oficios cualificados, la atención sanitaria, los servicios de protección y la contabilidad,” continuó el Congresista Cuéllar. “Para muchos jóvenes de nuestra comunidad, este programa es el puente para un futuro mejor. Cortarlos al comienzo del verano, justo cuando más necesitan estabilidad y apoyo, es un error.

    “Los programas de aprendizaje son importantes, pero no sustituyen a lo que ya ofrece Job Corps. En lugar de eliminar Job Corps, deberíamos fortalecerlo con una mejor supervisión y los recursos que necesita para prosperar. Como miembro del Comité de Apropiaciones, me comprometo a luchar por este programa que cambia vidas y por los jóvenes a los que sirve.”

    Para leer la carta completa, haga clic AQUÍ.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Solomon Islands – East Makira Constituency delivers livelihood assistance to empower rural communities

    Source: Solomon Islands Government

    The East Makira Constituency (EMC) office has successfully delivered the remaining Constituency Development Fund (CDF)-funded livelihood assistance and projects to recipients across EMC.

    This initiative underscores the government’s ongoing commitment to uplifting rural communities and fostering sustainable development, especially in EMC under the leadership of the Member of Parliament and Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Honourable Franklyn Derek Wasi.

    From May 21st to 25th, 2025, EMC Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Mr. Timan Tauni facilitated the distribution of these vital projects to beneficiaries in their respective communities.

    The assistance is part of a larger $3.7 million livelihood support program delivered to communities and churches in East Makira Constituency earlier this year.

    Key highlights of the livelihood assistance include:

    Solar Energy for Vulnerable Groups:

    A total of 227 solar sets were distributed, with 114 sets allocated to Ward 12 and 113 sets to Ward 17.

    Priority was given to older adults, widows, and people living with disabilities, ensuring they have access to reliable lighting.

    “Solar lights are transformative for rural communities. They enhance safety, improve health, and enable economic activities after dark, all while being environmentally sustainable,” Mr. Tauni explained.

    Boosting Fisheries and Transportation:

    Four fishing boats equipped with outboard motor engines (OBMs) were provided to support local fisheries.

    A transportation project and a fuel depot project were also delivered to address logistical challenges in the region.

    Edward Kwasi, a fishery project recipient from Santa Catalina Island, shared, “This OBM will help my family expand our fishing business, meet school fees, and improve our livelihoods. Fishing is our way of life, and this support is a dream come true.”

    Fuel Depot for Reliable Energy Access:

    Mr. Chris Wago, a fuel depot recipient from Natorara Village (Ward 17), emphasised the project’s importance: “Fuel shortages have long hindered our fishermen. This depot will ensure a steady supply, support local businesses, and help families like mine thrive.”

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEW DATA: Over 300,000 Washingtonians Would Lose Health Coverage If Trump’s Budget Bill Passes

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    06.06.25

    NEW DATA: Over 300,000 Washingtonians Would Lose Health Coverage If Trump’s Budget Bill Passes

    Central and Eastern WA hit the hardest; The U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Big, Beautiful” bill 215-214 in May; legislation now being considered in the Senate

    EDMONDS, WA – Data released by the Joint Economic Committee minority staff breaks down, by state and congressional district, how many Americans would lose health care coverage losses due to President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ proposed cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, announced today.

    In total, 16 million Americans – including 306,312 Washingtonians –  will lose the health care coverage they need to get regular check-ups, behavioral health care, family planning services, long-term care, urgent care, and more if the Republican bill passes the U.S. Senate and is signed into law.

    Congressional District

    Est. # of People Losing Affordable Care Act Coverage

    Est. # of People Losing Medicaid Coverage

    Est. Total # of People Losing Health Coverage

    WA-01

    11,500

    11,638

    23,138

    WA-02

    13,500

    20,155

    33,655

    WA-03

    10,000

    21,654

    31,654

    WA-04

    8,400

    31,693

    40,093

    WA-05

    11,500

    24,934

    36,434

    WA-06

    10,000

    20,288

    30,288

    WA-07

    13,500

    10,458

    23,958

    WA-08

    10,000

    13,572

    23,572

    WA-09

    11,500

    22,069

    33,569

    WA-10

    8,400

    21,589

    29,989

    According to the analysis, Washington’s Fifth Congressional District, covering Eastern Washington, would see the most people lose health insurance under the Republican plan of any district in the state. More than 40,000 Eastern Washingtonians in the Fifth District alone won’t be able to get affordable health care if the Republican plan passes.

    Washington’s Fourth Congressional District, covering most of Central Washington, would see the second-most people lose health insurance under the Republican plan of any district in the state. More than 35,000 Eastern Washingtonians in the Fourth District alone won’t be able to get affordable health care if the Republican plan passes.

    People without health insurance tend to wait until their health problem is an emergency before seeking care in local hospitals. This leads to more crowded emergency rooms for everyone.

    And hospitals must factor the uncompensated cost of additional uninsured patients into already strained finances – finances which are especially strained at rural hospitals like those in the Fourth and Fifth Districts.

    The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) published its updated analysis, available here, after House Republicans passed their budget reconciliation bill with over $700 billion in cuts and significant changes to Medicaid. The Committee fact sheet, available here, provides updated estimates for all 50 states and D.C. of the estimated number of people losing their health insurance. The Committee data broken down by Congressional District is available here. Totals by congressional district and by state are slightly different due to rounding.

    Medicaid, known as Apple Health in Washington state, covers over 1.9 million Washingtonians. Sen. Cantwell has held events across the state to hear about the impact of the proposed cuts on Washingtonians and released three reports detailing the cuts’ significant negative impacts.  On May 2, Sen. Cantwell released a snapshot report highlighting the impact that Medicaid cuts would have on Washington state’s highly-ranked long-term care system for seniors and people with disabilities. In February, she released a snapshot report that demonstrated how cuts would harm health care access in Washington state, and she followed up with a report in March that dove into impacts on the Puget Sound region.

    Highlights of those snapshot reports include:

    • In Washington state, WA-04 (Central Washington) and WA-05 (Eastern Washington) have the highest proportions of adults and total population on Medicaid (Apple Health). In District 4, 70% of children are on Medicaid.
    • In the Puget Sound region, children in Seattle’s blue-collar strongholds would feel the deepest pain from Medicaid cuts. More than half of children in Burien, SeaTac, Kent, Federal Way, Auburn, Renton, and Rainier Valley depend on Medicaid.
    • In an exclusive survey of 68 WA nursing homes, 67 of 68 would cut services if Medicaid were cut by 5% or more, and 65% would consider closing.

