NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI: Jayud Global Logistics Announces Receipt of Nasdaq Notification Letter Regarding Minimum Bid Price Deficiency

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHENZHEN, China, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jayud Global Logistics Limited (NASDAQ: JYD) (“Jayud” or the “Company”), a leading end-to-end supply chain solution provider based in Shenzhen, specializing in cross-border logistics, today announced that it received a notification letter (the “Notice”) from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) on May 15, 2025 notifying that the Company is not currently in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement set forth in Nasdaq’s Listing Rules for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, as the closing bid price for the Company’s ordinary shares listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market was below $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) requires listed securities to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share, and Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A) provides that a failure to meet the minimum bid price requirement exists if the deficiency continues for a period of 30 consecutive business days. The Notice provides that the Company has a period of 180 calendar days from the date of the Notice, or until November 11, 2025, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement.

    This press release is issued pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(b), which requires prompt disclosure of receipt of a deficiency notification. The receipt of the Notice has no immediate effect on the Company’s business operations or the listing of the Company’s ordinary shares, which will continue to trade uninterrupted on the Nasdaq under the ticker “JYD.” Pursuant to the Notice, the Company has until November 11, 2025 to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement, during which time the Company’s ordinary shares will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market. If at any time before November 11, 2025, the bid price of the Company’s ordinary shares closes at or above $1.00 per share for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days, Nasdaq will provide written confirmation of compliance to the Company. In the event that the Company does not regain compliance by November 11, 2025, the Company may be eligible for additional time to regain compliance or may face delisting.

    About Jayud Global Logistics Limited

    Jayud Global Logistics Limited is one of the leading Shenzhen-based end-to-end supply chain solution providers in China, focusing on cross-border logistics services. Headquartered in Shenzhen, the Company benefits from the unique geographical advantages of providing a high degree of support for ocean, air, and overland logistics. The Company has established a global operation nexus featuring logistic facilities throughout major transportation hubs in China and globally, with footprints in 12 provinces in Mainland China and 16 countries across six continents. Jayud offers a comprehensive range of cross-border supply chain solution services, including freight forwarding, supply chain management, and other value-added services. With its strong service capabilities and research and development capabilities in proprietary IT systems, the Company provides customized and efficient logistics solutions and develops long-standing customer relationships. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://ir.jayud.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs, including the expectation that the Offering will be successfully completed. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “aim”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “believe”, “is/are likely to”, “potential”, “continue” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.

    For more information, please contact:

    Jayud Global Logistics Limited
    Investor Relations Department
    Email: ir@jayud.com 

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Matthew Abenante, IRC
    President
    Strategic Investor Relations, LLC
    Tel: 347-947-2093
    Email: matthew@strategic-ir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Ninepoint Partners Announces May 2025 Cash Distributions for ETF Series Securities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ninepoint Partners LP (“Ninepoint Partners”) today announced the May 2025 cash distributions for its ETF Series securities. The record date for the distributions is May 30, 2025. All distributions are payable on June 6, 2025.

    The per-unit May 2025 distributions are detailed below:


    About Ninepoint Partners

    Based in Toronto, Ninepoint Partners LP is one of Canada’s leading alternative investment management firms overseeing approximately $7 billion in assets under management and institutional contracts. Committed to helping investors explore innovative investment solutions that have the potential to enhance returns and manage portfolio risk, Ninepoint offers a diverse set of alternative strategies spanning Equities, Fixed Income, Alternative Income, Real Assets, F/X and Digital Assets.

    For more information on Ninepoint Partners LP, please visit www.ninepoint.com or for inquiries regarding the offering, please contact us at (416) 943-6707 or (866) 299-9906 or invest@ninepoint.com.

    Ninepoint Partners LP is the investment manager to the Ninepoint Funds (collectively, the “Funds”). Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, performance fees (if any), and other expenses all may be associated with investing in the Funds. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. Prospective investors who are not resident in Canada should contact their financial advisor to determine whether securities of the Fund may be lawfully sold in their jurisdiction.

    Please note that distribution factors (breakdown between income, capital gains and return of capital) can only be calculated when a fund has reached its year-end. Distribution information should not be relied upon for income tax reporting purposes as this is only a component of total distributions for the year. For accurate distribution amounts for the purpose of filing an income tax return, please refer to the appropriate T3/T5 slips for that particular taxation year. Please refer to the prospectus or offering memorandum of each Fund for details of the Fund’s distribution policy.

    The payment of distributions and distribution breakdown, if applicable, is not guaranteed and may fluctuate. The payment of distributions should not be confused with a Fund’s performance, rate of return, or yield. If distributions paid by the Fund are greater than the performance of the Fund, then an investor’s original investment will shrink. Distributions paid as a result of capital gains realized by a Fund and income and dividends earned by a Fund are taxable in the year they are paid. An investor’s adjusted cost base will be reduced by the amount of any returns of capital. If an investor’s adjusted cost base goes below zero, then capital gains tax will have to be paid on the amount below zero.

    Sales Inquiries:

    Ninepoint Partners LP
    Neil Ross
    416-945-6227
    nross@ninepoint.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Streamlines Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy

    Source: The White House

    STREAMLINING NUCLEAR REACTOR TESTING: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to reform and streamline National Laboratory processes for reactor testing at the Department of Energy.

    • The Order finds that the design, construction, and operation of advanced reactors under sufficient Department of Energy (DOE) control are, for the time being, for research purposes, and thus fall within DOE jurisdiction.
    • The Order tasks the Secretary of Energy with:
      • Issuing guidance on what counts as a qualified test reactor and taking steps to expeditiously process applications for such reactors.
      • Taking action to revise regulations, guidance, and procedures to significantly expedite the review, approval, and deployment of advanced reactors under DOE jurisdiction in order to enable operational test reactors within two years following a completed application.
      • Creating a pilot program for the construction and operation of at least three reactors outside of the National Laboratories, but under contract with and for the account of DOE, with the goal of achieving criticality by July 4, 2026.
      • Eliminating or expediting internal environmental review for authorizations, permits, approvals, and other activities related to reactor testing.

    FOSTERING NUCLEAR INNOVATION: President Trump is committed to re-establishing the United States as a global leader in nuclear energy and securing a reliable, diversified, and affordable energy supply to drive American prosperity and technological advancement.

    • While the United States led the development of civilian nuclear power through the Atomic Energy Commission, the National Reactor Testing Station (now Idaho National Laboratory), and other Federal entities, the commercial deployment of new nuclear technologies has all but stopped in recent decades.
    • Overregulation by the Federal government has stifled the domestic development and deployment of advanced reactors.
    • While the United States cultivated the effort to design and build the first Generation IV reactor for commercial use, we have since ceded the initiative to foreign nations in building these advanced reactors.
    • Advanced reactors have revolutionary potential, opening a range of new applications to support data centers, microchip manufacturing, petrochemical production, healthcare, desalination, hydrogen production, and other industries.
    • By maximizing DOE’s jurisdiction over next-generation nuclear technologies that are still in development, this Executive Order ensures that America’s innovators have clear pathways to create nuclear technologies that will propel economic prosperity and bolster national security.

    UNLEASHING AMERICAN ENERGY: President Trump believes in all forms of reliable, dispatchable energy, harnessing nuclear, fossil fuels, and emerging technologies to secure American energy independence and fuel economic growth.

    • On Day One, President Trump declared a National Energy Emergency to eliminate bureaucratic barriers, unleash innovation, and restore America’s position as the world’s leading energy producer.

    Unleashing American energy will create jobs and economic prosperity, improve the United States’ trade balance, help our country compete with hostile foreign powers, strengthen relations with allies and partners, and support international peace and security.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Reforming Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-left”>By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
    Section 1.  Purpose.  The United States led the development of civilian nuclear power through the Atomic Energy Commission, the National Reactor Testing Station (now known as Idaho National Laboratory), and several other Federal Government entities.  This work produced safe and abundant energy.  But in the decades since, commercial deployment of new nuclear technologies has all but stopped.  The Idaho National Laboratory has principal responsibility for constructing and testing new reactor designs; it concluded construction of new reactors in the 1970s.  Our proud history of innovation has succumbed to overregulated complacency.
    As I stated in Executive Order 14156 of January 20, 2025 (Declaring a National Energy Emergency), the United States needs a reliable, diversified, and affordable supply of energy to drive development of advanced technologies, manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, and defense industries, and to sustain modern life and national security. Nuclear energy both is vital to this effort and has never held so much promise. Decades of research and engineering have produced prototypes of advanced nuclear technologies that incorporate passive safety mechanisms, improve the physical architecture of reactor designs, increase reactor operational flexibility and performance, and reduce risk in fuel disposal.  Advanced reactors — including microreactors, small modular reactors, and Generation IV and Generation III+ reactors — have revolutionary potential.  They will open a range of new applications to support data centers, microchip manufacturing, petrochemical production, healthcare, desalination, hydrogen production, and other industries.  
    The United States cultivated the effort to design and build the first Generation IV reactor for commercial use, but the Federal Government has effectively throttled the domestic deployment of advanced reactors, ceding the initiative to foreign nations in building this critical technology.  That changes today.  It is the policy of my Administration to foster nuclear innovation and bring advanced nuclear technologies into domestic production as soon as possible.
    Sec. 2.  Definitions.  For purposes of this order:
    (a)  The term “advanced reactor” has the same meaning as the term “advanced nuclear reactor” in 42 U.S.C. 16271(b)(1).
    (b)  The term “Department” means the Department of Energy.
    (c)  The term “qualified test reactor” means an advanced reactor that satisfies thresholds established by the Department sufficient to demonstrate that, from the perspective of technical development and financial backing, the reactor may feasibly be operational within 2 years from the date a substantially complete application is submitted.
    (d)  The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Energy.
    Sec. 3.  Findings.  With some rare and arguable exceptions, no advanced reactors have yet been deployed in America.  I find that design, construction, operation, and disposition of such reactors under the auspices of the Department — and not to produce commercial electric power — would be for research purposes, rather than “for the purpose of demonstrating the suitability for commercial application of . . . a reactor” within the meaning of 42 U.S.C. 5842.  The purpose of testing these reactors at this stage in America’s industrial evolution is to establish fundamental technological viability.  Thus, at least for the foreseeable future, advanced reactors over which the Department exercises sufficient control and that do not produce commercial electric power, including those “under contract with and for the account of the [Department],” 42 U.S.C. 2140(a)(2), fall within the jurisdiction of the Department, which has authority to foster research and development in nuclear reactors.  Nothing in this section alters the authority or jurisdiction of the Department of Defense.
    Sec. 4.  Reforming the National Laboratory Process for Reactor Testing.  (a)  Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary shall issue guidance regarding what counts as a qualified test reactor for purposes of this order.
    (b)  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary shall take appropriate action to revise the regulations, guidance, and procedures and practices of the Department, the National Laboratories, and any other entity under the Department’s jurisdiction to significantly expedite the review, approval, and deployment of advanced reactors under the Department’s jurisdiction.  The Secretary shall ensure that the Department’s expedited procedures enable qualified test reactors to be safely operational at Department-owned or Department-controlled facilities within 2 years following the submission of a substantially complete application.
    (c)  Upon finding that an applicant has submitted a substantially complete application for a qualified test reactor, the Secretary shall establish a team consisting of representatives from the Secretary’s office, the relevant National Laboratory or Laboratories, the Department’s Office of General Counsel, and any other entities within the Department that possess the authority to deconflict, oppose, or approve the application.  The team shall provide assistance to the applicant to ensure expeditious processing of its application.  For these purposes, each member shall report directly to the Secretary.
    (d)  The Secretary shall prioritize qualified test reactor projects for processing, as consistent with applicable law.
    Sec. 5.  Establishing a Pilot Program Outside the National Laboratories.  (a)  The Secretary shall create a pilot program for reactor construction and operation outside the National Laboratories, pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act’s authorization of reactors under the Department’s sufficient control, including reactors “under contract with and for the account of” the Department, in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 2140.  The Secretary shall approve at least three reactors pursuant to this pilot program with the goal of achieving criticality in each of the three reactors by July 4, 2026.
    (b)  Upon approval of an application for this pilot program, the Secretary shall assign a team to provide assistance to the applicant as specified in subsection 4(c) of this order.
    Sec. 6.  Streamlining Environmental Reviews.  (a)  The Secretary shall, in consultation with the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, take action to reform the Department’s rules governing compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) no later than June 30, 2025, consistent with the policies articulated in sections 2 and 5 of Executive Order 14154 of January 20, 2025 (Unleashing American Energy), and with applicable law.  
    (b)  The Secretary shall, consistent with applicable law, use all available authorities to eliminate or expedite the Department’s environmental reviews for authorizations, permits, approvals, leases, and any other activity requested by an applicant or potential applicant.  In addition to the measures outlined in section 7 of the Executive Order of May 23, 2025 (Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security), such measures shall include determining which Department functions are not subject to NEPA, creating categorical exclusions as appropriate for reactors within certain parameters (or relying on existing categorical exclusions), relying on supplemental analyses where reactors will be located on existing sites, or utilizing alternative procedures under NEPA.
    Sec. 7.  Implementation.  The Secretary shall work with the DOGE Team Lead at the Department, as defined in Executive Order 14158 of January 20, 2025 (Establishing and Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency”), with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and with the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to implement this order.
    Sec. 8.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
    (d)  The Department of Energy shall provide funding for publication of this order in the Federal Register.

