Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI: XAI Madison Equity Premium Income Fund Will Host its Q1 2025 Quarterly Webinar on June 11, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, June 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — XAI Madison Equity Premium Income Fund (NYSE: MCN) (the “Fund”) today announced that it plans to host the Fund’s Quarterly Webinar on June 11, 2025 at 11:00 am (Eastern Time). Jared Hagen, Vice President at XA Investments (“XAI”), will moderate the Q&A style webinar with Kimberly Flynn, President at XAI, and Ray Di Bernardo, Portfolio Manager at Madison Investments.

    TO JOIN VIA WEB: Please go to the Knowledge Bank section of xainvestments.com or click here to find the online registration link.

    TO USE YOUR TELEPHONE: After joining via web, if you prefer to use your phone for audio, you must select that option and call in using a number below, based on your current location.

    Dial: (312)-626-6799 or (646)-558-8656 or (267)-831-0333 or (720)-928-9299 or
    (213)-338-8477
    Webinar ID: 854 3642 0691

    REPLAY: A replay of the webinar will be available in the Knowledge Bank section of xainvestments.com.

    The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income and gains, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The Fund pursues its investment objectives by investing in a portfolio consisting primarily of high quality, large and mid-capitalization stocks that are, in the view of the Fund’s Investment sub-adviser, selling at a reasonable price in relation to their long-term earnings growth rates. The Fund will, on an ongoing and consistent basis, sell covered call options on its portfolio stocks to seek to generate current earnings from option premiums. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. The Fund’s common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol MCN.

    About XA Investments
    XA Investments LLC (“XAI”) serves as the Trust’s investment adviser. XAI is a Chicago-based firm founded by XMS Capital Partners in April 2016. In addition to investment advisory services, the firm also provides investment fund structuring and consulting services focused on registered closed-end funds to meet institutional client needs. XAI offers custom product build and consulting services, including development and market research, sales, marketing, fund management and administration. XAI believes that the investing public can benefit from new vehicles to access a broad range of alternative investment strategies and managers. XAI provides individual investors with access to institutional-caliber alternative managers. For more information, please visit www.xainvestments.com.

    About XMS Capital Partners

    XMS Capital Partners, LLC, established in 2006, is a global, independent, financial services firm providing M&A, corporate advisory and asset management services to clients. It has offices in Chicago, Boston and London. For more information, please visit www.xmscapital.com.

    About Madison Investments
    Madison Investments (Madison) is an independent investment management firm based in Madison, Wisconsin. The firm was founded in 1974, has approximately $28 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025, and is recognized as one of the nation’s top investment firms. The firm has managed covered call strategies for over 20 years through various market cycles. Madison offers domestic fixed income, U.S. and international equity, covered call, multi-asset, insurance, and credit union investment management strategies. For more information, please visit www.madisonfunds.com.

    XAI does not provide tax advice; please consult a professional tax advisor regarding your specific tax situation. Income may be subject to state and local taxes, as well as the federal alternative minimum tax.

    Investors should consider the investment objectives and policies, risk considerations, charges and expenses of the Trust carefully before investing. For more information on the Trust, please visit the Trust’s webpage at www.xainvestments.com.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the laws of such state or jurisdiction.

             
    NOT FDIC INSURED        NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE
             

    Paralel Distributors, LLC – Distributor

    Media Contact:

    Kimberly Flynn, President
    XA Investments LLC
    Phone: 312-374-6931
    Email: kflynn@xainvestments.com
    www.xainvestments.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: PureTech’s LYT-100 holds potential to expand treatment options for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    PureTech’s LYT-100 holds potential to expand treatment options for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, says GlobalData

    Posted in Pharma

    Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive lung disease characterized by scarring of lung tissue, leading to impaired lung function and respiratory symptoms. The emerging therapies aim to address unmet needs in IPF management by targeting specific fibrotic pathways. Therapies such as LYT-100 by PureTech, currently in Phase IIb clinical trials, show promise in potentially offering improved efficacy and safety profiles, as it is a deuterated form of pirfenidone, which allows it to break down slower than pirfenidone, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    One of the primary challenges in managing IPF is the difficulty in achieving an early diagnosis. The nonspecific nature of IPF symptoms often leads to misdiagnosis or late-stage identification, delaying the initiation of treatment. The current treatment landscape is limited; therapies such as Boehringer Ingelheim’s Ofev (nintedanib) and Roche’s Esbriet (pirfenidone) can only slow disease progression and are associated with side effects that may impact the patient’s quality of life.

    Filippos Maniatis, Healthcare Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The standard of care for IPF currently includes Ofev and Esbriet. These drugs have been approved based on their efficacy in slowing disease progression, but many studies have previously demonstrated the low adoption of both marketed therapies due to high costs, further highlighting the need for alternative therapies.”

    The clinical development pipeline for IPF includes various agents that offer potential new treatment options for patients. The entry of new agents, as well as generics, could disrupt the market currently dominated by Ofev and Esbriet, leading to significant shifts in treatment paradigms.

    Maniatis concludes: “LYT-100 offers a new approach to targeting fibrosis in IPF, which could significantly benefit patients. PureTech presented promising Phase IIb data from its ELEVATE study at the American Thoracic Society 2025 conference, demonstrating the potential to stabilize lung function decline at 26 weeks while maintaining safety and tolerability. Therefore, LYT-100 may be able to demonstrate superior outcomes compared to existing therapies, positioning LYT-100 as a potential game-changer in the IPF treatment landscape.”

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Pulsed field ablation devices face growth challenges as US tariffs disrupt cardiovascular market, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Pulsed field ablation devices face growth challenges as US tariffs disrupt cardiovascular market, says GlobalData

    Posted in Medical Devices

    The US cardiovascular devices market is facing growing challenges as President Trump’s tariffs disrupt global supply chains and worsen international relations. Particularly, pulsed field ablation (PFA) devices, often manufactured abroad for cost, efficiency, and material access, are now subject to higher tariffs. This disruption could slow the significant growth seen in the sector in recent years, with hospitals and manufacturers facing rising costs, delays, and uncertainty, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    The electrophysiology market has been growing at a record pace in the past few years, mainly due to the innovation and efficacy in new devices. In the past year alone, PFA devices have rapidly displaced every other advanced electrophysiology system.

    Boston Scientific’s FARAPULSE, Medtronic’s PulseSelect, and Johnson & Johnson’s VARIPULSE have all had success in the market, with improved clinical outcomes, shorter procedure times, and better safety for patients. Boston Scientific and Medtronic have both indicated high financial growth in their cardiovascular divisions, with PFA systems being a large part of this growth for both companies.

    David Beauchamp, Medical Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Trump’s tariffs, however, could reduce this high growth. The US remains the largest market for cardiovascular devices, and PFA is currently only available in a handful of countries due to regulatory approval. If these tariffs do end up staying on medical devices, major PFA manufacturers will have to absorb the costs of tariffs or raise the already high prices for these devices.”

    GlobalData estimates the US PFA market to be worth $535.9 million in 2024. The market is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.65% from 2024 to 2034. However, this growth rate may slow down as tariffs begin to create cost increases in the medical device supply chain.

    Beauchamp concludes: “It is possible that the American tariffs on other countries could result in a reduction of growth in medical device markets, especially in the cardiovascular sector, where many components are sourced outside of the US. With the continuing uncertainty of these tariffs, it remains to be seen what the effects will be on the medical device industry. In very high-growth markets, including the PFA market, supply chain disruption and manufacturing cost increases may result in healthcare providers preferring other, cheaper options, which could result in possible slowdown for the growth of PFA systems.”

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Global digital twins market will be worth $154 billion in 2030, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Global digital twins market will be worth $154 billion in 2030, forecasts GlobalData

    Posted in Strategic Intelligence

    Digital twins are increasingly transforming industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and aerospace, offering solutions to optimize operations, improve efficiency, and enable predictive capabilities across various sectors. Against this backdrop, the global digital twins market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.6% from $5 billion in 2019 to $154 billion by 2030, forecasts GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest Strategic Intelligence report, “Digital Twins,” reveals that the growth of the global digital twins market will be driven by low-cost sensors used in Internet of Things (IoT) devices, a decline in the cost of high-performance computing (HPC), and cloud accessibility. Advances in data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) will also drive the growth.

    Aisha U-K Umaru, Strategic Intelligence Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Large companies such as Amazon have tapped into their reach and reputation to partner with firms such as Matterport and Anthropic to enhance their digital twin offerings, and smaller companies such as Aerogility are providing services to specific industries such as aerospace and defense.”

    Digital twins: Diverse use cases

    Conceptually, digital twins have been around for decades; a forerunner was used in NASA’s Apollo 13 mission to the moon in 1970. While far from ubiquitous today, adoption is increasing across industries.

    Umaru continues: “Digital twins are employed in various industries, including oil and gas, power, sport, and government. They serve a wide range of purposes within these fields, from enhancing the efficiency of a factory to providing an enriched viewing experience for sports fans.”

    AI’s impact on digital twin industry

    Digital twins are increasingly harnessing AI to provide more context to the users. This approach has created a hybrid technology called semantic twins, which can provide a deeper level of understanding by letting users ask large language models (LLMs) questions about a twin and its components. In response to these questions, the LLM can draw from its knowledge of the twin, the twin’s aims and objectives, and its broader understanding of systems and the world. For example, a semantic twin of a city may be asked, “How can I update this twin to be in line with other cities with similar population and transport systems that are managing traffic congestion more effectively?”. Semantic twins also benefit from other features of generative AI, including advanced predictive analytics and information retention.

    Umaru concludes: “AI is pervading almost every industry, and it can offer more depth to digital twins. Semantic twins can allow users to draw deeper meaning from their digital twins, using LLMs for support.”

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Global: It’s time to stop debating whether AI is genuinely intelligent and focus on making it work for society

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Andrew Rogoyski, Innovation Director, Surrey Institute of People-Centred AI, University of Surrey

    ‘Pleased to beat you.’ Aileenchik

    Half of entry-level white collar jobs might cease to exist in the near future, according to Dario Amodei, the CEO of leading AI company Anthropic. Amodei, whose company is behind the Claude platform, has since called for transparency standards requiring companies making AI models to demonstrate how they are handling risks such as the AI enabling cyberattacks or helping to make bioweapons.

    Time and again, such claims suggest the pace of development in artificial intelligence is vastly outstripping our ability to adapt and adopt, creating a series of short-term crises.

    Yet the debate between AI doomers, accelerationists, utopians and other factions is largely trapped in arguments about whether current AIs are truly demonstrating creativity, problem solving, planning and other intelligent characteristics. It’s as if we’re collectively in denial.

    AI is arguably the most important technology humankind will ever invent. We owe it to ourselves, and future generations, to make conscious decisions about introducing AI into everything we do, ensuring that humanity benefits.


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


    We know that AI is threatening the creative industries, for example. We can argue about whether AI is truly creative or we can set about preserving human creativity, originality and income security.

    For instance, the new CREAATIF report from Queen Mary University of London lays out a series of recommendations, such as treating creatives as co-designers along with AIs, not victims. It calls for clear disclosures about AI-generated creative works, and ensuring creatives can opt out of having their work in AI training datasets.

    We know that AI is being used in warfare. We can argue about what it means for a human to still take crucial battlefield decisions – the idea of “human in the loop”. Or we can set down explicit rules of war, as hinted at by the UN meeting in May on possible restrictions in the use of lethal autonomous systems.

    We know that AI is being used in medicine, from screening blood tests to virtual hospitals – as created by Tsinghua University in China. We can argue about whether AI can ever replace doctors, or we can actively explore where it is most appropriate and desirable to supplement human healthcare expertise with AI.

    Jobs and knowledge

    We also strongly suspect that AI will displace human jobs more broadly. Besides Amodei’s warnings, certain companies are already adopting “AI first” strategies. These treat AIs as the core driver of company operations, not just support tools.

    The canary in the coalmine may be graduate jobs, since companies will likely initially use AI for jobs requiring the least experience. Graduate hiring in the UK is falling. We can argue about whether there is a link with AI, or we can start putting serious thought into the future of education, skills and the meaning of a career in the 21st century.

    Finally, we know that AI is being used to mediate human access to knowledge, whether it’s the recommendation engines in platforms like TikTok and X, or search engines like Google and Bing providing AI summaries in preference to linked websites.

    Misinformation, disinformation and fakery is rife, often enabled by AI tools. And a more insidious side-effect of AI-mediated access to knowledge is the potential decline in how we know what’s true or reliable.

    We can argue about whether this is happening or we can focus on protecting reliable sources of information, and making sure everyone can access them. For example, the US-based Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) develops standards to verify where digital media comes from and whether it has been tampered with.

    What you can do

    AI is not going away, and there will be positives as well as negatives. For instance, AI will undoubtedly help to solve the hard problems of global health, energy generation and climate change.

    We need to recognise the power of existing AI technologies, and acknowledge that AI is likely to get even more advanced very quickly and that we need to act personally and collectively. And there are several things we can do now.

    First, take a personal interest. AI literacy is fast becoming a life skill. Leading AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini can create, summarise or rewrite text for you, compile research reports, jazz up presentations, create music, do data analysis, come up with new cooking recipes – the options are endless.

    The future is here.
    Aileenchik

    I’ve seen schoolteachers create AI mentors for students, pensioners create songs and presentations, children transform their artwork into historical contexts, all with no technical skills. Similarly, anyone can now use AI to code. So-called “vibe-coding” allows anyone to describe, in words, what they want a piece of software to do, and the AI will create a version of it – to an increasingly good level of completeness.

    The ability to adapt and adopt is key. Knowing and practising how to use AI will not only position you for future opportunities and changes, but may allow you to steer your workplace to a better outcome too.