    Sen. Cantwell also toured the state to hear from folks who would be directly impacted by cuts to Medicare. Doctors, patients, and health care providers in Seattle, Spokane, the Tri-Cities, and Wenatchee warned that such cuts would devastate Washington state’s health care system and limit access to lifesaving care.

    On May 21, Sen. Cantwell joined Washington state health care professionals for a virtual press conference to highlight statewide alarm and opposition to proposed Medicaid cuts. That same day, 23 Republican members of the Washington state legislature sent a letter to the entire Washington state federal Congressional delegation, urging the delegation to “protect Medicaid funding for Washington State.”

    A full timeline of Sen. Cantwell’s actions to defend Medicaid from cuts is HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Californians pay Trump’s bills

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jun 6, 2025

    In case you missed it, California is the biggest “donor state” in the country — providing around $83 billion more to the federal government than it receives from the federal government — nearly three times as much as the next biggest “donor state.”

    As a recent Bloomberg column stated: “It should go without saying California is critical to US economic dominance globally, accounting for more than 14% of US’s $28 trillion of GDP as measured by the World Bank and more than 50% greater than the next largest state by the size of its economy — Texas.”

    Early this year, Paul Krugman, the 2008 Nobel Laureate in economics, wrote that California is “an economic and technological powerhouse” that “is literally subsidizing the rest of the United States, red states in particular, through the federal budget.” Without California, “America would be a lot poorer and weaker than it is.”

    And according to most recent data (2022), California contributes nearly $700 billion to the federal government. Simply put, as California goes — so goes the country.

    Key economic data

    California is the world’s 4th largest economy, with an increasing state population — multiple years in a row — and recent record-high tourism spending. And for the second year in a row, leads the nation in Fortune 500 company headquarters.

    California is number 1 in the nation for new business starts, access to venture capital funding, manufacturing, high-tech, and agriculture.

    • California is the leading agricultural producer in the country and is also the center for manufacturing output in the United States, with over 36,000 manufacturing firms employing over 1.1 million Californians. 

    • The Golden State’s manufacturing firms have created new industries and supplied the world with manufactured goods spanning aerospace, computers and electronics, and, most recently, zero-emission vehicles.

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    Jun 6, 2025

    News LOS ANGELES – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued the following statement in response to widespread immigration raids by federal agents: Continued chaotic federal sweeps, across California, to meet an arbitrary arrest quota are as reckless as they are cruel. …

    Jun 6, 2025

    News Reduce the Risk campaign educates people about the 9 protection orders available What you need to know: Governor Newsom announced a comprehensive campaign to engage youth and community leaders on the available protection orders to keep Californians safer from gun…

    Jun 5, 2025

    News What you need to know: Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the Golden State Literacy Plan — a step-by-step strategy to improve student reading achievement across California, building on existing efforts and proposing bold new investments. The Golden State…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jury Finds Man Guilty of Viciously Assaulting a Man Inside His Home

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    WASHINGTON – Jaime Robles-Vasquez, 33, of Riverdale, MD was found guilty today by a Superior Court jury for assaulting a man in his home in October 2019, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

    Robles-Vasquez was found guilty of aggravated assault while armed and related charges, following a five-day trial. Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld scheduled sentencing for August 22, 2025.

    According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 1:30 a.m., on October 9, 2019, Robles-Vasquez went to the victim’s home in the 600 block of 4th Place, SW, grabbed a shovel from outside, and proceeded to smash the double pane glass door of the victim’s home. Once inside of the victim’s home, the defendant repeatedly struck the victim on his head and body with the shovel and bit the victim’s thumb. This interaction was all captured on a 911 call the victim made when he first saw the defendant in his backyard in the middle of the night. As a result of being struck on the head with a shovel, the victim sustained multiple injuries, including bleeding in his brain, which required emergency surgery to evacuate the blood. The victim’s wife was also home during this incident, and upon hearing the glass door of her home breaking, she locked herself in the bathroom and called 911.

    This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department.

    It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Katerina Qesari and Negar Kordestani.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rapid City Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Leading a Methamphetamine Conspiracy within the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and Rapid City Area

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RAPID CITY – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

    Guillermo Calderon, a/k/a “Memo,” age 38, was sentenced on June 6, 2025, to 25 years in federal prison, five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

    “Methamphetamine is ravaging communities throughout South Dakota, leaving a trail of heartbreaking addiction in its path,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “Calderon played a significant role in perpetuating this problem by trafficking methamphetamine into Rapid City and within the Pine Ridge Reservation. Thanks to our skilled federal and tribal law enforcement partners, Calderon will now spend serious time in federal prison.”

    “Calderon led a dangerous operation that funneled large amounts of methamphetamine into Pine Ridge and Rapid City, bringing violence and addiction into vulnerable communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “Today’s sentencing reaffirms that those who bring cartel-linked drugs into our communities will be brought to justice. The FBI will continue to work with our federal, state, local, and tribal partners to disrupt drug trafficking networks and protect our communities from the devastating impact of cartel-sourced narcotics.”

    Calderon was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2024, and pleaded guilty on March 26, 2025. The investigation showed that Calderon and others distributed significant amounts of methamphetamine in Pine Ridge and Rapid City. Calderon was the leader of the conspiracy, trafficking significant amounts of methamphetamine into the community from Mexican cartel operatives. Calderon utilized firearms and threats of violence throughout his drug distribution scheme. In January 2024, Iowa law enforcement arrested Calderon while he was driving approximately 20 pounds of methamphetamine to South Dakota. 

    In sentencing Calderon, Judge Schreier denounced how Calderon’s actions severely damaged the South Dakota community, and found he was the most culpable and violent member of the drug conspiracy. Judge Schreier also noted the drugs Calderon distributed constituted 100% pure methamphetamine and came from a Mexican cartel. 

    This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

    Calderon was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following sentencing. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: District of Arizona Charges 199 Individuals with Immigration-Related Criminal Conduct this Week

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PHOENIX, Ariz. – During the week of enforcement operations from May 31, 2025, through June 6, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona brought immigration-related criminal charges against 199 individuals. Specifically, the United States filed 74 cases in which aliens illegally re-entered the United States, and the United States also charged 104 aliens for illegally entering the United States. In its ongoing effort to deter unlawful immigration, the United States filed 18 cases against 20 individuals responsible for smuggling illegal aliens into and within the District of Arizona. Protecting law enforcement officers is a key part of border vigilance, and federal prosecutors also charged one individual for assaulting a Border Patrol Agent.