                                  DONALD J. TRUMP

    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        May 23, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Solitron Devices, Inc. Announces Fiscal 2025 Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2025 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Solitron Devices, Inc. (OTC Pink: SODI) (“Solitron” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce fiscal 2025 fourth quarter and fiscal year 2025 results. 

    FISCAL 2025 FOURTH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS –

    • Net sales decreased 22% to approximately $3.13 million in the fiscal 2025 fourth quarter versus $4.00 million in the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter.
    • Net bookings increased 301% to $8.92 million in the fiscal 2025 fourth quarter versus $2.23 million in the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter.
    • Backlog increased 62% to $18.11 million at the end of the fiscal 2025 fourth quarter as compared to $11.21 million at the end of the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter.
    • Net loss was ($0.37) million, or ($0.18) per share, for the fiscal 2025 fourth quarter versus net income of $5.80 million, or $2.78 per share, for the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter.

    FISCAL YEAR 2025 HIGHLIGHTS –

    • Net sales increased 10% to approximately $14.05 million in fiscal year 2025 versus $12.76 million in fiscal year 2024.
    • Net bookings increased 62% to $20.76 million in fiscal year 2025 versus $12.84 million in fiscal year 2024.
    • Backlog increased 62% to $18.11 million at the end of fiscal year 2025 versus $11.21 million as the end of fiscal year 2024.
    • Net income decreased to $0.82 million, or $0.39 per share, in fiscal year 2025 versus $5.80 million, or $2.78 per share, in fiscal year 2024. Fiscal year 2024 net income benefited from two non-recurring events – a $2.24 million bargain purchase gain related to the acquisition of Micro Engineering, Inc. (MEI) and an income tax benefit of $3.02 million based on the release of the Company’s deferred tax valuation.

    Fiscal year 2025 results include a full year of financial information for MEI, while fiscal year 2024 only contain two full quarters of MEI’s financials based on the acquisition date of September 1, 2023.   MEI contributed $6.08 million in revenue in fiscal year 2025. 

    On a positive note, the Company had substantial bookings in the last two quarters from contracts related to the two largest defense programs we supply to. These programs typically order every 12-18 months, so we expect bookings to lag sales for next few quarters. We continue to see positive comments related to future production levels for both the AMRAAM and HIMARS programs. The CEO of RTX recently stated that AMRAAM production was scheduled to double in calendar year 2025 as compared to calendar year 2024 levels. HIMARS continues to perform well in Ukraine, and we have seen reports of possible production increases as well. Lockheed was just awarded a follow-on contract only a few months after the previous award, which should lead to a supplemental order within the next few quarters. Foreign demand for both systems is strong. Foreign sales are typically included as part of normal production orders for both programs.

    On a negative note, revenue was down in the fourth quarter due to the lag time between receipt of orders and production. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025, revenue was $3.13 million. We expect soft revenues in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, ending May 31, 2025, and for sales to pick up at the end of the fiscal second quarter, before reaching a steadier level in the fiscal third quarter.

    We continue to see increased interest in new product development, including silicon carbide.  We have developed various prototypes for testing by potential customers and continue to be optimistic about creating additional revenue sources.

    SOLITRON DEVICES, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    FOR THE THREE MONTHS AND FISCAL YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2025, AND FEBRUARY 29, 2024
    (in thousands except for share and per share amounts)
                           
      For The Three
    Months Ended    		     For The Three
    Months Ended    		     For The Fiscal
    Year Ended    		     For The Fiscal
    Year Ended    		    
      February 28, 2025     February 29, 2024     February 28, 2025     February 29, 2024  
      unaudited     unaudited              
    Net sales $ 3,131     $ 4,004     $ 14,049     $ 12,757  
    Cost of sales 2,554     2,778     10,057     8,950  
                           
    Gross profit 577     1,226     3,992     3,807  
                           
    Selling, general and administrative expenses 748     858     2,994     2,873  
                           
    Operating income (loss) (171 )   368     998     934  
                           
    Other income (loss)                      
    Interest income –     4     6     29  
    Interest expense (73 )   (69 )   (272 )   (177 )
    Dividend income 30     2     70     29  
    Realized gain (loss) on investments 80     –     127     332  
    Unrealized gain (loss) on investments (62 )   166     65     (579 )
    Bargain purchase gain –     2,236     –     2,236  
    Other expense –     (46 )   –     (27 )
    Total other income (loss) (25 )   2,293     (4 )   1,843  
                           
    Net income (loss) before income tax (196 )   2,661     994     2,777  
    Income tax (expense) benefit (178 )   3,024     (178 )   3,024  
                           
    Net income (loss) $ (374 )   $ 5,685     $ 816     $ 5,801  
                           
    Net income (loss) per common share – basic and diluted $ (0.18 )   $ 2.73     $ 0.39     $ 2.78  
                           
    Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted 2,082,553     2,083,436     2,082,553     2,083,436  
                           
    SOLITRON DEVICES, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2025, AND FEBRUARY 29, 2024
    (in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)
           
      February 28, 2025   February 29, 2024
           
    ASSETS      
    CURRENT ASSETS      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,099     $ 2,217  
    Marketable securities   919       904  
    Accounts receivable   2,129       2,826  
    Inventories, net   3,440       4,132  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   132       532  
    TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS   10,719       10,611  
           
    Property, plant and equipment, net   8,635       7,356  
    Finance lease, right of use asset   –       1,715  
    Intangible assets   2,905       3,114  
    Deferred tax asset   1,622       1,837  
    Other assets   555       107  
    TOTAL ASSETS $ 24,436     $ 24,740  
           
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
    CURRENT LIABILITIES      
    Accounts payable $ 439     $ 439  
    Customer deposits   118       539  
    Accrued contingent consideration, current   570       465  
    Finance lease liability   –       1,750  
    Mortgage loan, current portion   152       111  
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   846       1,080  
    TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES   2,125       4,384  
           
    Accrued contingent consideration, non-current   663       751  
    Mortgage loan, net of current portion   3,765       2,537  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES   6,553       7,672  
           
    STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
    Preferred stock, $.01 par value, authorized 500,000 shares, none issued   –       –  
    Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares, 2,082,553 shares outstanding, net of 487,827 treasury shares at February 28, 2025 and 2,083,436 shares outstanding, net of 487,827 treasury shares at February 29, 2024, respectively   21       21  
    Additional paid-in capital   1,834       1,834  
    Retained earnings   17,440       16,625  
    Less treasury stock   (1,412 )     (1,412 )
    TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   17,883       17,068  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 24,436     $ 24,740  
           

    The unaudited financial information disclosed in this press release for the three months ended February 28, 2025, is based on management’s review of operations for that period and the information available to the Company as of the date of this press release. The Company’s results included herein have been prepared by, and are the responsibility of, the Company’s management. The Company’s independent auditors have audited the Company’s results for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2025. The financial results presented herein should not be considered a substitute for the information filed or to be filed with the SEC in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the respective periods once such reports become available.

    About Solitron Devices, Inc.
    Solitron Devices, Inc., a Delaware corporation, designs, develops, manufactures, and markets solid state semiconductor components and related devices primarily for the military and aerospace markets. The Company manufactures a large variety of bipolar and metal oxide semiconductor (“MOS”) power transistors, power and control hybrids, junction and power MOS field effect transistors (“Power MOSFETS”), and other related products. Most of the Company’s products are custom made pursuant to contracts with customers whose end products are sold to the United States government. Other products, such as Joint Army/Navy (“JAN”) transistors, diodes, and Standard Military Drawings voltage regulators, are sold as standard or catalog items.

    Effective September 1, 2023, Solitron closed its acquisition of Micro Engineering Inc. (MEI) based in Apopka, Florida. MEI specializes in solving design layout and manufacturing challenges while maximizing efficiency and keeping flexibility to meet unique customer needs. Since 1980 the MEI team has been dedicated to overcoming obstacles to provide cost efficient and rapid results.  MEI specializes in low to mid volume projects that require engineering dedication, quality systems and efficient manufacturing.  

    Forward-Looking Statements 
    This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future performance of Solitron Devices, Inc. that involve risks and uncertainties that could materially affect actual results, including statements regarding the Company’s  expectations regarding future performance and trends, including production levels, government spending, backlog and delivery timelines, new product development, our efforts and performance following our acquisition of MEI, and potential future revenue and trends with respect thereto from each of the foregoing.  Factors that could cause actual results to vary from current expectations and forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties arising from potential adverse developments or changes in government budgetary spending and policy including with respect to the war in Ukraine, which may among other factors be affected by the possibility of reduced government spending on programs in which we participate, inflation, elevated interest rates, adverse trends in the economy and the possibility of a recession the likelihood of which appears to have increased based on recent economic data, the possibility that management’s estimates and assumptions regarding bookings, sales and other metrics prove to be incorrect; the timing and size of orders from our clients, our delivery schedules and our liquidity and cash position; our ability to make the appropriate adjustments to our cost structure; our ability to properly account for inventory in the future;  the demand for our products and potential loss of, or reduction of business from, substantial clients our dependence on government contracts, which are subject to termination, price renegotiations and regulatory compliance and which may among other factors be adversely affected by the factors described elsewhere herein, our ability to continue to integrate MEI in an efficient and effective manner, and the possibility that such  acquisition or any other acquisition or strategic transaction we may pursue does not yield the results or benefits desired or anticipated. Descriptions of other risk factors and uncertainties are contained in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2025.  

    Tim Eriksen 
    Chief Executive Officer 
    (561) 848-4311 
    Corporate@solitrondevices.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-left”>
    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
    Section 1.  Purpose.  Abundant energy is a vital national- and economic-security interest.  In conjunction with domestic fossil fuel production, nuclear energy can liberate America from dependence on geopolitical rivals.  It can power not only traditional manufacturing industries but also cutting-edge, energy-intensive industries such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
    Between 1954 and 1978, the United States authorized the construction of 133 since-completed civilian nuclear reactors at 81 power plants. Since 1978, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has authorized only a fraction of that number; of these, only two reactors have entered into commercial operation. The NRC charges applicants by the hour to process license applications, with prolonged timelines that maximize fees while throttling nuclear power development. The NRC has failed to license new reactors even as technological advances promise to make nuclear power safer, cheaper, more adaptable, and more abundant than ever.
    This failure stems from a fundamental error:  Instead of efficiently promoting safe, abundant nuclear energy, the NRC has instead tried to insulate Americans from the most remote risks without appropriate regard for the severe domestic and geopolitical costs of such risk aversion.  The NRC utilizes safety models that posit there is no safe threshold of radiation exposure and that harm is directly proportional to the amount of exposure.  Those models lack sound scientific basis and produce irrational results, such as requiring that nuclear plants protect against radiation below naturally occurring levels.  A myopic policy of minimizing even trivial risks ignores the reality that substitute forms of energy production also carry risk, such as pollution with potentially deleterious health effects.
    Recent events in Europe, such as the nationwide blackouts in Spain and Portugal, underscore the importance of my Administration’s focus on dispatchable power generation –including nuclear power — over intermittent power.  Beginning today, my Administration will reform the NRC, including its structure, personnel, regulations, and basic operations.  In so doing, we will produce lasting American dominance in the global nuclear energy market, create tens of thousands of high-paying jobs, and generate American-led prosperity and resilience.
    Sec. 2.  Policy.  It is the policy of the United States to:
    (a)  Reestablish the United States as the global leader in nuclear energy;
    (b)  Facilitate increased deployment of new nuclear reactor technologies, such as Generation III+ and IV reactors, modular reactors, and microreactors, including by lowering regulatory and cost barriers to entry;
    (c)  Facilitate the expansion of American nuclear energy capacity from approximately 100 GW in 2024 to 400 GW by 2050;
    (d)  Employ emerging technologies to safely accelerate the modeling, simulation, testing, and approval of new reactor designs;
    (e)  Support the continued operation of, and facilitate appropriate operational extensions for, the current nuclear fleet, as well as the reactivation of prematurely shuttered or partially completed nuclear facilities; and
    (f)  Maintain the United States’ leading reputation for nuclear safety.
    Sec. 3.  Reforming the NRC’s Culture.  The Congress has mandated that the NRC’s “licensing and regulation of the civilian use of radioactive materials and nuclear energy be conducted in a manner that is efficient and does not unnecessarily limit — (1) the civilian use of radioactive materials and deployment of nuclear energy; or (2) the benefits of civilian use of radioactive materials and nuclear energy technology to society.”  Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2024, Public Law 118-67, sec. 501(a).  Just as the Congress directed, the NRC’s mission shall include facilitating nuclear power while ensuring reactor safety.  When carrying out its licensing and related regulatory functions, the NRC shall consider the benefits of increased availability of, and innovation in, nuclear power to our economic and national security in addition to safety, health, and environmental considerations.