    Second, become an advocate for how AI should be used. AI developments in the US and China will continue to drive AI innovation, but we have some choices when it comes to adoption and use.

    So become an “informed buyer”, actively selecting AI technology from companies which have strong ethical, security and privacy standpoints. For instance, I prefer Anthropic’s Claude to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, largely because of the former’s constitutional approach, which means its AIs are trained on a set of principles rather than on what it thinks the user will prefer.

    I like Meta’s track record on publishing detailed papers of how it trained and tested its LLMs (a type of AI model), and the fact that it open-sources them. This makes the best models available to a wider and more diverse range of people or organisations, not just to the wealthiest companies. I’m uncomfortable with the way that OpenAI sought to change its non-profit status recently. These are personal opinions and we should each form our own views.

    Third, voice your advocacy, to your boss, your local MP, and other decision makers you may come across. It’s only by making AI an everyday topic that we can influence the world we live in. As Tim Cook, CEO of Apple once said, “Artificial intelligence is the future, but we must ensure it is a future that we want.”

    Andrew Rogoyski’s department receives research funding from UKRI. He acts as an advisor to TechUK, one of the UK’s leading tech industry trade associations, as is a member of the NatWest Technology Advisory Board.

    ref. It’s time to stop debating whether AI is genuinely intelligent and focus on making it work for society – https://theconversation.com/its-time-to-stop-debating-whether-ai-is-genuinely-intelligent-and-focus-on-making-it-work-for-society-258430

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Global: Women’s prize for fiction 2025: six experts review the shortlisted novels

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Éadaoin Agnew, Senior lecturer in English literature, Kingston University

    From a longlist of 16, six novels have been shortlisted for the 2025 Women’s prize for fiction. Our experts review the finalists ahead of the announcement of the winner on June 12.

    The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden

    The Safekeep, a novel about the expropriation and theft of Jewish property during and after the second world war, revisits a dark chapter of Dutch history.

    When Holland fell to Nazi Germany, many Dutch Jews were deported to the death camps and were stripped of their homes and belongings. Van der Wouden’s debut novel shines alight on the act of keeping or maintaining things left behind that were to be reclaimed by their rightful owners, but which were lost or stolen in the war.

    The trauma of this history hangs over the lives of three siblings grieving the loss of their mother in 1961.

    Isabel, the novel’s lonely protagonist, lives alone in the family house, keeping it in order as her late mother would have wanted. All the while she suspects that their maid is stealing from the kitchen. But following the arrival of her brother’s girlfriend, Eva, Isabel discovers the truth of the house and attempts to right historical wrongs.

    By Manjeet Ridon, Associate Dean International, Arts, Design and Humanities

    Good Girl by Aria Aber

    Aria Aber’s debut is a frequently poetic and powerful künstlerroman (a novel that maps the development of an artist). It follows Nila, a young Afghan woman in Berlin, as she tries to escape from her own cultural heritage and that of the German city in which she lives.

    For much of the novel, Nila moves through the margins of society, from her family home in a brutalist rundown apartment block in the neighbourhood of Neukölln to a seemingly endless cycle of underground clubs, parties and festivals. She pushes away her family, her childhood friends, and her college education to pursue an alternative creative life and a destructive love affair. Ultimately though, Nila realises that her artistic work and a truly independent life can only be forged through her reconciliation with the past.

    Set against the real far-right violence of the 2000s, Aber makes clear how social inequalities and racial prejudices effect artistic access and creativity. She also acutely captures the tensions between freedom and tradition as experienced by bicultural Muslim women grappling with the expectation to be “good girls”.

    By Éadaoin Agnew, Senior lecturer in English literature

    All Fours by Miranda July

    “Everyone thinks doggy style is so vulnerable,” remarks one of the characters in Miranda July’s latest work of fiction. This story takes sexuality as its subject along with its relationship with creativity and ageing – or more specifically, the midlife plunge from a cliff that is female menopause.

    Like the author, July’s nameless protagonist is 45, a successful artist, and married with a non-binary child. This auto-fiction puts the author’s erotic nonconformity at the centre of the frame. Our heroine embarks on a road-trip to New York, but only 20 minutes from her home she falls in love with a young man. The pair spend two weeks together in a motel pursuing a mutual obsession, which ultimately remains unconsummated. This experience upends her life and she rebounds into turbulent adventures in sex, discovering a new sense of self.

    Perhaps it could have been a little tighter than its 322 pages – but then again, it’s a work that explores a capacious road to excess. All Fours is a funny, honest, rambunctious tale

    Elizabeth Kuti, Professor in the Department of Literature Film and Theatre Studies

    The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji

    “Do they think we were just some refugees?” Shirin, one of the characters in The Persians, asks her niece Bita. “Weren’t we?” Bita replies. The question of what a refugee looks like and what kind of stories they are expected to tell is a central theme in Mahloudji’s raucous, poignant novel.

    The story shifts back and forward in time, from Tehran in the 1940s to Los Angeles in the Reagan years, and to both America and Iran in the 2000s, interweaving the voices of five women from the wealthy and powerful Valiat family. Mahloudji explores love, miscommunication, loyalties and betrayal across generations as well as between those who left and those who stayed behind.

    Jewellery is a central theme in the novel: glistening in shops, hidden in suitcases or flung away in protest. It represents both the adornment of female identity and the weight of the history that the migrants carry with them.

    Alexandra Peat, Lecturer in English and Director of the MA in Literature and Publishing

    Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout

    Tell Me Everything is the tenth novel in Elizabeth Strout’s well-known series that sketches the lives of ordinary, yet complex characters, who enter and exit each other’s lives in the nowhere town of Crosby, Maine. The three main figures in this latest instalment are 90-year-old retired schoolteacher Olive Kitteridge (recognisable from Frances McDormand’s realisation in the award-winning TV series by the same name), early 60s fiction writer Lucy Barton, and 65-year-old lawyer Bob Burgess.

    Loosely, this novel can be described as a murder mystery, though the plot twist of an alleged matricide, and Burgess’s decision to defend the case, are secondary to the three main characters’ process of sharing previously untold accounts of forbidden, traumatic, guilty and unrequited love. It is this telling and memorialising that produces the emotional core of the novel. If sharing their past gives the ageing storytellers some respite from the burden of their hidden lives, it is not in the kind that comforts with meaning and purpose. In Strout’s novel, this relief is unavailable and is replaced with the more ephemeral solace of simply being heard.

    Yianna Liotsis, Associate Professor in the School of English Irish and Communication

    Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis

    At the heart of Fundamentally is the affinity that forms between narrator Nadia, appointed by the United Nations to rehabilitate “Isis brides” in Iraq, and one of her subjects, Sara, an east Londoner on the cusp of adulthood.

    They connect through a shared love of rollerblading, Dairy Milk and X-Men, as well as their caustic sense of humour. But the two British Muslim women have followed vastly different routes – Nadia to academia and the UN and Sara to a detention camp in Ninewah.

    Nadia’s story of her journey through the vagaries of the humanitarian sector, punctuated by flashbacks to her failed relationship with first love Rosy and fraught relationship with her mother, is told with a compelling mix of verve and vulnerability. It raises hard ethical and political questions along the way. But it is Nadia’s mission to help Sara that gives the novel its emotional complexity and depth, drawing the reader in while denying us any easy answers.

    Rehana Ahmed, Reader in Postcolonial and Contemporary Literature

    Éadaoin Agnew receives funding from AHRC.

    Alexandra Peat has received funding from the British Academy

    Elizabeth J Kuti, Manjeet Ridon, and Rehana Ahmed do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. Women’s prize for fiction 2025: six experts review the shortlisted novels – https://theconversation.com/womens-prize-for-fiction-2025-six-experts-review-the-shortlisted-novels-253573

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The positive impact of city’s free school meals

    Source: City of York

    City of York Council leaders are highlighting the positive impact of the city’s free school meals pilots, following the government’s announcement [5 June] that it will extend free school meals.

    It will extend free school meals to children in households receiving Universal Credit from September 2026.

    In York, free school meal pilots are running at three primary schools as part of a citywide initiative, providing pupils with a free school meal even if they’re not eligible under the national scheme. 

    Over 46,000 free breakfasts or lunches have been given to children in the three primary schools piloting the initiative – Westfield Primary Community School, Burton Green Primary School and Fishergate Primary School – since it launched in January 2024.

    The campaign is part of the council’s wider commitment both to address affordability challenges and to ensure that  good health and wellbeing is prioritised as early as possible in residents’ lives – part of the council’s four year plan – One City for all
    The pilots have been made possible thanks to funding from the council and donations to the York Community Fund’s York Hungry Minds Appeal.

    York Hungry Minds was set up in a bid to address disadvantage and the impact of the cost of living crisis, responding to national evidence suggesting that providing children with healthy, nourishing food can make a significant difference to school attendance, concentration and learning and their physical and mental wellbeing.

    Initial research carried out by researchers from the Universities of York, Leeds and Sheffield into the impact of the York free school meal pilots last autumn showed that pupils taking part showed improved attendance and punctuality compared to their peers. 

    Schools also saw evidence of improved behaviour because children were feeling less hungry, with staff noting improvements in the pupils’ focus and energy levels after receiving a free breakfast [at Burton Green]. 

    Staff and parents at Burton Green Primary School and Westfield Primary Community School highlighted how the Universal Free School Meal pilot had helped ease financial pressures, as part of the evaluation work. They also raised the food insecurity families’ face and the importance of the meals in directly alleviating pressure.

    Tina Clarke, headteacher at Fishergate Primary School, explained the impact the free school meals pilot has had at her school:

    “The breakfast club at Fishergate has made a huge difference to the children who attend.

    “We have seen a positive impact on levels of attendance and punctuality – to be honest we have been surprised by how much of an impact it has had. It has also made a big difference to how the children start the school day – they come into their class settled, happy and ready to learn.”

    Cllr Bob Webb, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:

    “When I have spoken to parents, carers and school leaders about the impact of our free school meals pilot, they highlighted improvements in school attendance and children’s behaviour.

    “A good education is critical to helping children fulfil their potential and live happy and healthy lives, and all the national and local evidence shows that providing a regular, nutritious meal really can have a significant impact on their learning. 

    “I’m pleased that the government has again shown its commitment to expanding eligibility for free school meals and I hope that this announcement will enable even more children and young people in York to get a free school lunch.”

    More details on the research findings into the impact of York’s free school meal pilots are available at https://www.york.gov.uk/free-school-meals/york-hungry-minds

    You can find out more about how to make donations to support York’s free school meals pilots at Two Ridings Community Foundation.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s car trade-in subsidies are driving NEV growth, report says

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    TIANJIN, June 6 (Xinhua) — China’s vehicle trade-in subsidies are accelerating the adoption of new energy vehicles (NEVs), with the monthly penetration rate of NEVs in the passenger car market expected to exceed 60 percent in 2025, according to a report released Friday by Automotive Data of China (Tianjin) Co., Ltd.

    The report, compiled jointly by the company and automotive information, trading and service platform Dongchedi (DCar), noted that more than 70 percent of consumers surveyed said the subsidies had increased their intentions to purchase a car.

    In the first quarter of 2025, the volume of light-duty vehicle purchases under trade-in programs in China reached 2.79 million units, up more than 1 million units from the same period last year. The report also noted that the volume of vehicle purchases under the vehicle-exchange program exceeded that of the scrappage program, reaching 2.03 million units.

    A survey conducted by Dongchedi found that consumers prefer subsidies for new car purchases and replacements through trade-in programs with lower participation thresholds. As subsidies become more widespread, applying for them before buying a car has become a common practice among consumers, with more than 50 percent relying on offline 4S stores to obtain information about subsidies, the report said. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada introduces legislation to build One Canadian Economy

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    Ottawa, Ontario, (June 6, 2025) – Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy, introduced new legislation to build a stronger, more competitive, and more resilient Canadian economy.

    One Canadian Economy: An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act, will remove federal barriers to internal trade and labour mobility, and advance nation-building projects crucial for driving Canadian productivity growth, energy security, and economic competitiveness.

    Advancing Major Projects

    The proposed legislation will accelerate the realization of major, nation-building projects that will help Canada become the strongest economy in the G7, deepen our trade relationships with reliable partners, and create good Canadian jobs. The federal government will determine whether a major project is in the national interest based on consultations with provinces, territories and Indigenous Peoples.

    Projects will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria:

    • Strengthen Canada’s autonomy, resilience and security;
    • Provide economic or other benefits to Canada;
    • Have a high likelihood of successful execution;
    • Advance the interests of Indigenous Peoples; and
    • Contribute to clean growth and to Canada’s objectives with respect to climate change.

    Projects will only be designated following full consultation with affected Indigenous Peoples.

    When a project is designated, it is conditionally approved upfront. The project will go through existing review processes, with a focus on “how” the project will be built as opposed to “whether” it can be. The federal major projects office will coordinate and expedite these reviews.

    The results, along with consultation with Indigenous Peoples, will inform a single set of binding federal conditions for the project. These conditions would include mitigation and accommodation measures to protect the environment and to respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The federal major projects office will include an Indigenous Advisory Council with First Nation, Inuit, and Métis representatives. The federal government will also allocate capacity funding to strengthen Indigenous Peoples’ participation in this process.

    This legislation aligns with the Government of Canada’s commitment to a ‘one project, one review’ approach, which means realizing a single assessment for projects and better coordination of permitting processes with the provinces and territories. The ultimate objective is to reduce decision timelines on major projects from five years down to two years.

    Canada will uphold its constitutional obligations to consult Indigenous groups to ensure projects proceed in ways that respect and protect Indigenous rights. We are committed to working in a way that respects our commitments to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and the principles of reconciliation, including economic reconciliation.