    These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

    Recent matters of interest include:

    United States v. Norberto Rueda-Mancinas:  On May 31, 2025, a Border Patrol agent encountered Norberto Rueda-Mancinas walking about three miles southeast of San Miguel, Arizona. When Rueda saw the agent, he tried to run. After a short chase, the agent caught up to Rueda, and Rueda threw his backpack at the agent, hitting him in the head and causing the agent’s night vision goggles to cut his face. The backpack was loaded with food and water and weighed approximately 10 pounds. Rueda was arrested and determined to be a citizen of Mexico, illegally present in the United States. He had been previously removed from the United States on April 11, 2025. Rueda was charged with Assaulting a Federal Officer and Illegal Reentry. [Case Number: MJ-25-00620]

    United States v. Fabian Ramirez-Childs and United States v. Pena-Losada: On May 31, 2025, Border Patrol agents received an alert for a vehicle that was reportedly loaded with suspected illegal aliens. Agents located the vehicle and initiated a stop. As the vehicle yielded, the passenger door opened and two subjects exited and ran into the desert. The driver then sped away, leading agents on a chase for approximately two miles before yielding. The driver was identified as Fabian Ramirez-Childs, a U.S. citizen. The passenger who had remained in the vehicle was determined to be a citizen of Bangladesh, illegally present in the United States. Agents tracked and located the two subjects that had run from the vehicle, and both were determined to be Mexican citizens who were illegally present in the United States. The driver, Ramirez-Childs, was charged with Transportation of Illegal Aliens for Profit. [Case Number: MJ-25-00623]

    United States v. Cesar Ivan Bencomo Varela: In 2021, Cesar Ivan Bencomo Varela submitted an application for a U.S. Passport at the U.S. Post Office in Show Low, Arizona. In his application, Bencomo Varela claimed to be “Joseph David Olivas,” a United States citizen. Bencomo signed the application packet, swearing under oath that the information on the application was true, and that the photograph attached to the passport application was a true likeness of him. An investigation revealed that Bencomo Varela had been using the Olivas identity since 2015 to obtain employment in the United States. On June 3, 2025, Bencomo Varela was indicted on one count of False Statement in Application or Use of Passport and one count of aggravated identity theft. [Case Number: CR-25-08098]

    United States v. Blanca Esthela Favela-Coronel: On June 3, 2025, Blanca Esthela Favela-Coronel was charged by criminal complaint with Reentry of a Removed Alien. Blanca Esthela Favela-Coronel had been previously removed from the United States in 2014 after being convicted of two counts of felony Attempted Sale of Dangerous Drugs (Methamphetamine) in the Superior Court of Arizona, Coconino County. Favela-Coronel was sentenced to two years of incarceration on each count, to be served concurrently with one another. [Case Number: 25-08325MJ]

    Criminal complaints and indictments are simply methods by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

    These cases are 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).

    RELEASE NUMBER:    2025-090_June 6 Immigration Enforcement

    # # #

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Woman who defrauded Everett employer of $2.5 million, sentenced to prison for second embezzlement from Kent, Washington employer

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Despite court order, failed to tell second company about prior conviction for wire fraud

    Seattle – A 45–year-old former Kent, Washington, woman was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to an additional twelve months and one day in prison for stealing from her new employer while awaiting sentencing for stealing from a past employer, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. In 2023, Christin Guillory was sentenced to three years in prison for stealing more than $2.5 million from an Everett manufacturing company where she served as accounting manager. After pleading guilty to that crime, and while awaiting sentencing, she secretly stole tens of thousands of dollars from a second employer who did not know about her ongoing prosecution.

    The court had ordered Guillory to notify her new employer of the prosecution and to provide the probation office with evidence she had done so. Guillory did not tell her employer about her prior fraud as required. Instead, Guillory falsely told the probation office she had informed her employer of the prosecution and had lost her employment as a result. Guillory provided probation with a falsified email to substantiate the false information. Guillory continued to work for, and embezzle funds from, her employer until she reported to prison to serve her sentence. The new employer learned of the prosecution only after Guillory failed to report for work without explanation when she reported to serve her sentence. 

    Guillory admitted to the second theft in February 2025, pleading to wire fraud and concealing material facts from the United States.

    At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez said, “You lied to the court while the court was trying to determine if you were a danger to the community. . . .  You are responsible for the actions you took, and those actions have consequences.”

    “The defendant lied to the court, to the probation office, and to the second company that had unwittingly placed her in a position of trust,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. “Instead of disclosing the truth about her federal conviction for embezzlement, Ms. Guillory lied to her employer and once again repeatedly stole money until the day she reported to prison.”

    According to records filed in the case, after Guillory was fired for a $2.5 million theft from an Everett company, she began work for a company in Kent, Washington. By January of 2023, she was aware that her Everett embezzlement was being investigated by the FBI.  She pleaded guilty to wire fraud in May 2023.

    At the time of her guilty plea, the Magistrate Judge asked about her current employment. Through her attorney, Guillory claimed she had no access to bank accounts or checks. Nevertheless, the Magistrate Judge ordered Guillory to inform her employer of her conviction. Guillory later claimed to her pretrial services officer and other probation staff that she had been fired after informing the company. She claimed that the only employment she had, before reporting for prison, was as a nanny or receptionist.

    In fact, Guillory never told her Kent employer about the conviction, and she had already begun embezzling from that company. Between January and August 2023, she attempted to steal some $60,000 by altering checks made out to vendors, manipulating the payroll system to increase her own paycheck, or simply writing checks to herself.  On her last day at the office, she wrote a check to herself for $3,516.  Guillory never told the company she was leaving. When she did not show up for work and they could not reach her, a web search revealed the prior embezzlement case.

    In recommending that Guillory be sentenced to an additional year of imprisonment, prosecutors wrote to the court, “Guillory exploited her position of trust by secretly funneling tens of thousands of dollars to herself and then covering it up. The offense involved at least 25 transactions. This was particularly egregious because, at the time she was stealing from Victim 2, she was being prosecuted for (and supposedly had accepted responsibility for) the exact same type of conduct that she continued to engage in.”

    The company was able to reverse some of the transactions but is still owed $42,000. That amount is now added on to the restitution from the earlier case.  In 2023, Judge Martinez ordered restitution of $2,536,086 to the Everett company, and $590,850 to the U.S. Treasury for her failure to pay tax on the ill-gotten gain.

    The cases were investigated by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service: Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI) as well as U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth Wilkinson.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Every Hostage Must Be Released

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigoot: Earlier today, Israeli forces recovered the remains of Judy Weinstein and Gad Haggai in Gaza, who were kidnapped and brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7th. We are acutely aware of the anguish 56 families continue to endure, including those of Americans Omer Neutra and Itay Chen. Every single hostage must be released immediately.

