NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Contractor’s renewal refused

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn today said that the Buildings Department has refused the application for registration renewal of Aggressive Construction Company which will be removed from the register of general building contractors on June 20.

    The company was involved in three serious incidents, including a fatal incident in 2022 involving the collapse of a tower crane at a construction site at Anderson Road; a fatal incident in July 2020 involving the electrocution of a worker at a construction site at Wang Chin Street; and a fatal incident in October 2023 involving a worker falling from height at a construction site at To Wah Road. These incidents resulted in a total of five deaths.

    As a registered general building contractor, the registration of the company expired in April 2023.

    The department referred the renewal application to the Contractors Registration Committee for interview and assessment in accordance with the Buildings Ordinance.

    The committee is established under the ordinance and its key members are nominated by the relevant building professional registration boards and the industry.

    After interviews, the committee was not satisfied that the authorised signatories of the company were competent and capable in site supervision and safety management to act on behalf of the company for the purpose of the ordinance, and was not satisfied that the contractor had proper site safety management.

    After careful consideration of the committee’s recommendation, the department has decided to refuse the company’s application for registration renewal.

    The department issued a letter to the company today as notification of its removal from the register of general building contractors on June 20, and that it will not be allowed to carry out any building works under the ordinance from that date onwards.

    The company was also requested to inform the authorised persons (APs) of the building sites of the relevant private development projects under its charge in accordance with the law, including submitting to the APs a notice of cessation of appointment, certifying that the building works carried out are in accordance with the provisions of the ordinance and its regulations, and giving a clear account of the scope of the completed building works.

    At the same time, the department also issued a letter to inform the APs responsible for the relevant building sites that the application for renewal of registration of the company has been refused, reminding them that they should make arrangements for the remaining works as soon as possible, including proposing to the owner of the project the appointment of another registered contractor to follow up the outstanding building works.

    The company is currently the main contractor for six development projects, three of which are public housing projects, one is a public works project for the construction of a new Chai Wan Government Complex, one is a subsidised sale housing project on Anderson Road by the Hong Kong Housing Society, while the remaining one is a student and staff dormitory project of the University of Hong Kong on Pok Fu Lam Road.

    With the company being removed from the register of general building contractors, it will no longer be allowed to carry out five of the above-mentioned residential and hostel projects according to the law or contract terms.

    As for the public works project of Chai Wan Government Complex, although it is neither bound by the ordinance or relevant contract terms to employ a contractor from the register of general building contractors for this project, in view of the slow progress over the past months and the fact that the performance of the contractor is far below contract requirements, the relevant works department will terminate the contract as soon as possible in accordance with the contractual mechanism.

    The Housing Authority and the relevant works department will follow up with the company as soon as possible to arrange for a new contractor to take over the project sites within two months of the company leaving the site.

    In order to minimise the impact to current workers and subcontractors, the Government encourages new contractors for the projects concerned to take priority in engaging current workers and subcontractors.

    Additionally, special consultation counters have been set up at ten Regional Offices of the Labour Relations Division under the Labour Department to provide appropriate assistance to affected workers.

    Ms Linn said that refusing the company’s application for renewal of registration is only one of a series of follow-up actions taken by the Government following construction site fatal incidents.

    In 2023, the Buildings Department and the Labour Department instigated prosecutions against the company and related individuals under their respective ordinances regarding the collapse of a tower crane on Anderson Road. The case will be heard in January 2026. The company’s involved authorised signatory was also charged with manslaughter in 2024, which will be heard in July this year.

    As for the other two serious incidents, the company and related individuals were convicted and fined under labour ordinances for the 2020 incident, while the 2023 incident will be heard in July 2025.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

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

    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 Pawnee County to assist small businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations, and residents affected by wildfires occurring March 14-15.

    Beginning Thursday, May 22, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Cleveland 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:

    PAWNEE COUNTY
    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    Cleveland Fire Department
    The Courtroom
    201 N. Broadway St.
    Cleveland, OK  74020

    Opens at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, May 22
    Mondays – Fridays, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    Closed Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day

    “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.”

    The following DLOCs are open now:

    LINCOLN COUNTY
    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Fire Department
    335174 E. 750 Rd.
    Perkins, OK   74059

    Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    Closes permanently at COB Friday, May 23

    LOGAN 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, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

    Closed Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day

    PAYNE COUNTY
    Disaster Loan Outreach Center
    City of Stillwater Community Center, Room 102
    315 W. Eighth Ave.
    Stillwater, OK  74074
    Mondays – Fridays, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

    Closed Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day

    Closes permanently at COB Wednesday, June 11

    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 21, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 20, 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 Video: Aligning U.S. Foreign Policy with our National Interests

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

    “Our foreign policy has to once again return to the national interests. That’s what it needs to be built on. We need to define what the national interest is, what is good for America.” — Secretary of State Marco Rubio in testimony to the House Committee on Appropriations on May 21, 2025.

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

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

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
    X: https://x.com/StateDept
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statedept
    Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/statephotos/
    Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/StateDept
    Substack: https://statedept.substack.com

    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
    Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USSTATEBPA/signup/32562

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
    Careers website: https://careers.state.gov/
    White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
    Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlVKzGqoSv4

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Gary Admans appointed as Non-Executive Director of the UK Debt Management Office Advisory Board

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Gary Admans appointed as Non-Executive Director of the UK Debt Management Office Advisory Board

    Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Emma Reynolds, has appointed Gary Admans as a Non-Executive Director of the UK Debt Management Office (DMO) Advisory Board.

    Gary has extensive experience in sterling markets and audit, risk and control matters, including as Vice President Capital Markets and Banking Relations at BP Plc. 

    In this role Gary will support the DMO’s Chief Executive Officer and senior team and will bring considerable experience, skills and judgement to the full array of Advisory Board issues. Gary will also chair the DMO’s Audit and Risk Committee. 

    Gary will be appointed for a three-year term. He will replace Dr Paul Fisher OBE whose term on the DMO Advisory Board is coming to an end later this year. 

    Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Emma Reynolds said:

    Delivering economic and fiscal stability lies at the heart of this government’s Plan for Change and is at the forefront of the work the Debt Management Office do. Therefore, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Gary Admans, his extensive knowledge, skills and experience will be invaluable to the organisation in its essential role in delivering economic stability.

    I would also like to thank Paul Fisher for his excellent contribution to the work of the DMO over many years.

    Dame Sue Owen, Non-Executive Chair, DMO Advisory Board said:

    I am thrilled to announce that Gary Admans has been appointed to our Advisory Board as a Non-Executive Director. 

    Gary’s profound expertise and experience in bond markets and audit, risk and control matters will ensure he is excellently positioned to assist the DMO in achieving its vital objectives, including fulfilling the government’s financing needs to the highest standards.

    Gary Admans said:

    I am delighted to be appointed to the Advisory Board of the DMO and look forward to helping the organisation deliver its financing mandate and other objectives. The DMO is recognised internationally for its market expertise and I will aim to use my financial and risk experience to allow the DMO to continue to flourish in the future.

    About Gary Admans 

    Gary Admans is an experienced financial markets professional and team leader who, after a derivatives-based career in banking, moved to BP plc where he manages a Capital Markets and Banking Relations team and is a key member of their Treasury Leadership team. On joining BP, he initially worked in the Risk Management team managing BP’s foreign exchange exposures before moving to the Capital Markets team. Gary joined the Board of Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing in June 2022 where he is the Chair of the Treasury Committee.  

    Gary confirmed he has not engaged in any political activity in the last five years. 

    About the appointment process 

    The DMO is an executive agency of HM Treasury which is responsible for debt and cash management for the UK Government, lending to local authorities and managing certain public sector funds. 

    Gary Admans has been appointed following an open recruitment process run by HM Treasury. A panel comprising Dame Sue Owen (Non-Executive Chair, DMO Advisory Board), Martin Egan (a current Non-Executive Director of the DMO), Azin Roussos (Deputy Director, HM Treasury), and an external panel member Katherine Braddick (Group Head of Strategic Policy at Barclays and senior adviser to the Barclays CEO) interviewed a number of candidates and made recommendations to the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, which informed her decision.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Zinke Strips Public Lands Sales, Votes to Pass the Big Beautiful Bill: Delivers on Tax Relief, Border Security, and the Eliminating of Waste, Fraud, and Abuse

    Source: US Congressman Ryan Zinke (Western Montana)

     (Washington, D.C.) Today, Congressman Ryan Zinke voted to pass the Big Beautiful Bill Act, landmark legislation that delivers sweeping reforms to restore fiscal sanity, cut taxes for hardworking Americans, secure our border, and safeguard entitlements for American citizens, without selling public lands. Read the full bill here.

    “Today I voted to end tax on tips for Montana service workers, lower taxes on Social Security for Montana seniors, and deliver tax relief for ALL Montanans; all while making investments in our national security and safeguarding our public lands,” said Congressman Zinke. “The Big Beautiful Bill is the bold, decisive action Montanans and Americans demanded. No more taxpayer giveaways to illegal immigrants. Just a return to putting America first. The Big Beautiful Bill delivers permanent tax relief with no tax on tips or overtime, lower taxes on Social Security,  protections for entitlements from fraud, and doesn’t sell out our public lands. For Montanans, that means more freedom, more security, and more money in your pocket, while protecting the things that matter most.”