    Removing Internal Trade and Labour Mobility Barriers

    This new legislation builds one economy out of thirteen. It removes federal barriers to free trade within our borders while protecting workers, the environment and the health and safety of all Canadians.

    In cases where there is a federal barrier, the legislation will allow a good or service that meets comparable provincial or territorial rules to be considered to have met federal requirements for internal trade. For Canadian businesses, this will make it easier to buy, sell and transport goods and services across the country.

    On labour mobility, the new legislation will provide a framework to recognize provincial and territorial licenses and certifications for workers. This means that a worker authorized in provincial or territorial jurisdiction can more quickly and easily work in the same occupation in federal jurisdiction.

    This new legislation will make it easier to do business across Canada by removing regulatory duplication and cutting federal red tape. It will also reduce costs or delays for Canadian businesses who follow comparable provincial and territorial rules.

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pressley Slams Trump for Corruption, Bribery in Crypto Schemes

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

    “Under Trump, the SEC isn’t protecting anyone. It’s not regulating. Its cases are being dictated by whoever is paying the president tens of millions of dollars’ worth of crypto bribes.”

    “If this isn’t the definition of corruption, then what is?”

    Video (YouTube)

    WASHINGTON – In a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) slammed Donald Trump over his corrupt crypto venture for personal financial gain and his indirect and improper acceptance of bribes from companies being sued by the SEC who have later had their charges dropped.

    The Congresswoman laid out how Trump’s moves are a clear abuse of power over the SEC and blatantly enrich himself and his allies at the expense of everyday American investors.

    A transcript of the Congresswoman’s remarks, as delivered, is available below, and the full video is available here.

    Transcript: Pressley Slams Trump for Corruption, Bribery in Crypto Schemes

    House Financial Services Committee

    June 4, 2025

    REP. PRESSLEY: Now in normal times, a U.S. president trafficking in corruption would be condemned by both Republicans and Democrats. In normal times, the appearance of bribery – even the hint of it – would be universally denounced. 

    But these are not normal times. 

    In fact, in this season of reverse Robin Hood culture, these are the worst of times.

    The Trump family is engaging in mind-boggling levels of corruption – so blatant, so numerous, that we’re overwhelmed and can’t keep up, which is, in fact, the strategy.

    Today I want to shed light on, specifically, the crypto bribery scheme happening in plain sight. 

    Now, Trump launched World Liberty Financial, a crypto platform where 75% of revenues go straight to the Trump family’s pockets. This has become a pay-to-play corruption game. 

    Trump has – Occupant Trump has – zero interest in lowering costs for working families but remains vigilant in his efforts to enrich himself. 

    Now, further evidence of this pay-to-play corruption game.

    Player one is Justin Sun. In 2023, the SEC sued him and his companies for defrauding investors, manipulating token prices, and secretly paying celebrities to promote tokens without disclosing payments. All of that is illegal.

    But after Sun purchased $75 million worth of Trump’s tokens, he was appointed as an advisor to World Liberty Financial and, magically, Trump’s SEC dropped their case against him. 

    Maybe that’s just a coincidence. But it sure does look like crypto-bribery. 

    Then there’s Binance. The company’s founder, Changpeng Zhao, or CZ, was convicted for failing to prevent terrorists, child abusers, and cybercriminals from using his crypto-exchange. Binance paid a $4 billion fine and the SEC also sued Binance for running an unlicensed exchange. 

    Now that would have been a slam dunk case. 

    One Binance executive literally messaged another: quote, ‘We are operating as a f—ing unlicensed securities exchange in the USA, bro’ end quote.

    I must say, the constituency of ‘bros’ are certainly living their best life in Donald Trump’s America. But I digress. 

    But yet again, that case magically disappeared after a $2 billion investment in Binance using Trump’s stable coin. And we’re supposed to think that this is just a coincidence. 

    So let me ask a very simple question. I promise you, this is not a ‘gotcha’ question. This is straightforward. So, I’m looking for a straightforward answer. 

    Should companies be able to bribe the President of the United States to make SEC lawsuits go away? Yes or no?

    And we’ll begin with Mr. Massad and work back. 

    MR. TIMOTHY MASSAD: Absolutely not. 

    MS. KATHERINE MINARIK: No. Bribery is a crime. 

    MR. ROSTIN BEHNAM: No.

    MR. VIVEK RAMAN: No.

    MR. ELAD ROISMAN: I’m not here to talk about –

    REP. PRESSLEY: Let me just – let me say the question again, sir. Again, there’s no gotcha here. This is very straightforward. 

    MR. ELAD ROISMAN: Okay.

    REP. PRESSLEY: Should companies be able to bribe the President of the United States to make SEC lawsuits go away? Yes or no? 

    MR. ELAD ROISMAN: I don’t think anyone should bribe anyone to make lawsuits go away. 

    REP. PRESSLEY: Yes or no? 

    MR. ELAD ROISMAN: That’s my answer, ma’am.

    REP. PRESSLEY: Yes or no? 

    MR. ELAD ROISMAN: I think I just answered it.

    REP. PRESSLEY: Under Trump, the SEC isn’t protecting anyone. It’s not regulating. Its cases are being dictated by whoever is paying the president tens of millions of dollars’ worth of crypto bribes.

    And who pays the price? It’s not the billionaires or the foreign actors cutting deals behind closed doors. It’s the average Americans who use crypto for legitimate reasons, like remittances, who are left unprotected in a rigged system. 

    And to be clear, these crypto scams are not simply about Trump and his billionaire friends making money. 

    It’s even worse than that. 

    It’s about them stealing money from everyone else. 

    If this isn’t the definition of corruption, then what is?

    I yield back.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Operation Patriot Results in Numerous Arrests of Criminal Illegal Aliens with Detainers that Were Ignored Due to Sanctuary Policies

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    Nearly 1,500 illegal aliens were arrested in sanctuary Massachusetts including rapists, kidnappers, and other violent criminals

    WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published further details about the success of Operation Patriot in Massachusetts. DHS is highlighting some of the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens who were arrested and then released into Massachusetts (MA) communities because of sanctuary policies.

    “Under President Trump and Secretary Noem’s leadership, ICE arrested nearly 1,500 illegal aliens in sanctuary Massachusetts during a month-long operation” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Outrageously, many of these criminal illegal aliens—including rapists, kidnappers, and other violent criminals were arrested and RELEASED by local authorities because of sanctuary policies. These policies make Americans less safe.”

    Below are a few of the worst of the worst arrests made during the month-long surge by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) all of whom had previous ICE detainers which were ignored by local authorities.

    Marcelino De Leon Yoc

    ICE Boston arrested Marcelino De Leon Yoc, a 32-year-old illegal alien from Guatemala and a registered sex offender who has pending criminal charges in Boston, MA for five counts of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or older. He was arrested in Roxbury, MA for aggravated rape of child with a 10-year age gap and indecent assault and battery of a person 14 or older. Two ICE detainers were not honored—one from the Suffolk Superior Court in Boston, MA and another one from Nashua Street Jail in Boston, MA. He is pending removal and will remain in ICE custody.

    John Tobon Vargas

    ICE Boston arrested John Tobon Vargas, a 22-year-old illegal alien from Colombia. Previously, on February 14, 2025, the Boston, MA Municipal Court in Roxbury, MA arraigned him on charges of felony breaking and entering, kidnapping, aggravated rape, and indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or older. The Boston Municipal Court released him without notifying ICE, despite an immigration detainer being in place. He is pending removal proceedings and will remain in ICE custody.

    Kebler Lasso

    ICE Boston also arrested Kebler Lasso, an illegal alien from Ecuador. On July 24, 2018, he was convicted for soliciting to commit murder and was sentenced to one year in jail. He was released by the Brockton District Court in MA and placed on GPS without honoring the immigration detainer in place. On May 5, 2025, ERO Boston arrested him in Brockton, MA.

    Denis Javier Aguirre Murillo

    ICE Boston arrested Denis Javier Aguirre Murillo, a 37-year-old illegal alien from Honduras, whose most recent arrest in Fall River, MA was for rape, indecent assault and battery on person 14 or older, witness intimidation, and kidnapping a minor by relative. He has a conviction in Boston, MA for illegal re-entry. He also has several other arrests in MA including lewd and lascivious conduct, sexual conduct for fee, and multiple convictions for operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Furthermore, he has a conviction for operating while intoxicated in Iowa and served one year prison. On February 19, 2025, the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office did not honor his ICE detainer, and he was released. 

    Luciano Pereira De Oliveira

    ICE Boston arrested Luciano Pereira De Oliveira, a 29-year-old illegal alien from Brazil, pending charges in Edgartown, MA for aggravated rape of a child with force, possession child pornography, and dissemination of obscene material. He has another arrest in Edgartown, MA for assault and battery of family and kidnapping. On July 28, 2024, an ICE detainer was lodged, but the Edgartown District Court in MA did not honor the detainer and released him. He was arrested as part of Operation Patriot and will be processed for expedited removal.

    Jose Wilfredo Lopez-Martin

    ICE Boston arrested 40-year-old Jose Wilfredo Lopez-Martin, an illegal alien from Guatemala, who has been charged with for the following: assault and battery with a dangerous weapon – hammer, threatening to commit crime, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon – vehicle, assault and battery of family, strangulation/suffocation, and intimidation of a witness. On October 16, 2024, the Lynn District Court in MA released him and did not honor the ICE detainer. 

    Graviel Nolasco

    ICE Boston arrested Graviel Nolasco, a 52-year-old illegal alien from Guatemala, at large in Lynn, MA. On an unknown date and location, he entered the U.S. without admission or parole. He has been removed from the U.S. on four prior occasions. He has a conviction in Peabody, MA for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and malicious destruction of property. He has 15 total adult arraignments in Lynn, MA, for crimes such as assault and battery on a household (3x), strangulation/suffocation, intimidation of witness, Abuse Prevention Act, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The Lynn District Court in MA released him on January 7, 2025, and did not honor the immigration detainer. He will remain in ICE custody pending referral to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution for re-entry after deportation. 

    Senat Dufren

    ICE Boston arrested Senat Dufren, 33, an illegal alien from Haiti, in Waltham, MA. He was previously arrested in Roxbury, MA for assault and battery and malicious destruction of property, and ICE subsequently lodged an immigration detainer with the Nashua Street Jail in Boston, MA. On April 3, 2024, he was released, and the detainer was not honored. He was then arrested again on February 19, 2025, in Waltham, MA for assault and battery, assault and battery on a pregnant victim, and assault and battery of a family/household.

    Jose Luis Ledezma

    ICE Boston arrested Jose Luis Ledezma, an illegal alien from Ecuador, who had been previously removed from the U.S. and has pending criminal charges in Barnstable, MA for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, leaving scene with person injured, and operating a vehicle with  suspended license. He had another arrest in Barnstable for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon – hammer. On March 21, 2025, an ICE detainer was lodged with Barnstable County House of Corrections, but it was not honored, and he was later released. He will be prosecuted for illegal entry. 

    Jefferson Adrian Patin Quinaloa

    ICE Boston arrested Jefferson Adrian Patin Quinaloa, a 21-year-old illegal alien from Ecuador, who has convictions for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and operating negligently, as well as pending charges for aggravated assault and battery – serious bodily injury, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and assault to rob. On February 20, 2024, the Brighton District Court in MA released him and did not honor the ICE detainer. On May 5, 2023, the Plymouth Superior Court in MA released him and did not honor the ICE detainer. He is now in ICE custody.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Copilot Actions now available in Labs + Copilot with Instacart

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Copilot Actions now available in Labs + Copilot with Instacart

    Welcome to Microsoft’s Copilot Release Notes. Here we’ll provide regular updates on what’s happening with Copilot, from new features to firmware updates and more. Try Copilot Actions — Now in Copilot Labs  Let Copilot lend you a hand with everyday web tasks. Copilot Actions is a new experimental feature available to Copilot Pro users in

    Welcome to Microsoft’s Copilot Release Notes. Here we’ll provide regular updates on what’s happening with Copilot, from new features to firmware updates and more.

    Try Copilot Actions — Now in Copilot Labs 

    Let Copilot lend you a hand with everyday web tasks. Copilot Actions is a new experimental feature available to Copilot Pro users in the U.S., designed to help you get things done — not just find answers. 

    With simple chat prompts, you can ask Copilot to: 

    • Book a hotel 
    • Make a dinner reservation 
    • Order flowers 
    • Find a flight 
    • Schedule a tour 

    …and much more — all from your browser. 

    Copilot works behind the scenes to complete tasks on your behalf, and you stay in control every step of the way. You can pause, stop, edit, or take over at any time. 

    Available now in Copilot Labs on any modern browser. 

    Example prompts to try: 

    • “Order me a bouquet of flowers using 1800Flowers.com” 
    • “Book me a hotel room on Hotels.com for this weekend” 
    • “Make a dinner reservation for two at an Italian restaurant on OpenTable.com” 

    Recipes and Instacart  

    Getting all your ingredients ready just got even easier on Copilot with Instacart. With Recipe cards, you can now directly purchase ingredients in Copilot. Simply select “Shop Ingredients on Instacart” while using Copilot on iOS, Android, the Mac app, or Copilot.com. 

    The Recipe feature is enabled for all users — no sign-in required — and is available across all Copilot markets, making it effortless to find inspiration and shop for ingredients seamlessly. Currently, the Instacart Buy option is only available in the U.S., but it will be extending to Canada soon! 

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: New features in Microsoft Store on Windows focus on personalization, faster search

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: New features in Microsoft Store on Windows focus on personalization, faster search

    The Microsoft Store on Windows is used by over 250 million users each month – and we take the responsibility we have to you, our customers, seriously. We use the feedback you send to ensure we’re focusing on the most important things our customers care about. Last December, we announced a variety of product quality improvements, and in February, we shared how we’re evolving our Store into an AI marketplace. And we’re excited to keep the momentum going, with many more updates planned for this year.