    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
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    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
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    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

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

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Advocacy News – Auckland Business Chamber ‘tone deaf’ in seeking profit from genocidal Israel – PSNA

    Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

     

    An Evening for Exploring Israeli-Kiwi Synergies and Partnership

    Calendar Icon Event hosted by New Zealand Israel Innovation Hub

    June 25, 2025 – June 25, 2025 Auckland Central, Auckland, New Zealand

      

    Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa says it’s astounded that an Israeli-NZ collaboration event is planned in Auckland later this month, and has written to the Auckland Business Chamber, demanding the chamber cancel all its business collaboration with Israel while Israel is carrying out genocide.

     

    The Auckland Business Chamber is lining up with the Israeli Embassy to host “An evening for Kiwi-Israeli partnership and collaboration” to be held on June 25 in central Auckland.

     

    PSNA Co-Chair John Minto says PSNA supporters are shocked to see such a tone-deaf, blatant promotion of money-making with such a pariah state.

    “This is, especially after the International Court of Justice last year told countries not to provide ‘aid or assistance’ which would allow Israel to continue its illegal occupation of Palestinian Territory.”

     

    “Any collaboration with Israel assists its economy and provides precisely the ‘aid or assistance’ at the heart of the ICJ ruling,” Minto says.

     

    “Even worse, it seems mass killings, engineered starvation and ethnic cleansing, are no obstacle to the promotion of such profit-first dealings”

     

    “Auckland Business Chamber head, Charlotte Parkhill should be leading the call for sanctions on Israel. You should be reminding the business community that ethical behaviour and moral standards should have a central place in all business dealings.”

     

    Minto says he expects the Chamber has approached the government to have a senior cabinet minister attend the event.

     

    “The people who run these types of trade promotions usually expect a senior cabinet minister to turn up and gush about the particular country New Zealand is collaborating with.”

     

    “However even a bottom ranked MP in attendance would anger the growing number of New Zealanders who are outraged at New Zealand’s inaction on escalating Israeli atrocities.”

     

    “Blatant sucking up to Israel at this time, would not go unnoticed by other governments as well.”

     

    “The world is moving to sanctions against Israel, not trying to squeeze more profits out of it.”

     

    John Minto

    Co-Chair PSNA

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Depew man charged with entering secure area at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that that James R. Muench Jr., 45, of Depew, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with entering an aircraft area at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport by forcefully ramming his vehicle through a closed security gate and entering the secure aircraft operational area of the airport. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on May 20, 2025, Muench, driving a pickup truck, breached perimeter access Gate 1 at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport by forcefully driving up to the gate, intentionally crashing and ramming it multiple times, before bending the gate. After breaking through, he then drove to the aircraft operational area without authorization, evading the security procedures or restrictions in place. The vehicle was observed driving through various secure parts of the airport to include the airfield, aircraft taxiways, the passenger ramp where commercial aircraft are usually docked when transporting passengers, and the airport runway where aircraft take off and land. Vehicle access to all these areas is highly regulated. The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority police responded to the scene, located Muench, and took him into custody.

    Muench made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was released on conditions.

    The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Police, under the direction of Chief Brian Patterson and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm.

    The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.   

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Buffalo man pleads guilty to conspiracy to steal mail and possession of a postal service key

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Antonio Jones, Jr., 25, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to conspiracy to commit mail theft and possession of postal service key, which carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000. 

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that on October 2, 2024, Jones conspired with Eric Michael Robinson and Lamor Runell Bolden to steal mail from mail receptacles in Cheektowaga, NY. In addition, the defendants also possessed a key used to open authorized mail receptacles. Jones drove with Robinson and Bolden to a mail facility in Cheektowaga at approximately 1:00 a.m. on October 2, 2024. Robinson drove and Jones and Bolden were passengers. Robinson parked the car behind a row of blue collection mailboxes outside the postal facility, Jones and Bolden got out of the car, and Jones opened the mailboxes with the stolen key and stole mail from the mailboxes while Bolden stood watch. The two then got back into the car and Robinson drove away. A short time later, their car was stopped by law enforcement. At the time the car was stopped, various opened and unopened pieces of mail were found inside. Jones admits that he and his co-conspirators used the stolen key to open mailboxes at other locations around the Western District of New York.

    Eric Michael Robinson and Lamor Runell Bolden were previously convicted and are awaiting sentencing.

    The plea is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ketty Larco-Ward, Boston Division, and the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Coons.

    Sentencing is scheduled for October 24, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Sinatra.

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tonawanda woman going to prison for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from her employer

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Erin Martin, 53, of Tonawanda, NY, who was convicted of wire fraud, was sentenced to serve 12 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. Martin has also been ordered to pay full restitution to the Victim in the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno, who handled the case, stated that between April 2022, and June 10, 2024, Martin defrauded a business (Victim), located in Amherst, NY, which employed her as a Senior Staff Accountant. Martin reported to the Chief Financial Officer and was responsible for, among other things, ensuring that the Victim’s vendor invoices were paid timely. In furtherance of her scheme, Martin created fraudulent vendor invoices addressed to the Victim. Martin would then make unauthorized electronic funds transfers from the Victim’s bank account directly into her personal bank account, purportedly as payments on the fraudulent invoices she had created. In total, Martin caused 95 electronic funds transfers totaling $440,395.00. Martin used these funds to pay her own personal and family members expenses.

    The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm.

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Wasilla doctor, business owner arrested, charged with possessing child pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    The FBI is seeking additional information.

    ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A Wasilla doctor practicing at Alaska Brain Center was arrested yesterday after a federal grand jury in Alaska returned an indictment charging him with possessing child pornography. Sponsler also owns Alaska Music and Arts, a music, karate and dance studio for children.

    According to court documents, on March 17, 2025, Jeffery Sponsler, 67, knowingly possessed and accessed with intent to view a computer that contained child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) depicting a prepubescent minor and a minor who had not attained 12 years of age.

    The FBI searched Sponsler’s home after they received a tip about Sponsler’s alleged possession of and access to child pornography. From the search, law enforcement seized multiple computers and electronic devices, including desktop computers, laptops, external hard drives, memory cards, DVDs and VHS tapes. The FBI is actively reviewing these devices. Court documents allege that an initial review of the devices revealed they contained videos and images primarily showing adults and minors participating in nude beauty contests. It is further alleged that Sponsler then further edited and enhanced the photos to focus on young girls’ genitalia and created slideshows with the edited images. The slideshow focused on the genitalia of girls roughly 5-12 years in age.

    Sponsler is charged with one count of possession of child pornography. The defendant is scheduled for his initial court appearance June 9, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kyle F. Reardon of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. If convicted, he faces a up to 20 years in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska, Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office and Alaska State Trooper Colonel Maurice Hughes made the announcement.

    The FBI Anchorage Field Office and Alaska State Troopers are investigating the case. If anyone has information concerning Sponsler’s alleged actions, please contact the FBI Anchorage Field Office at (907) 276-4441 or anonymously at tips.fbi.gov.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Ivers is prosecuting the case.