    What the Big Beautiful Bill Delivers:

    No Sale of Public Lands

    Historic, Permanent Tax Relief

    • Cuts taxes for every American.
    • Ends taxes on tips and overtime.
    • Cuts taxes on Social Security benefits, ensuring seniors keep more of what they earned.
    • Puts an average of $5,000 back in the pockets of working families and saves the average Montanan $1,400 per year.
    • Delivers 15%+ tax relief for middle-income earners ($30,000–$80,000).

     Strengthening our Social Safety Net 

    • Preserves Medicaid and SNAP for those who truly need it.
    • Implements 80-hour-per-month work requirements for able-bodied adults aged 19–64.
    • Requires biannual eligibility checks to root out fraud.
    • Kicks 1.4 million illegal immigrants off entitlements.

     Secures the Southern Border with Proven Trump-Era Policies

    • Permanently enacts the border security measures that work:
    • 700 miles of border wall
    • 900 miles of river barriers
    • 629 miles of secondary barriers
    • 141 miles of vehicle and pedestrian fencing
    • Funds 18,000+ new frontline enforcement personnel, including:
    • 10,000 new ICE officers
    • 5,000 new Customs officers
    • 3,000 new Border Patrol agents

     Ends Wasteful Spending and Woke Mandates

    • Eliminates failed Biden-era regulations that crippled energy production and economic growth.
    • Repeals green tax credits and climate subsidies that favored Chinese-made technology over American energy.
    • Defunds radical programs—like DEI initiatives, climate extremism, and taxpayer-funded gender transition surgeries for minors.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Pettersen Votes Against GOP Billionaire-First Budget

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brittany Pettersen (Colorado 7th District)

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) released the following statement after voting against Republicans’ sweeping budget proposal that slashes Medicaid, guts food assistance programs, and raises health care costs for working families, all while adding trillions to the deficit to fund tax breaks for billionaires. The legislation would rip health care away from nearly 14 million Americans.

    “Over the last few months, I’ve heard from countless Coloradans who are terrified of what this budget means for their families. I think of Evan and Margy, who were pushed to the brink before Medicaid helped them care for Margy who has advanced-stage MS. I think of Brooke and her daughter Quinn who has a rare cancer and wouldn’t be alive today without the care she needs. And I think of my own mom, who got to rebuild her life and wouldn’t have survived without Medicaid. 

    “This bill means kids will go hungry, thousands of people will die without access to health care, and the progress we’ve made in fighting the opioid crisis will be erased. Hospitals and nursing homes will shutter, and the health care costs for all of us will skyrocket. All to give the wealthiest people in the history of the world more tax giveaways on the backs of the rest of us.

    “I know many feel powerless but now’s not the time to give up. We’ve got to keep showing up and fighting back with everything we’ve got.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Crop Report for the Period May 13 to May 19, 2025

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on May 22, 2025

    Seeding in Saskatchewan is nearly three-quarters complete with 72 per cent of crops now planted, which is an increase of 23 per cent from last week. This is a smaller increase than the week prior, which is largely due to rain delays in parts of the south and east regions of the province. Seeding progress remains notably higher than the five-year average of 60 per cent and 10-year average of 64 per cent.

    Producers in the southwest are in the home stretch of seeding with 89 per cent of crops currently seeded in this region. Progress in the northwest and west-central follow closely with 81 per cent of crops now seeded in these regions. Producers in the northeast made good progress this week as seeding progress in this region sits at 74 per cent. Seeding progress in the southeast and east-central are below the provincial average. Seeding in the southeast is 63 per cent complete, while the east-central region has the smallest percentage of current seeded acres with progress currently sitting at 58 per cent.

    Most of the pulse crops in the province have been seeded. Field peas lead seeding progress by crop type at 92 per cent, followed closely by lentils and chickpeas at 90 per cent and 83 per cent, respectively. Large portions of many spring cereal crops have also been seeded. Triticale and durum lead cereal seeding progress at 87 per cent, followed by spring wheat at 80 per cent and barley at 71 per cent. Canary seed and oat crops lag further behind other cereal crops with 56 per cent and 55 per cent of crops seeded, respectively. Seeding progress for all oilseed crops has now reached the halfway point. Mustard continues to lead seeding progress for oilseed crops at 84 per cent, followed by canola at 58 per cent and flax at 50 per cent. Seeding of soybean and perennial forage crops has made the least progress so far as 31 per cent of these crops have been seeded.

    There was more rainfall in the province this past week compared to the week before, with the southeast corner of the province receiving the most precipitation. The highest recorded rainfall was in the Lampman area, which received 139 millimeters (mm). The Oxbow and Frobisher areas followed with 104 mm and 100 mm, respectively. The Carnduff area also received notable rainfall with 93 mm. Despite the abundant rainfall in certain areas, other parts of the province remain dry and producers there are hoping for rainfall soon.

    The rainfall helped replenish topsoil moisture in certain areas, while dry conditions in other areas continue to deplete topsoil moisture reserves. Provincially, cropland topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 69 per cent adequate, 22 per cent short and three per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 64 per cent adequate, 27 per cent short and six per cent very short. Topsoil moisture levels in pastures are slightly drier as conditions are rated as two per cent surplus, 60 per cent adequate, 31 per cent short and seven per cent very short.

    Seeding remains the primary focus for most producers in the province, but many are busy spraying, land rolling and picking rocks. Livestock producers are also working to move their animals to the pasture for the season. While producers remain busy with fieldwork, they are reminded to be aware of powerlines and other hazards when transporting large equipment. Drivers are reminded to take extra precautions when encountering farm machinery on roadways.

    A complete, printable version of the Crop Report is available, online, download Crop Report.

    Follow the 2025 Crop Report on Twitter at @SKAgriculture.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Carbajal Condemns House Republican Passage of Extreme Budget Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

    U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) released the statement below following the passage of the Republican reconciliation bill on the House floor. The bill contains extreme and unprecedented cuts to Medicaid and food assistance. The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

    “Today, House Republicans passed their heartless bill to rip away health care and food assistance from millions of Americans—working families, seniors, children, and veterans—to give big tax breaks to billionaires,” said Rep. Carbajal. “Despite all their talk about fiscal responsibility, this bill will add trillions to our national debt. That’s not responsible, that’s reckless. As the bill heads to the Senate, Democrats will continue to stand up for the American people because our values are clear: we protect health care, support working families, and champion a fair and just America.”

    In California’s 24th Congressional District, 119,000 residents benefit from food assistance through SNAP. 900 residents who participated in SNAP in the past year are veterans. Over 200,000 people on Medicaid (also known in California as Medi-Cal) are at risk of losing their health care under Republican budget plans. This includes close to 100,000 children under the age of 19 and 24,000 seniors over 65 in CA-24.

    While Republican leaders claim their bill won’t cut Medicaid benefits, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office confirmed that the Republican budget would result in the largest Medicaid cuts in U.S. history (see fact sheet here). The Republican proposal demands slashing at least $880 billion from programs under the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which is impossible without devastating cuts to Medicaid, a critical program that provides essential health care to nearly one in three Americans.

    The Republican budget also demands about $300 billion in cuts to programs under the House Agriculture Committee, threatening the largest-ever cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps over 42 million Americans afford groceries. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Army Reserve medical logistics NCO ensures critical blood supply at African Lion 2025

    Source: United States Army

    U.S Army Staff Sgt. Christa Glass, a medical logistics noncommissioned officer assigned to the 172nd Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 330th Medical Brigade, stands in front of a Moroccan Royal Armed Forces SA330 Puma helicopter during African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Agadir, Morocco, May 12, 2025. Glass paved the way for a vital blood delivery, ensuring the safe training of thousands of service members taking part in the exercise. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ian Valley) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Ian Valley) VIEW ORIGINAL

    Back to

    U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF)

    AGADIR, Morocco — In the sweltering heat of North Africa, with lives potentially hanging in the balance, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christa Glass faced a critical challenge—a compromised blood shipment that threatened the medical readiness of U.S. forces.

    Working against the clock in unfamiliar territory, the medical logistics noncommissioned officer assigned to the 172nd Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 330th Medical Brigade, a U.S. Army reserve unit under the 807th Theater Medical Command, exemplified the Army value of selfless service during African Lion 2025 (AL25), the largest annual U.S. military exercise on the African continent.

    The incident began when a batch of blood designated for Senegal was compromised during transport through multiple countries, as temperatures fluctuated beyond the safe 1-6°C range required for maintaining viability. With more than 10,000 U.S. and partner nation troops participating in high-risk training operations across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, the need for emergency blood supplies was non-negotiable. Recognizing the critical need, Glass coordinated efforts with medical logistics teams in Europe to re-pack and transport fresh supplies across 1,500 miles of challenging terrain and multiple international borders.

    “I went to Tan Tan [Morocco] to collect the blood and I had to go through customs,” Glass explained. “Thankfully, the blood was repackaged that morning, so I didn’t need to open or re-ice it. I held onto it until the next day, when someone from the FRSD [Forward Resuscitative and Surgical Detachment] team arrived to pick it up.”

    Her role extended beyond transportation. Glass took on responsibilities outside her usual job, including repackaging blood and coordinating its transfer in a complex logistics chain. She also helped bring in additional medical supplies from Tunisia, ensuring all units received what they needed for the exercise.

    “Dealing with blood isn’t in my normal job description,” said Glass. “I usually just transport packages from point A to point B, so repacking blood and handling it properly was nerve-wracking at first. After learning on my own and doing some research, I gained confidence. I’ve dealt with similar situations before during previous African Lion exercises, so I knew I could help.”