    Today, we’re excited to announce a variety of newly available features that we believe will level up your Store experience.

    Let’s jump in!

    Home page, curated for you

    The Microsoft Store homepage will now be personalized for you. Whether you’re a gamer chasing the next big hit, a productivity enthusiast looking for time-hacks or a developer in search of tools, the newly redesigned homepage will elevate the content most meaningful to you. In the coming weeks, you’ll see fresh recommendations based on recent activities, what’s trending in your region and the most recent deals. Personalized recommendations are controlled by your Store settings.

    Find what you’re looking for, faster

    We are making four big improvements to help you to search for and discover new content faster. First, search in Store just got a whole lot smarter. We have rearchitected how search works – it is now more intent-aware, leverages signals like app updates and ratings more diligently for ranking and addresses language-specific nuances. This translates to results that are more relevant to what you are looking for – try it out today!

    Second, for users in the United States, Copilot is now available in the bottom right corner to answer questions while you’re browsing product pages. You can open it up to ask questions about the page you’re viewing or select two products for comparisons.

    Third, when you’re browsing product pages, you’ll now see a new “Discover More” section that includes related content that you may be interested in. And fourth, we have added product page badges to help you easily tell which apps have AI features, and which apps are great for Copilot+ PCs.

    Deeper Windows integration

    One of the superpowers of Store apps is their ability to integrate into the rest of Windows – so here are two new ways we’re trying to meet you where you are. First, if you’re like us and use Windows search to look for most things on your PC, we have exciting news! You’ll now be able to launch Windows search, search for an app or game from the Store and install it quickly1.

    Second, we’re experimenting with offering app suggestions to open select file extensions, which is particularly helpful if you don’t have an app for that extension, or haven’t selected a default app. If you’re a Windows Insider in the U.S. or China regions, you’ll soon be able to try this out by using the context menu to select an app to “Open With” and browsing our recommendations. If you’ve already selected a default app, that will show up first.

    More fixes under the hood

    The Store is getting faster. After rigorous performance investments, the Store launches two times faster than it did six months ago2. We have also significantly improved installation reliability and speed over the last six months. To make sure you see the latest improvements, please ensure you have the latest Windows update.

    Other goodies in Store

    There’s a long list of fit and finish improvements for you to go try, including: a new capability that lets you install individual components for games; faster in-apps rating dialogs for when you want to share your feedback with developers; and a new field on product pages to let you know when an app or game was last updated.

    And we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the importance of our Store developers. Since last December, we’ve welcomed new partners like Notion, Perplexity, Docker and Day One. And more are on the way – including Manus, an autonomous AI agent (productivity tool) designed to perform and deliver complex tasks for knowledge workers across various domains – so please keep checking for new releases.

    Built with care and tested with precision, the Microsoft Store on Windows is here to help you find what you’re looking for. As always, we are listening to your feedback, so please submit via Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Microsoft Store. We still have a lot more in the pipeline, so visit the “What’s New” section in the Store to stay connected on new releases.

    1Feature availability varies by market.

    2 Data based on internal testing and subject to factors such as device, location, Windows and Store app versions.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS: Sanders, 39 Senators Fight Trump’s Cuts to the Job Corps Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
    WASHINGTON, June 6 – After the Trump administration attempted to shutter the nation’s largest jobs training program for low-income and at-risk young people, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and 39 Senate colleagues, today sent a letter to Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer urging her to reverse the illegal and unconstitutional cuts to the Job Corps program that are harming students and communities in every state in the country. 
    “The Administration’s decision to illegally and abruptly terminate Job Corps center operations has left 25,000 students and thousands of staff across 99 Job Corps centers in the lurch,” wrote Sanders and the senators. “The sudden ‘pause’ of operations at Job Corps centers puts young people’s lives at risk, especially a significant number of students who were experiencing homelessness before arriving to the program. Local communities will pay a steep price, especially the thousands of individuals who work at the centers and will lose their livelihoods.” 
    For more than 60 years, Job Corps has helped millions of young people in rural communities and cities alike to finish high school, learn technical skills and get good-paying jobs while providing stable housing, medical and mental health care, and other supportive services. Through Job Corps programs, young people receive the training they need to start in good-paying jobs that support their communities after graduation – including as wildland firefighters, nurses, electricians, machinists, pipefitters, and welders. Last month, however, the Trump administration indefinitely ‘paused’ operations at Job Corps sites across the country. 
    “We urge you to immediately reverse this decision to prevent a lapse in education and services for Job Corps students. We further urge that the Department restart enrollments, expeditiously restart background checks, and make any contract extensions or modifications necessary to ensure no interruptions or delays for students or program operations,” concluded Sanders and the senators. 
    Joining Sanders on the letter are Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Angus King (I-Maine), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.). 
    Read the letter here. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Latta Meets with General Steven S. Nordhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau and Ohio Native

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

    Latta Meets with General Steven S. Nordhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau and Ohio Native

    Washington, June 6, 2025

    Yesterday, Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH-5) met General S. Nordhaus at the House Guard and Reserve Caucus Reception, to discuss his distinguished military service and leadership both in Ohio and across the nation. General Nordhaus was raised in Putnam County in Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District.

    General Nordhaus currently serves as the 30th Chief of the National Guard Bureau and is a member of the Joint Chiefs Staff. His decorated career includes serving as Commander of the 180th Fighter Wing at Toledo Air National Guard Base from January 2011 to December 2013. In October, he was promoted to the rank of four-star general.

    “It was an honor to meet General Nordhaus, who now serves as Chief of the National Guard Bureau here in Washington. He has had a stellar career serving our nation, and I thank him for his continued service and leadership,” Latta said.

    Read more about General Steven S. Nordhaus here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: IDEX Biometrics ASA: New date for the share consolidation and ISIN change

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Reference is made to the stock exchange notice from IDEX Biometrics ASA (the “Company”) on 11 April 2025 regarding key information relating to share consolidation and change of ISIN as resolved by the 11 April 2025 Extraordinary General Meeting in the Company (the “EGM”). The effective date of the share consolidation was stated to be 11 June 2025 or such later date as determined by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”).

    Reference is also made to the subsequent offering resolved by the EGM (the “Subsequent Offering”), which is ongoing and will not be completed prior to 11 June 2025. For technical reasons, the Board wishes to complete the Subsequent Offering prior to implementing the share consolidation.

    Therefore, the Board has resolved to move the effective date of the share consolidation (and the date of the associated ISIN change of the Company’s shares) to 20 June 2025.  

    For further information, please contact:

    Kristian Flaten, CFO, Tel: +47 95092322

    E-mail: ir@idexbiometrics.com

    About IDEX Biometrics:

    IDEX Biometrics ASA (IDEX) is a global technology leader in fingerprint biometrics, offering authentication solutions across payments, access control, and digital identity. Our solutions bring convenience, security, peace of mind and seamless user experiences to the world. Built on patented and proprietary sensor technologies, integrated circuit designs, and software, our biometric solutions target card-based applications for payments and digital authentication. As an industry-enabler we partner with leading card manufacturers and technology companies to bring our solutions to market. For more information, visit www.idexbiometrics.com

    About this notice:

    This notice was issued by Kristian Flaten, CFO, on 6 June 2025 at 18:30 CET on behalf of IDEX Biometrics ASA. The information shall be disclosed according to section 5-8 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act (STA) and released in accordance with section 5-12 of the STA.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaptur Condemns $3.7 Billion In DOE Cuts To American Manufacturing Nationwide

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

    Toledo, OH – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development released the following statement upon the news that the Department of Energy has cancelled 24 projects nationwide, totaling $3.7 Billion in investment in American manufacturing, including a $45.1 Million investment in an Industrial Demonstration Project for Libbey Glass LLC’s Toledo, Ohio facility.

    “The abrupt termination of $3.7 Billion in clean energy investment is shortsighted and malicious. This decision will raise energy costs for American families and undermine our nation’s competitive edge. In Northwest Ohio, it endangers jobs, and undermines manufacturing in our critical glass industry, while empowering China and our global competitors,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “Nationwide, DOE is not only raising the cost of energy in Red Districts and Blue Districts — we’re ceding ground to global competitors racing ahead in innovation and energy efficiency. This decision undercuts American innovation, discourages private-sector investment, and harms workers like the ones I represent who are counting on these projects for jobs and economic revitalization. The American people deserve leadership that meets the moment — not one that backs away from the challenge of a clean, affordable energy future. If the Trump Administration was looking to give Communist China everything they wanted, they are well on their way.”

    Below are a list of actions Ranking Member Kaptur has taken related to DOE’s frozen funding and award cancelations

     since the start of the Trump Administration:

    1. Jan. 31, 2025: Sent letter to DOE Acting Secretary regarding funding freeze
      1. Kaptur, Murray Demand Answers on Trump Administration Freezing Energy Department Investments to Lower Americans’ Energy Costs
      2. Rep. Kaptur co-led a letter with Sen. Murray.
    2. Feb. 13, 2025: Released factsheets on funding freeze impacts
      1. Kaptur, DeLauro Release Seven Fact Sheets Detailing How Trump’s Funding Freeze is Raising Energy Prices and Undermining Energy Dominance
      2. Seven factsheets were released which detail how the funding freeze impacts each state for the programs listed below.
        1. Home energy rebate program
        2. Electric grid programs
        3. Hydrogen hubs program
        4. Battery manufacturing programs
        5. Industrial demonstrations program
        6. Weatherization assistance program
        7. Loan program
    3. Feb. 26, 2025: Sent follow-up letter to Jan. 31 letter on funding freeze
      1. Kaptur, Murray Follow-Up, Demand Answers from Trump DOE as it Continues to Block Investments to Lower Americans’ Energy Costs
      2. Rep. Kaptur again co-led a letter with Sen. Murray to Secretary Wright..
    4. Apr. 2, 2025: Sent letter to DOE Acting Inspector General regarding award cancelations
      1. House Energy Leaders Call for Investigation into Department of Energy’s Scheme to Cancel Awards and Contracts
      2. Rep. Kaptur co-led a letter with Rep. DeLauro, Rep. Pallone, Rep. Castor, Rep. Lofgren and Rep. Ross calling for an investigation into the agency’s scheme to cancel competitively awarded contracts and potential for political targeting.
    5. May 7, 2025: Pushed Secretary Wright at Department of Energy budget hearing on funding freezes and cuts at DOE
      1. Ranking Member Kaptur Remarks at Fiscal Year 2026 US Department of Energy Budget Hearing
      2. Transcript of Ranking Member Kaptur exchange with Secretary Wright:

    RANKING MEMBER MARCY KAPTUR:

    So one of the things I have to ask about is my own district. I don’t understand why there was a project that was to be awarded to a glass company. And for some reason, it was pulled or it’s sitting somewhere over there, and it has caused all kinds of problems for the company. You’re a businessman. You would understand this if I can find the right sheet here.

    There’s so many sheets of paper. It’s called Libbey glass and they have two furnaces. I come from an industrial part of America and life there has been hell for a long time because we forgot what the defense industrial base of this country really is. And we’ve been trying to catch up, but it’s been hard.

    And oh, here it is. OK. So the department had $6 billion in DOE investments that were leveraged with $14 billion of private sector investment. And one of those companies, Libbey Glass, which gave me permission to even use their — I’m even afraid to use their name in public. They’re a great company. They’re a legacy company in our community.

    I’ll start to cry. They’re generous and they work hard. And they are to replace four regenerative furnaces with two larger hybrid electric furnaces to reduce the carbon intensity of its Toledo Ohio facility by up to 50 percent. And the department is considering canceling more than 60 percent of their industrial demonstration projects, which would be devastating to our community.

    And this is a company that never left the city. They didn’t go out into the suburbs, OK, and break more ground. They’re a responsible company. And for this award review and cancellation process, how is DOE or any part of your administration assessing which DOE projects will be canceled or continued? What criteria are you using?

    And even if DOE chooses not to cancel any of these awards, these actions are creating mass confusion. Unemployment is going up in our area, by the way, and companies have canceled almost $8 billion in energy manufacturing projects so far just this year, five times more than was canceled last year. So given your private sector background, what can you do to help me understand what is happening to this particular company in the review process? Where are they?

    SECRETARY CHRIS WRIGHT:

    Representative Kaptur, I appreciate your passion for industrial America, keeping the industries we have, bringing new industries home. We are so aligned on that. It’s one of the things I’m excited about this administration. We’ve outsourced so many of those jobs overseas. I was lucky. I grew up in suburban America and got a great education.

    I’ve had a dreamy life. I could have been born somewhere else. I could have had a very different life. I share your passion.

    RANKING MEMBER MARCY KAPTUR:

    Thank you.

    SECRETARY CHRIS WRIGHT:

    I share your passion. So I think I mentioned briefly, I walk into a department that I am very passionate about energy and all that. I want to support as many activities and projects as we can, to save American industry and grow American industry. So fully aligned on that. I think I gave the numbers before, but I walked into a thing where $100 billion had been shoveled out the door in 76 days.

    SECRETARY CHRIS WRIGHT:

    I’m responsible for that money now, either in money out the door or committed to money to go out the door. I can’t look at American taxpayers, including taxpayers in your district and say, yes, we invested $2 billion and we built a bridge to nowhere. We built something and now it’s just closed because it had no marketplace, it had nowhere to go. So let me give you a quick little summary. So the answer is we haven’t canceled any projects because we’ve been slow and careful and deliberative. We’ve developed a process. And in the next few months, we will run hundreds of projects, including those through our thing.