    Sec. 4.  Reforming the NRC’s Structure.  (a)  The current structure and staffing of the NRC are misaligned with the Congress’s directive that the NRC shall not unduly restrict the benefits of nuclear power.  The NRC shall, in consultation with the NRC’s DOGE Team (as defined in Executive Order 14158 of January 20, 2025 (Establishing and Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency”)), and consistent with its governing statutes, reorganize the NRC to promote the expeditious processing of license applications and the adoption of innovative technology.  The NRC shall undertake reductions in force in conjunction with this reorganization, though certain functions may increase in size consistent with the policies in this order, including those devoted to new reactor licensing.  The NRC shall also create a dedicated team of at least 20 officials to draft the new regulations directed by section 5 of this order.
     (b)  The personnel and functions of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) shall be reduced to the minimum necessary to fulfill ACRS’s statutory obligations.  Review by ACRS of permitting and licensing issues shall focus on issues that are truly novel or noteworthy.

    Sec. 5.  Reforming and Modernizing the NRC’s Regulations.  The NRC, working with its DOGE Team, the Office of Management and Budget, and other executive departments and agencies as appropriate, shall undertake a review and wholesale revision of its regulations and guidance documents, and issue notice(s) of proposed rulemaking effecting this revision within 9 months of the date of this order.  The NRC shall issue final rules and guidance to conclude this revision process within 18 months of the date of this order.  In conducting this wholesale revision, the NRC shall be guided by the policies set forth in section 2 of this order and shall in particular:
    (a)  Establish fixed deadlines for its evaluation and approval of licenses, license amendments, license renewals, certificates of compliance, power uprates, license transfers, and any other activity requested by a licensee or potential licensee, as directed under the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, rather than the nonbinding “generic milestone schedules” guidelines the NRC has already adopted.  Those deadlines shall be enforced by fixed caps on the NRC’s recovery of hourly fees.  The deadlines shall include:  (1) a deadline of no more than 18 months for final decision on an application to construct and operate a new reactor of any type, commencing with the first required step in the regulatory process, and (2) a deadline of no more than 1 year for final decision on an application to continue operating an existing reactor of any type, commencing with the first required step in the regulatory process.  The regulations should not provide for tolling those deadlines except in instances of applicant failure, and must allow a reasonably diligent applicant to navigate the licensing process successfully in the time allotted.  Moreover, these are maximum time periods; the NRC shall adopt shorter deadlines tailored to particular reactor types or licensing pathways as appropriate. 
    (b)  Adopt science-based radiation limits.  In particular, the NRC shall reconsider reliance on the linear no-threshold (LNT) model for radiation exposure and the “as low as reasonably achievable” standard, which is predicated on LNT.  Those models are flawed, as discussed in section 1 of this order.  In reconsidering those limits, the NRC shall specifically consider adopting determinate radiation limits, and in doing so shall consult with the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Environmental Protection Agency.
    (c)  Revise, in consultation with the Council on Environmental Quality, NRC regulations governing NRC’s compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act to reflect the Congress’s 2023 amendments to that statute and the policies articulated in sections 2 and 5 of Executive Order 14154 of January 20, 2025 (Unleashing American Energy). 
    (d) Establish an expedited pathway to approve reactor designs that the DOD or the DOE have tested and that have demonstrated the ability to function safely. NRC review of such designs shall focus solely on risks that may arise from new applications permitted by NRC licensure, rather than revisiting risks that have already been addressed in the DOE or DOD processes.
    (e)  Establish a process for high-volume licensing of microreactors and modular reactors, including by allowing for standardized applications and approvals and by considering to what extent such reactors or components thereof should be regulated through general licenses.
    (f)  Establish stringent thresholds for circumstances in which the NRC may demand changes to reactor design once construction is underway.
    (g)  Revise the Reactor Oversight Process and reactor security rules and requirements to reduce unnecessary burdens and be responsive to credible risks.  
    (h)  Adopt revised and, where feasible, determinate and data-backed thresholds to ensure that reactor safety assessments focus on credible, realistic risks.  
    (i)  Reconsider the regulations governing the time period for which a renewed license remains effective, and extend that period as appropriate based on available technological and safety data.
    (j)  Streamline the public hearings process.
    Sec. 6.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
     (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
    (d)  The Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall provide funding for publication of this order in the Federal Register.

                                  DONALD J. TRUMP

    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        May 23, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Reinvigorates the Nuclear Industrial Base

    Source: The White House

    REINVIGORATING THE NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to expedite and promote the production and operation of nuclear energy, which is necessary to power the next generation technologies that secure our global industrial, digital, and economic dominance, achieve energy independence, and protect our national security.

    • This Order tasks the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to report on a recommended national policy to support spent nuclear fuel management, an evaluation of policies regarding commercial recycling and reprocessing of nuclear fuels, and recommendations for the efficient use of nuclear waste materials.
    • The Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Director of OMB, will develop a plan to expand domestic uranium conversion capacity and enrichment capabilities to meet projected civilian and defense reactor needs.
    • This Order directs the Secretary of Energy to create a program to dispose of surplus plutonium by processing and making it available for advanced reactor fuel fabrication, stopping the surplus plutonium disposition program other than with respect to existing legal obligations.
    • President Trump is leveraging the Defense Production Act to seek voluntary agreements with domestic nuclear energy companies for the procurement of enriched uranium and for consultation regarding methods to enhance domestic capability to manage spent nuclear fuel.
    • The Secretary of Energy is authorized to support the establishment of nuclear industry consortia by ensuring offtake for newly established domestic fuel supply across milling, conversion/deconversion, enrichment, fabrication, and recycling and reprocessing.

    ACCELERATING NEW NUCLEAR ENERGY PRODUCTION: President Trump is leveraging the full suite of Federal financial resources to support the restart, completion, uprate, and construction of nuclear plants.

    • The Department of Energy will prioritize the facilitation of 5 GW of power uprates to existing nuclear reactors and construction on 10 new large reactors by 2030.
    • Federal loans and loan guarantees will be prioritized to support increased nuclear energy, including restarting closed nuclear power plants and completing construction of prematurely suspended plants.
    • The Order tasks the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, to prioritize funding for companies with potential for near-term deployment of advanced nuclear technologies.

    EXPANDING THE AMERICAN NUCLEAR WORKFORCE: President Trump is taking action to expand pathways for Americans to gain employment in the domestic nuclear workforce.

    • Nuclear engineering and nuclear energy-related careers will be considered priority areas for actions directed pursuant to Executive Order 14278.
    • The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education will increase participation in nuclear energy-related registered apprenticeships and career and technical education programs.
    • The Secretary of Energy will increase access to R&D infrastructure, workforce, and expertise at Department of Energy National Laboratories for college and university nuclear engineering students.

    STRENGTHENING THE DOMESTIC NUCLEAR FUEL SUPPLY CHAIN: To enable the long-term expansion of nuclear energy, the Federal government shall pursue policies to maximize the value of nuclear fuel and expand the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain.

    • The Nation’s nuclear fuel cycle infrastructure has severely atrophied, with domestic fuel sources supplying only about 5% of the fuel used in U.S. reactors. In addition to permitting challenges in mining the relevant minerals, in 1977 the Federal government introduced a policy that did not allow reprocessing of used fuel for commercial reactors, leaving the United States heavily dependent on foreign sources of uranium as well as uranium enrichment and conversion services. 
    • The United States possesses ample deposits of uranium and thorium that can power advanced nuclear reactors. The President has already taken decisive action to advance mining activities relevant to these minerals pursuant to his Executive Order “Immediate Measures to Increase Domestic Mineral Production.”
    • This Executive Order supplements the Administration’s actions on mineral production to ensure that we can not only mine, but also process and refine, nuclear fuel domestically. This is crucial for energy independence and national security.
    • Treatment of nuclear waste is one of the most difficult problems in the nuclear supply chain, and this Order brings together all relevant Federal agencies to develop implementable solutions.
    • 60% of the nuclear workforce is between the ages of 30 and 60, and this Order takes decisive action to generate a pipeline of workers to supply the demand for this crucial industry.

    UNLEASHING AMERICAN ENERGY: President Trump believes in supporting all forms of reliable, dispatchable energy, harnessing nuclear, fossil fuels, and emerging technologies to secure American energy independence and fuel economic growth.

    • On Day One, President Trump declared a National Energy Emergency to eliminate bureaucratic barriers, unleash innovation, and restore America’s position as the world’s leading energy producer.
    • Unleashing American energy will create jobs and economic prosperity, improve the United States’ trade balance, help our country compete with hostile foreign powers, strengthen relations with allies and partners, and support international peace and security.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base

    Source: The White House

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

    Section 1.  Purpose.  The United States originally pioneered nuclear energy technology during a time of great peril.  We now face a new set of challenges, including a global race to dominate in artificial intelligence, a growing need for energy independence, and access to uninterruptible power supplies for national security. 
    It took nearly 40 years for the United States to add the same amount of nuclear capacity as another developed nation added in 10 years.Further, as American deployment of advanced reactor designs has waned, 87 percent of nuclear reactors installed worldwide since 2017 are based on designs from two foreign countries.At the same time, the Nation’s nuclear fuel cycle infrastructure has severely atrophied, leaving the United States heavily dependent on foreign sources of uranium as well as uranium enrichment and conversion services.These trends cannot continue.
    Swift and decisive action is required to jumpstart America’s nuclear energy industrial base and ensure our national and economic security by increasing fuel availability and production, securing civil nuclear supply chains, improving the efficiency with which advanced nuclear reactors are licensed, and preparing our workforce to establish America’s energy dominance and accelerate our path towards a more secure and independent energy future.

    Sec. 2.  Policy.  It is the policy of the United States to expedite and promote to the fullest possible extent the production and operation of nuclear energy to provide affordable, reliable, safe, and secure energy to the American people, to power advanced nuclear reactor technologies, as defined in 42 U.S.C. 16271(b)(1)(A), and to build associated supply chains that secure our global industrial and digital dominance, achieve our energy independence, protect our national security, and maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of nuclear fuel through recycling, reprocessing, and reinvigorating the commercial sector.

    Sec. 3.  Strengthening the Domestic Nuclear Fuel Cycle.  (a)  Within 240 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), shall prepare and submit to the President, through the Chair of the National Energy Dominance Council and the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, a report that includes:

    (i.) a recommended national policy to support the management of spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste and the development and deployment of advanced fuel cycle capabilities to establish a safe, secure, and sustainable long-term fuel cycle;

    (ii.) a review of relevant statutory authorities to identify any legislative changes necessary or desirable to achieve the national policy recommended under subsection (a)(i) of this section; 

    (iii.) an evaluation of the reprocessing and recycling of spent nuclear fuel from the operation of Department of Defense and Department of Energy reactors and other spent nuclear fuel managed by the Department of Energy, along with a discussion of steps the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy are taking or must take to improve such reprocessing and recycling processes;

    (iv.) an analysis of legal, budgetary, and policy considerations relevant to efficiently transferring spent nuclear fuel from reactors to a government-owned, privately operated reprocessing and recycling facility;

    (v.) recommendations for the efficient use of the uranium, plutonium, and other products recovered through recycling and reprocessing;

    (vi.) recommendations for the efficient disposal of the wastes generated by recycling or reprocessing through a permanent disposal pathway;

    (vii.) a recommended process for evaluating, prior to disposal, nuclear waste materials for isotopes of value to national security, or medical, industrial, and scientific sectors;

    (viii.) a reevaluation of historic and current nuclear reprocessing, separation, and storage facilities slated for decommissioning and that are identified as having valuable materials, isotopes, equipment, licenses, operations, or experienced workers, and that may have potential fuel cycle or national security benefits if operations are continued or increased; and

    (ix.) a program to develop methods and technologies to transport, domestically and overseas, used and unused advanced nuclear fuels and advanced nuclear reactors containing such fuels in a safe, secure, and environmentally sound manner, including any legislation required to support this initiative     (b) Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Director of OMB, shall develop a plan to expand domestic uranium conversion capacity and expand enrichment capabilities sufficient to meet projected civilian and defense reactor needs for low enriched uranium (LEU), high enriched uranium (HEU) and high assay, low enriched uranium (HALEU), subject to retention of such stockpiles as are necessary for tritium production, naval propulsion, and nuclear weapons. The plan shall be implemented based on the timeframes set forth in the plan.