    Glass, who joined the U.S. Army Reserve in 2007 after being inspired to serve her country during the height of the Iraq war, had to navigate complex international customs procedures, language barriers and the pressure of handling temperature-sensitive medical supplies that could mean the difference between life and death in an emergency scenario.

    Her efforts culminated in successfully holding the blood at the right temperature until the FRSD team arrived to take custody — a process critical for maintaining the integrity of the blood prior to high-risk surgical procedures.

    U.S. Army Lt. Col. George Abboud, chief of medical logistics at U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), emphasized the importance of her initiative.

    “Glass’ proactive approach ensured our medical teams had the necessary supplies, preventing potentially costly delays and maintaining the continuity of life-saving missions,” said Abboud.

    Abboud further explained the critical nature of blood supply in these operations.

    “We’re talking about hundreds of thousands, sometimes even millions of dollars invested in planning, soldier movement, housing and resources for these exercises,” Abboud said.

    “In these austere environments, we can’t rely on emergency services like we do back home where you can call 911 and get care within hours. We must have those forward surgical capabilities on hand with blood ready. Without it, in training events in remote locations, we simply can’t proceed. It’s a show-stopper.”

    Reflecting on her experience, Glass expressed pride in stepping outside her typical duties to support the mission. Her story underscores the vital role of adaptable, motivated logistics personnel in ensuring the success of complex military exercises.

    “It’s about making sure our medics have what they need. When lives are on the line, every detail matters,” she said.

    This is exactly the type of experience which prepares service members for the rigors of ever-changing battlefield scenarios, which many exercise participants could encounter in future operations.

    About African Lion

    AL25 is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies, and about 10,000 troops. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), on behalf of U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), the exercise will take place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. AL25 is designed to restore the warrior ethos, sharpen lethality, and strengthen military readiness alongside our African partners and allies This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight, and win.

    For all photos, videos and article throughout the exercise, visit the African Lion feature page on DVIDS.

    About SETAF-AF

    U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.

    Follow SETAF-AF on: Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn & DVIDS.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Eight Defendants Charged with Federal Immigration Crimes

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

    HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A federal grand jury in Huntsville has charged eight individuals with immigration crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona.

    The following defendants were indicted for illegally reentering the United States after having previously been deported:

    • Raul Alvarez-Lopez, 28, a citizen of Mexico;
    • Jose Faustino-Climaco, 29, a citizen of Mexico;
    • Nazario Vargas-Peres, 27, a citizen of Guatemala;
    • Eberardo Yovany Peralta-Cazales, 33, a citizen of Mexico;
    • Amilcar Pablo-Cinto, 35, a citizen of Guatemala;

    Stanley Amalemba Ambeyi, 38, a citizen of Kenya, was charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm.

    Pedro Pedro-Mateo, 30, a citizen of Guatemala, was charged with fraud and misuse of a visa, permits, and other documents, and for failure to maintain personal possession of alien registration.

    Efren Gimenez-Gimenez, 44, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with illegally reentering the United States after having previously been deported and for failure to register.

    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). Operation Take Back America partners Homeland Security Investigations – Atlanta and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Nashville Field Division investigated these cases.  

    An indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Euronext announces the success of its offering of bonds due 2032 convertible into new shares and/or exchangeable for existing shares (“OCEANEs”) for a nominal amount of €425 million

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Euronext announces the success of its offering of bonds due 2032 convertible into new shares and/or exchangeable for existing shares (“OCEANEs”) for a nominal amount of €425 million

    Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Milan, Oslo and Paris – 22 May 2025 – Euronext (ISIN Code: NL0006294274) (the “Company”), the leading European capital market infrastructure, announces today the success of its offering of senior unsecured bonds due 2032 convertible into new shares and/or exchangeable for existing shares of the Company (“OCEANEs”) (the “Bonds”), by way of a placement to qualified investors only (within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation (as defined below)), for a nominal amount of €425 million (the “Offering”).

    On 17 April 2025, the Company entered into a bridge loan facility with, among others, affiliates of the joint bookrunners appointed in the context of the Offering, to finance the acquisition of Admincontrol. The net proceeds from the Offering will be used by the Company for the repayment of a portion of the bridge financing and general corporate purposes.

    Main terms of the Bonds

    The Bonds will be issued with a denomination of €100,000 each (the “Principal Amount”), will be convertible and/or exchangeable into new and/or existing shares of Euronext (the “Shares”) and will pay a fixed coupon at a rate of 1.50% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrear on 30 May and 30 November of each year (or on the following business day if this date is not a business day), and for the first time on 30 November 2025.

    The initial conversion price of the Bonds is set at €191.1654, representing a conversion premium of 35% above the Company’s reference share price on the regulated market of Euronext in Paris (“Euronext Paris”). The reference share price is €141.6040, being equal to the volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of the Shares recorded on Euronext Paris from the launch of the Offering today until the determination of the final terms (pricing) of the Bonds. Settlement and delivery of the Bonds is expected to take place in the Euronext Securities Milan system on 30 May 2025 (the “Issue Date”).

    Unless previously converted, exchanged, redeemed or purchased and cancelled, the Bonds will be redeemed at par on 30 May 2032 (or on the following business day if such date is not a business day) (the “Maturity Date”).

    The Bonds may be redeemed prior to the Maturity Date at the option of the Company, under certain conditions.

    In particular, the Bonds may be fully redeemed early at par plus any accrued interest at the Company’s option, subject to a prior notice of at least 30 (but not more than 60) calendar days, (i) at any time from 20 June 2030 (inclusive), if the arithmetic average, calculated over a period of 10 consecutive trading days chosen by the Company from among the 20 consecutive trading days preceding the day of the publication of the early redemption notice, of the daily products on each of such 10 consecutive trading days of the volume weighted average price of the Shares on Euronext Paris over the applicable conversion price on each such trading day, exceeds 130%; or (ii) at any time if 80% or more in principal amount of the Bonds issued (which shall, for the avoidance of doubt, include any tap issues of the Bonds) have been converted/exchanged and/or redeemed and/or purchased by the Company and cancelled.
    Bondholders will be granted the right to convert or exchange the Bonds into new and/or existing Shares (the “Conversion/Exchange Right”) which they may exercise at any time from the 41st day (inclusive) following the Issue Date up to the 7th business day (inclusive) preceding the Maturity Date or, as the case may be, the relevant early redemption date.

    The conversion ratio of the Bonds is set at the Principal Amount divided by the prevailing initial conversion price, i.e. 523.1072 Shares per Bond, subject to standard adjustments, including anti-dilution and dividend protections, as described in the terms and conditions of the Bonds. Upon exercise of their Conversion/Exchange Right, holders of the Bonds will receive at the option of the Company new and/or existing Shares, carrying in all cases all rights attached to existing Shares as from the date of delivery.

    Application will be made for the admission of the Bonds to trading on Euronext AccessTM in Paris to occur within 30 calendar days from the Issue Date.

    Legal framework of the Offering and placement

    The Bonds will be issued by way of a placement to qualified investors only (within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended, the “Prospectus Regulation”)) (excluding the United States of America, Australia, Japan, Canada or South Africa), pursuant to the authorization granted by the Company’s annual general meeting held on 15 May 2025 (15th and 16th resolution), without an offer to the public (other than to qualified investors) in any country.

    Existing shareholders of the Company shall have no preferential subscription rights, and there will be no priority subscription period in connection with the issuance of the Bonds or any underlying new Shares to be issued upon conversion.

    Lock-up undertaking

    In the context of the Offering, the Company has agreed to a lock-up undertaking with respect to its Shares and securities giving access to share capital of the Company for a period starting from the announcement of the final terms of the Bonds and ending 90 calendar days after the Issue Date, subject to certain customary exceptions or waiver from the joint global coordinators appointed in the context of the Offering.

    Dilution

    As a result of the Offering of a €425 million principal amount of Bonds and the initial conversion price of €191.1654, the potential dilution would represent approximately 2.1% of the Company’s outstanding share capital, if the Conversion/Exchange Right was exercised for all the Bonds and the Company decided to deliver new Shares only upon exercise of the Conversion/Exchange Right.

    Available information

    Neither the offering of the Bonds, nor the admission of the Bonds to trading on Euronext AccessTM is subject to a prospectus approved by the Stichting Autoriteit Financiële Markten (AFM) in Netherlands or the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) in France. No key information document required by the PRIIPs Regulation or the UK PRIIPs Regulation (as defined below) has been or will be prepared. Detailed information about Company, including its business, results, prospects and the risk factors to which the Company is exposed are described in the Company’s universal registration document for the financial year ended 31 December 2024, filed with the AFM on 28 March 2025 and the Company’s first quarter 2025 results press release which includes the unaudited financial statements of the Company as at and for the three months ended 31 March 2025, which are all available on the Company’s website (https://www.euronext.com/en/investor-relations).

    Important information

    This press release does not constitute or form part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for or to sell securities to any U.S. person or to any person in the United States, Australia, Japan, Canada or South Africa or in any jurisdiction to whom or in which such offer is unlawful, and the Offering of the Bonds is not an offer to the public in any jurisdiction (other than to qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation) or an offer to retail investors as such term is defined below.