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

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: BitMart Community Partner Program: Rewiring Crypto Influence Through Decentralized Collaboration

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Singapore , June 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In the hyper-fragmented, always-on world of crypto, attention is currency—and community is capital. But despite the rise of decentralized technology, the way platforms grow their user base or share their stories often remains surprisingly centralized. BitMart’s new Community Partner Program challenges that norm by introducing a structure that empowers individuals and grassroots communities to actively shape the platform’s global presence while unlocking tangible economic opportunities for themselves.

    Rather than being a promotional campaign, this initiative represents a rethinking of the entire creator-platform relationship in crypto. It’s about transforming followers into contributors, users into stakeholders, and local voices into global impact multipliers.

    Why Crypto Needs a New Model for Influence

    In traditional marketing and even Web2 crypto campaigns, outreach often relies on top-down broadcasts, paid ads, or short-lived influencer placements. These methods may generate impressions—but rarely build enduring, engaged ecosystems.

    BitMart’s Community Partner Program, by contrast, aims to create a distributed value network powered by participants who are already embedded in communities, already trusted by peers, and already speaking the language of relevance. These partners aren’t just amplifiers—they are co-architects of BitMart’s brand identity in their regions and niches.

    This shift mirrors a larger movement within Web3: value doesn’t trickle down—it circulates. And those closest to the user are best positioned to educate, onboard, and activate them.

    What the Program Offers: A Scalable Structure for Authentic Growth

    The Community Partner Program is designed to be both modular and meritocratic. That means participants can engage in the ways they do best—whether it’s creating content, managing crypto groups, or running campaigns—while gaining access to infrastructure that transforms influence into impact.

    Key benefits include:

    • Official recognition as a certified BitMart Community Partner
    • Brand endorsement and co-branded assets to enhance credibility and consistency
    • Up to 70% rebates on trading activity—among the most competitive in the industry
    • Custom reward tasks for feature testing, content campaigns, and more
    • Priority access to events and opportunities to act as a speaker or guest
    • Support for running localized community events, airdrops, and social incentives
    • Quarterly recognition and rewards for top performers

    Unlike many ambassador-style programs that operate with minimal transparency or continuity, BitMart’s structure places long-term collaboration at the center. Commissions are uncapped, partnerships are renewable, and visibility is reciprocal.

    Beyond Promotion: Community Partners as Crypto Educators and Advocates

    At its core, the initiative isn’t just about spreading the word—it’s about elevating the standard of crypto discourse and creating reliable information bridges between BitMart and its users.

    Community Partners are expected to:

    • Publish ongoing, quality content on platform features and crypto insights
    • Establish or manage crypto communities
    • Foster productive discussions, organize interactive events, and ensure accurate messaging
    • Help onboard new users with support around deposits, trading, and platform engagement

    In doing so, they don’t just promote a brand—they help grow a trusted knowledge layer in a notoriously noisy and fragmented market.

    The Bigger Vision: Distributed Influence as Infrastructure

    The significance of this program goes beyond marketing mechanics. It represents a structural evolution: turning social capital into collaborative capital. In a space where trust is earned peer-to-peer, this kind of decentralized, reputation-driven approach is not only strategic—it’s necessary.

    By building a network of localized hubs, BitMart is creating a self-reinforcing ecosystem where platform growth, user empowerment, and brand resilience are deeply interlinked. The model doesn’t just scale outreach—it scales ownership of the narrative.

    Who This Is For: Builders of Trust, Curators of Culture

    This program is ideal for:

    • Content creators who want to build authority and monetize their insights
    • Community organizers seeking infrastructure and exposure for their efforts
    • Crypto advocates who want to co-create a platform they can proudly stand behind

    For those with influence, a clear mission, and an independent voice, this program may offer the ideal opportunity to collaborate with a platform that genuinely values these qualities. The BitMart Community Partner Program is particularly well-suited for individuals and organizations seeking to establish professional authority through content, organize local communities, and advance crypto education within their regions.

    Final Word: Not Just a Role, But a Relationship

    In a landscape saturated with noise, this program aims to redefine the meaning of influence—transforming it from surface-level promotion into trusted infrastructure. By bringing together a global network of builders, educators, and storytellers, the BitMart Community Partner Program seeks to establish a new decentralized model of collaboration—one that strengthens the Web3 ecosystem with long-term, localized resilience.

    —

    To learn more and apply, visit: https://bitmart.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/36682743736859-BitMart-Community-Partner-Program-Officially-Launched-Join-Us-in-Shaping-Global-Influence-Together

    For inquiries, please contact: community.partner@bitmart.com

    About BitMart

    BitMart is a premier global digital asset trading platform with more than 10 million users worldwide. Consistently ranked among the top crypto exchanges on CoinGecko, BitMart offers over 1,700 trading pairs with competitive fees. Committed to continuous innovation and financial inclusivity, BitMart empowers users globally to trade seamlessly. Learn more about BitMart at Website, follow their X (Twitter), or join their Telegram for updates, news, and promotions. Download BitMart App to trade anytime, anywhere.

    Disclaimer:

    The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any financial assets. All information is provided in good faith. However, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of such information.

    All crypto investments, including earnings, are highly speculative in nature and involve substantial risk of loss. Past, hypothetical, or simulated performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. The value of digital currencies can go up or down and there can be a substantial risk in buying, selling, holding, or trading digital currencies. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital currencies is suitable for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance. BitMart does not provide any investment, legal or tax advice.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Illegal working enforcement soars in drive to strengthen border security

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Illegal working enforcement soars in drive to strengthen border security

    Over 6,000 arrests and 9,000 visits carried out across the UK since the election in crackdown on illegal working.

    A major surge in immigration enforcement activity across the UK has led to a 51% rise in the number of arrests since the election, as part of a Home Office drive to disable the illegal working trade in the UK.   

    Immigration Enforcement teams have intensified activity in towns, cities and villages to tackle those abusing the UK immigration system and exploiting vulnerable people. It forms part of the government’s efforts to crack down on organised immigration crime at every level under the Plan for Change and end the false promise of jobs used to sell spaces on small boats.   

    Since 5 July last year to 31 May, 9,000 visits have resulted in 6,410 arrests, marking a 48% and 51% rise respectively compared to the year before under the previous government (5 July 2023 to 31 May 2024).   

    Particular focus has been on tackling employers facilitating illegal working, often subjecting migrants to squalid conditions and illegal working hours below minimum wage. Restaurants, nail bars and construction sites have been among the thousands of businesses targeted.    

    The new measures come alongside a ramp-up of operational activity to restore control of the immigration system, including the return of nearly 30,000 people with no right to be in the UK.   

    Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said:   

    For too long, employers have been able to take on and exploit migrants, with people allowed to arrive and work here illegally.

    This will no longer be tolerated on our watch. That’s why we are ramping up our enforcement activity and introducing tougher laws to finally get a grip of our immigration and asylum system.  

    Under our Plan for Change, we will continue to root out unscrupulous employers and disrupt illegal workers who undermine our border security. 

    It is a legal requirement for employers to carry out Right to Work checks and those who fail to do so face hefty penalties including fines of up to £60,000 per worker, director disqualifications and potential prison sentences of up to five years.   

    Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime at Immigration Enforcement Eddy Montgomery said:  

    Our work to tackle illegal working is vital in not only bringing the guilty to account, but also in protecting vulnerable people from exploitation.  

    I’m incredibly proud of our enforcement teams across the country for their hard work, skill and co-operation on these often challenging but highly important operations. 

    During one major co-ordinated operation in March, officers made 36 arrests at a construction site in Belfast’s historic Titanic Quarter. Offences ranged from breaching visa conditions to illegal entry in the UK with no permission to work.  

    Elsewhere, 9 arrests were made at a caravan park in Surrey last month following intelligence individuals were working illegally as delivery drivers in the gig economy.  

    Meanwhile, 9 people were also arrested in Bradford in March as officers intercepted a popular illegal working pick up point in Naples Street.  

    Ramping up illegal working enforcement activity forms a key part of the Home Office’s drive to restore order to the immigration system under the UK Government’s Plan for Change.  

    In many cases, individuals travelling to the UK illegally are sold a lie by smuggling gangs that they will be able to live and work freely in the UK, when in reality they often end up facing squalid living conditions, minimal pay and inhumane working hours, with the threat of arrest and removal if they are caught working illegally.  

    In the latest move to restore order to the asylum and immigration system, the government is also introducing tough new laws to clamp down on illegal working by extending Right to Work checks on those hiring gig economy and zero-hours workers in sectors like construction, food delivery, beauty salons and courier services.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: One stop shop for tech could save taxpayers £1.2 billion and overhaul how government buys digital tools

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    One stop shop for tech could save taxpayers £1.2 billion and overhaul how government buys digital tools

    A first-of-its-kind digital marketplace is being built to help shake up how the UK public sector buys technology – hoping to unlock £1.2 billion in annual savings, save time and give public servants the power to rate suppliers.

    New digital hub set to save taxpayers £1.2 billion.

    • New platform to allow public sector to rate and review tech products, helping hospitals, schools and government departments avoid costly mistakes and make smarter, faster decisions on which tech to buy
    • currently in early development, the platform is set to unlock £1.2 billion a year in savings and modernise how the public sector invests £26 billion-a-year on tech
    • the National Digital Exchange will support the government’s Plan for Change – giving the UK public sector faster access to better deals, while boosting small business involvement by 40% within 3 years

    A first-of-its-kind digital marketplace is being built to help shake up how the UK public sector buys technology – hoping to unlock £1.2 billion in annual savings, save time and give public servants the power to rate suppliers.

    By making it faster and easier to buy the right technology, the National Digital Exchange (NDX) will aim to drive forward the government’s Plan for Change – helping to deliver simpler, smarter, and more responsive public services for the people who rely on them, while ensuring better value for taxpayers.

    In a major shift, the platform hopes to allow teams across the public sector to access pre-approved tech deals at nationally negotiated prices, with an AI-powered engine that matches them with suppliers based on what they actually need – all in a matter of hours, not months.

    The platform is designed to open the market to more UK tech firms, with a target to boost small business involvement in government contracts by 40% within 3 years.

    It follows the State of Digital Government report which warned that 209 NHS secondary care organisations and 320 local councils go it alone when negotiating tech contracts, despite widely using similar tools – missing out on essential bargaining power. Only 28% of public sector leaders said their organisations were able to track and make sure that their tech suppliers were delivering proper value for their services.

    Users will be able to rate and review what they’ve bought, lifting the lid on which tools have delivered, and where promises haven’t matched performance – creating a platform comparable to an app store for the technology that underpins the British state and essential public services.

    The announcement comes ahead of London Tech Week, where the role of digital innovation in transforming public services will be in the spotlight.

    Minister for AI and Digital Government, Feryal Clark said:

    We’ve all heard the stories – months of red tape, tech that doesn’t deliver, and money wasted. That’s not good enough for the people we serve.

    The National Digital Exchange aims to change that. It will make it faster, fairer, and focused on what works – with real reviews, upfront pricing and smart AI to match buyers with the right suppliers in hours.

    It’s a clear example of our Plan for Change in action: cutting waste, boosting innovation, and backing British tech to deliver better public services.

    The platform, which will be created under the revised Procurement Regulations to help shape a smarter, more open future for digital procurement, and is being developed alongside a “digital playbook” to guide officials responsible for buying technology towards best practice – making sure the long-term impacts of their decisions, and the social value of contracts are considered.

    Today’s news also follows the government announcing plans to test new ways of funding AI and tech projects, aiming to bring a start-up mindset to testing the application and use of AI experiments on small budgets, and then building on proof of success.

    DSIT is also working closely with organisations like TechUK helping to ensure the platform reflects the needs of both buyers and suppliers.

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Patients to receive reminders and test results via the NHS App

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Patients to receive reminders and test results via the NHS App

    Millions more patients will receive appointments, screening invitations and other important information via the NHS App, as part of £50million upgrade.

    Millions more patients will receive appointment reminders, screening invitations, and test results directly to their smartphones as the NHS turbocharges its digital revolution to make it easier for patients to access care.

    The NHS App is set to become the go-to method of communication between the health system and patients, avoiding the need for at least 50 million costly letters to go through the postal system.

    Driven by over £50 million investment, 270 million messages are expected to be sent through the NHS App this year – an increase of 70 million on last financial year, saving an estimated £200m across the system over the next three years.

    This latest development forms part of the government’s shift from analogue to digital, to give patients better access to manage their healthcare journey and make informed decisions about their care. 

    In 2023/24, there were around 8 million missed appointments in elective care, and around 30% of people missed a screening appointment. Push notifications will remind patients about upcoming appointments and relay important messages, allowing for faster communication and reducing the risk of these missed appointments and boosting productivity across the system.

    Currently, almost 20 million are opted in to receive healthcare messages via the NHS App and could soon benefit from this latest expansion.  The NHS is appealing to patients to download the NHS App and turn on notifications to make sure they receive important updates

    Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said:

    People are living increasingly busy lives and want to access information about their health at the touch of a button, rather than having to wait weeks for letters that often arrive too late. This government is bringing our analogue health service into the digital age, so that being a patient in the NHS is as convenient as online banking or ordering a takeaway.