      (b) Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Director of OMB, shall develop a plan to expand domestic uranium conversion capacity and expand enrichment capabilities sufficient to meet projected civilian and defense reactor needs for low enriched uranium (LEU), high enriched uranium (HEU) and high assay, low enriched uranium (HALEU), subject to retention of such stockpiles as are necessary for tritium production, naval propulsion, and nuclear weapons. The plan shall be implemented based on the timeframes set forth in the plan.
      (c) The Secretary of Energy shall halt the surplus plutonium dilute and dispose program except with respect to the Department of Energy’s legal obligations to the State of South Carolina. In place of this program, the Secretary of Energy shall establish a program to dispose of surplus plutonium by processing and making it available to industry in a form that can be utilized for the fabrication of fuel for advanced nuclear technologies.
      (d) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense as appropriate, shall update the Department of Energy’s excess uranium management policy to align with the policy objectives of this order and the Nuclear Fuel Security Act, factoring in the national security need to modernize the United States nuclear weapon stockpile. The Secretary of Energy shall prioritize contracting for the development of fuel fabrication facilities that demonstrate the technical and financial feasibility to supply fuel to qualified test reactors or pilot program reactors within 3 years from the date of such applications.
      (e) Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, shall utilize the authority provided to the President in section 708(c)(1) of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA) (50 U.S.C. 4558(c)(1)), which has been delegated to the Secretary of Energy pursuant to Executive Order 13603 of March 16, 2012 (National Defense Resources Preparedness), to seek voluntary agreements pursuant to section 708 of the DPA with domestic nuclear energy companies.The Secretary of Energy should prioritize agreements with those companies that have achieved objective milestones (e.g., Department of Energy-approved conceptual safety design reports, the ability to privately finance their fuel, or the demonstrated technology capability) for the cooperative procurement of LEU and HALEU, including as needed by the Federal Government for tritium production, naval propulsion, and nuclear weapons.
      (f)  The Secretary of Energy, the Attorney General, and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission shall take all necessary and appropriate steps under sections 708(c), (d), (e), and (f)(1)(A) of the DPA (50 U.S.C. 4558(c), (d), (e), (f)(1)(A)), for the Secretary of Energy to form agreements pursuant to subsection (e) of this section. 
      (g)  The Attorney General shall, after consultation with the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, consider whether to make the finding described in section 708(f)(1)(B) of the DPA (50 U.S.C. 4558(f)(1)(B)), with respect to any agreement and, no later than 30 days after any voluntary agreement is reached, shall publish such finding as appropriate. 
      (h)  Such voluntary agreements shall further allow consultation with domestic nuclear energy companies to discuss and implement methods to enhance the capability to manage spent nuclear fuel, including the recycling and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, to ensure the continued reliable operation of the Nation’s nuclear reactors.  Such voluntary agreements shall also allow industry consultation to establish consortia and plans of action to ensure that the nuclear fuel supply chain capacity, including milling, conversion, enrichment, deconversion, fabrication, recycling, or reprocessing, is available to enable the continued reliable operation of the Nation’s existing, and future, nuclear reactors.  The Secretary of Energy, consistent with applicable law, is authorized to provide procurement support, forward contracts, or guarantees to such consortia as a means to ensure offtake for newly established domestic fuel supply, including conversion, enrichment, reprocessing, or fabrication capacity.

      Sec. 4.  Funding for Restart, Completion, Uprate, or Construction of Nuclear Plants.  (a)  To maximize the speed and scale of new nuclear capacity, the Department of Energy shall prioritize work with the nuclear energy industry to facilitate 5 gigawatt of power uprates to existing nuclear reactors and have 10 new large reactors with complete designs under construction by 2030.  To help achieve these objectives, the Secretary of Energy, through the Department of Energy Loan Programs Office, shall, subject to the requirements of the Federal Credit Reform Act and other applicable law and OMB Circular A-11, prioritize activities that support nuclear energy, including actions to make available resources for restarting closed nuclear power plants, increasing power output of operating nuclear power plants, completing construction of nuclear reactors that was prematurely suspended, constructing new advanced nuclear reactors, and improving all associated aspects of the nuclear fuel supply chain.  
      (b) The Secretary of Energy shall also coordinate with the Secretary of Defense to assess the feasibility of restarting or repurposing closed nuclear power plants as energy hubs for military microgrid support, consistent with applicable law, focusing initially on installations with insufficient power resilience or grid fragility.
      (c) Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, prioritize funding for qualified advanced nuclear technologies through grants, loans, investment capital, funding opportunities, and other Federal support. Priority shall be given to those companies demonstrating the largest degrees of design and technological maturity, financial backing, and potential for near-term deployment of their technologies.

      Sec. 5.  Expanding the Nuclear Energy Workforce. (a Nuclear engineering and other careers and education pathways that support the nuclear energy industry shall be considered areas of focus and priority pursuant to Executive Order 14278 of April 23, 2025 (Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future).    
      (b)  Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education shall seek to increase participation in nuclear energy-related Registered Apprenticeships and Career and Technical Education programs by:
      (i)    using apprenticeship intermediary contracts and allocating existing discretionary funds, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to engage industry organizations and employers to perform a gap analysis of apprenticeship programs, and facilitate the development of Registered Apprenticeship programs, in nuclear energy-related occupations that are underrepresented;
      (ii)   encouraging States and grantees to use funding provided under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (Public Law 113-128), as amended, to develop nuclear engineering and other nuclear energy-related skills and to support work-based learning opportunities, including issuing related guidance to State and local workforce development boards and others regarding use of such funds for such purposes; and
      (iii)  consistent with applicable law, establishing nuclear engineering and other nuclear energy-related skills training and work-based learning as a grant priority in Employment and Training Administration and Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education discretionary grant programs.
      (c)  Within 120 days of the date of this order, all executive departments and agencies that provide educational grants shall, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, consider nuclear engineering and other nuclear energy-related careers as a priority area for investment.
      (d)  Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy shall take steps to increase access to research and development infrastructure, workforce, and expertise at Department of Energy National Laboratories for college and university students studying nuclear engineering and other nuclear energy-related fields, and Department of Defense personnel affiliated with nuclear energy programs.

      Sec. 6.  Other Provisions.  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect OMB functions related to procurement actions and related policy.  This order shall be carried out subject to the budgetary, legislative, and procurement processes and requirements established by the Director of OMB, and coordinated with OMB, as appropriate, prior to the initiation of any new program, obligation, or commitment of Federal funds, or submission of any legislative or procurement proposal arising from this order.  This order shall be carried out in a manner which adheres to applicable legal requirements, conforms with nonproliferation obligations, and meets the highest safeguards, safety, and security standards.

      Sec. 7.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
      (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
      (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
      (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
      (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
      (d)  The Department of Energy shall provide funding for publication of this order in the Federal Register.

                                     DONALD J. TRUMP

      THE WHITE HOUSE,
          May 23, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Restoring Gold Standard Science

    Source: The White House

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 7301 of title 5, United States Code, it is hereby ordered:
    Section 1.  Policy and Purpose.  Over the last 5 years, confidence that scientists act in the best interests of the public has fallen significantly.  A majority of researchers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics believe science is facing a reproducibility crisis.  The falsification of data by leading researchers has led to high-profile retractions of federally funded research.  
    Unfortunately, the Federal Government has contributed to this loss of trust.  In several notable cases, executive departments and agencies (agencies) have used or promoted scientific information in a highly misleading manner.  For example, under the prior Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued COVID-19 guidance on reopening schools that incorporated edits by the American Federation of Teachers and was understood to discourage in-person learning.  This guidance’s restrictive and burdensome reopening conditions led many schools to remain at least partially closed, resulting in substantial negative effects on educational outcomes — even though the best available scientific evidence showed that children were unlikely to transmit or suffer serious illness or death from the virus, and that opening schools with reasonable mitigation measures would have only minor effects on transmission.  
    The National Marine Fisheries Service justified a biological opinion by adopting an admitted “worst-case scenario” projection of the North Atlantic right whale population that it believed was “very likely” wrong.  The agency’s proposed actions could have destroyed the historic Maine lobster fishery.  The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals subsequently overturned that opinion because the agency’s decision to seek out the worst-case scenario skewed its approach to the evidence.  
    Similarly, agencies have used Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenario 8.5 to assess the potential effects of climate change in a “higher” warming scenario.  RCP 8.5 is a worst-case scenario based on highly unlikely assumptions like end-of-century coal use exceeding estimates of recoverable coal reserves.  Scientists have warned that presenting RCP 8.5 as a likely outcome is misleading.
    Actions taken by the prior Administration further politicized science, for example, by encouraging agencies to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations into all aspects of science planning, execution, and communication.  Scientific integrity in the production and use of science by the Federal Government is critical to maintaining the trust of the American people and ensuring confidence in government decisions informed by science.
    My Administration is committed to restoring a gold standard for science to ensure that federally funded research is transparent, rigorous, and impactful, and that Federal decisions are informed by the most credible, reliable, and impartial scientific evidence available.  We must restore the American people’s faith in the scientific enterprise and institutions that create and apply scientific knowledge in service of the public good.  Reproducibility, rigor, and unbiased peer review must be maintained.  This order restores the scientific integrity policies of my first Administration and ensures that agencies practice data transparency, acknowledge relevant scientific uncertainties, are transparent about the assumptions and likelihood of scenarios used, approach scientific findings objectively, and communicate scientific data accurately.  Agency use of Gold Standard Science, as set forth in this order, will spur innovation, translate discovery to success, and ensure continued American strength and global leadership in technology.

    Sec. 2.  Definitions.  For the purposes of this order:
    (a)  “Employee” has the meaning given that term in 5 U.S.C. 2105.
    (b)  “Scientific information” means factual inputs, data, models, analyses, technical information, or scientific assessments related to such disciplines as the behavioral and social sciences, public health and medical sciences, life and earth sciences, engineering, physical sciences, or probability and statistics.  This includes any communication or representation of knowledge such as facts or data, in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual forms.
    (c)  “Scientific misconduct” means fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, reviewing, or reporting the results of scientific research, but does not include honest error or differences of opinion.  For the purposes of this definition;
    (i)    “fabrication” is making up data or results and recording or reporting them;
    (ii)   “falsification” is manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the research is not accurately represented in the research record; and
    (iii)  “plagiarism” is the appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit.
    (d)  “Senior appointee” means an individual appointed by the President (or an individual performing the functions and duties of an individual appointed by the President) or a non-career member of the Senior Executive Service.
    (e)  “Weight of scientific evidence” means an approach to scientific evaluation in which each piece of relevant information is considered based on its quality and relevance, and then transparently integrated with other relevant information to inform the scientific evaluation prior to making a judgment about the scientific evaluation.  Quality and relevance determinations, at a minimum, should include consideration of study design, fitness for purpose, replicability, peer review, and transparency and reliability of data.

    Sec. 3.  Restoring Gold Standard Science.  (a)  Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP Director) shall, in consultation with the heads of relevant agencies, issue guidance for agencies on implementation of “Gold Standard Science” in the conduct and management of their respective scientific activities.  For the purposes of this order, Gold Standard Science means science conducted in a manner that is:
    (i)     reproducible;
    (ii)    transparent;
    (iii)   communicative of error and uncertainty;
    (iv)    collaborative and interdisciplinary;
    (v)     skeptical of its findings and assumptions;
    (vi)    structured for falsifiability of hypotheses;
    (vii)   subject to unbiased peer review;
    (viii)  accepting of negative results as positive outcomes; and
    (ix)    without conflicts of interest.
    (b)  Upon publication of the guidance prescribed in subsection (a), each agency head, as necessary and appropriate and in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB Director) and the OSTP Director, shall promptly update applicable agency policies governing the production and use of scientific information, including scientific integrity policies, to implement the OSTP Director’s guidance on Gold Standard Science and ensure that agency scientific activities are conducted in accordance with this order.
    (c)  Each agency head shall, to the extent practicable, incorporate the OSTP Director’s guidance on Gold Standard Science and the requirements of this order into the processes by which their agency conducts, manages, interprets, communicates, and uses scientific or technological information prior to the finalization of the updated policies under this section.
    (d)  Within 60 days of the publication of the guidance prescribed in section 3(a), agency heads shall report to the OSTP Director on the actions taken to implement Gold Standard Science at their agency.

     Sec. 4.  Improving the Use, Interpretation, and Communication of Scientific Data.  No later than 30 days after the date of this order, agency heads and employees shall adhere to the following rules governing the use, interpretation, and communication of scientific data, unless otherwise provided by law:
    (a)  Employees shall not engage in scientific misconduct nor knowingly rely on information resulting from scientific misconduct.
    (b)  Except as prohibited by law, and consistent with relevant policies that protect national security or sensitive personal or confidential business information, agency heads shall in a timely manner and, to the extent practicable and within the agency’s authority:
    (i)  subject to paragraph (ii), make publicly available the following information within the agency’s possession:
    (A)  the data, analyses, and conclusions associated with scientific and technological information produced or used by the agency that the agency reasonably assesses will have a clear and substantial effect on important public policies or important private sector decisions (influential scientific information), including data cited in peer-reviewed literature; and
    (B)  the models and analyses (including, as applicable, the source code for such models) the agency used to generate such influential scientific information.  Employees may not invoke exemption 5 to the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552(b)(5)) to prevent disclosure of such models unless authorized in writing to do so by the agency head following prior notice to the OSTP Director.
    (ii)  risk models used to guide agency enforcement actions or select enforcement targets are not information that must be disclosed under this subsection.
    (c)  When using scientific information in agency decision-making, employees shall transparently acknowledge and document uncertainties, including how uncertainty propagates throughout any models used in the analysis.
    (d) Where employees produce or use scientific information to inform policy or legal determinations they must use science that comports with the legal standards applicable to those determinations, including when agencies evaluate the realistic or reasonably foreseeable effects of an action.
    (e)  Employees shall be transparent about the likelihood of the assumptions and scenarios used.  Highly unlikely and overly precautionary assumptions and scenarios should only be relied upon in agency decision-making where required by law or otherwise pertinent to the agency’s action.
    (f)  When scientific or technological information is used to inform agency evaluations and subsequent decision-making, employees shall apply a “weight of scientific evidence” approach.
    (g)  Employees’ communication of scientific information shall be consistent with the results of the relevant analysis and evaluation and, to the extent that uncertainty is present, the degree of uncertainty should be communicated.  Communications involving a scientific model or information derived from a scientific model should include reference to any material assumptions that inform the model’s outputs.
    (h)  Once the guidance on Gold Standard Science is established and promulgated pursuant to section 3 of this order, it shall, among other things, form the basis for employees’ evaluation of all scientific and technological information called for in this order except where otherwise required by law.