    And if it’s viable and it’s going to create jobs and it’s going to do these great things, we’re going to support that project. And the simple little criterion we’re looking at is legal, um, that technology, is the technology viable? Is the engineering done competently? Is there a market for the thing that’s being built?

    Is there a financial model that that co-funding is coming in together with the DOE funding, so the project can be complete? And does it add to national or economic security? It sounds like that one, if all the other things work certainly would. And it is aligned with this agenda?

    RANKING MEMBER MARCY KAPTUR:

    Mr. Secretary, thank you for that, putting that on the record, but that was already approved. You are reviewing something that was — all the appropriated money was already there. Those decisions had been made. So that is a very — this is a very strange process because that — those dollars weren’t to be spent, um, already as we work toward the ’26 budget.

    1. May 12, 2025: Released factsheet highlighting Secretary Wright’s Lies at Hearing
      1. Kaptur and DeLauro Expose Energy Secretary’s Lies

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: On the Eve of Memorial Day 2025, Kaptur and Bacon Introduce Bipartisan Gold Star Spouse Healthcare Enhancement Act to Extend Care For Spouses of Fallen Soldiers

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

    Toledo, Ohio – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), a senior member of House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, and Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation introduced the bipartisan Gold Star Spouse Healthcare Enhancement Act. Currently, surviving spouses retain healthcare coverage through TRICARE in the “active-duty family member” category for just three years after their servicemember passes away. After three years, they automatically shift to “retired family member” status, which forces them to pay higher fees and out-of-pocket costs. This Act effectively removes the three-year limitation for Gold Star Spouses, enabling them to retain “active-duty family member” status and eligibility for healthcare coverage.

    “As we approach Memorial Day, Congressman Bacon of Nebraska and I have introduced a bipartisan bill to recognize the sacrifice of Gold Star spouses by expanding their healthcare benefits. Military service requires our men and women to risk their lives fighting and defeating America’s enemies,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “They selflessly put self above country and accept this risk to secure Liberty across the globe. We owe so much to those who answered the call to serve, and perished in defense of our nation. Caring for their surviving spouses is a part of that commitment. I encourage our colleagues to support the Gold Star Spouses Healthcare Enhancement Act as one small way we can honor the debt that surviving spouses are owed by our grateful nation.”

    “As a nation we have a responsibility to the Gold Star spouses of servicemembers who sacrificed their lives overseas defending the United States’ interests, and this legislation is a small step forward in honoring their sacrifice and caring for their families,” said Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02). “Current law makes thousands of Gold Star spouses pay the retiree rate for healthcare. The Gold Star Spouse TRICARE Act of 2024 will allow Gold Star spouses to be treated as ‘active-duty members’ instead of a family member of a retiree so they will no longer have to incur additional costs to either continue TRICARE Prime or transition to TRICARE Select.”

    You can find a full copy of the bill text for the Gold Star Spouse Healthcare Enhancement Act by clicking here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Allen Continues to Stand with the American LSPTV Industry

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

    This week, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) led a bipartisan, bicameral group of his colleagues in sending letters to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) Chair Amy Karpel in support of the American low-speed personal transportation vehicle (LSPTV) industry.

    In the letter to Secretary Lutnick, Congressman Allen, Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02), and Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) write:We commend the U.S. Department of Commerce for its hard work in conducting the antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on Low Speed Personal Transportation Vehicles from the People’s Republic of China. These investigations are critical to ensuring the unfairly traded Chinese imports do not continue to injure the American LSPTV industry.”

    The Members continue: “We are very concerned, however, by the actions being taken by Chinese LSPTV producers to circumvent and evade the trade relief needed by the domestic industry. It is clear to us that, since the Department’s preliminary determinations, Chinese LSPTV producers have responded, not by abiding U.S. trade rules, but rather by re-labeling and re-organizing their supply chains in an effort to skirt those very trade disciplines… We ask the Department to take all steps necessary to ensure that Chinese producers do not continue to erode U.S. trade measures, especially given the significant levels of dumping and subsidization that the agency has already found to exist among LSPTV imports from China.”

    In the letter to Chair Karpel, Congressman Allen and 24 of his colleagues write: “Facing large and increasing volumes of dumped and subsidized imports from China, the American LSPTV industry filed antidumping and countervailing duty cases in June 2024… With the aid of substantial Chinese government subsidies, these imported vehicles are being sold below U.S. market prices, taking sales and revenue from domestic producers and underselling and depressing U.S. prices.”

    The Members conclude: “In short, it is critical that our trade remedy laws accurately address unfair trade practices so that U.S. workers and businesses can compete on a level playing field. Domestic LSPTV manufacturers represent a quintessential American industry, and trade relief is crucial to ensuring that they do not continue to be injured by unfair Chinese import competition.”

    To read the full letter to Secretary Lutnick, CLICK HERE.
    To read the full letter to Chair Karpel, CLICK HERE.

    BACKGROUND: The Central Savannah River Area, encompassing Georgia and South Carolina, has long been the epicenter of U.S. golf cart manufacturing. It is home to two large producers that deliver electric vehicle models for personal and recreational transportation – PTVs, LSVs, and golf carts. Congressman Allen has been at the forefront of this issue since June 2024 and continues to seek relief for domestic LSPTV producers:

    • June 2024: Allen Leads Letter to USTR Urging Ambassador Tai to Expand Definition and Combat the Importation of Chinese-Subsidized Electric Vehicles
    • November 2024: Allen Leads Letter Urging Commerce Department to Stand by U.S. Manufacturers
    • December 2024: Commerce Department Finds China Unfairly Subsidized Low-Speed Transportation Vehicle Industry
    • January 2025: Commerce Department Establishes Antidumping Duties for Chinese LSPTV’s

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai Visits Western North Carolina and Highlights Mental Health Resources, Importance of Healthy Opportunities Pilot Program

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai Visits Western North Carolina and Highlights Mental Health Resources, Importance of Healthy Opportunities Pilot Program

    NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai Visits Western North Carolina and Highlights Mental Health Resources, Importance of Healthy Opportunities Pilot Program
    hejones1

    North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai is traveling to western North Carolina to learn about recovery efforts and highlight mental health resources available to people impacted by Hurricane Helene. The Secretary will also visit a Healthy Opportunities Pilot program providing essential services to people recovering from the storm. Credentialed media are invited to attend the visit at Love and Respect Community for Recovery and Wellness in Hendersonville on June 12, 2025, at 12:45 p.m., and the visit at Caja Solidaria in Hendersonville on June 12, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. Together, Love and Respect and Caja Solidaria have served as a hub of recovery efforts following Helene. 

    Leaders will first give an update on the Hope4NC program, a $12.4 million investment that supports crisis outreach in 25 counties hit hardest by Helene. Trained crisis counselors have been going door-to-door to provide education, assist in recovery efforts, link people with critical behavioral health services and provide counseling where people need it most.  

    Love and Respect Community for Recovery and Wellness is a “no barriers” shelter run by peer support specialists. It has seen a significant increase in people in need of services following Hurricane Helene. The shelter’s expanded location opened just before Helene and is open to anyone in the community and can help people at no cost with mental health care, Healthy Opportunities Pilot enrollment and NC Medicaid enrollment and assistance.  

    Hope4NC also offers a free, confidential 24/7 helpline to anyone in distress. Since Sept. 28, 2024, Hope4NC has delivered more than 11,300 individual or group counseling services and supportive contacts, more than 200,000 assessments, referrals and media outreach contacts and answered more than 7,300 helpline calls.  

    Additionally, NCDHHS received a generous $25 million appropriation from the North Carolina General Assembly to further support mental health crisis response in the affected areas, including support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Funds are being used to: 

    • Increase access to community- and facility-based crisis services
    • Increase behavioral health service access for special populations, including deaf and hard of hearing
    • Provide transitional housing for unhoused veterans
    • Provide behavioral health and crisis services at rural health centers supporting uninsured people
    • Provide training and trauma support to first responders, DSS workers, teachers and other helpers in the community
    • Consult with providers supporting individuals with I/DD and their families
    • Increase access to opioid use treatment, including opening several new mobile treatment centers and ensuring communities are supplied with Naloxone
    • Increase access to peer support services
    • Implement disaster preparedness training and resources for local DSS offices and crisis support resources for individuals with I/DD 

    What: NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai Visits Western NC and Highlights Mental Health Resources

    Who: Dr. Dev Sangvai, Secretary, NCDHHS 
              Tracy Hayes, Vaya Health Area Director and CEO 
              Lexie Wilkins, Founder, Love and Respect Community for Recovery 
              Alivea Turner, Director of Operations, Love and Respect Community for Recovery 
              Richard Dudley, Hope4NC crisis counselor   
              Hope4NC participant 

    When: Thursday, June 12, 12:45-1:25 p.m.

    Where: Love & Respect, 350 Chadwick Ave., Hendersonville, NC 28792

    ***

    After the event at Love and Respect, Secretary Sangvai will tour Caja Solidaria, a human service organization serving Henderson and Transylvania Counties that is a provider for the Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) program. HOP addresses social needs by providing housing, food, transportation and interpersonal violence/toxic stress services to qualifying Medicaid members.  

    In just under three years, the first-of-its kind innovative program has been described as a “life changer” for thousands of North Carolina families. Healthy Opportunities proves the best way to lower health care costs and create healthier communities is to reduce the need for medical care in the first place. HOP participants are healthier and visit the emergency room less often, which reduces the total cost of needed medical care for enrollees by $85 per person, per month.

    Caja Solidaria currently provides fresh food to more than 1,500 people per week in western NC.

    At present, proposed House and Senate budgets put forward by the North Carolina General Assembly do not include funding for the Healthy Opportunities Pilots program’s ongoing operations or statewide scaling beyond the current fiscal year (June 30, 2025). Without funding, Healthy Opportunities Pilots will end on July 1, putting services at-risk for thousands of people in North Carolina.  

    What: NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai Highlights Importance of Healthy Opportunities Pilot program

    Who: Dr. Dev Sangvai, Secretary, NCDHHS 
              Amy Landers, Interim Executive Director, Caja Solidaria 
              Participant served by Caja Solidaria 

    When: Thursday, June 12, 1:30-2:15 p.m.

    Where: Caja Solidaria, 316 Chadwick Ave., Hendersonville, NC 28792

    RSVP: Credentialed media should RSVP to news@dhhs.nc.gov if they plan to attend.  

    Jun 6, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI, Local Partners Interrupt IED and Mass Shooting Event

    Source: US FBI

    PORTLAND, OR—The FBI Portland Field Office and local law enforcement partners arrested a Columbia County, Oregon, juvenile who conspired to conduct an improvised explosive attack and mass shooting at the Three Rivers Mall in Kelso, Washington, on May 22, 2025.

    The teen, whose name will not be released due to an effort to limit public disclosure of a minor, was arrested on the morning of May 22, 2025, by deputies from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.

    The detailed and imminent attack plans were reported to the FBI on May 19, 2025. Immediately, the FBI began working with our partners to identify the suspect who was responsible for the threat. The subject was identified the next day, May 20, as a juvenile Columbia County resident who shared nihilistic violent extremist ideology and the plans in online chats. The suspect was placed under court-authorized surveillance for public safety concerns, and a federal search warrant was planned and executed on May 22, 2025, prior to the arrest.

    The suspect demonstrated the intent and means to carry out their plan, which included precise details such as a map of the mall, a route the shooter would follow, a plan to use an improvised explosive device commonly known as a chlorine bomb to incite panic, and then to shoot mall patrons as they were exiting the movie theatre before ultimately committing suicide at a pre-determined location in the mall.

    An alarming amount of indicators of a cogent path to violence were met—at no point in this plan did it seem like the suspect wouldn’t follow through with their plans.

    “This plot was as serious as it gets,” said FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Olson. “We, along with our partners, moved swiftly to interrupt this violent plan and to protect our community.”

    Initial contact with the subject was made by the FBI, however the arrest was made by local law enforcement on state charges.

    The FBI encourages the public to report suspicious behavior to law enforcement, and for parents to engage with their children and have an open dialogue about their online activity.

    The Columbia County District Attorney’s office is prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Big Island Attorneys and Businessman Found Guilty of Bribery

    Source: US FBI

    HONOLULU – After a three-week trial before United States District Judge Jill A. Otake, a federal jury today found Paul Joseph Sulla, Jr., 78, Gary Charles Zamber, 55, and Rajesh P. Budhabhatti, 65, guilty of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and nine counts of honest services wire fraud. Sulla was additionally convicted of money laundering. Sentencing is set for October 7, 2025 for Zamber, October 8, 2025 for Budhabhatti, and October 21, 2025 for Sulla. The defendants were permitted to remain released on bail pending sentencing. 

    At trial, the evidence showed that Sulla and Zamber, both attorneys living on the island of Hawaii (“Big Island”), and Budhabhatti, a private businessman on the Big Island, paid bribes and kickbacks to Alan Rudo, a Housing Specialist for the Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Development, in exchange for Rudo using his official position to ensure the County approved three affordable housing agreements (AHAs) benefitting the defendants’ development companies Luna Loa Developments, LLC, West View Developments, LLC and Plumeria at Waikoloa, LLC. Although the defendants promised in the AHAs to build affordable housing for the citizens of Hawaii County, their development companies never built a single unit. Through the AHAs, the defendants fraudulently obtained at least $10,980,000 worth of land and excess affordable housing credits (AHCs). From that amount, the defendants paid or attempted to pay Rudo approximately $1,931,778 in bribes and kickbacks. 

    The defendants were convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, and nine counts of honest services wire fraud, each of which also carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. Sulla alone was charged with and convicted of money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of ten years. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

    Alan Rudo, who testified at trial, previously pled guilty in July 2022 to conspiring to commit honest services wire fraud in connection with the bribery and kickback scheme. Rudo is scheduled to be sentenced on August 13, 2025. 