    The NHS still spends hundreds of millions of pounds on stamps, printing, and envelopes. By modernising the health service, we can free up huge amounts of funding to reinvest in the frontline.

    Through the investment and reform in our Plan for Change, we will make the NHS App the front door to the health service and put power in the hands of patients.

    As part of this digital-first transformation, over the next three years, patients in England will receive all appropriate NHS messages through the App first. Where app messaging is not available, communications will be sent via SMS and then by letter as a last resort. This means that people without access to smartphones and elderly patients can still receive messages through traditional routes, ensuring that no vital information is missed. Those without smartphone access will also benefit from phone lines being freed up, with many patients able to get the information they need digitally.

    Accessible communications will continue to be supported for those with specific requirements.

    The implementation of digital services across the health service is already well underway. Last year, the national vaccination programmes delivered 85 million messages via digital channels, and later this year, national screening programmes for breast, bowel and cervical cancer will also be making the switch. 

    Dr Vin Diwakar, Clinical Transformation Director at NHS England, said:

    More than 11 million of us now log into the NHS App every month to manage our healthcare, whether ordering a repeat prescription or seeking advice on a medical condition.

    We’re supporting the switch from analogue to digital by harnessing the power of digital communication channels so that millions more patients can receive important messages about their health direct to their smartphones – all you need to do is enable notifications in the NHS App to see and open messages.

    The NHS App is already empowering patients by giving them more information and now by increasingly becoming a world-class way of communicating – which will save millions of pounds and free up resources for patient care. I’d encourage anyone who hasn’t got the app on their smartphone to download it now.

    This latest development comes in addition to work currently underway to improve user experience in the App. Through various expansions, users will soon be able to add appointments to the calendar on their phone and request help from their GP surgery.  It will also seek to drive increased usage through faster log in methods, such as Face ID.

    With NHS App services now live in 87% of hospitals across England, delivered in line with commitments made as part of the Elective Care Reform Plan, patients will have greater control of their elective care, improving access and modernising NHS as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CWA Condemns NTIA Changes to BEAD Funding Policies

    Source: Communications Workers of America

    The Communications Workers of America (CWA) union released the following statement in response to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) policy change to the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program:

     

    Today, the NTIA has put the interests of a few billionaires and satellite companies ahead of millions of Americans in rural communities and thousands of workers. Commerce Secretary Lutnick’s attack on approved broadband projects undermines the bipartisan work of the U.S. Congress and the state governments that have invested significant resources in carefully developing programs to bring high-quality broadband and good jobs that meet the needs of their unique communities. 

     

    CWA members know that fiber is the best broadband technology of today and tomorrow. A high quality fiber network is the financially responsible choice compared to expensive and unreliable satellite service or fixed wireless. The NTIA’s policy change confuses upfront costs with long-term value.

     

    In well-considered plans, state broadband boards have addressed the need to develop the workforce to build and maintain network infrastructure, supported by labor standards and training. The NTIA’s elimination of requirements for fair labor practices and workforce development plans will hinder states’ ability to appropriately manage local workforce needs, or to create the good jobs that would have attracted and retained a well-trained workforce.

     

    The bipartisan infrastructure bill made a commitment to rural communities to close the digital divide with high-quality networks and good jobs. Secretary Lutnick has betrayed this promise, and undermined the work and hopes of so many rural residents, workers, and state governments.

     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Young Kim Cracks Down on EBT Fraud

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Young Kim (CA-39)

    Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40) joined Reps. Vince Fong (CA-20), David Valadao (CA-22), and Addison McDowell (NC-06) to introduce the Stopping Klepto-card and Identity Misuse Act (SKIM) Act, which would crack down on Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) theft, fraud, and waste. This essential lifeline program, designed to support our nation’s most vulnerable, has been overtaken by bad actors who relentlessly exploit and drain its resources from those it is meant to serve. 

    The EBT system, which is administered by state agencies under the oversight of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, delivers government assistance such as SNAP and TANF through a debit-style card. These cards have increasingly become ripe targets for fraud. According to the California Department of Social Services, over $439 million in EBT benefits have been stolen since 2021 – rising from under $100,000 a month to over $10 million – proving that current penalties do not deter criminals.  

    The SKIM Act aims to address this rampant fraud by directing the U.S. Attorney General to coordinate federal, state, and local efforts against access device fraud, increase prison sentences for those using fake cards or ID-making tools, and require comprehensive best practices to help identify and prevent future fraud. 

    “Scammers exploiting the EBT system are the worst kind of evil, not only wasting taxpayer dollars but stealing vital benefits meant to help our most vulnerable,” said Congresswoman Kim. “The SKIM Act toughens penalties and strengthens law enforcement coordination to crack down on these bad actors, save taxpayer dollars, and ensure public assistance goes to those who actually need it.” 

    “Criminals who steal from children, families, and the elderly must be held accountable, and we must protect taxpayers from those who commit public assistance fraud,” said Congressman Fong. “After more than $2 million in EBT benefits were recently stolen from my district’s most vulnerable residents, I was determined to take action to safeguard the people who rely on these critical benefits, and crack down on those who would rob them.” 

    “SNAP is a critical lifeline that helps low-income families put food on their tables,” said Congressman Valadao. “Unfortunately, criminals exploit weaknesses in the EBT system by using skimming devices at grocery stores and gas pumps to steal benefits from those who need them most. It’s unacceptable, and I’m proud to work with Congressman Fong to hold these criminals accountable.” 

    “If you’re skimming cards, you’re stealing, plain and simple,” said Congressman McDowell. “But if you’re skimming EBT, you’re not just taking money, you’re taking food out of a child’s mouth. This bill cracks down hard on criminals. We’re raising penalties and demanding real accountability from the DOJ. No more looking the other way. I’m proud to stand with Congressman Vince Fong on the SKIM Act.”  