    Sec. 5.  Interim Scientific Integrity Policies.  (a)  Until the issuance of updated agency scientific integrity policies pursuant to section 3 of this order, and except where required by law:
    (i)    scientific integrity policies in each agency shall be governed by the scientific integrity policies that existed within the executive branch on January 19, 2021, except that in the event of a conflict between such policies and the policies and requirements of this order, the policies and requirements of this order control; and
    (ii)   agency heads shall take all necessary actions to reevaluate and, where necessary, revise or rescind scientific integrity policies or procedures, or amendments to such policies or procedures, issued between January 20, 2021, and January 20, 2025.
    (iii)  each agency head shall promptly revoke any organizational or operational changes, designations, or documents that were issued or enacted pursuant to the Presidential Memorandum of January 27, 2021 (Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking), which was revoked pursuant to Executive Order 14154 and shall conduct applicable agency operations in the manner and revert applicable agency organization to the same form as would have existed in the absence of such changes, designations, or documents.
    (b)  In updating applicable scientific integrity policies pursuant to section 3 of this order, agencies should ensure they:
    (i)    encourage the open exchange of ideas;
    (ii)   provide for consideration of different or dissenting viewpoints; and
    (iii)  protect employees from efforts to prevent or deter consideration of alternative scientific opinions.
    (c)  Agencies, unless prohibited by law, shall review agency actions taken between January 20, 2021, and January 20, 2025, including regulations, guidance documents, policies, and scientific evaluations and take all appropriate steps, consistent with law, to ensure alignment with the policies and requirements of this order.

    Sec. 6.  Scope and Applicability.  (a)  The policies and rules set forth in this order apply to all employees involved in the generation, use, interpretation, or communication of scientific information, regardless of job classification, and to all agency decision-making, except where precluded by law.
    (b)  Agency heads and employees shall, to the extent practicable and consistent with applicable law, require agency contractors to adhere to these policies and rules as though they were agency employees.  
    (c)  The policies and rules set forth in this order govern the use of science that informs agency decisions but they are not applicable to non-scientific aspects of agency decision-making.

    Sec. 7.  Enforcement and Oversight.  (a)  Each agency head shall establish internal processes to evaluate alleged violations of the requirements of this order and other applicable agency policies governing the generation, use, interpretation, and communication of scientific information.  Such processes shall be the responsibility, and administered under the direction, of a senior appointee designated by the agency head and shall provide for taking appropriate measures to correct scientific information in response to violations, consistent with the requirements and procedures of section 515 of the statute commonly known as the Information Quality Act, Public Law 106-554, appendix C (114 Stat. 2763A-153).  The designated senior appointee may also forward potential violations to the relevant human resources officials for discipline to the extent the potential violation also violates applicable agency policies and procedures.  The designated senior appointee may consult appropriate officials with scientific expertise when establishing such processes.  
    (b)  The processes created under this section are, unless otherwise required by applicable law, the sole and exclusive means of evaluating and, as applicable, addressing alleged violations of this order and other agency policies governing the use, interpretation, and communication of scientific information.

    Sec. 8.  Waivers.  (a)  An agency head may request in writing that the OMB Director, in consultation with the OSTP Director, waive any of the requirements of this order for good cause shown.  Such request must explain how the requested waiver is consistent with the policies and purposes of this order.
    (b)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this order, the policies and requirements of this order shall apply to agency actions that pertain to foreign or military affairs, or to a national security or homeland security function of the United States, only to the extent that the applicable agency head, in his or her sole and exclusive discretion, determines they should apply.

    Sec. 9.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
    (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
    (d)   The Office of Management and Budget shall provide funding for publication of this order in the Federal Register.

                                   DONALD J. TRUMP

    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        May 23, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Midland States Bancorp, Inc. receives expected notification of deficiency from Nasdaq related to delayed filing of Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EFFINGHAM, Ill., May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Midland States Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: MSBI) (the “Company”) today announced that it received an expected deficiency notification letter from the Listing Qualifications Staff of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) on May 19, 2025 (the “Notice”). The Notice indicated that the Company was not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) (the “Listing Rule”) as a result of its failure to timely file its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (the “Form 10-K”) and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 (the “Form 10-Q”), as described more fully in the Company’s Form 12b-25 Notification of Late Filing (the “Form 12b-25”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 9, 2025. The Listing Rule requires Nasdaq-listed companies to timely file all required periodic reports with the SEC.

    The Notice has no immediate effect on the listing or trading of the Company’s common stock or depositary shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

    In accordance with Nasdaq’s listing rules, the Company has until June 2, 2025 to submit to Nasdaq a plan to regain compliance with the Listing Rule. Pursuant to the Notice, Nasdaq has the discretion to grant the Company up to 180 calendar days from the due date of the Form 10-K, or until September 29, 2025, to regain compliance. The Company intends to take the necessary steps to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s listing rules as soon as practicable.

    As discussed in the Company’s Form 12b-25, filed with the Commission on May 9, 2025, the Company is completing its evaluation of the accounting and financial reporting of third-party lending and servicing arrangements, including the collection and analysis of third-party documentation. In addition, the Company is completing an evaluation of whether there is an impairment to its goodwill, including obtaining valuation information from third parties.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s expectations as to the anticipated timing of filing the Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, completion of the Company’s audit for the year ended December 31, 2024, any impact on the Company’s previously reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024, and statements relating to the Company’s plan to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s listing rules, as well as all statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are subject to change, and actual results may materially differ from those set forth in this press release due to certain risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause or contribute to changes in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the expected timing and results of the Company’s audit for the year ended December 31, 2024; the risk that the completion and filing of the Form 10-K or Form 10-Q will take longer than expected; the timing of the Company’s submission of a compliance plan; Nasdaq’s acceptance of any such plan; the duration of any exception period that may be granted by Nasdaq; and the risk that the Company will be unable to meet Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements. The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements set forth in reports filed with the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statement contained herein. These statements reflect the Company’s position as of the date of this press release. The Company expressly disclaims any undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any statements to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change of events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

    About Midland States Bancorp, Inc.

    Midland States Bancorp, Inc. is a community-based financial holding company headquartered in Effingham, Illinois, and is the sole shareholder of Midland States Bank. As of March 31, 2025, the Company had total assets of approximately $7.46 billion, and its Wealth Management Group had assets under administration of approximately $4.10 billion. The Company provides a full range of commercial and consumer banking products and services and business equipment financing, merchant credit card services, trust and investment management, insurance and financial planning services. For additional information, visit https://www.midlandsb.com/ or https://www.linkedin.com/company/midland-states-bank.

    CONTACTS:
    Jeffrey G. Ludwig, President and CEO, at jludwig@midlandsb.com or (217) 342-7321
    Eric T. Lemke, Chief Financial Officer, at elemke@midlandsb.com or (217) 342-7321

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas Adds 334 New Immigration Cases This Week

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    SAN ANTONIO – Acting United States Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas announced today, that federal prosecutors in the district filed 334 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from May 16 through May 22.

    Among the new cases, Salvadoran felon Erick Douglas Serrano-Aleman was arrested by Van Horn Border Patrol agents for being an illegal alien present in the U.S. A criminal complaint indicates Serrano-Aleman was previously convicted of transporting and selling a controlled substance as well as accessory. In 2004, he was convicted for illegal re-entry in Nogales, Arizona. Serrano-Aleman has been deported twice and allegedly claims to be a member of the Sureño 13 gang.

    In El Paso, multiple alleged human smugglers were arrested, including U.S. citizen Ernesto Covarrubias and Tanya Joselyn De La Paz-Nunez, a Mexican national in possession of a legal B1/B2 Visa Border Crossing Card. Covarrubias, as the vehicle driver, and De La Paz-Nunez allegedly picked up five illegal aliens inside a pecan orchard near the Tornillo Port of Entry, intending to transport them to a stash house.

    U.S. citizen Gabriela Ivon Trejo-Gonzalez was arrested after U.S. Border Patrol agents allegedly observed six individuals crawl through a breach in the border fence near the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry and board Trejo-Gonzalez’s vehicle. The defendant allegedly drove away at a high rate of speed and continued in an attempt to evade law enforcement before becoming inoperable. Trejo-Gonzalez allegedly claimed she would be paid $500 per alien. She was convicted for alien smuggling in New Mexico in June 2023 and probation violation in October 2023.

    Juan Pedro Carmona-Cerritos, a Mexican felon, was arrested in El Paso and charged with illegal re-entry. Carmona-Cerritos was last removed from the U.S. in April 2009. He was previously convicted of child abuse in 2004 and second degree reckless homicide in 2005 in Waukesha, Wisconsin, for which he was sentenced to a total of approximately three years in prison. Guatemalan national Ramon Cortes-Velasquez was also arrested for illegal re-entry in El Paso, having been convicted of assault causing bodily injury to a family member in February and removed from the U.S. to Guatemala in March.

    Mexican nationals Jose Rolando Arenas-Aleman and J Angel Nava-Sanchez were arrested near Del Rio. According to court documents, Arenas-Aleman was arrested May 14 by U.S. Border Patrol agents for being an illegal alien present in the United States. He had previously been removed to Mexico for the second time through Laredo on Sept. 6, 2024 following his second conviction for Driving While Intoxicated. Nava-Sanchez was arrested May 15 after allegedly crossing the Rio Grande River near Del Rio. Nava-Sanchez was convicted twice in Tarrant County. He was found sentenced to 45 days in jail for a DWI in July 2022 and 29 days in jail in August 2018, for assault causing bodily injury to a family member.

    A U.S. citizen was arrested May 19 during a traffic stop on Highway 85 near Dilley. A criminal complaint alleges that Alex Guadalupe Nieto was the driver of a vehicle transporting six illegal aliens. The complaint alleges that Nieto stated he and another individual drove from Houston, picking up the six illegal aliens on the side of the road, and that he had expected to be paid $500.00 to transport the aliens.

    In Austin, Mexican national Juan Robledo-Trevino aka Octavio Garcia-Sanchez was taken into federal custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after being arrested and sentenced to 10 days in the Travis County Jail for failure to identify. Robledo-Trevino has two prior convictions for illegal re-entry, and four previous DWI convictions. He’s been removed from the U.S. to Mexico four times, most recently in November 2016, and voluntarily returned to Mexico twice.

    Mexican national Jose Hernandez-Martinez was taken into ICE custody in Austin where he had been arrested for his second DWI and spent 20 days in the Travis County Jail. Hernandez-Martinez has a prior illegal entry conviction along with convictions for theft and assault causing bodily injury to a family member. He voluntarily returned to Mexico in 2006, and has been twice removed from the U.S.

    Edgar Aguilar-Mejia, a Guatemalan national, was also taken into ICE custody in Austin. Aguilar-Mejia was convicted twice in 2023 for illegal re-entry and has been removed from the U.S. three times before, as recent as April 2024.

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

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.

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

    Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick Reintroduces Farm to Market Road Improvement Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Florida 20th district))

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), David Valado (CA-22), Vince Fong (CA-20), and Jim Costa (CA-21) introduced the Farm to Market Road Improvement Act. This bipartisan bill would make additional federal resources available to help repair and maintain the infrastructure that keeps America’s food supply chain moving.

    “Farmers in the Glades rely on safe, drivable roads that allow them to feed families across both our state and nation,” said Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan piece of legislation to protect our agricultural backbone, repair local infrastructure, and strengthen our supply chains.”

    “The Central Valley is the backbone of our nation’s food supply, but after years of wear and tear from heavy trucks, many of our rural roads are in desperate need of repair,” said Congressman Valadao. “This bipartisan bill gives our communities access to the federal resources needed to repair and strengthen critical infrastructure, and I’m proud to lead this effort to support our farmers, grow our economy, and keep America’s food supply chain moving.”

    “My district is one of the top agricultural producing regions in the nation, and I’m proud to partner with Congressman Valadao to create another resource to improve roadways in the Central Valley,” said Congressman Fong. “By investing in our rural infrastructure we’re supporting the hardworking farmers who feed America and strengthening the supply chain that keeps our economy moving.”

    “Our farmers grow the food that feeds the nation, but they can’t do it without reliable roads to get their goods to market. The Farm to Market Roads Improvement Act ensures that rural communities like those in the San Joaquin Valley aren’t left behind,” said Congressman Costa. “By setting aside dedicated funding for farm-to-market road projects, we’re investing in the backbone of America’s agricultural economy and strengthening our rural infrastructure.” 

    “Palm Beach County, Florida supports resources to agricultural and rural communities to assist in repairing Farm to Market roads as efficiently as possible, so that agricultural products can be transported safely and quickly from farms to consumers,” said Maria G. Marino, Mayor, Palm Beach County, FL. “We support the legislative efforts of Reps. Valadao, Cherfilus-McCormick, Fong and Costa to define Farm-to-Market Roads in eligible counties, ensuring that 10% of the Rural Transportation Grant Program is directed to these crucial agricultural roadways.”