    CONTACTS  

    ANALYSTS & INVESTORS – ir@euronext.com

    Investor Relations        Aurélie Cohen                 

            Judith Stein        +33 6 15 23 91 97          

    MEDIA – mediateam@euronext.com 

    Europe        Aurélie Cohen         +33 1 70 48 24 45   

            Andrea Monzani         +39 02 72 42 62 13 

    Belgium        Marianne Aalders         +32 26 20 15 01                 

    France, Corporate        Flavio Bornancin-Tomasella        +33 1 70 48 24 45                 

    Ireland        Catalina Augspach        +33 6 82 09 99 70                

    Italy         Ester Russom         +39 02 72 42 67 56                 

    The Netherlands        Marianne Aalders         +31 20 721 41 33                 

    Norway         Cathrine Lorvik Segerlund        +47 41 69 59 10                 

    Portugal         Sandra Machado        +351 91 777 68 97                                 

    About Euronext  

    Euronext is the leading European capital market infrastructure, covering the entire capital markets value chain, from listing, trading, clearing, settlement and custody, to solutions for issuers and investors. Euronext runs MTS, one of Europe’s leading electronic fixed income trading markets, and Nord Pool, the European power market. Euronext also provides clearing and settlement services through Euronext Clearing and its Euronext Securities CSDs in Denmark, Italy, Norway and Portugal.

    As of March 2025, Euronext’s regulated exchanges in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal host nearly 1,800 listed issuers with €6.3 trillion in market capitalisation, a strong blue-chip franchise and the largest global centre for debt and fund listings. With a diverse domestic and international client base, Euronext handles 25% of European lit equity trading. Its products include equities, FX, ETFs, bonds, derivatives, commodities and indices.

    For the latest news, go to euronext.com or follow us on X and LinkedIn.

    Disclaimer

    This press release is for information purposes only: it is not a recommendation to engage in investment activities and is provided “as is”, without representation or warranty of any kind. While all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the content, Euronext does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Euronext will not be held liable for any loss or damages of any nature ensuing from using, trusting or acting on information provided. No information set out or referred to in this publication may be regarded as creating any right or obligation. The creation of rights and obligations in respect of financial products that are traded on the exchanges operated by Euronext’s subsidiaries shall depend solely on the applicable rules of the market operator. All proprietary rights and interest in or connected with this publication shall vest in Euronext. This press release speaks only as of this date. Euronext refers to Euronext N.V. and its affiliates. Information regarding trademarks and intellectual property rights of Euronext is available at www.euronext.com/terms-use.

    © 2025, Euronext N.V. – All rights reserved. 

    The Euronext Group processes your personal data in order to provide you with information about Euronext (the “Purpose”). With regard to the processing of this personal data, Euronext will comply with its obligations under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and Council of 27 April 2016 (General Data Protection Regulation, “GDPR”), and any applicable national laws, rules and regulations implementing the GDPR, as provided in its privacy statement available at: www.euronext.com/privacy-policy. In accordance with the applicable legislation you have rights with regard to the processing of your personal data: for more information on your rights, please refer to: www.euronext.com/data_subjects_rights_request_information. To make a request regarding the processing of your data or to unsubscribe from this press release service, please use our data subject request form at connect2.euronext.com/form/data-subjects-rights-request or email our Data Protection Officer at dpo@euronext.com.

    Disclaimer

    The contents of this announcement have been prepared by and are the sole responsibility of the Company.

    The information contained in this announcement is for information purposes only and does not purport to be full or complete. No reliance may be placed by any person for any purpose on the information contained in this announcement or its accuracy, fairness or completeness.

    This announcement is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States. The distribution of this announcement may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions and persons into whose possession any document or other information referred to herein comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restriction. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

    This announcement is an advertisement and not a prospectus within the meaning of Prospectus Regulation.

    This announcement does not contain or constitute an offer of, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, Bonds to any U.S. person or to any person in the United States, Australia, Canada, South Africa or Japan or in any jurisdiction to whom or in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. The Bonds and the Shares, if any, to be issued upon exercise of the Conversion/Exercise Right (together, the “Securities”) referred to herein may not be offered or sold in the United States, or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons unless registered under the US Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) or offered in a transaction exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

    In addition, until 40 days after the commencement of the Offering, an offer or sale of Bonds within the United States by a dealer (whether or not it is participating in the Offering) may violate the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

    The offer and sale of Securities referred to herein has not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or under the applicable securities laws of Australia, Canada, South Africa or Japan. Subject to certain exceptions, the Bonds referred to herein may not be offered or sold in Australia, Canada, South Africa or Japan or to, or for the account or benefit of, any national, resident or citizen of Australia, Canada, South Africa or Japan. There will be no public offer of the Securities in the United States, Australia, Canada, South Africa or Japan or elsewhere.

    In member states of the European Economic Area (the “EEA”), this announcement and any offer is directed exclusively at persons who are “qualified investors” within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation (“Qualified Investors”). In the United Kingdom this announcement and any offer is directed exclusively at persons who are “qualified investors” within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (“EUWA”) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order”), (ii) who fall within Article 49(2)(A) to (D) of the Order, or (iii) to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together with Qualified Investors in the EEA being referred to herein as “Relevant Persons”). This document is directed only at Relevant Persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not Relevant Persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons.

    This announcement may include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements”. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “believes”, “estimates”, “plans”, “projects”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “intends”, “may”, “will” or “should” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. Forward-looking statements may and often do differ materially from actual results. Any forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current view with respect to future events and are subject to risks relating to future events and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to the Company’s and its group’s business, results of operations, financial position, liquidity, prospects, growth or strategies. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made.

    Each of the Company, the joint bookrunners appointed in the context of the Offering and their respective affiliates expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update, review or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this announcement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

    Each of the joint bookrunners appointed in the context of the Offering is acting exclusively for the Company and no-one else in connection with the Offering. They will not regard any other person as their respective client in relation to the Offering and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to their respective clients, nor for providing advice in relation to the Offering, the contents of this announcement or any transaction, arrangement or other matter referred to herein.

    In connection with the Offering, the joint bookrunners appointed in the context of the Offering and any of their affiliates may take up a portion of the Bonds in the Offering as a principal position and in that capacity may retain, purchase, sell, offer to sell for their own accounts such Bonds and other securities of the Company or related investments in connection with the Offering or otherwise. Accordingly, references to the Bonds being issued, offered, subscribed, acquired, placed or otherwise dealt in should be read as including any issue or offer to, or subscription, acquisition, placing or dealing by, the joint bookrunners appointed in the context of the Offering and any of their affiliates acting in such capacity. In addition, the joint bookrunners appointed in the context of the Offering and any of their affiliates may enter into financing arrangements (including swaps, warrants or contracts for differences) with investors in connection with which the joint bookrunners appointed in the context of the Offering and any of their affiliates may from time to time acquire, hold or dispose of Bonds and/or Shares. The joint bookrunners appointed in the context of the Offering do not intend to disclose the extent of any such investment or transactions otherwise than in accordance with any legal or regulatory obligations to do so.

    None of the joint bookrunners appointed in the context of the Offering or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, advisers or agents accepts any responsibility or liability whatsoever for or makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information in this announcement (or whether any information has been omitted from the announcement) or any other information relating to the Company, its subsidiaries or associated companies, whether written, oral or in a visual or electronic form, and howsoever transmitted or made available, or for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this announcement or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith.

    Information to Distributors: Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements of Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended and supplemented (“MiFID II”) and local implementing measures (together, the “Product Governance Requirements”), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any “manufacturer” (for the purposes of the Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Bonds have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that: (i) the target market for the Bonds is eligible counterparties and professional clients only, each as defined in MiFID II; and (ii) all channels for distribution of the Bonds to eligible counterparties and professional clients are appropriate. Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the Bonds (a “distributor”) should take into consideration the manufacturers’ target market assessment; however, a distributor (for the purposes of the Product Governance Requirements) is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Bonds (by either adopting or refining the manufacturers’ target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels.

    The target market assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual or legal selling restrictions in relation to any offering of the Bonds.

    For the avoidance of doubt, the target market assessment does not constitute: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of MiFID II; or (b) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the Bonds.

    PRIIPs Regulation / Prospectus Regulation / Prohibition of sales to EEA and UK retail investors – The Bonds are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the EEA or the UK. For these purposes, a “retail investor” means (a) in the EEA, a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 as amended or superseded (the “Insurance Distribution Directive”), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a Qualified Investor as defined in Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation and (b) in the UK, a person who is one (or more) of (i) a retail client within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No. 2017/565 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA or (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 of the UK (the “FSMA”) and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No. 600/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA or (iii) not a Qualified Investor as defined in Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “EU PRIIPs Regulation”) or the EU PRIIPS Regulation as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the “UK PRIIPS Regulation”) for offering or selling the Bonds or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA or UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Bonds or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA or the UK may be unlawful under the EU PRIIPs Regulation and/or the UK PRIIPs Regulation.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Sparkle Revolution Expands Internationally, Bringing Mindfulness to English-Speaking Markets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Denver, CO , May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sparkle Revolution, the innovative app designed to promote daily mindfulness and gratitude, has announced its expansion into international markets. Previously available only in the United States, the app will now be accessible in English-speaking countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

    Carri Norton and Ron Butterworth

    The expansion comes in response to growing demand for accessible, digital tools that foster positive mental habits and well-being. “We’ve seen how transformative mindfulness can be for our users in the U.S., and we’re thrilled to extend that opportunity to users across the globe,” said Carri Norton, CEO of Sparkle Revolution. “This expansion is a crucial step in fulfilling our mission of spreading gratitude, awareness, and positivity worldwide.”