    “Today’s verdict reiterates our unwavering message to those who bribe and attempt to buy the discretion of Hawaii’s public officials at the expense of the public’s trust and the integrity of our public institutions—you will be federally prosecuted and brought to justice,” said Acting United States Attorney Ken Sorenson. “Our office will continue to root out and vigorously pursue those who engage in public corruption or who violate their positions of public trust.” 

    “The defendants in this investigation defrauded their own community for personal financial gain,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter.  “The corruption of government officials corrodes public trust and weakens our communities. The FBI will continue to aggressively pursue these cases to protect and maintain public trust and hold criminals accountable.” 

    “This verdict marks an important step toward accountability and reinforces the importance of integrity in public service,” said County of Hawaii Mayor Kimo Alameda. “We understand the impact this case has had on our community and remain committed to restoring trust. Since the initial findings, the Office of Housing and Community Development has taken concrete actions to strengthen internal controls, improve oversight, and ensure that public resources are managed responsibly and transparently. These changes reflect our commitment to kuleana— our shared responsibility—to serve with integrity and protect community resources.”

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mohammad Khatib and Margaret Nammar and Trial Attorney William Gullota, of the Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Public Integrity Section, prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson Issues Statement on the Tragic Death of CPD Officer Krystal Rivera

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jonathan Jackson – Illinois (1st District)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    CHICAGO, IL — Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01) issued the following statement in response to the tragic death of Officer Krystal Rivera, a 6th District Chicago Police Officer who was fatally shot in the line of duty in the Chatham neighborhood:

    “I am heartbroken by the senseless and tragic loss of Officer Krystal Rivera — a courageous public servant, a devoted mother, and a beloved member of our community. My deepest prayers and condolences go out to her family, her fellow officers in the Chicago Police Department, and all who knew and cherished her.

    Officer Rivera embodied the very spirit of service, showing up each day to protect and care for the community she loved. Her life was taken far too soon in an act of violence that underscores the urgent crisis we face in Chicago and across the nation.

    We must honor her memory not only with words but with action. That means delivering swift and full justice, but also taking bold, comprehensive steps to address the root causes of violence — poverty, trauma, lack of opportunity, and the widespread availability of illegal firearms.

    No officer should lose their life while protecting our streets. No family should be forced to grieve a loved one due to preventable violence. We must move with urgency and compassion — investing in public safety, mental health services, youth programs, and economic development that strengthens our communities from the inside out.

    Officer Rivera gave her life in service to Chicago. We must ensure her sacrifice is not in vain. May she rest in peace, and may her legacy live on in the work we do to build a safer, more just city for all.”

    Congressman Jackson continues to work with local and federal partners to advance community-based safety strategies and legislation that supports law enforcement, addresses gun violence, and strengthens neighborhood resilience throughout Illinois’ 1st Congressional District.

    ####

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Finance Democrats Demand Committee Markup of Republican Reconciliation Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), and every Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, demanded the committee Republicans schedule a markup of the Republican bill that would slash health care and clean energy tax credits to pay for handouts to corporations and the wealthy. Republicans have not held a single hearing in the Finance Committee to examine or justify the effects of their proposals, and if they bypass a committee vote, the Senate’s only public debate on the destructive, sweeping legislation will happen on the floor in a restricted time frame predetermined by Senate rules.
    “The American people deserve a chance to hear Republicans justify their economic agenda that would terminate health coverage for 16 million kids, seniors, people with disabilities, and families, while adding trillions of new debt—all to fund tax cuts for the rich and big corporations. A markup is the last opportunity for us to have that debate at the committee level,” Finance Democrats wrote in a letter to Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho. “If there is no markup, the American people will have to assume Republicans either find their proposals impossible to defend under real scrutiny or lack the votes to report a bill out of the committee.”
    The most damaging policies in the reconciliation bill fall under the Finance Committee’s jurisdiction, including tax handouts costing $7 trillion, the largest Medicaid cut in history, and hundreds of billions in ACA cuts that dismantle the program. A new, independent analysis estimates that more than 51,000 people will die every year as a direct result of the health care cuts in the Republican reconciliation bill and their refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act premium tax credits.  
    “If Trump and Republicans in Congress are going to deprive millions of Americans of their health care so that millionaires and rich corporations can get massive tax cuts, it should not be done in secret backroom negotiations. It should be done in the light of day, including through a full markup in the Senate Finance Committee,” Finance Democrats concluded. 
    The text of the letter is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Heinrich, Luján Slam Trump Administration for Illegally Gutting Agency Dedicated to Growing Local Businesses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
    Amid Commerce Department’s stonewalling, senators ask GAO to investigate if Trump officials violated the law or engaged in misconduct & what officials are doing with funding Congress appropriated to serve minority enterprises & create jobs
    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, joined U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) to slam the Trump Administration for its illegal dismantling of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). The senators asked the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate whether actions by Trump Commerce Department officials or others in the Administration violated Congressional directives, the extent to which they undermined MBDA’s Congressional mandate, and whether any officials have engaged in misconduct.
    “On May 2, 2025, the White House released its recommendations on discretionary funding levels for fiscal year (FY) 2026, which expressly acknowledge that the Commerce Department under Secretary Howard Lutnick has ‘fully eliminated’ the MBDA,” the senators wrote in a letter to GAO Comptroller General Gene Dodaro. “Prior to this admission, my colleagues and I repeatedly raised concerns about the Department’s efforts to dismantle the MBDA unilaterally, particularly given Secretary Lutnick’s clear testimony during his confirmation hearing stating he did not support dismantling the agency. We sent multiple letters to Secretary Lutnick and the Department seeking basic information about the current state of the MBDA. To date, the Department has failed to substantively respond to any of our requests, and it is becoming increasingly clear that Department leadership is not taking these concerns seriously.”
    The senators have raised concerns and demanded accountability and answers from the Trump Administration since the president issued his unlawful executive order. This letter follows a letter the senators wrote to Keith Sonderling, Acting Under Secretary for MBDA, demanding the Trump Administration detail its compliance with a May 13 federal court injunction ordering it to stop the illegal dismantling of the agency and reinstate its personnel and grantmaking capacities. The senators previously sent a May 1, 2025 inquiry to Sonderling to demand he promptly turn over key documents and information related to the dismantling of the MBDA and recent funding termination notices sent to all grantees by DOGE. On June 3, the senators also sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting that they investigate whether actions by Trump Commerce Department officials or others in the Administration violated congressional directives, the extent to which they undermined MBDA’s congressional mandate and whether any officials have engaged in misconduct.
    In October 2024, Heinrich led the unveiling of a new, larger office space for the New Mexico Minority Business Development Center in Albuquerque to expand support for local businesses across the state as they create the types of careers New Mexicans can build their families around. Heinrich wrote the legislative provision that established and funded the New Mexico Business Center in 2020, securing more than $2.5 million in federal resources through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency for its staffing and programming.
    In May, during the Senate Commerce hearing on the nomination of Paul Dabbar to be U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce, Luján pressed Mr. Dabbar on the dismantling of the MBDA by the Trump Administration and highlighted the successes of the MBDA. Luján championed an amendment in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make the MBDA permanent. He also secured passage of a provision to double the funding level for the MBDA’s Rural Business Development Center Program and to expand this program’s eligibility to include all Minority-Serving Institutions, which will expand opportunities for New Mexico’s colleges and universities. Additionally, in 2021, Luján championed legislation to make permanent and expand the reach of the Minority Business Development Agency.
    The text of the letter can be found HERE and below:
    Comptroller General Dodaro:
    We write to request that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a review of the actions taken by the Trump Administration to dismantle the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), despite Congress statutorily authorizing the agency and appropriating funding to further its mission. A robust investigation by GAO would help shed light on whether officials at the Department of Commerce (Department) or elsewhere in the Administration circumvented the directives of Congress, the extent to which the MBDA’s ability to administer its grants and combat potential fraud has been undermined, and whether any officials have engaged in misconduct.
    On May 2, 2025, the White House released its recommendations on discretionary funding levels for fiscal year (FY) 2026, which expressly acknowledge that the Commerce Department under Secretary Howard Lutnick has “fully eliminated” the MBDA. Prior to this admission, my colleagues and I repeatedly raised concerns about the Department’s efforts to dismantle the MBDA unilaterally, particularly given Secretary Lutnick’s clear testimony during his confirmation hearing stating he did not support dismantling the agency. We sent multiple letters to Secretary Lutnick and the Department seeking basic information about the current state of the MBDA. To date, the Department has failed to substantively respond to any of our requests, and it is becoming increasingly clear that Department leadership is not taking these concerns seriously.
    The MBDA was created by Executive Order in 1969. In 2021, Congress statutorily authorized the MBDA in bipartisan legislation, the Minority Business Development Act of 2021 (MBDA Act), which was enacted as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. In so doing, Congress directed the MBDA to, among other things, “enable the Federal Government to better serve the needs of minority business enterprises.” The bipartisan law also established a new Senate-confirmed position to lead the agency. By making the MBDA and its programs permanent, Congress made a deliberate decision to promote job creation, spur innovation, and support business owners from a variety of backgrounds.
    Last Congress, the Congress funded the MBDA pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, which contained a $68.25 million appropriation for the “necessary expenses of the Minority Business Development Agency in fostering, promoting, and developing minority business enterprises, as authorized by law.” These investments have paid significant dividends: In FY 2024 alone, the MBDA helped the country’s more than 12 million minority businesses access over $1.5 billion in capital and create or retain approximately 23,000 jobs. That same level of funding has been appropriated through the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (P.L. 119-4). 
    Despite Congress’s clear statutory directive, on March 14, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order effectively eliminating the MBDA and certain other federal entities. In so doing, the Executive Order called for the head of the MBDA to submit a report to the Office of Management and Budget within seven days “confirming full compliance with this order and explaining which components or functions of the governmental entity, if any, are statutorily required and to what extent.” In the weeks that followed, the Trump Administration has unilaterally dismantled the MBDA—terminating effectively all its staff, canceling its grant programs, and removing its signage from the Department.
    As part of these efforts, our offices reviewed a funding termination notice that was sent to an MBDA grantee by a member of Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) named Nate Cavanaugh, who was purportedly acting “Under the Authority of Keith Sonderling, Acting Undersecretary of MBDA.” In the notice, the Department claims the grant is being terminated because it “is unfortunately no longer consistent with the agency’s priorities and no longer serves the interests of the United States and the MBDA Program.” The termination notice further states that “MBDA is repurposing its funding allocations in a new direction in furtherance of the President’s agenda.” The notice is silent about why the grants are inconsistent with the MBDA’s priorities and programs, which Congress, not the Department, set by statute. And the notice also suggests that the Department of Commerce or others in the Administration may be using funding appropriated for the MBDA for other, unrelated purposes.
    Fortunately, on May 13, 2025, a federal district court issued a Preliminary Injunction requiring the Trump Administration to reverse its actions to eliminate the MBDA, including by restoring agency employees to their status prior to the Executive Order issued on March 14, 2025. However, the Trump Administration quickly appealed this order, making clear it intends to continue pursuing its efforts to fully eliminate the MBDA notwithstanding Congress’s clear directives.
    It is essential that Congress and the public understand how the Trump Administration’s recent actions have affected the MBDA’s ability to carry out its statutory mission and obligations and to understand how funds appropriated to the MBDA are being used. Therefore, we are requesting your assistance to investigate activities that have occurred at MBDA since January 20, 2025, and report on the following:
    A detailed review of all actions taken by the Department of Commerce, including any acting leadership, to “fully eliminate” or otherwise dismantle the MBDA, including any efforts to pause or halt MBDA work functions, lower or eliminate the agency’s budget, or otherwise reduce the resources available to MBDA to complete its work.
    A detailed review of all actions taken by the any member of DOGE, including any volunteers, special government employees, contractors, or Department employees affiliated with DOGE, to “fully eliminate” or otherwise dismantle the MBDA, including any efforts to pause or halt MBDA work functions, lower or eliminate the agency’s budget, or otherwise reduce the resources available to MBDA to complete its work.
    A detailed review of actions taken by the Department of Commerce, including MBDA leadership and acting leadership, to pause, halt, or terminate any grants or funding that were administered or approved by the MBDA as of January 20, 2025. Please include information on the involvement of DOGE or DOGE-affiliated employees, including any volunteers, special government employees, and contractors, in decisions to pause, halt, or terminate MBDA grants or funding.
    A detailed review of the status of all MBDA grants, including:
    The extent to which grants have been terminated or funds continue to be disbursed;
    A description of the types of funded activities that are considered “consistent with the agency’s priorities” and that “serve the interests of the MBDA program”; and
    A detailed explanation of how the MBDA intends to repurpose its funding allocations in a new direction in furtherance of the President’s agenda, including any specific program or activity that has received or is expected to receive repurposed funding.