    “Reps. Valadao, Cherfilus-McCormick, Fong, and Costa’s legislation directs more federal transportation funding to communities like Tulare County,” said Tulare County Association of Governments Chairman Rudy Mendoza. “Our roads are used not only by residents traveling to work, but by agricultural goods on their way to markets across the world. This bill recognizes the national economic impact of our region and we appreciate our Congressional delegation’s continued support.”

    “Our local economy depends on safe, reliable infrastructure to move agricultural goods efficiently from the fields to the market,” said Kings County Supervisor Doug Verboon. “Farm-to-market roads are vital for connecting growers to processors, distributors, and markets across the region. The Farm to Market Road Improvement Act recognizes the unique transportation needs of rural farming communities and delivers the kind of targeted federal investment needed to maintain and modernize these critical routes.”

    “We welcome Rep. Valadao’s attention on this issue, particularly at a time when investments in our nation’s rural infrastructure continues to lag behind our more urban areas,” said Shannon Douglass, President, California Farm Bureau. “As we like to say—food security is national security—and this legislation would help provide a much-needed boost towards protecting our critical food supply chains.” 

    Read the full bill here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Lauren Boebert Announces June Staff Mobile Office Hours

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lauren Boebert (Colorado, 3)

    EATON, CO– Staff from Congresswoman Lauren Boebert’s (CO-04) office will be holding Mobile Office Hours in June across the district to connect with constituents within their communities. In addition to the Congresswoman’s congressional offices in Eaton and Lone Tree, the Mobile Office Hours aim to provide services to constituents who need in-person guidance.

    “Our Congressional Mobile Office Hours provide an opportunity for constituents from across the 4th District to get the assistance they need from our staffers who can help them in a variety of ways,” stated Congresswoman Boebert. “Meeting Coloradans where they are is a critical part of the work our office does, and I know our Mobile Office Hours will be a huge help to constituents of all backgrounds and locations.” 

    Staff from Congresswoman Boebert’s office will be available to help constituents who aren’t getting answers from federal agencies, like veterans seeking to get the care they earned from the VA, travelers that need expedited assistance to receive a passport on short notice, taxpayers being harassed by the IRS, and senior citizens having issues with the Social Security Administration or Medicare. Additionally, constituents are invited to come to the office hours to express their viewpoints on legislative issues or request special Congressional Commendations from the Congresswoman recognizing outstanding public achievements.

    Since the beginning of her tenure as Representative for the 4th Congressional District on January 3rd, 2025, Congresswoman Boebert’s office has returned $2,738,423.80 to constituents. 

    Mobile Office Hours will be available at the following times and locations:

    THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2025 

    Elbert County Mobile Office Hours 

    Agate Fire Protection District, Meeting Room 

    40160 County Road 153 

    Agate, CO 

    12:30-1:30pm 

    Lincoln County Mobile Office Hours 

    Flagler Town Hall, Library Meeting Room 

    311 Main Street 

    Flagler, CO  

    3:00-4:00pm

    Washington County Mobile Office Hours 

    Otis Fire Department  

    409 E 5th Ave 

    Otis, Co 

    10:00-11:00am 

    Logan County Mobile Office Hours 

    Fleming Community Center 

    117 N. Logan Ave 

    Fleming, CO  

    2:00-3:00pm

    THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2025   

    Cheyenne County Mobile Office Hours 

    Town Hall, Community Building  

    301 Main Street 

    Kit Carson, CO 

    10:30am-12:00pm 

    TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025 

    Yuma County Mobile Office Hours 

    Grassroots Community Center 

    6671 US HWY 36 

    Joes, CO 

    10:00-11:00am 

    WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025   

    Crowley County Mobile Office Hours 

    401 Warner Street 

    Olney Springs, CO 

    11:30am-1:00pm 

    East Weld County Mobile Office Hours 

    Hudson Public Library 

    100 S. Beech St. 

    4:00-5:00pm 

    TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2025 

    Adams County Mobile Office Hours 

    Bennett Town Hall 

    207 Muegge Way 

    3:30-4:30pm

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Fort St. James hospital name reflects First Nations heritage

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    The new hospital in Fort St. James is now called Nats’oojeh [Nat-Soo-Jay] Hospital and Health Centre, reflecting the Dakelh First Nations heritage.

    The name was chosen in consultation with the guidance of Elders and language experts from the Nak’azdli, Binche, Tl’azt’en, Yekooche and Takla First Nations. Nats’oojeh means “everyone healing” in the Dakelh language. The larger meaning is healing through medicine, holistic care, looking after loved ones and helping each other.

    Dakelh First Nations were engaged throughout the design process to help ensure the hospital is welcoming and reflective of their cultures and health practices. This includes a spiritual space, smudging area, healing garden, traditional plants and medicines. The building has theme and design elements such as nature and the changing seasons, Indigenous art, and signage in Dakelh, including written words and syllabics.

    “Nats’oojeh Hospital and Health Centre is more than just a building, it’s a place where community, culture and care come together under one roof,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “I’m grateful to the Elders and experts who have guided the process of selecting a name for this facility that reflects the values of the community it serves.”

    The new facility, which opened Jan. 14, 2025, is three times the size of the previous hospital. It has 27 beds, including 18 long-term-care and nine acute-care beds, and an expanded emergency department with two treatment rooms, a trauma bay and an ambulance bay. Additionally, there is a bigger laboratory and diagnostic imaging spaces.

    “The Nats’oojeh Hospital and Health Centre represents a strong foundation for health and healing in Fort St. James and surrounding communities,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “Its new name, chosen in consultation with local First Nations, reflects a deep spirit of collaboration and care — bringing together traditional knowledge, cultural respect and modern infrastructure to support a healthier future for everyone.”

    The previous hospital opened in 1972 and was outdated in terms of space, size, functionality and technology. It had 12 beds and no decontamination room or dedicated area to receive, assess or triage patients in the emergency department. The facility also had only two treatment bays, one trauma room and no ambulance bay.

    “Nats’oojeh Hospital and Health Centre is a powerful expression of what’s possible when we work together with Indigenous partners. This facility is more than a new hospital; it’s a place of healing, connection and cultural safety,” said Colleen Nyce, chair, Northern Health. “The name Nats’oojeh reflects the spirit of collaboration and respect that guided this project from the beginning, and we are honoured to support care that is rooted in community, tradition and wellness.”

    The total capital cost of the project is $158.3 million, including $139.9 million funded by the Province through Northern Health and an $18.4-million contribution from the Stuart-Nechako Regional Hospital District.

    “This major investment reflects a strong commitment to rural health care. The new hospital and health centre will help attract and retain essential medical staff, improve access to quality care, and reduce the need for travel,” said Judy Greenaway, chair, Stuart-Nechako Regional Hospital District. “It’s rewarding to see years of advocacy and planning realized in this beautiful facility. We’re grateful to the Province of B.C. and Northern Health for their support.”

    Demolition of the old hospital began in March 2025.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Drug-affected drivers detected during traffic operation on Midlands Highway

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Drug-affected drivers detected during traffic operation on Midlands Highway

    Saturday, 24 May 2025 – 8:15 am.

    Tasmania Police are reminding motorists about the dangers of drug driving after several concerning detections during a traffic operation on the Midlands Highway yesterday afternoon (23 May).
    Officers from Road Policing Services conducted the operation south of Campbell Town, supported by the Dog Handler Unit.
    During the operation, the police drug detection dog gave positive indications to several vehicles leading to the discovery of a quantity of methamphetamine.
    The occupants were arrested and charged with trafficking a controlled substance.
    Other results from the operation included:

    3 x positive results for illicit drugs,
    1 x driving whilst disqualified.

    Detective Inspector Troy Morrisby said it is disappointing the number of drug-affected drivers on a major road such as the Midlands Highway, where speed limits reach up to 110 km/h.
    “Alcohol and drugs remain one of the Fatal Five contributing factors to serious and fatal crashes on Tasmanian roads,” he said.
    “Operations like this are critical to removing dangerous drivers from our roads, and it is especially concerning that people are choosing to drive under the influence on high-speed highways, putting themselves and other road users at serious risk.”
    “We will continue to conduct high-visibility traffic operations across the state to deter unsafe driving and keep the community safe.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Joins Multistate Coalition to Oppose Trump Administration’s Reclassification of Federal Employees

    Source: US State of California

    New Trump employment classification would strip civil-service protections from tens of thousands of nonpartisan federal employees and risk eroding the effectiveness of the federal government  

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter that opposes the Office of Personnel Management’s proposed rule to create a new employment classification in the federal civil service called “Schedule Policy/Career.”  If implemented, this classification, a reinstatement of the previously failed “Schedule F,” would strip critical workplace protections from tens of thousands of career federal employees, allowing the Trump Administration to fire them for “subverting Presidential directives” or purely political or reasons unrelated to their job performance. 

    “The Trump Administration is looking to trample on workers’ rights by reinstating the Schedule F classification,” said Attorney General Bonta. “This would be a direct assault on the integrity of our federal workforce by threatening to replace experienced, nonpartisan professionals with political loyalists. This change would not only undermine the trust and stability of our strong federal workforce comprised of subject matter experts, it would also break the very foundation of a government that serves all Americans, not just those who implement President’ Trump’s agenda.”  

    Under the current federal civil service system, approximately 2 million federal employees serve in the “competitive service,” meaning they are hired through a merit-based process and protected by civil-service laws that guard against arbitrary dismissal or political interference. These federal employees are nonpartisan professionals hired for their expertise and expected to carry out the laws passed by Congress regardless of political shifts. 

    The new Schedule Policy/Career classification that attempts to reprise the previously proposed Schedule F would reclassify a broad range of policy-related civil servants—such as analysts, attorneys, scientists, and regulators — into an at-will employment status. Unlike traditional Schedule C appointees who change with each new presidential administration, Schedule Policy/Career would apply to nonpartisan federal career staff not normally subject to such turnover. This reclassification would remove long-standing due process protections that guard the apolitical nature of the federal workforce and open these employees up to being fired on political grounds.  

    As of March 2024, there were only roughly 1,600 Schedule C employees across the entire federal government, which illustrates just how narrow Congress intended the exemptions from merit-based employment to be. When the first Trump Administration attempted to implement Schedule F, one estimate projected it would reclassify as many as 50,000 federal employees. 

    In the comment letter, the attorneys general argue that the Trump Administration’s proposed rule is unlawful, unconstitutional, and harmful to states. Schedule Policy/Career violates the clear intent of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, which Congress passed to protect federal employees from arbitrary dismissal and ensure merit-based hiring. It also raises due process concerns under the Fifth Amendment by retroactively stripping career civil servants of vested employment rights. From a policy standpoint, the rule would politicize the federal workforce, chill the independence of career professionals, make it more difficult to retain experienced employees, and open the door to partisan retaliation against public servants when their expertise conflicts with a presidential administration’s political agenda.

    The attorneys general also emphasize the rule’s dangerous impact on states, including California, which depend on consistent, professional federal partners to administer shared programs. States rely on civil servants at agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of Education to implement laws, distribute funds, and provide technical guidance. This reclassification would also affect civil servants at agencies that states rely on to manage disasters, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The attorneys general further warn that the implementation of Schedule Policy/Career could return key parts of the federal workforce to a spoils system that enables a president to reward loyalists with jobs, rather than allow federal agencies to hire based on merit. Politicizing these positions would undermine cooperation, destabilize federal-state programs like Medicaid and environmental enforcement, and significantly degrade the effectiveness of the federal government, as well as its adherence to the rule of law. The attorneys general warn in the comment letter that Schedule F would erode federal-state relations by effectively shifting regulatory and programmatic burdens onto the states and coercing state compliance with federal political priorities. 

    This letter was co-led by Attorneys General Keith Ellison of Minnesota and Anne E. Lopez of Hawaii. They were joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

    A copy of the comment letter can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Birmingham City Council legal injunction against Unite

    Source: City of Birmingham

    Published: Friday, 23rd May 2025

    This evening the Council was granted an interim injunction to ensure that the picketing and protesting behaviour outside of the Council’s three depots is in accordance with legal provisions.

    The injunction, which is in place until Thursday when a further hearing will take place, set out expected behaviour from those picketing and aims to prevent the obstruction of vehicles leaving the depots. The Council must now work to resume weekly collections and reduce the recent build up of waste experienced in the City.

    Our priority is to deliver a reliable waste service to the people of Birmingham and since the Police withdrew their S14 powers last week, that has not been possible. We have seen an increase in disruption at our depots, with workers and vehicles being prevented from doing their jobs. This has in-turn led to a backlog of approx. 12,800 tonnes of waste on the streets.

    The Council has been negotiating with Unite since the start of this strike around the behaviours we have seen at our depots, and whilst everyone has a right to protest, the council has a public health duty to uphold and clearing waste is central to this.

    We believe that these actions are in breach of the law, as a result the Council issued Unite’s lawyers with a letter before action at the start of the week. We were subsequently given assurances in writing that there would be a change at the depots . This has not happened, and they have breached those reassurances this morning by again not allowing our trucks to leave.

    Therefore the Council has taken the decision to proceed with an application to the High Court for a legal injunction to restrict the unlawful behaviour. This is not something we wanted to do and have given Unite many opportunities to co-operate with us and avoid this course of action.