    Sparkle Revolution’s unique approach is rooted in the concept of “micro-mindfulness,” where users engage in short, intentional moments of reflection and gratitude. The app delivers daily prompts and activities designed to cultivate mindfulness habits that fit seamlessly into even the busiest of schedules. “Our goal is to make mindfulness accessible to everyone, regardless of location or lifestyle,” added Ron Butterworth, Co-Founder of Sparkle Revolution. “Expanding into new markets allows us to bring these powerful practices to more people, helping them live with greater intention and positivity.”

    “The idea for Sparkle Revolution came from our personal journey of integrating gratitude and mindfulness into everyday life,” Carri shared during a recent interview on the Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur Podcast. “We wanted to create something that would remind people, even in the chaos of daily life, to stop, breathe, and appreciate what they have.” 

    Ron, Carri’s co-founder and husband, echoed this sentiment: “We are incredibly excited to see Sparkle Revolution reach more hands, more hearts, and more lives around the world.”

    Global Expansion Focuses on Community and Connection

    With its international rollout, Sparkle Revolution aims to build communities centered around mindfulness and personal growth. Users in new markets will have access to the same features that have resonated with American users: daily gratitude prompts, mindful journaling exercises, and positive affirmations.

    “We want Sparkle Revolution to be more than just an app – it’s a movement towards collective mindfulness and connection,” said Carri. “The expansion marks the beginning of that global journey.”

    To support its future growth, Sparkle Revolution plans to integrate deeper with industry professionals and end users alike. “We envision Sparkle Revolution as a catalyst for mindfulness communities across the globe,” Ron shared. “By collaborating with local wellness centers, meditation guides, and mindfulness coaches, we can tailor experiences that resonate deeply for each individual.”

    Sparkle Revolution’s commitment to accessibility is reflected in its pricing model, which remains competitive and inclusive. The app offers a generous 14-day full-featured free trial, and affordable monthly or annual subscription options. “We believe mindfulness should be available to everyone,” Carri added. “That’s why we’ve designed Sparkle Revolution to be both affordable and impactful.”

    About Sparkle Revolution

    Founded by tech entrepreneurs Carri Norton and Ron Butterworth, Sparkle Revolution is dedicated to integrating mindfulness and gratitude into everyday life. Through its mobile app, Sparkle Revolution empowers users to engage in daily practices that enhance mental clarity and foster a more positive outlook. For more information, visit Sparkle Revolution.

    Press inquiries

    Sparkle Revolution
    https://sparklerevolution.com/
    Carri Norton
    carri@sparklerevolution.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: MSF launches large hepatitis C campaign in Cox’s Bazar refugee camps

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    • MSF has begun a large-scale “test and treat” campaign for hepatitis C in the Cox’s Bazar refugee camps in Bangladesh, aiming to treat 30,000 people by the end of 2026.
    • Addressing the widespread hepatitis C epidemic among the Rohingya in the camps is challenging, considering the limited availability of care in the camps.
    • The campaign will include research to analyse challenges and propose solutions for testing and treating hepatitis C.

    COX’S BAZAR, BANGLADESH – To address concerningly high levels of hepatitis C in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, 30,000 people will receive care by the end of 2026 as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) significantly expands our treatment programmes. The initiative improves access to hepatitis C care for a group of stateless people who are particularly exposed to this curable, but potentially fatal, disease. MSF is establishing three specialised hepatitis C treatment centres within existing health facilities inside the camps, as part of a “test and treat” campaign covering an estimated third of all people living with hepatitis C in the camps.

    Between October 2020 and December 2024, MSF had treated over 10,000 people for hepatitis C at our clinics at Jamtoli and Hospital on the Hill. However, a 2023 MSF study published last month in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology found that nearly one in five adults –an estimated 86,000 people– are living with chronic active infection, highlighting the urgent need for a more robust response.

    MSF nurses are collecting blood samples from patients in the Rohingya refugee camps using rapid diagnostic tests as part of a hepatitis C “test and treat” campaign. Bangladesh, April 2025.
    Tania Sultana/MSF

    “Access to hepatitis C care in the camps, where more than a million refugees have been living for the past eight years, has been extremely limited,” says Dr Wasim Firuz, MSF deputy medical coordinator. “Treating hepatitis C is not part of the package of healthcare provided by over-stretched healthcare facilities. People are also not allowed to freely leave the camps to access healthcare, and even if they could, it’s unlikely they would be able to afford the cost of treatment.”

    Harsh living conditions in the overcrowded camps, a lack of access to or reduced provision of healthcare, and a lack of legal status which severely restricts their basic rights, have made Rohingya refugees more vulnerable to infections – including hepatitis C – in Myanmar and Bangladesh. Our survey found that exposure to unsafe medical practices for decades, such as therapeutic injections, could be the main reason for the transmission of this bloodborne disease within the camps.

    Our scaled-up programme in response sees teams conducting systematic community-based screening to proactively identify people with hepatitis C, a disease that does not show any signs or symptoms in its first phase. Rapid testing is followed by laboratory confirmation at the newly established treatment centres in Balukhali, Jamtoli, and at Hospital on the Hill. We are also implementing a comprehensive healthcare awareness campaign, which includes providing drugs for hepatitis C treatment and sharing prevention messages and treatment adherence counselling to adults.

    “In the absence of other alternatives to hepatitis C care for tens of thousands of people in the camps, we are undertaking this substantial increase in our treatment capacity,” says Dr Firuz. “Our goal is to reach 30,000 people with curative care by the end of 2026. This expansion represents a vital step towards preventing the spread of hepatitis C, especially to younger generations.” 

    Addressing this widespread hepatitis C epidemic nonetheless presents considerable challenges within the limited capacity of the overall health response in the camps. MSF will be conducting research to analyse such challenges and bring about solutions as part of our response.

    “While we are scaling up efforts and working in coordination with other organisations, the limitations within the health response, including insufficient staffing, equipment, and resources among partners, present a significant obstacle,” says Dr Firuz. “Our campaign is temporary and will not eradicate hepatitis C in the camps. Attention to hepatitis C must continue during and after the end of this campaign. We again call on other health partners and the international community to prioritise building a comprehensive strategy, to reduce the devastating impact of this disease on this community.”

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM’s remarks at press conference on Diego Garcia: 22 May 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    PM’s remarks at press conference on Diego Garcia: 22 May 2025

    PM’s remarks at his press conference on Diego Garcia.

    A few moments ago…

    I signed a deal…

    To secure the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia.

    This is absolutely vital…

    For our defence and intelligence…

    And therefore –

    For the safety and security of the British people.

    The full assessment of why this is so important is highly classified.

    But I want to speak as frankly as I can. 

    The strategic location of this base is of the utmost significance to Britain.

    From deploying aircraft to defeat terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan…

    To anticipating threats in the Red Sea and the Indo-Pacific…

    The base is right at the foundation of our security and safety at home.

    It has helped us to…

    Disrupt threats to the UK…

    Support counter terror operations against Islamic State…

    And to reduce the risk to brave British and American servicemen and servicewomen. 

    The base will help protect the safe passage of our Carrier Strike Group as it goes through the Middle East.

    It enables rapid deployment across the Middle East, East Africa, and South Asia…

    It helps combat some of the most challenging threats we face,

    Including from terrorism and hostile states…

    And its location creates real military advantage across the Indo-Pacific.

    The base gives the UK and the US access to unique and vital capabilities – which benefit us directly.

    Many of these capabilities are secret, but they include…

    Airfield and deep-water port facilities…

    Facilities that support the worldwide operation of GPS…

    And the monitoring of objects in the earth’s orbit…

    And equipment to monitor the nuclear test ban treaty.

    The base is one of the most significant contributions we make to our security relationship with the United States –

    Which is critical for keeping Britain safe.

    Almost everything we do from the base is in partnership with the US.

    President Trump has welcomed the deal –

    Along with other allies.

    Because they see the strategic importance of this base –

    And that we cannot cede this ground to others who would seek to do us harm.

    And let me be clear – 

    We had to act now…

    Because the base was under threat.

    The courts have already made decisions which undermine our position.

    And if Mauritius takes us to court again…

    The UK’s longstanding legal view…

    Is that we would not have a realistic prospect of success…

    And would likely face a Provisional Measures Order within a matter of weeks.

    But this is not just about international law.

    This is about the operation of the base.

    Even if we chose to ignore judgments made against us…

    International organisations and other countries would act on them.

    And that would undermine the operation of the base –

    Causing us to lose this unique capability.

    One example of this is the electromagnetic spectrum.

    Countries have the right to manage this spectrum as they wish within their borders…

    A right that’s recognised in regulations…

    And overseen in the International Telecommunication Union.

    The use of spectrum is key to understand and anticipate those who seek to do us harm.

    If our right to control it is put into doubt…

    We would lose the first line of defence against other countries who wish to interfere and disrupt this capability…

    Rendering it practically useless.

    In addition – if we do not agree this deal…

    The legal situation would mean that…

    We would not be able to prevent China…

    Or any other nation…

    Setting up their own bases on the outer islands,

    Or carrying out joint exercises near our base.

    We would have to explain to you – the British people –

    And to our allies…

    That we had lost control of this vital asset.

    No responsible government could let that happen.