    For more information, please read the full bill text here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fighting for a Livable Future: Markey, Labor Leaders, Workers Speak Out Against Republican Efforts to Cut Clean Energy and Climate Investments

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Watch: Markey, labor leaders, workers slam clean energy investment cuts

    Markey joined by labor leaders, workers in Dorchester at IBEW Local 103
    Boston (June 6, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee and the Environment and Public Works Committee, today hosted a press conference at IBEW Local 103 with labor union leaders and workers to highlight how Congressional Republicans’ proposed budget reconciliation cuts to climate and clean energy investments from the Inflation Reduction Act would hurt workers in Massachusetts.
    The Congressional Budget Office estimates the House-passed Republican bill would cut more than $500 billion in investments for environment, energy, and climate, which could lead to 830,000 jobs lost by 2030 and shrink the national economy by $1.1 trillion over the next decade.
    “In Massachusetts, we have over 115,000 workers in the clean energy sector. Thousands of union jobs will be at risk. Trump and Republicans are selling out the livelihoods of working people and the future of our children, all to pay for tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires. The Trump agenda is clear: steal from the workers to give to the wealthy. But if Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans think that union workers are going to roll over as their jobs, families, and livelihoods are threatened—they have another thing coming,” said Senator Markey. “Together, we are going to make clear how Republicans are hurting people in their own states; slow and stop this bill—defending our jobs, our future, and our way of life; and put Republicans on the record. The fight ahead of us is hard, but the harder the fight, the more important it is that we take it on. We fight until we win. For every worker. For every American. For a livable future.”
    “We need more energy, and we need more jobs in Massachusetts, plain and simple. Working families shouldn’t have to purchase energy from billionaire oil tycoons and foreign governments or let them set the price of our energy bills. We can generate massive amounts of energy right here in Massachusetts and we can create thousands of union jobs for Massachusetts residents while we do it. Over the last few years, thousands of our neighbors and our friends have been put to work on electric grid upgrades, battery storage facilities, and manufacturing plants. They’re building our clean energy future and we’re all benefiting: the family that these workers support, the homes, the schools, the businesses that need a reliable supply of energy, and every one of us that will live on a cleaner, safer planet because of it.” said Chrissy Lynch, President, Massachusetts AFL-CIO.
    “Repealing clean energy tax credits is a union job killer. These tax credits help level the playing field, they drive investment, and they put IBW electricians, laborers, ironworkers, and pipe fitters to work building America’s energy future. If you take those tax credits away, you’re not just pulling funding: you’re pulling paychecks from working families, you’re pulling apprentices out of training facilities, you’re pulling opportunity straight out of our communities. Every solar panel installed, every wind turbine wired, every EV charger connected, that’s a job with wages, healthcare, and a pension that stands for dignity for the American worker. You don’t kill that kind of progress: you build on it.” said Lou Antonellis, Business Manager/Financial Secretary, IBEW Local 103.
    “Hundreds of thousands of lives will be affected if these tax credits are repealed. Our members are the ones out here in the freezing cold and the blazing heat; laying foundations, wiring schools, setting steel, climbing wind turbines, and putting up solar panels. I’m here today representing those skilled union workers who build the schools our kids learn in, the bridges we drive on, and because of smart, clean energy investments, the solar and wind farms that will power our future. With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, we saw national investment in clean energy that wasn’t about corporate tax breaks. It was about people. It meant workers having access to construction projects that benefit communities and families and taking part in building a clean economy. But now the Republican Reconciliation package threatens to undo all of that. said Chaton Green, Business Agent, Greater Boston Building Trades Union.
    “We need long-term, sustained investment in renewable energy to ensure this work continues well beyond the current round of offshore wind projects. Major solar and hydroelectric projects must also move forward to deliver clean power to our communities and meaningful, local jobs to our members. These are more than just jobs—they’re life-changing careers, especially for people who have historically been left out of economic opportunity. This is exactly the kind of progress we need to protect and expand for the future,”said Andy Benedetto, Business Representative, Local 1121 Millwrights. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Update 2: Alberta wildfire update (June 6, 4 p.m.)

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Treasury targets network trafficking cocaine to the US and Europe following ICE HSI New York investigation with law enforcement partners

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    WASHINGTON — On June 5, following an investigation by ICE Homeland Security Investigations’ New York field office and law enforcement partners, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned four Guyanese nationals and two Colombian nationals responsible for trafficking tons of cocaine from South America to the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean.

    These sanctions target drug traffickers utilizing boats and narco-subs to traffic ton-quantities of cocaine, along with an alleged corrupt Guyanese law enforcement official. The sanctions also target individuals who are operating covert airstrips to traffic drugs via aircraft.

    For decades, reported corrupt actors have used Guyana as a transshipment point for the movement of drugs from South America to the United States, with Mexican drug cartels also maintaining a presence in the region. International cocaine trafficking remains a serious threat to the United States, as the substantial profits generated from these sales continue to fund and strengthen cartel operations.

    The June 5 action was taken pursuant to Executive Order 14059, which targets the proliferation of illicit drugs and their means of production. ICE HSI New York and OFAC carried out this investigation in coordination with ICE HSI Bogota, the Drug Enforcement Administration Guyana Country Office, DEA New York, Customs and Border Protection Office of Intelligence New York, Internal Revenue Service New York and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, with assistance from NYPD Intelligence Bureau, CBP New York and the New York National Guard Counterdrug Task Force.

    According to the investigation:

    Guyana’s proximity to the Caribbean, as well as alleged corruption along its ports and borders, allows aircraft and maritime vessels, also known as narco-submarines, to transit through its waters undetected. Drug traffickers exploit the rivers and jungles of South America by transporting large quantities of cocaine from Colombia and Venezuela through Guyana and Suriname.

    In the last few years, Guyana has been the focus of major U.S. law enforcement operations in partnership with Guyanese authorities, resulting in multi-ton seizures of cocaine. In March 2025, a cargo vessel originating in Guyana was discovered by police in the waters of Trinidad and Tobago with approximately 182 kilograms of cocaine.

    On Feb. 20, the State Department identified the Sinaloa Cartel as a foreign terrorist organization and as a specially designated global terrorist.

    On March 21, 2024, U.S. and Guyanese law enforcement seized 2,370 kilograms of cocaine in a self-propelled semi-submersible approximately 150 miles off the coast of Guyana.

    In August 2024, Guyanese authorities, with support from DEA and DSS, discovered 4.4 tons of cocaine in a clandestine airfield in the northwest region of Guyana known as Barima-Waini, or Region One.

    More information, including the full press release announcing these OFAC sanctions.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Bodies located near crashed car following search for tourists missing in Tasmania

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Bodies located near crashed car following search for tourists missing in Tasmania

    Saturday, 7 June 2025 – 1:07 am.

    Sadly, police can confirm two bodies, believed to be that of missing tourists Leannedra Kang and Takahiro Toya, have been located near a crashed vehicle in northeast Tasmania this evening.
    Inspector Luke Manhood said police located a car in water off Tebrakunna Road about 5.30pm on Friday, with the deceased pair found nearby a short time later.
    “At this early stage it appears they were travelling over a bridge when the vehicle has left the roadway and ended up in the water,” he said.
    “This is a tragic outcome, and our thoughts are with their families and loved ones.”
    “Our initial investigations suggest there are no suspicious circumstances, but further forensic examinations will now take place as is the usual process, and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.”
    “We would like to thank community members for their efforts in providing information to assist in the search.”

    MIL OSI News –