    The health and safety of the people of Birmingham is vitally important, and the council has been forced to take this action to prevent waste accumulating across our city, impacting deprived communities the most.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman García Takes House Floor, Condemns Republicans’ Tax Scam

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to condemn the Republican tax proposal that would strip healthcare and food assistance from millions of Americans to provide tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy.

    A video of the speech can be found here. 

    Remarks as delivered:

    “I rise today to speak against the Republican budget–a cynical plan that gives tax breaks to billionaires while ripping away health care and food from working families like those I represent.

    “This Republican Tax Scam would kick off nearly 14 million Americans off their health care, leaving them without coverage.

    “In my district, a mother working nights and caring for her family by day told us that she doesn’t know how they’ll survive if Medicaid is cut– her child relies on it for epilepsy medication. Without it, there’s no safety net. Just fear and uncertainty. 

    “This budget slashes Medicaid and SNAP, taking food from children, from seniors, from veterans, and people with disabilities. Even Republican Senators have called it ‘morally wrong’.

    “In my district alone, 278,000 people rely on these programs. Republicans want to take that away– we can’t allow them to continue to loot this country dry. America was not built for billionaires to hoard wealth while kids go hungry. Tax them — fairly, fully, now.”

     # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman García Votes Against Trump’s Tax Scam

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) issued the following statement after voting against Trump’s Tax Scam:

    “Republicans rammed through their Tax Scam in the dead of the night because they know the truth: this bill is a handout to billionaires at the expense of working families.  

    “The bill is cruel, harmful, and deliberate. The largest cut to healthcare and food assistance in U.S. history! Republicans ripped away care from children, seniors, and people with disabilities—just to fund tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy.

    “Nearly 14 million people will lose their health care. Millions more will have to pay higher premiums. In my district alone, 278,000 people who rely on Medicaid are at risk. 

    “The bill redirects nearly $80 billion to Trump’s mass deportation machine while terrorizing immigrants and imposing a new tax on non-citizens’ remittances.

    “I voted no. I stand with working families, not billionaires and bullies.”

     

    # # #

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Opens Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Duncan

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today the opening of a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) in Stephens County to assist small businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations, and residents affected by severe storms and flooding beginning April 19.

    “Beginning Tuesday, May 27, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Duncan to answer questions and assist with the disaster loan application process. No appointment is necessary, walk-ins are welcome. Those who prefer to schedule an in-person appointment in advance can do so at appointment.sba.gov.

    The center’s hours of operation are as follows:

    STEPHENS COUNTY

    Disaster Loan Outreach Center

    Stephens County Fairgrounds

    Prairie Room

    2002 S. 13th St.

    Duncan, OK  73533

    Opens at 12 p.m., Tuesday, May 27

    Tuesday, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

    Wednesday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

    Thursday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

    Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

    Closes permanently at COB Friday, May 30

    “When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers perform an important role by assisting small businesses and their communities,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the U.S. Small Business Administration. “At these centers, our SBA specialists help business owners and residents apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available to support their recovery.”

    Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

    Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

    Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.

    The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofit organizations impacted by financial losses directly related to these disasters. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.62% for nonprofits, and 2.75% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is July 11, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 12, 2026.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lummis, Daines Introduce the Protecting Veteran Community Care Act to Protect, Expand, Veterans’ Access to Community Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis
    Washington, D.C.— Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced legislation today that would ensure Wyoming veterans’ access to mental healthcare in their local communities.
    “Providing for those who’ve defended our nation is the VA’s core purpose,” said Lummis. “This means Wyoming’s courageous veterans deserve top-tier healthcare services regardless of their geographic location. I remain committed to ensuring veterans throughout our state can access the medical care they’ve earned in their local communities.”
    “Our nation’s veterans have put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms, and the last thing they should have to worry about is mismanagement and delays at the VA. I’m proud to work with my colleagues on this bill to strengthen the availability of community based mental health programs and ensure that our veterans have access to the care and resources that they deserve,” said Daines.  
    “No veteran should face unnecessary delays in accessing mental health care,” said Tim Sheppard, Executive Director of the Wyoming Veterans Commission. “This bill guarantees that those who served are prioritized, not left waiting.”
    Background:
    The Protecting Veteran Community Care Act strengthens the existing community care program, limits the VA’s ability to restrict access to care in the community, and requires the VA to track relevant community care data and provide those statistics to Congress.
    Specifically, this legislation would:
    Amend the MISSION Act to specifically include inpatient mental health standards.
    Add clarity to veteran eligibility for care in the community. 
    Require the VA to track and present to Congress data on how veterans are requesting and using community care, along with what services community care funds are paying for.
    Require passage of a Joint Resolution in both chambers of Congress to modify community care eligibility.
    The 2018 VA MISSION Act was a landmark piece of legislation that overhauled the VA Choice Program to provide veterans with improved access to healthcare. Unfortunately, the VA has failed to live up to its obligation to provide timely care. Veterans are still facing unacceptably long waiting periods and frequently rescheduled appointments. The VA continues to fall short on the complete and proper implementation of the MISSION Act. This has resulted in the need for Congress to strengthen existing authorities to ensure that the VA isn’t restricting care in the community for veterans who need it most.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Moolenaar Statement on Passage of H.R. 1

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

    Headline: Moolenaar Statement on Passage of H.R. 1

    This morning, Congressman John Moolenaar voted in favor of H.R. 1, the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act. The legislation delivers on the mandate given to President Trump and the Republican Party by the American people last November. Included in the bill are provisions to avoid a 25% tax increase on Michigan families, empower U.S. Border Patrol and ICE to secure the southern border, and ensure tax dollars are spent wisely by cutting wasteful spending, while protecting programs like Medicaid for vulnerable populations who rely on it.

    Congressman Moolenaar’s NO GOTION Policy was also included in the legislation passed today, which prohibits  companies affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party from qualifying for green energy production tax credits.

    “The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act is a major win for families in Michigan’s Second Congressional District. This bill delivers on our promises to the American people to prevent a tax hike that would cost them thousands, and puts an end to the crisis at the southern border. It also addresses wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars, by establishing commonsense policies to protect programs like Medicaid for the Michigan residents who rely on it,” said Moolenaar. “I am also grateful my NO GOTION policy was included in this critical legislation. The tax dollars of hard-working Michigan families should not fund companies like Gotion, which are beholden to the Chinese Communist Party. I will continue my work to support Michiganders and get our nation back on the right track.”

    Moolenaar’s NO GOTION policy would prohibit foreign entities of concern from claiming green energy production tax credits implemented by the Biden administration in the “Inflation Reduction Act.” Gotion is a “wholly owned and controlled” subsidiary of Gotion High-Tech, a Chinese-based battery company. In an amended Foreign Agents Registration Act filing, Gotion admitted it is subsidized by the Chinese government.

    The budget reconciliation bill protects Medicaid for the people who rely on it. Currently, 4.8 million able-bodied Americans are covered by Medicaid – who are choosing not to work, as well as 1.4 million illegal immigrants receiving this taxpayer funded program. H.R. 1 addresses this issue, removing Medicaid coverage from people who are in our country illegally and requiring able-bodied individuals to return to work so Medicaid can continue to serve the vulnerable populations it was intended for. 

    H.R. 1 extends the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanently, avoiding a 25% tax hike on Michigan families, saving an average of over $1,300 every year. It also provides additional tax relief for middle-class families, ending federal income tax on tipped wages, overtime pay, and interest on loans for American-made cars. 

    Under the previous administration, more than 10 million people came into our country illegally, averaging nearly 160,000 border patrol encounters per month. Under the Trump administration, border patrol is reporting over a 90% drop, with just 8,383 illegal crossings last month. H.R, 1 builds on this success by providing funding to US. Border Patrol for hiring, technology to detect fentanyl, and the completion of the border wall. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Fresh funding for Exeter research hub creating new medical sensors and healthier soft drinks

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Fresh funding for Exeter research hub creating new medical sensors and healthier soft drinks

    Researchers in Exeter have today (Saturday 24 May) been selected to host a state-of-the-art facility developing new materials designed at microscopic scale.

    • From new medical sensors to components for next-generation computers that could boost cyber security or discover new medicines, Exeter experts are bringing state-of-the-art new materials to life with £19.6 million backing 

    • Exeter University’s MetaHub will design materials with specially engineered properties, not found in nature, at microscopic scale

    • MetaHub has already attracted £4.5 million of private investment, boosting to the high-growth technologies and sectors that will drive our Plan for Change in the South West and beyond

    Researchers in Exeter have today (Saturday 24 May) been selected to host a state-of-the-art facility developing new materials designed at microscopic scale – paving the way for new jobs and businesses in everything from medical sensors to healthier food colourings in soft drinks. 

    The University of Exeter’s MetaHub will be supported by £19.6 million in public and private backing, announced by Science Minister Lord Vallance at the University.

    The MetaHub is focused on ‘nanoscale metamaterials’ – a new class of advanced materials, designed at the tiniest, molecular level, so that they have new and useful properties that cannot be found in the natural world. This could enable components to be created that are much smaller than current technology allows, or that can perform new functions that aren’t possible with existing materials.

    These new materials could be used to make the next generation of computer components and radio transmitters for defence systems, diagnostic tools for healthcare, and healthier food colourings for soft drinks. Their work is being backed by businesses ranging from defence and security firms QinetiQ and Leonardo to multinational drinks manufacturer PepsiCo. 

    This is a growing field, emerging from just a handful of groups doing such research, with the UK already leading the way. Investing now in the UK’s metamaterials expertise paves the way for the products of the future to be discovered and commercialised in Britain – with new jobs, businesses and even entire industries to potentially flow from them. 

    Delivering this growth in partnership with the private sector, £10.5 million of the total funding comes from UK Research and Innovation, with a further £4.5 million in private investment crowded in – showing the value of cutting-edge research as a driver of investment into all corners of the country, in support of the Plan for Change. A further £4.65 million comes from the University of Exeter and other higher education institutions. 

    Speaking at the University of Exeter, Science Minister Lord Vallance said: 

    The work happening here in Exeter is a prime example of how cutting-edge research can attract private investment and drive economic growth, in every corner of the UK, which will be critical to our economic mission at the core of the Plan for Change. 

    Our backing for the MetaHub is an investment, for both today and for tomorrow. We are securing the UK’s leadership in the high-potential field of metamaterials, a new class of materials specially engineered to have new and useful properties. This work is paving the way for future products and innovations that will deliver jobs and growth, in the years ahead.

    At the University yesterday, Lord Vallance met researchers leading major new initiatives across climate change, critical minerals and human genomics which together with MetaHub represent £80 million of new public and private sector investment into Cornwall and Devon. 

    University of Exeter Deputy Vice-Chancellor Stuart Brocklehurst said: 

    Our world leading research across many of the hottest areas of science will both help address profound global challenges and create opportunity across the South West. It’s been great to welcome Lord Vallance to the University of Exeter to celebrate the work of our researchers and the investment which their work is attracting from public and private sources alike.

    Professor Charlotte Deane, Executive Chair at EPSRC said:

    We’ve nurtured metamaterials research for many years and it’s fantastic to see it grow from a few individual research groups in the 1990s to a rapidly expanding and thriving research community today.

    By harnessing the control of light, energy and information, the MetaHub has the potential to benefit both civil and defence sectors. From more efficient, effective and secure computing and communication to advanced sensing and energy generation, this research will take curiosity-led research to tangible outcomes.

    Whilst in Exeter, Lord Vallance also visited another hub for world-leading science and research which is based there: the Met Office. As the UK’s national weather forecasting service, the Met Office’s work is critical to the safe and routine operation of transport, energy, businesses and even national security – efforts bolstered by the switchover to the world’s first cloud-based supercomputer dedicated to weather and climate science, which went online last month. Lord

    Vallance also saw how the Met Office is using technologies like AI, to overhaul how we study and understand weather and climate change. 

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

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

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Animal welfare rules in British zoos set for major overhaul

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Animal welfare rules in British zoos set for major overhaul

    New Zoo Standards will enhance welfare and protections for animals in Great Britain’s zoos and aquariums.

    Major update in rules for keeping animals in zoos as government introduces new standards which will ensure the UK’s famous zoos remain global leaders in the zoo industry.

    Larger habitat enclosures for elephants, better training for staff to handle exotic animals, and improved public safety measures will be required as part of the new Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain, published today (Saturday 24th May)  

    For the first time in over a decade, the rules protecting Great Britain’s most loved zoo animals such as the majestic snowy owl and golden eagle, iconic elephants, and wonders of the sea like sting rays and octopus will be modernised to reflect the very latest in zoo best practice:

    • Larger habitats will be introduced for elephants to better replicate the large territories elephants naturally inhabit.
    • The practice of tethering birds of prey as a method of long term accommodation will be phased out, with a shift to large aviary enclosures.
    • Aquariums will no longer be allowed to let visitors touch fish and cephalopods – creatures such as ray and octopus are highly intelligent animals and handling causes them stress.   

    Animal Welfare Minister, Baroness Hayman said:  

    We are a nation of animal lovers, and our best zoos and aquariums are truly world leaders in setting the standard for how wild animals should be kept. 

    Today’s long-overdue reforms lay the foundation for an even stronger, even more compassionate future for all zoos and aquariums —and the animals they protect.  This is the first step as part of our commitment to deliver the most ambitious animal welfare reforms in a generation.