    So there is no alternative –

    But to act –

    In Britain’s national interest.

    By agreeing to this deal now – on our terms –

    We are securing strong protections, including from malign influence…

    That will allow the base to operate well into the next century…

    Helping to keep us safe for generations to come.

    Other approaches to secure the base have been tried over the years –

    And they have failed.

    [political content redacted]

    Now there is obviously a cost to maintaining such a valuable asset.

    We pay for our other military bases.

    Allies like the US and France do the same.

    This cost is part and parcel of using Britain’s global reach to keep us safe at home… 

    And it will be less than cost of running one aircraft carrier for a year.

    *

    Today’s agreement is the only way to maintain the base in the long term.

    There is no alternative.

    We will never gamble with national security.

    So we have acted –

    To secure our national interest…

    To strengthen our national security –

    And to protect the British people for many years to come.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Doggett: “The Republican deficit hawks have become chicken hawks in submission to Trump”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)

    Like arsonists claiming to be firefighters, Republicans talk fiscal responsibility while adding trillions to the national debt and threatening the solvency of Social Security and Medicare.

    Contact: Alexis.Torres@mail.house.gov

    Washington, D.C.—Today, in the early morning hours after an all-night debate, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) voted against President Trump’s and the GOP’s Tax Scam. To pay for even more tax breaks for billionaires like Elon Musk, their bill includes devoting $20 billion to undermining public schools with a new federal voucher scheme, ripping food assistance away from hungry families, repealing renewable energy credits, and denying nearly 14 million Americans access to a family physician and medications while triggering a $500 billion automatic cut to Medicare.

    Under the cover of darkness, through late-night debates, votes and meetings, Republicans rejected 522 amendments from Democrats, including three from Rep. Doggett to protect health care access, public schools, and to ensure any benefits from the bill only go to the 98% of Americans making under $400,000 a year, and no tax breaks for the country’s richest 2%. 

    Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill” will lead to those earning $1 million or more annually to benefit 310x more than those making $50,000 or less. Indeed, the poorest 10% of Americans will see their incomes decrease due to all the cuts in this bill. The legislation now heads to the Senate, where it will likely be substantially changed. 

    For more than 29 hours, Rep. Doggett and House Democrats led sustained opposition to Republicans’ Tax Scam. His remarks on the House floor can be viewed here, and a transcript is below.

    U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett

    House Floor Speech

    May 22, 2025

    Breaking yet another promise, Republicans are cutting Medicare by $500 billion.

    On October 1 of this year, every Medicare healthcare provider will see a 4% cut, and that will occur year after year as seniors try to find someone who will accept Medicare.

    On January 1, millions of Americans who rely on the Affordable Care Act will lose their access to a family physician. Medicaid for those in nursing homes and for half the babies born in my hometown of Austin is cut. Almost 14 million Americans will lose their access to health care.

    The new Trump school voucher sabotage plan, atop State vouchers, incentivizes removing students from public schools.

    Meanwhile, our national debt, soaring by trillions from Republicans who talk fiscal responsibility but serve their cult leader, the deficit hawks have become chicken hawks tonight in submission to Trump, the self-described king of debt.

    All to reward billionaires with even more tax breaks.

     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Statement on House Republicans’ Budget for Billionaires

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) blasted the House Republican “Billionaire Boondoggle” bill that would rip health care coverage away from at least 14 million Americans including children, seniors and people with disabilities, while ballooning the nation’s debt to give massive tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans like Elon Musk. The revised version of the bill also would further slash Medicare despite promises from Republicans and President Trump that it was “off the table.” Huge cuts to food assistance will also leave children and families in the lurch at a time of rising prices.

    “The billionaire tax giveaway will hit Floridians particularly hard, as 3.9 million rely on Medicaid and 4.6 million rely on Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage. The GOP bill takes health care away from children, seniors, pregnant and postpartum women, and people with disabilities to fund a massive tax break for billionaires and big corporations. That is fiscally irresponsible and morally wrong. The bill is chock full of special interest side deals and carve-outs that Republicans tried to hide by having most debate in the wee hours of the morning,” said Rep. Castor. “Medicaid and the ACA are a lifeline for millions of my neighbors back home in Florida. Slashing essential care means more Floridians will struggle to afford doctor visits, medications, long-term care and critical treatments needed to stay healthy and keep their heads above water. I have fought their shameful attempts to steal from Americans through the night and will not stop fighting to protect the health and well-being of my hardworking neighbors.”

    In addition to deeply damaging health care cuts, the Republican plan threatens nutrition assistance for almost 3 million Floridians by slashing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at a time when families are struggling with high grocery prices and still rebuilding their lives after the devastating hurricanes.

    The plan also threatens numerous initiatives that are lowering costs for American families, including clean energy investments from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA). 

    Rep. Castor is committed to fighting back against this reckless Billionaire Boondoggle bill and standing up for Florida families.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: REP. KHANNA TO INTRODUCE AMENDMENT TO PROTECT AMERICAN CHILDREN FROM LOSING HEALTH INSURANCE IN REPUBLICAN BUDGET

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Rep Ro Khanna (CA-17)

    Washington, DC – Tonight at 1am ET, Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17) will head to the House Committee on Rules markup to introduce an amendment to stop children across America from losing health insurance as a result of the Republicans’ budget proposal – including Medicaid and CHIP. 

    Over 38 million children—or 42% of all U.S. kids—receive coverage through Medicaid and CHIP. That includes care for routine checkups, mental health, developmental screenings, and special medical needs. The numbers that House Republicans have released estimate 8.6 million people including children covered by CHIP will lose coverage as a result of the current budget proposal. 

    “We cannot move forward with policies that jeopardize the health of millions of children. That’s why I’m offering my amendment which prohibits any cuts to Medicaid until the administration certifies that no kids will lose healthcare. My amendment simply asks for proof that no child’s coverage is at risk. If Republicans truly believe their bill won’t harm children as they have claimed, then this safeguard should be common sense,” said Rep. Ro Khanna. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Schumer, Padilla, Schiff, Raskin, Swalwell, and Johnson Introduce Bicameral Bill to Move US Marshals Service to Judicial Branch

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced legislation that would address the potential for weaponization of the U.S. Marshals Service (“Marshals” or “USMS”) by President Trump and the executive branch. The Maintaining Authority and Restoring Security to Halt the Abuse of Law Act (MARSHALS Act) would move the Marshals from the operation and direction of the executive branch to the judiciary, ensuring that USMS can perform its primary mission of protecting federal judges and to obeying, executing, and enforcing federal court orders without political interference. U.S. Representatives Eric Swalwell (D-CA-14), House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), and House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts Ranking Member Hank Johnson (D-GA-04) introduced companion legislation in the House.

    President Trump and members of his Administration are systematically undermining judicial independence and the rule of law: the President himself called for impeachment of a federal judge who ruled against him, the Vice President has suggested that the executive branch does not need to follow court orders, and a federal judge has found that the Trump Administration demonstrated a “willful disregard” for its court order. Against the backdrop of Trump’s attacks on the rule of law, serious threats of violence against federal judges and their families have risen to alarming levels. Hundreds of unsolicited pizza deliveries have been sent to the homes of federal judges and their relatives across seven states in an apparent attempt to intimidate the judiciary. Many of the deliveries have been sent to judges who ruled against the Trump Administration and some have been placed in the name of Daniel Anderl, the son of New Jersey District Judge Esther Salas, who was fatally shot by an attorney who appeared in her courtroom.

    The USMS, the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency, risks being ensnared in Trump’s efforts to upend our constitutional order. While the USMS’s “primary role and mission” is to protect the federal judiciary and obey and enforce its court orders, the USMS is under the control of the executive branch, specifically the U.S. Attorney General who in turn answers to the President. The potential conflict looming between the USMS’s duty to provide security for and carry out the orders of the federal judiciary and the Attorney General’s control of the Marshals will put our democracy to the test if the Administration directs the USMS to ignore a court order or otherwise prevents the USMS from carrying out its duties. For example, at a recent meeting of the Judicial Conference of the United States, a federal judge expressed concern that the President could order the USMS to stop protecting judges.

    “President Trump has made it abundantly clear through his words and actions that he does not respect the law, court orders, the safety of our judges, or our institutions,” said Senator Booker. “Since 1789, the U.S. Marshals have valiantly protected our nation’s judges and enforced court orders. But their dual accountability to the executive branch and the judicial branch paves the way toward a constitutional crisis. To ensure these necessary functions are carried out, Congress must act to move the bureau into the judicial branch. Our U.S. Marshals are critical to protecting the rule of law, and they must be able to do their jobs without political interference.”

    “Trump’s tenure has been marked by corruption, chaos, and abuse, with his administration waging a war against the rule of law,” said Leader Schumer. “We will not allow Trump and Pam Bondi to interfere with the marshals as they enforce court orders, or weaponize them to intimidate government employees or American citizens. This legislation would protect the U.S. Marshals Service from abuse by the executive branch and ensure that law enforcement officers perform their essential duties.”

    “The Trump Administration has repeatedly undermined judicial independence and misused the U.S. Marshals Service for political gain,” said Senator Padilla. “They’ve politicized the Marshals Service by intimidating the former pardon attorney, threatening USAID officials, and potentially risking the security of federal judges. Our bill restores the Marshals Service’s independence by placing it within the judicial branch so it can fulfill its core mission of protecting judges and enforcing court orders without political interference.” 