    A detailed review of actions taken by the Department of Commerce, including MBDA leadership and acting leadership, to reduce the MBDA’s workforce after January 20, 2025. Please include information on the involvement of DOGE or DOGE-affiliated employees, including any volunteers, special government employees, and contractors, in decisions to reduce the MBDA’s workforce.
    A detailed review of the effects of recent Department of Commerce and DOGE actions on:
    The operations of the MBDA’s statutorily created offices, how responsibilities are being allocated to any remaining staff, and the status of physical office space; and
    The ability of the agency to fulfill its statutorily required functions under the Minority Business Development Act of 2021 (Division K of the Infrastructure and Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. 117-58), including but not limited to:

                                                                  i.      The MBDA’s statutory responsibilities for private and public sector development;
                                                               ii.      The MBDA’s efforts to conduct research and provide outreach and educational services;
                                                             iii.      The operation of the MBDA’s Business Center Program, Rural Minority Business Center Program, and the national network of public-private partnerships;
                                                              iv.      The administration of the minority business development grants program;
                                                                v.      The functioning of the Minority Business Enterprises Advisory Council; and
                                                              vi.      The extent to which the Administration’s actions regarding MBDA are consistent with the statutory obligations under the Minority Business Development Act of 2021.
    The ability of the agency to effectively administer its current grants, detect and prevent potential fraud in its programs, and cooperate with any investigations into potential fraud or other wrongdoing. 
    A detailed review of the Commerce Department’s or MBDA’s development and implementation of plans to reorganize, restructure, or eliminate the MBDA’s work, and how these plans may affect the Administration’s ability to meet its statutory responsibilities, including a review of which “components or functions” of the MBDA the Trump Administration found to be “statutorily required and to what extent,” pursuant to President Trump’s March 14, 2025, Executive Order on “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Province supports emergency operations centres to keep communities safe

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund supports projects that help local governments and First Nations to better prepare for emergencies. This funding is provided by the Province and administered through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.

    Local governments and First Nations throughout British Columbia will receive nearly $7 million from the emergency operations centre (EOC) equipment and training funding stream as follows:

    ?Esdilagh First Nation – Cargo trailer for mobile EOC, foundational training and tabletop exercise for staff.
    Amount: $39,720

    Abbotsford – Training and hands‑on mock event exercises to practice essential procedures.
    Amount: $39,587

    Adams Lake Indian Band – Comprehensive EOC training, tabletop exercise and supplies for EOC.
    Amount: $40,000

    Regional: Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District – This project provides EOC training and a multi-jurisdictional simulation exercise, and supplies IT equipment, communications equipment and office supplies.
    Amount: $117,790
    Sub-applicants: Port Alberni, Tofino

    Regional: Alert Bay – Cormorant Island’s EOC will receive EOC training and IT, operational and communications equipment, including solar power system.
    Amount: $80,000
    Sub-applicant: ‘Namgis First Nation

    Anspayaxw Band– The project boosts EOC capacity by supplying essential IT equipment and conducting a functional exercise.
    Amount: $40,000

    Armstrong – This project delivers EOC essentials and radio training, and supplies office equipment and drones to bolster EOC readiness.
    Amount: $30,083

    Ashcroft – Equips emergency operations centre with portable EOC kits, delivers Level 1 EOC training and runs exercises to practice essential emergency procedures.
    Amount: $40,000

    Barriere – This project provides EOC with office supplies, provides introductory EOC training and conducts tabletop exercises to practice critical procedures.
    Amount: $37,944

    Belcarra – This project provides a mobile trailer for storing and relocating EOC equipment.
    Amount: $33,150

    Blueberry River First Nations – Communications equipment, office supplies and training to manage emergency situations.
    Amount: $39,984

    Bowen Island – This project supplies mobile EOC equipment, distributes Rapid Damage Assessment kits and delivers a one-day EOC refresher course.
    Amount: $40,000

    Bulkley-Nechako Regional District – Facilitates EOC exercises and evacuation workshops to rehearse response co-ordination and safe evacuation procedures.
    Amount: $36,863

    Capital Regional District – This project provides EOC training and exercise to rehearse procedures and strengthen co-ordinated response.
    Amount: $40,000

    Cariboo Regional District – Mobile EOC and foundational training for staff.
    Amount: $21,966

    Central Coast Regional District – This project provides foundational EOC training, IT equipment and internet connectivity.
    Amount: $39,999

    Regional: Central Okanagan Regional District – This project provides staff development and training to enhance EOC capabilities.
    Amount: $240,000
    Sub-applicants: Kelowna, Lake Country, Peachland, West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation

    Central Saanich – This project provides EOC training, exercises and IT equipment.
    Amount: $40,000

    Chawathil First Nation – This project provides portable/deployable EOC kits.
    Amount: $39,102

    Clearwater – This project provides EOC training, office supplies and IT, operational and communications equipment.
    Amount: $40,000

    Coldstream – This project provides EOC training, tabletop exercise and IT, operational and communications equipment.
    Amount: $39,979

    Columbia Shuswap Regional District – This project provides a workflow-management system and EOC staff training.
    Amount: $39,350

    Colwood – This project provides EOC training and supplies office, IT and operational equipment.
    Amount: $24,184

    Regional: Comox Valley Regional District – This project provides multi‑jurisdictional EOC training and supplies IT and operational equipment.
    Amount: $195,000
    Sub-applicants: Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland, K’ómoks First Nation

    Cook’s Ferry Indian Band – This project provides EOC training and IT equipment.
    Amount: $40,000

    Coquitlam – This project provides Incident Command System 200 training and exercises.
    Amount: $40,000

    Cowichan Tribes – This project provides IT, communications and office supplies.
    Amount: $40,000

    Regional: Cowichan Valley Regional District – This project provides EOC position training and supplies office, IT and operational equipment.
    Amount: $200,000
    Sub-applicants: Duncan, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, North Cowichan

    Creston – This project provides EOC training, exercises and IT equipment.
    Amount: $40,000

    Doig River First Nation – Radio equipment and evacuation-operation supplies.
    Amount: $29,328

    Regional: East Kootenay Regional District – This project provides full‑scale EOC training and exercises and supplies operational, communications and IT equipment.
    Amount: $320,000
    Sub-applicants: ʔaq’am, Canal Flats, Cranbrook, Fernie, Invermere, Kimberley, Radium Hot Springs, Shuswap Band

    Elkford – This project provides drone training and EOC training (Introduction, Essentials and Incident Command System courses).
    Amount: $40,000

    Enderby – This project provides IT equipment, office supplies and operational-equipment upgrades.
    Amount: $23,435

    Esk’etemc First Nation – This project provides communications equipment and operational supplies.
    Amount: $31,818

    Regional: Fort St. James – This project provides EOC training and supplies IT, communications and operational equipment.
    Amount: $79,198
    Sub-applicant: Nak’azdli Whut’en

    Fraser Valley Regional District – Simulation exercise and emergency operations centre supplies.
    Amount: $40,000

    Fraser-Fort George Regional District – Operation supplies and EOC essentials training.
    Amount: $40,000

    Gibsons – Operations training and supplies to create and maintain an EOC in an existing facility.
    Amount: $40,000

    Gitga’at First Nation – This project provides training and supplies IT and communications equipment.
    Amount: $40,000

    Golden – This project provides operational supplies and first-aid kits.
    Amount: $38,490

    Granisle – This project provides EOC training and supplies IT and communications equipment.
    Amount: $40,000

    Haisla Nation – This project provides IT equipment, electrical upgrades for sea can storage radios and tabletop exercises.
    Amount: $39,755

    Harrison Hot Springs – This project provides section training and operational equipment.
    Amount: $34,835

    Hope – This project provides foundational training and operational equipment, including a generator.
    Amount: $40,000

    Houston – This project provides EOC training through the emergency-management program.
    Amount: $40,000

    Hudson’s Hope – Portable/deployable emergency operations centre kit and sections training.
    Amount: $40,000

    Huu-ay-aht First Nations – This project provides IT and operational equipment, training and tabletop exercises.
    Amount: $39,830

    Iskut First Nation – This project provides IT and communications equipment, including drone for communications and supplies a backup generator for reliable power and situational awareness.
    Amount: $40,000

    Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations – EOC capacity expanded with a mobile trailer for on‑site emergency co-ordination.
    Amount: $40,000

    Kamloops – This project provides IT equipment, EOC materials and staff training.
    Amount: $40,000

    Kanaka Bar Indian Band – This project provides EOC kits and staff grab-and-go bags.
    Amount: $37,240

    Kent – Foundational training and functional exercise.
    Amount: $39,911

    Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation – IT, communications and operational equipment, including generator and trailer.
    Amount: $40,000

    Kitimat – Communication equipment and training enhancements.
    Amount: $21,549

    Kitselas First Nation – This project provides training and exercises and supplies IT, communications and operational equipment.
    Amount: $40,000

    Kwakiutl Band Council – This project provides IT and communications equipment, orientation and exercises.
    Amount: $40,000

    Kwikwetlem First Nation – Tabletop exercise and operational equipment.
    Amount: $40,000

    Langley City – This project provides section‑specific and foundational training.
    Amount: $39,870

    Langley Township – Operational equipment and foundational training.
    Amount: $40,000

    Lheidli-T’enneh First Nation (Northside) – This project provides tabletop walkthrough and foundational training.
    Amount: $34,794

    Lheidli-T’enneh First Nation (Southside) – This project provides tabletop walkthrough and foundational training.
    Amount: $34,794

    Lhtako Dene Nation – Radio equipment, generator and operation supplies.
    Amount: $30,000

    Lillooet – This project provides refresher training and IT equipment.
    Amount: $40,000

    Lytton First Nation – This project provides office and communications equipment.
    Amount: $38,947

    Mackenzie – This project provides communications equipment and training.
    Amount: $39,890

    Maple Ridge – Functional exercise and operational equipment.
    Amount: $39,538

    McLeod Lake Indian Band – Operations supplies and EOC training.
    Amount: $39,190

    Merritt – EOC capacity building through training and new equipment.
    Amount: $40,000

    Metchosin – Mobile EOC and power-supply project, includes office supplies, operational and communications equipment, and training and exercises.
    Amount: $39,700

    Mission – Functional exercise and operation supplies.
    Amount: $32,776

    Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations – Enhancements to the emergency-management program, including EOC training.
    Amount: $39,765

    Nanaimo – This project provides IT equipment, communications equipment and operational supplies.
    Amount: $34,000

    Regional: Nanaimo Regional District – This project provides section training, mock exercises, operational equipment and office supplies, including rapid damage assessment kits.
    Amount: $80,000
    Sub-applicant: District of Lantzville

    Nelson – EOC improvements through IT and communications equipment and staff-training exercise.
    Amount: $40,000

    North Okanagan Regional District – This project provides IT and communications equipment and EOC training.
    Amount: $40,000

    North Saanich – This project provides operational equipment, including a generator to operate during power outage.
    Amount: $40,000

    Regional: North Vancouver District – Functional exercise to test municipal evacuation plan and section-specific training.
    Amount: $120,000
    Sub-applicants: North Vancouver City, West Vancouver

    Northern Rockies Regional Municipality – Mobile EOC and operation supplies.
    Amount: $39,000

    Nuxalk Nation – This project provides operational equipment, including a generator.
    Amount: $40,000

    Oak Bay – This project provides EOC training and supplies office and operational equipment.
    Amount: $39,800

    Regional: Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District – This project provides EOC section training and supplies grab‑and‑go kits, communication and mapping tools, identification equipment and operational supplies.
    Amount: $199,600
    Sub-applicants: Keremeos, Oliver, Osoyoos, Summerland

    Pacheedaht First Nation – This project provides training, exercises and supplies sea can storage, IT equipment and first-aid supplies.
    Amount: $38,655

    Peace River Regional District – This project provides office, IT and operational equipment, including 72-hour kits.
    Amount: $39,853

    Pemberton – Conferencing equipment and foundational training.
    Amount: $40,000

    Penticton – This project provides EOC training and tabletop exercises and supplies IT and communications equipment.
    Amount: $40,000

    Pitt Meadows – Mobile emergency operations centre equipment and functional exercise.
    Amount: $40,000

    Port Coquitlam – Tabletop exercise and section training.
    Amount: $40,000

    Port Edward – This project provides emergency support services training and supplies office, IT and communications equipment.
    Amount: $40,000

    Port Hardy – This project provides EOC exercises and supplies operational equipment, including solar backup power.
    Amount: $37,200

    Port Moody – Functional tabletop exercise and operational equipment.
    Amount: $40,000

    Princeton – This project provides first-aid supplies, incident command vests, communications equipment and EOC training.
    Amount: $40,000

    qathet Regional District – This project provides operational equipment.
    Amount: $40,000

    Regional: Qualicum Beach – This project provides training, exercises and IT equipment.
    Amount: $80,000
    Sub-applicant: Parksville

    Quatsino First Nation – This project provides training and supplies operational and communications equipment.
    Amount: $40,000

    Saanich – This project provides EOC with conferencing equipment.
    Amount: $40,000

    Saik’uz First Nation – This project provides a mobile EOC trailer, IT, communications and operational equipment.
    Amount: $38,425

    Seabird Island Band – Functional exercise, foundational training and operation supplies.
    Amount: $33,660

    Sékw’elw’as – This project provides communications equipment and tabletop exercises.
    Amount: $40,000

    Sidney – EOC training for staff.
    Amount: $35,500

    Regional: Siska Band – This project enhances the operation of EOC through communications equipment.
    Amount: $159,043
    Sub-applicants: Nicomen Indian Band, Oregon Jack Creek Band, Shackan Indian Band

    Skeetchestn Indian Band – This project provides operational equipment, including an auxiliary power generator.
    Amount: $39,128

    Skowkale First Nation – This project provides foundational and section training.
    Amount: $30,173

    Skwláx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw – This project provides EOC with IT, communications equipment and activation exercises.
    Amount: $39,904

    Smithers – Joint training operations and communications equipment.
    Amount: $39,900

    SnPink’tn – Implementing technology into the EOC through IT equipment.
    Amount: $40,000

    Songhees Nation – This project provides training and supplies operational and office equipment, including storage and a generator.
    Amount: $39,935

    Sooke – This project provides EOC training, exercises and operational equipment, including a drone.
    Amount: $40,000

    Spuzzum First Nation – Section training and functional exercise.
    Amount: $40,000

    Squamish – This project provides a functional exercise and Incident Command System training.
    Amount: $35,000