    We’re making sure all sectors have the tools they need thrive, which is vital in our mission to deliver economic growth and make lives better for people across the country under our Plan for Change.

    Cam Whitnall, Managing Director of The Big Cat Sanctuary and star of CBBC’s One Zoo Three, said:  

    For too long, zoos have been misunderstood as places of entertainment, but these new standards make it unmistakably clear: modern, good zoos put wildlife first. They are hubs for conservation, education, and world-leading animal care. I’m proud to be part of the UK’s zoo, sanctuary and aquarium community, setting the global benchmark for the welfare of endangered species.

    This is a huge step forward and also a call to action for other countries to now raise their standards, so animals everywhere benefit from the same level of care, and we can align globally for wildlife.

    Dr Jo Judge, CEO of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) which represents over 130 zoos and aquariums said:

    The new standards are a significant step up in legal requirements and cement Britain’s position as a global leader for zoos and aquariums. BIAZA members already lead the way in animal care and conservation and we have been working closely with Defra officials to realise these updated standards.

    We are delighted to see them published today, demonstrating government’s and the sector’s commitment to the highest levels of animal care, and helping empower zoos and aquariums to keep leading the fight for nature.

    Jamie Christon, CEO at Chester Zoo, said:

    We were delighted to welcome the Zoos Minister, Baroness Hayman, to Chester Zoo for the official launch of the updated Secretary of State’s standards of modern zoo practice. These new standards set a clear vision for the future of zoos in the UK and we’re pleased to have worked closely with Defra to help shape them and ensure that they represent world class animal care.

    Kathryn England, Chief Operating Officer for ZSL, the international conservation charity behind London and Whipsnade Zoos said:

    These standards will help bring the whole sector up to a level the public rightly expects – and that animals everywhere deserve.

    London and Whipsnade Zoos are conservation powerhouses, delivering world-leading animal care and driving global efforts to protect wildlife. We welcome these new Standards of Modern Zoo Practice and the clarity they bring – every animal in every UK zoo deserves the same high standard of care, and every zoo should be contributing meaningfully to conservation.

    Other measures in the Standards include:  

    • Improved conservation – Clear steps to help enforce conservation standards with new requirements for record keeping – helping drive up standards across the whole sector. This could include breeding programs for endangered species, research into animal behaviour and reproduction, and education to raise awareness about conservation issues. There will also be a curb on the sourcing of animals from the wild.  

    • Protecting the public – All zoos will need to ensure appropriate safety measures are in place if they want to keep dangerous animals, including double-gated entry systems, lone worker procedures, and the appropriate availability of firearms.

    • Updated business plans – To ensure zoos are prepared to protect animals in the event of financial hardship, they will now be required to develop clear business continuity plans  

    There is a 2 year timeline on zoos and aquariums to adapt to the changes, with further phased timelines for some species-specific changes. This gives enough time to implement the changes efficiently, while support and guidance will be available -keeping welfare at the heart of zoo operations.  

    These changes, part of the wider Plan for Change, will modernise the way animals are cared for in zoos and aquariums and reaffirm the UK’s position as a global leader in ethical and responsible wildlife management. The new published standards are available from today on gov.uk.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: ACLU Attempt to Block Criminal Illegal Alien Removals Fails Spectacularly

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    The ACLU’s dangerous campaign to keep violent criminals in the United States is falling apart.

    WASHINGTON – Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the American Civil Liberties Union’s (ACLU) latest attempt to wage lawfare against the Department was dropped. This lawsuit tried to prevent DHS from removing dangerous criminal illegal aliens from the country. 

    “We are glad to see the ACLU’s meritless, frivolous, and frankly dangerous lawsuit fall apart,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “That they claim to be a civil rights organization while advocating on behalf of foreign criminal gang members is laughable. They clearly could care less about the Americans that these illegal alien criminals victimize.”

    The lawsuit was filed on March 1, 2025, by the ACLU on behalf of 10 illegal aliens who were being transferred to a detention facility at Guantanamo Bay in preparation for their removal. Most of these criminal illegal aliens were removed from the country, while the remaining volunteered to drop the suit. 

    Fortunately, these criminals will no longer to be able to victimize American citizens. The Department will continue to use all available resources to remove the dangerous criminal illegal aliens who were let into our country by the previous administration. 

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 05/23/2025 Blackburn, Welch, Gooden, Ross Introduce Bill to Speed Up Patent Process for Critical and Emerging Technologies

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and U.S. Representatives Lance Gooden (R-Texas) and Deborah Ross (D-N.C.) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Leadership in Critical and Emergency Technology (CET) Act, which would encourage innovation in critical and emergency technologies by ensuring those patent applications receive prompt consideration by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO):

    “The United States cannot afford to fall behind to the Chinese Communist Party in the research and development of critical and emerging technology,” said Senator Blackburn. “My bipartisan Leadership in CET Act would expedite the patent review process to ensure we regain our competitive edge.”

    “China has made significant strides in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and is working rapidly to surpass the United States as a world leader in the field. Accelerating our research and development in critical technologies is a vital step to maintaining our leadership on the world stage,” said Senator Welch. “Our bipartisan bill will boost our competitiveness and ensure we’re at the forefront of setting global standards for emerging technologies.”

    “The Leadership in CET Act will secure American global dominance in transformative technologies like AI and semiconductors, said Congressman Gooden. “Through streamlining patent approvals, we will foster innovation and drive progress in these critical fields.”

    “America has always been a forerunner in technology and innovation, and we cannot fall back now,” said Congresswoman Ross. “The Leadership in Critical and Emerging Technologies Act will fast-track American innovation in key fields, empower inventors in the Research Triangle and beyond, and help us outperform our global competitors. North Carolina’s innovators are ready to lead, and this bipartisan legislation will give them the tools to do so. We have taken significant strides toward revitalizing American innovation and strengthening our competitiveness, and we must continue to build on that progress.”

    BACKGROUND

    • Communist China has significantly strengthened its research and development efforts and now leads the world in 57 of 64 critical technologies.
      • This is an increase from 52 technologies in 2021 and a drastic leap from the mid-2000s, when China was leading in just three. 
    • The U.S. historically has been the world’s dominant research power, leading in research for 60 out of 64 technologies from 2003-2007. That number has since dropped to seven, with notable holdouts in advanced information and communication technologies, semiconductor design, and certain quantum capabilities.
    • Chinese President Xi Jinping, through a series of government proclamations, has accelerated fundamental scientific research so it can become self-reliant in critical technologies.
    • In 2022, Chinese institutions applied for 29,853 AI-related patents—almost 80% more than U.S. filings.
      • In 2024, China was listed as a high risk to monopolize 24 critical and emerging technology areas.

    LEADERSHIP IN CET ACT

    • The Leadership in CET Act would:
      • Require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO to establish and carry out a pilot program to expedite the examination of 15,000 patent applications pertaining to certain capabilities in artificial intelligence, semiconductor design, and quantum information science;
      • Prevent foreign entities of concern from participating in the program;
      • Provide the USPTO a one-time reauthorization authority if deemed necessary; and
      • Require the USPTO Director to submit a report to Congress assessing the impact and effectiveness of the pilot program based on all available data following the program’s termination.

    ENDORSEMENTS

    This legislation is endorsed by the High Tech Inventors Alliance, the Innovation Alliance, and theComputer & Communications Industry Association.

    RELATED

    Click here for bill text.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Available to Oklahoma Small Businesses, Private Nonprofits and Residents Affected by Spring Wildfires

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In response to a Presidential disaster declaration issued May 21, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to Oklahoma small businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations and residents affected by wildfires occurring March 14-21.

    The disaster declaration covers the Oklahoma counties of Cleveland, Creek, Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma, Pawnee and Payne.

    Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

    Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

    Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.

    SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and PNPs impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “One distinct advantage of SBA’s disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future storm damage,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “I encourage businesses and homeowners to work with contractors and mitigation professionals to improve their storm readiness while taking advantage of SBA’s mitigation loans.”

    Interest rates can be as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.62% for PNPs and 2.75% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    Beginning Tuesday, May 27, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Disaster Loan Outreach Centers to answer questions and assist with the disaster loan application process. No appointment is necessary, walk-ins are welcome. Those who prefer to schedule an in-person appointment in advance can do so at appointment.sba.gov.

    The center’s hours of operation are as follows:

    CREEK COUNTY

    LINCOLN COUNTY

    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    First Baptist Church of Mannford
    105 Greenwood Ave.
    Mannford, OK  74044

    Mondays – Fridays
    9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

    Opens at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 27

    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    Carney High School
    203 Carney St.
    Carney, OK  74832

    Mondays – Fridays
    9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    Opens at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 27

    The following DLOC locations are open and continue to serve survivors:

    LOGAN COUNTY

    PAYNE COUNTY

    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    Logan County Courthouse Annex
    (Across the street north of Courthouse in
    the old Girl Scout Room)
    312 E. Harrison Ave.
    Guthrie, OK  73044

    Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

    Closed Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day

    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    City of Stillwater Community Center, Room 102
    315 W. Eighth Ave.
    Stillwater, OK  74074

    Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

    Closed Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day

    Closes permanently at COB Wednesday, June 11

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two People Charged in Robbery and Attempted Robbery of Postal Carriers

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DENVER – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Brisa Sierra-Silva, 25, and Christopher Johnson, 35, have been indicted in connection with the March 4, 2024, attempted robbery of a postal carrier and the subsequent robbery of a different postal carrier on the same day. Sierra-Silva is charged with one count each of robbery and attempted robbery.  Johnson is charged with one count of attempted robbery.

    Sierra-Silva was arrested and made her initial appearance in federal court on April 25, 2025.  Johnson was arrested and made his initial appearance on May 21, 2025.

    The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    The investigation is being conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Al Buchman.

    CASE NUMBER:                 25-cr-00132-CNS             

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi says China ready to work with Germany to open new chapter in all-round strategic partnership

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

    Xi says China ready to work with Germany to open new chapter in all-round strategic partnership

    BEIJING, May 23 — Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday that China is ready to work with Germany to open a new chapter in their all-round strategic partnership, to steer China-EU relations toward new progress and to make new contributions to the stable growth of the world economy.

    Speaking to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over phone, Xi once again congratulated him on assuming office. He pointed out that as the world undergoes accelerated changes unseen in a century and the international landscape is marked by transformation and turbulence, the strategic and global significance of China-Germany and China-EU relations has become even more prominent.

    A sound and stable China-Germany relationship serves both countries’ interests, and meets the expectations of various sectors in China and Europe, the Chinese president added.

    China and Germany have developed their bilateral relations based on mutual respect, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and win-win cooperation, Xi stressed, calling on both sides to maintain and carry forward this fine tradition.

    First, Xi called for consolidating political mutual trust. He said China views Germany as a partner, welcomes Germany’s development and prosperity, and is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with Germany, respect each other’s core interests and consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations.

    Second, Xi urged the two sides to enhance the resilience of their ties. He said both sides should not only continue to expand the existing cooperation in traditional fields such as automobiles, mechanical manufacturing and chemical industry, but seek more collaboration in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum technology, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in areas including climate change and green development, contributing the wisdom and solutions of China and Germany to global sustainable development.

    Third, Xi noted that bilateral cooperation should continue to gather momentum. He said that China is willing to share with Germany development opportunities brought by its high-level opening-up, adding that China hopes Germany will offer more policy support and facilitation for two-way investment, and provide a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises.

    Xi pointed out that facts have fully proven that partnership is the proper positioning of China-Germany and China-EU relations, and a stable and predictable policy environment is essential to ensuring bilateral cooperation.

    As major countries, he added, both sides share a common responsibility. Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, Xi said that the two sides should jointly review the successful experience in the development of China-EU relations and send a positive signal in support of multilateralism and free trade, as well as deepening openness and mutually beneficial cooperation.

    For his part, Merz said that China is one of the world’s most important countries, and Germany-China relations have seen sound development, with deepened cooperation yielding fruitful results.

    Bilateral cooperation is particularly significant in the current international landscape as both China and Germany are the world’s major economies, the German chancellor added.

    The new German government adheres to the one-China policy, and is willing to push for greater progress in their strategic partnership in a constructive and practical manner, he said.

    Germany expects to conduct closer exchanges and cooperation with China in various areas, uphold opening-up and mutual benefit, boost fair trade, safeguard world peace and jointly tackle climate change and other global challenges, Merz said.

    A healthy and steady development of EU-China relations is in the interest of both sides, and Germany is willing to play an active part in this regard, he said.

    The two leaders also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China allocates disaster relief funds for landslide-hit Guizhou

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

    BEIJING, May 23 — China’s Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Emergency Management on Friday allocated 30 million yuan (about 4.17 million U.S. dollars) of disaster relief funds from central government funding for southwest China’s Guizhou Province.

    The funds will be used to support search and rescue operations, relocate affected residents, eliminate risks, and carry out hidden danger investigations to minimize casualties and reduce losses, according to the Ministry of Finance.

    On Thursday, a landslide struck Guowa township in Dafang County under the city of Bijie in Guizhou, trapping 19.

    The Ministry of Finance instructed local authorities to ensure the timely disbursement of the funds to affected areas, strengthen fund oversight, and ensure the effective use of relief funds to protect people’s lives and property.

    MIL OSI China News –