    Sqwá First Nation – This project provides IT and operational equipment.
    Amount: $40,000

    SȾÁUTW̱ First Nation – This project provides EOC training and IT, communications and operational equipment.
    Amount: $31,395

    Stewart – This project provides communications equipment updates.
    Amount: $10,116

    Regional: Strathcona Regional District – This project provides EOC training and supplies IT equipment, communications equipment, operational equipment and office supplies.
    Amount: $360,000
    Sub-applicants: Campbell River, Ehattesaht First Nation, Gold River, Nuchatlaht First Nation, Port McNeill, Sayward, Tahsis, Zeballos

    Takla Nation – This project provides training and supplies IT equipment, communications equipment and operational equipment.
    Amount: $39,774

    Taylor – Tabletop exercise and foundational training.
    Amount: $23,919

    Telkwa – This project provides EOC training and supplies IT equipment, communications equipment and office supplies.
    Amount: $39,994

    Thompson-Nicola Regional District – EOC equipment and training improvements.
    Amount: $40,000

    Tl’azt’en Nation – Emergency operations centre enhancement through training and generator purchase.
    Amount: $40,000

    Ts’il kaz koh – EOC project includes mobile trailer, training and operational equipment.
    Amount: $40,000

    Tsal’alh – Portable/deployable EOC kit and sections training.
    Amount: $39,197

    Tsartlip First Nation – This project provides EOC exercises and supplies IT, communications and operational equipment.
    Amount: $29,895

    Tseshaht First Nation – This project provides EOC training, office supplies and portable operational and communications equipment.
    Amount: $39,991

    Tsilhqot’in National Government – Tabletop exercise and foundational training.
    Amount: $37,500

    Tsleil-waututh Nation – Section training and tabletop exercise.
    Amount: $39,958

    Ucluelet – This project revitalizes the tsunami siren warning system.
    Amount: $34,549

    Valemount – Operation supplies and sections training.
    Amount: $35,159

    Vancouver – Incident Command Systems and section training for staff.
    Amount: $36,621

    Vanderhoof – This project provides IT, communications, operational and office equipment.
    Amount: $27,066

    Vernon – Rapid damage assessment kits and EOC training courses.
    Amount: $40,000

    Victoria – EOC update through IT supplies and earthquake exercise.
    Amount: $39,055

    We Wai Kai Nation – This project provides communications equipment and training.
    Amount: $39,425

    Wells – This project provides IT, office and operational equipment.
    Amount: $33,165

    West Moberly First Nations – This project provides functional tabletop exercise.
    Amount: $32,612

    Whistler – Essentials training and IT equipment.
    Amount: $24,650

    Williams Lake First Nation – Mock activation exercise and operational equipment.
    Amount: $39,265

    Witset First Nation – This project provides EOC training, communications and operational equipment.
    Amount: $40,000

    Xaxli’p First Nation (fountain) – Mobile EOC centre operation supplies.
    Amount: $39,688

    Yakweakwioose First Nation – Foundational training and operation supplies.
    Amount: $26,245

    Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it (tobacco plains) – This project provides a mobile EOC trailer, training and communications equipment.
    Amount: $39,928

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan Adds Over 15,000 Full Time Jobs in May and Unemployment Rate Remains Lowest in the Nation

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 6, 2025

    Statistics Canada latest labour force numbers show that Saskatchewan has maintained a strong labour market and steady growth throughout the year. Saskatchewan has the lowest unemployment rate in the nation at 4.2 per cent. This is well below the national average which has now increased to 7.0 per cent.  

    “There are more people working in Saskatchewan than ever before,” Deputy Premier and Minister of Immigration and Career Training Jim Reiter said. “We are experiencing record job growth and our province continues to be an economic leader in Canada. Our government is working to ensure this growth continues and that our province remains attractive for businesses to invest while continuing to be the best place to live and work in Canada.”  

    The province led the nation in year-over-year job growth, adding 16,300 jobs year-over-year in May, ranking first among provinces in terms of percentage change at 2.7 per cent.  

    May 2025 saw all-time historical highs (aged 15 and over), with:

    • Saskatchewan’s labour force reaching 653,900;
    • Saskatchewan’s full-time employment reaching 518,800; and
    • Saskatchewan’s women employment reaching 294,300.

    Year-over-year, full-time employment increased by 15,300, an increase of 3.0 per cent. Employment for women  is up 10,900 which is an increase of 3.8 per cent, and employment for men is up 5,300 an increase of 1.6 per cent.  

    Saskatchewan’s two biggest cities also saw year-over-year growth. Compared to May 2024, Saskatoon’s employment was up 7,900, an increase of 4.1 per cent, and Regina’s employment was up 5,100, an increase of 3.5 per cent.

    Major year-over-year gains were reported for health care and social assistance up 11,400, an increase of 12.4 per cent. Construction is up 7,000 an increase of 16.3 per cent and public administration is up 6,100 an increase of 16.8 per cent.  

    The province continues to see economic growth in other areas. Saskatchewan GDP reached 80.5 billion in 2024 and increase of 3.4 per cent from 2023. In March 2025, Saskatchewan also ranked highest amongst provinces for year-over-year growth in building construction investment (27.8 per cent) and second in retail trade value (8.2 per cent).  

    This economic growth is backed by the Government of Saskatchewan’s recently released Building the Workforce for a Growing Economy: The Saskatchewan Labour Market Strategy, a roadmap to build the workforce needed to support Saskatchewan’s strong and growing economy, and Securing the Next Decade of Growth: Saskatchewan’s Investment Attraction Strategy, a plan to increase investment in the province and to furth advancing Saskatchewan’s Growth plan goal of $16 billion in private capital investment annually.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Province Addressing Issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 6, 2025

    The Government of Saskatchewan is honouring its ongoing commitment to respond to the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. 

    The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was released on June 3, 2019. In the six years since the Report was released, the province has made significant progress in developing responses to and raising awareness about the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

    “Our government is committed to addressing the critical issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and creating safe communities for all Saskatchewan residents,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod, K.C. said. “This includes targeted investments in programs and services to prevent and respond to missing persons and gender-based violence, and collaborating with Indigenous and community partners to build a future free from exploitation and abuse.”

    Earlier this spring, Saskatchewan commemorated Missing Persons Week and Red Dress Day to honour those who have gone missing and show support for their families and loved ones.

    In November of 2022, Saskatchewan endorsed the National Action Plan to End Gender Based Violence. The province was among the first in Canada to sign on to the federal National Action Plan to End Gender-Based violence (NAP), which provides $20.3 million over four years to enhance programs and services that address interpersonal violence and abuse.

    “Indigenous women and girls embody strength, resilience and wisdom, yet they are disproportionately impacted by violence and abuse,” Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Alana Ross said. “Saskatchewan remains committed to preventing and ending this violence by expanding education and awareness, increasing Indigenous-led initiatives, and enhancing supports for survivors, families and communities.”

    The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls+ (MMIWG+) Community Response Fund continues to provide $800,000 to Indigenous community-based projects that promote and enhance prevention and safety, with half of the funding provided by Women and Gender Equality Canada. Since 2022-23, 59 projects have received up to $40,000 in funding from the fund. 

    “The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to working alongside Indigenous communities to prevent gender-based violence and to support its victims,” Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis, and Northern Affairs Eric Schmalz said. “From the very beginning, Indigenous knowledge, tradition and lived experience have guided the development and administration of the MMIWG+ Community Response Fund. The projects supported through the fund are often created and led by Indigenous communities, organizations and grassroots initiatives. Together, we work to support safety, healing and resilience across Saskatchewan.”

    In addition, the Family Information Liaison Unit helps families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls navigate government processes to ensure that they can access support and information about their loved ones. Currently, the Unit supports over 170 families across the province. 

    The province’s Face the Issue campaign, designed to raise awareness and start conversations about the reality of interpersonal violence, continues to run across social media platforms. In 2024-25, the Government of Saskatchewan released a new public awareness campaign that focused on raising awareness of human trafficking in the province. Posters were placed in public sites across the province to connect with individuals who are most at risk of being trafficked. 

    Government also collaborates with and provides funding to 211 Saskatchewan to support its role as a 24/7 service referral platform for situations involving interpersonal violence and abuse, including sexual violence and human trafficking.  

    For additional information about Saskatchewan’s response to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, visit:

    May 5 is Red Dress Day in Saskatchewan | News and Media | Government of Saskatchewan.

    Government of Saskatchewan Proclaims Missing Persons Week | News and Media | Government of Saskatchewan.

    Applications Open for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls+ Community Response Fund | News and Media | Government of Saskatchewan.

    Government of Saskatchewan Releases Cross-Government Progress Report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls+ | News and Media | Government of Saskatchewan.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Speaker Johnson: We Promised the American People We Would Deliver. And We Are.

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

    WASHINGTON — This morning, Speaker Johnson joined Joe Kernen and Becky Quick on CNBC’s Squawk Box to highlight the pro-growth provisions included in the One Big Beautiful Bill which will provide jet fuel to the U.S. economy and help put the U.S. back on a sound fiscal trajectory.

    Watch Speaker Johnson on Squawk Box here

    On social media not being representative of real life:

    The American people are sort of caught up in the drama of this, but I don’t think at the end of the day, tweets and, and social media posts really determine what’s most important to the American people. I think what they’re concerned about is what we all promised on the campaign trail, what President Trump was elected to do, the mandate that we got by 77 million popular votes. And that is to make sure that the border is secure, to rebuild our military industrial base at a very difficult time. That’s the only new spending in this bill.

    The rest of it is securing historic tax cuts for the people, making the tax cuts permanent, having a pro-growth set of infusion into the economy, jet fuel of the economy, which is what this bill will provide, and at the same time, a historic level of savings for the American people. It’s a fiscally responsible product. It is the first in a series of steps to get us back on a sound fiscal trajectory. And I think, Joe, it’s a very important message for us to send to the bond markets, the stock market, investors, job creators, entrepreneurs, risk takers around the world. And here, of course, in the US economy. The Congress is serious. We have steady hands on the wheel. We’re going to address the debt problem at the same time as we are making the economy work again, and we can’t wait to get that done.

    On reducing the deficit and national debt:

    I love Rick Scott, Mike Lee and Ron Johnson. I mean, they’re good friends. We have lots of discussion about this. We are all deficit and debt hawks. We’re concerned about the fiscal trajectory of the country. The national debt is the number one national security threat, we have to address it. But here’s what I think Ron is missing in all of this is. He’d like to cut, you know, $8 trillion overnight, some huge figure like that. So would I, but we don’t have the votes to do that. And if you did that that quickly, it would actually do real harm to the US economy. So we have to do this in a step-by-step sequence.

    Look, I liken this to an aircraft carrier. Y’all have heard my analogy. I mean, we did not get in this situation overnight. The US economy is like a large vessel on the sea. You don’t turn it on a dime. It takes a mile of open ocean. But this is the largest turn on that wheel that we’ve had since I’ve been alive. I mean, this is the largest cut in spending that any legislative body on the face of the earth in all human history has ever achieved. And we did that by a long, deliberate process of getting everyone there. Remember, I have a very diverse Republican caucus. I’ve got people from very different districts across the country. They all see the same problem set with different lenses. And I’ve got to concoct 218 votes, currently 217 votes to get something across the line. So, we did that. We reached equilibrium, we achieved this massive achievement with the package.

    On the repercussions if the One Big Beautiful Bill Act isn’t signed into law:

    If we don’t get this bill passed, not only are the American people going to have the largest tax increase in US history descend upon their heads at the end of this year when all this expires, but all these other pro-growth incentives in the economy won’t happen. And small business owners and job creators and entrepreneurs will not expand their businesses. Wages won’t go up. The job participation rate will remain low, and inflation will continue to increase. We won’t have the solutions.

    But also, remember, if we don’t deliver on this and we don’t deliver a little bit on SALT relief, then we’re not going to have the house majority. And if we lose the house majority, the Democrats take over, they will impeach Donald Trump. I would forecast probably on the first few days of the new Congress, next January, January ‘27, and everything will go to chaos. So this team has to stay in power. This team has to stay working on our plan to get our fiscal trajectory back. And it all begins with the one big beautiful bill. Everybody who is criticizing this is playing with fire. We have got to deliver this product. We promised the people we would, and I think we will by July 4th.

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    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Romanian national sentenced for defrauding hundreds of banking customers

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. — An illegally present Romanian national described in court documents as an “undeterred serial scammer” has been sentenced to nearly three years in federal prison and will face deportation proceedings after a joint U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation found he had stolen and used the personal banking information of hundreds of victims.

    Mario Demarco, aka Marius Lupu aka David Adamec, 30, pleaded guilty in January to a charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. He was sentenced June 3 to 33 months in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release. Additionally, the court ordered Demarco to pay restitution totaling $16,567.06.

    ICE Homeland Security Investigations has lodged an immigration detainer and he will face removal proceedings after he has completed his criminal sentence.

    Court documents show that beginning in October 2022, Demarco traveled up and down the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic installing skimming devices on ATMs. These devices intercepted hundreds of customers’ debit card and banking information, which Demarco used to create fraudulent debit cards. The bogus cards were then used to make unauthorized cash withdrawals, attempted withdrawals and purchases.

    Throughout the course of the conspiracy, Demarco installed skimming devices on at least 10 ATMs and compromised at least 952 cards. Demarco owes restitution to 15 different banks.

    ICE HSI Providence led the investigation with assistance from the Warwick Police Department, the Cranston Police Department, the East Greenwich Police Department, North Kingstown Police Department, the East Providence Police Department, the Boston Police Department, the New York City Police Department, and the Stratford Police Department in Connecticut.

    MIL OSI USA News