    “We’ve seen threats against judges escalate as the president has threatened impeachment of those who rule against him. We have also seen the administration pull security from former officials who are still at risk because the president views them as enemies. And we have also seen the president ignore court orders he doesn’t like. The U.S. Marshals are central to preserving our democracy and upholding the rule of law. Marshals must be able to protect all judges, enforce all court orders and have the independence necessary to do their jobs,” said Senator Schiff.

    “We’re seeing a rise in outrageous attacks on federal judges simply for doing their jobs. Congress must act to make sure that our courts have reliable personal, physical and electronic security to count on, and that means security not subject to the discretionary whims of a president who may disrespect judicial independence and the rule of law. This legislation is necessary to fortify the independence of the judicial branch which is essential to the survival of strong democracy. Our legislation will ensure that the U.S. Marshals can perform their duties without political interference or coercive pressure from the president or anyone else in the executive branch,” said Ranking Member Raskin.

    “Judges should be in charge of their own security. Today, they’re not. And they’re facing more death threats than ever in the history of the judiciary. Today, independent judges must rely upon the executive branch, whose cases are often in front of them, for personal security. We’re in a constitutional crisis that necessitates a structural change to protect judges from political violence and intimidation,” said Congressman Swalwell. “I have seen how threats of violence to members of Congress pressure them into staying silent or influence their votes on the House floor. We cannot allow the same calculations to creep into the deliberations of independent judges. That is why I’m proud to introduce the MARSHALS Act to prevent political interference in the courts. In a time when we face a lawless president, giving the defendant command and control over the security of their judges is indefensible. That’s why my colleagues and I are moving forward to realign the U.S. Marshals Service under the judicial branch—the very institution they are sworn to protect.”

    “The independence of the judicial branch and the rule of law itself are under assault by Donald Trump and his MAGA cronies,” said Representative Johnson, ranking member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet. “Putting control of the U.S. Marshals Service squarely within the judiciary goes a long way towards protecting the judicial branch from continued abuse by the Trump Administration.”

    Specifically, the MARSHALS Act would: 

    1. Create a U.S. Marshals Board modeled on the Board of the U.S. Capitol Police, the federal law enforcement agency that protects Congress. The Board would consist of the Chief Justice of the United States and the Judicial Conference of the United States.
    2. Authorize the Chief Justice, in consultation with the Board, to select a Director of the U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Marshals in each judicial district of the United States and its territories.
    3. Allow the Marshals to continue their existing work of protecting judges and enforcing judicial subpoenas and court orders without political interference and preserve their other law enforcement functions (pursuing fugitives, seeking missing children, etc.) at the request of the Attorney General and with the consent of the Director of the Marshals

    The MARSHALS Act is endorsed by the following organizations: Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), Court Accountability, Demand Justice, Fix the Court, People for the American Way, and Public Citizen.

    “As a co-equal branch of government the judiciary should be responsible for the security of judges and should not have to rely on the benevolence of the executive branch to enforce court decisions,” said Debra Perlin, Vice President for Policy at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. “But under our current system the courts rely almost exclusively on the executive branch for judicial security with the Attorney General overseeing the U.S. Marshals Service, the Department of Justice bureau responsible for protecting judges and enforcing court orders. With threats against judges both from litigants and public officials reaching historic highs, it is past time for this to change. We thank the lead sponsors for introducing the MARSHALS Act and encourage all senators to work together to ensure that the judiciary can fulfill its constitutional and statutory functions safely and without fear of political interference.”

    “This legislation is a critical bolster for checks and balances at a time when the Trump administration is defying court orders and leveling threats against judges simply for doing their jobs. If we want fair-minded judges to be able to defend the rule of law, it’s essential that we empower the judiciary to ensure compliance with its orders and protect judges from a dangerous surge in violent threats,” said Alex Aronson, co-founder and executive director, Court Accountability.

    “Trump has shown us that virtually nothing is out-of-bounds when it comes to eliminating checks on his dangerous, unpopular agenda. The Marshals must be able to carry out their duties without political interference and judges deserve to have protection regardless of how they rule on cases. This has been made even clearer by Trump and his allies’ threats and intimidation tactics against federal judges and others they view as their political enemies. We applaud the bill sponsors for introducing this bill and taking this important first step,” said Maggie Jo Buchanan, Interim Executive Director of Demand Justice.

    “Presidents supervise more than a dozen law enforcement agencies, but the fact that the primary mission of one of them is to protect members of another branch has never made a whole lot of structural sense. I applaud the bill’s sponsors for crafting a bill to move that agency, the U.S. Marshals Service, from Article II to Article III, thereby ensuring that judges’ safety isn’t subject to interbranch politics or other distractions — all the more important today, as both Democratic and Republican appointees face unprecedented threats,” Fix the Court executive director Gabe Roth said.

    “The US Marshals Service plays an essential role in enforcing federal court orders and protecting federal judges. Now, with a president who is undermining the rule of law and challenging courts’ authority,  coupled with a rising tide of threats against federal judges, the integrity of the Marshals Service is more important than ever. Without fair and independent courts, our freedom to speak our minds and challenge those in power will come to an end. Judges must be able to freely and fairly interpret the law and the constitution without fear for theirs and their families’ safety. We cannot wait until it’s too late to protect our courts. We congratulate Senator Booker, Leader Schumer, Senator Schiff, and Senator Padilla on introducing this important legislation and lifting up the need for robust protections for the safety and sanctity of our federal courts,” said People For the American Way, President Svante Myrick.

    “This commonsense legislation from Leader Schumer, Senator Booker, Senator Schiff, and Senator Padilla will simply ensure that the judiciary’s decisions are followed. In this era of executive branch court defiance, a repositioning of the marshals within the judiciary branch is a sensible move to protect the prerogatives of our coequal branches of government. Public Citizen applauds this smart policy,” said Lisa Gilbert, Public Citizen, Co-President.

    To read the full text of the bill, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Converting Unused Office Space into New Homes

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams today announced the Empire State Development (ESD) Board of Directors voted to enable a massive office-to-housing conversion at 5 Times Square, transforming underused office space into a mixed-use development with up to 1,250 new homes, including up to 313 permanently affordable homes. This project was made possible by Governor Hochul’s historic move last year to change 60-year-old state laws and lift the 12 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) cap on residential development in New York City, which had blocked new housing development since 1961. The 313 permanently affordable homes at 5 Times Square are a result of the Governor’s enactment of the Affordable Housing from Commercial Conversions Tax Incentive program (467-m).

    As a result of these and other actions, approximately 10,000 new apartments have been completed or begun construction through office-to-housing conversions in New York City since last April. Additionally, the Governor’s FY26 budget includes $1 billion in State funding to secure the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, an initiative that has made changes to New York City’s Zoning Code that are expected to allow for up to 120 million new square feet for conversion and up to 18,000 new homes.

    “We took bold action to unlock major office-to-housing conversions in New York City, and transforming 5 Times Square from underused offices into 1,250 new homes — including over 300 permanently affordable apartments — is a prime example of how we’re getting it done,” Governor Hochul said. “As I’ve made clear, the only way to address our housing crisis is to build more of the homes New Yorkers need — and I’ll never stop working to make that a reality.”

    New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, “Confronting a decades-long housing crisis requires creating new housing in every neighborhood at an accelerated pace — even here at the ‘Crossroad of the World’ in Times Square. The transformation of 5 Times Square from an underutilized office building into 1,250 new homes capitalizes on hard-fought Adams and Hochul administration victories while fulfilling my plan to build 100,000 new homes in Manhattan over the next decade. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for your continued partnership in delivering the affordable housing New Yorkers need and for proving, once again, what can be accomplished when the city and state work together towards a common goal.”

    The vote today by the ESD Board of Directors approved an amendment to the 42nd Street Development Project General Project Plan that will enable the conversion of 5 Times Square.

    5 Times Square will repurpose nearly 1 million square feet of office space while preserving more than 37,000 square feet of retail space. The project will create up to 1,250 new homes — a mix of 1,050 studio and 200 one-bedroom units — with equal access to building amenities for all residents. The project will include over 300 permanently affordable homes for New Yorkers earning up to 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).

    The conversion addresses the building’s high office vacancy rate of 77 percent, transforming an underutilized property into much-needed housing. Construction is anticipated to begin in Q3 of 2025, with the first phase anticipated to be completed in 2027. The building’s configuration allows for a mixed-use program that can accommodate both residential and the existing commercial occupancy. The project is expected to create approximately 1,400 construction jobs and 830 permanent direct and indirect jobs. The project will also comply with the State MWBE and SDVOB policies, with an overall 30 percent MWBE participation goal.

    The project’s location at Seventh Avenue between 41st and 42nd Streets offers unparalleled access to 12 subway lines and regional transit connections, exemplifying Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams’ commitment to transit-oriented development that reduces car dependency and promotes sustainable urban living.

    The 5 Times Square project represents an important advancement in New York’s approach to solving its housing crisis. The original construction of the building is at 33.35 FAR — nearly three times the previous residential cap of 12 FAR. This means that the new development approved today would not have been possible without the Governor’s action in the FY25 Enacted Budget to change 60-year-old state laws and lift the 12 FAR cap in New York City. Combining the removal of the FAR cap with 467-m tax incentives enables the conversion of high-density office buildings into residential use properties, bringing more affordable housing to prime locations. As part of a growing trend in reimagining New York City’s business districts, projects like 5 Times Square have the potential to create thousands of new homes in high-opportunity areas.

    Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The reimagining of 5 Times Square represents a transformative approach to New York’s housing and economic challenges. By converting nearly one million square feet of office space into homes—with 25 percent permanently affordable—we’re advancing our strategy to revitalize central business districts and create truly mixed-income communities. This project harnesses Times Square’s unmatched transit connections and commercial energy while addressing our critical housing needs, building upon our ongoing efforts to adapt underutilized commercial spaces for residential use in high-opportunity areas.”

    New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “This development is a direct result of Governor Hochul’s housing policies. Her 2025 budget lifted the 12 FAR cap and created a property tax exemption that requires affordability — these are the crucial ingredients to promote the creation of affordable and market rate housing we need in dense, mixed use and transit-rich parts of New York City. Five Times Square was a state-of-the-art office building and home to Ernst and Young for 20 years. Its conversion into 1,250 apartments is exactly what of the Governor’s plan to increase supply and bring housing costs down calls for. Now, instead of sitting largely vacant, this building it will be home for generations of New Yorkers for decades to come.”

    New York City Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Adolfo Carrión, Jr. said, “5 Times Square is a game-changer for Times Square and Midtown, paving the way for the future of urban growth. By converting underutilized office space into over a thousand new homes, including hundreds of affordable units, we’re reimagining central business districts as vibrant, mixed-use communities that foster both residential life and economic opportunity.”

    NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball said, “The transformation of nearly one million square feet of office space at 5 Times Square to mixed-income housing is yet another way our city-state partnership is working to deliver for New Yorkers. This project – one of the largest office-to-housing conversions in New York City’s history—will address the immediate, critical need for more housing, while leveraging iconic, city-owned property as a place not just to do business, but as a 24/7 live, work, play destination.”

    RXR Chairman and CEO Scott Rechler said, “The repositioning of 5 Times Square demonstrates how forward-thinking policies can strengthen and reimagine neighborhoods such as Times Square. The City and State of New York have shown that, through innovative public-private partnerships, we can transform underutilized office spaces into a thriving residential community, helping to address New York’s pressing housing crisis.”

    This project also highlights the continued New York State and New York City partnership in addressing the housing crisis. Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams’ innovative policies are transforming underutilized office space into vibrant, mixed-income communities with direct access to jobs, transit, and amenities across the state.

    Governor Hochul’s Housing Agenda

    Governor Hochul is committed to addressing New York’s housing crisis and making the State more affordable and more livable for all New Yorkers. As part of the FY25 Enacted Budget, the Governor secured a landmark agreement to increase New York’s housing supply through new tax incentives for Upstate communities, new incentives and relief from certain state-imposed restrictions to create more housing in New York City, a $500 million capital fund to build up to 15,000 new homes on state-owned property, an additional $600 million in funding to support a variety of housing developments statewide and new protections for renters and homeowners. In addition, as part of the FY23 Enacted Budget, the Governor announced a five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. Nearly 60,000 homes have been created or preserved to date.

    The FY25 Enacted Budget also strengthened the Pro-Housing Community Program which the Governor launched in 2023. Pro-Housing certification is now a requirement for localities to access up to $650 million in discretionary funding. Currently, more than 300 communities have been certified including New York City.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Announces $30.2 Million from Department of Transportation for 2024 Flood Damage Reimbursements

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today celebrated the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) announcement of $30.2 million in new emergency relief funding to the Vermont Agency of Transportation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help Vermont communities impacted by the July 2024 floods. The funding, allocated through DOT’s Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief Program, will reimburse the state for costs associated with repairing roads, culverts, headwalls, bridges, and trails.  
    “The floods in July 2023 and July 2024 were catastrophic—they hammered communities and left the infrastructure we rely on every day—roads, bridges, culverts, and more—in really rough shape. Thankfully, the Vermont Agency of Transportation worked through the storms and long after to repair and replace infrastructure as quickly as possible. This $30.2 million from the Department of Transportation will be a big help here in Vermont. I was proud to help pass and secure this funding and I am thankful for former President Biden’s commitment to our flood recovery,” said Senator Welch.   
     “Vermont has experienced more than its fair share of flooding in the last two years, leaving many communities without the financial resources needed to repair infrastructure,” said Governor Phil Scott. “This funding will help us build back smarter and more resilient and I’m appreciative of Senator Welch’s work to bring this funding to Vermont.” 
    Senator Welch was a champion of disaster aid and emergency relief funding for flood-stricken communities across Vermont. Senator Welch helped shape and pass the comprehensive disaster aid package. The disaster aid package was signed by President Biden in December 2024.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The top Democrats leading the fight against Trump’s agenda

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Fernando Pizarro, Lecturer, Department of Journalism, City St. George’s, University of London, City St George’s, University of London

    The first five months of Donald Trump’s second presidency have been brutal for the Democratic party, which has been almost completely unable to stop his aggressive agenda. In March, CNN polling showed the favourability rating for the Democrats at just 29% – a record low in CNN polls dating back to 1992.

    The problem with the Democratic party “isn’t a lack of talent”, says Federico de Jesús, a Democratic strategist and spokesman for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign who I interviewed for this story. It is a “problem of vision and strategy”, he argues.

    “A lot of people, in theory, agree with the Democrats on a lot of issues. But they don’t necessarily feel comfortable with the direction the party is taking.” De Jesús told me that the Democrats allowed themselves to become identified by “woke issues” by many voters who abandoned them in November.

    However, the Democrats now have some reasons to celebrate. In early April, a Democratic-backed judge called Susan Crawford secured a seat in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court. This kept liberal control of the state’s highest court intact. And a Reuters/Ipsos poll released a few weeks later showed that only 37% of US voters approve of Trump’s handling of the economy.

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

    As a Washington political correspondent for almost two decades, I have witnessed how the parties changed the guard after painful election cycles. This time, in the absence of clear leaders, the challenge is quite high for the Democrats.

    But who are the Democrats positioning themselves to lead the struggle against Trump’s policies? The acts of defiance are coming from two fronts: lawmakers in Congress and governors.

    Senate minority leader Charles Schumer has predicted that the Democrats will win back control of the Senate after the 2026 midterm elections. “The electorate will desert the Republican candidates who embraced Trump in an overwhelming way”, he said on April 23.

    Others, like California senator Adam Schiff and Maryland congressman Jamie Raskin, are using tactics like holding town halls in strong Republican districts to rally the opposition. Michigan congressman Shri Thanedar even filed articles of impeachment against Trump on April 28, but top Democrats shot down the effort as impractical.

    At the same time, House of Representatives minority leader Hakeem Jeffries is facing an intra-party effort to unseat many long-time lawmakers in solid Democratic districts. David Hogg, vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee, is pledging US$20 million (£15 million) to end a culture of “seniority politics” which allows “asleep at the wheel” lawmakers to stay in office.

    But it is New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who has been stealing the headlines. She is setting fundraising records, preparing for an effort to challenge Schumer in a New York senatorial primary in 2028. Surveys this early are rarely predictive, but an April head-to-head poll has Ocasio-Cortez leading Schumer by double digits.

    Three Democrat governors are standing out at present: Pennsylvania’s Josh Shapiro, Minnesota’s Tim Walz and California’s Gavin Newsom.

    Shapiro is very popular with voters in his crucial swing state, and gets good marks even from Republicans on his bipartisan record. Walz was Kamala Harris’s running mate in November’s election, and his campaign performance was well received by his party. Walz is an obvious contender to run for the White House in 2028.

    But Newsom is probably the most notable of the three. While he’s been critical of his party, telling the Hill newspaper on April 21 that Democrats haven’t performed a thorough autopsy of what led to the loss in November, he is seen as someone who can address Republican voters well.

    A second tier of governors include Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer, whose soft criticism of the Trump administration’s tariff regime saw Trump praise her for doing an “excellent job”. She is joined by Maryland’s Wes Moore, who is young and popular in his state, and JB Pritzker of Illinois.

    Pritzker called for “mass mobilisations and disruption” against Trump at a Democratic event in New Hampshire in late April. “These governors need to stand out”, said de Jesús, “either by fighting against Trump, or either [by] achieving something memorable.”

    Harris had largely kept a low profile since November’s election. But on April 30 she sharply criticised Trump’s first 100 days in office during a speech in San Francisco. She may decide to enter the race for California governor in the summer of 2025.

    Dark horse leader

    There could also be a dark horse leader waiting in the wings: Rahm Emanuel. As former Chicago mayor, Illinois congressman, Obama and Bill Clinton aide and US ambassador to Japan, he is considered a political heavyweight.

    Emanuel has hinted he may again run for public office, while criticising the party’s focus on gender issues and not on “kitchen table” issues as reasons for November’s defeat.

    Progressives chafe at the idea of dialling down the talk about certain policies, such as gender and identity issues. But both Newsom and Emanuel are among those suggesting that the focus should instead shift to defending changes that most voters can relate to.

    At the moment, the party still lacks a clear leader and direction to recover from the 2024 defeat. Newsom, for instance, told the Hill that he doesn’t “know what the party is”. “I’m still struggling with that,” he added.

    According to de Jesús, “people don’t necessarily want someone to just hate Trump, but to identify the issues voters care about and co-opt that populist message.”

    Fernando Pizarro does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. The top Democrats leading the fight against Trump’s agenda – https://theconversation.com/the-top-democrats-leading-the-fight-against-trumps-agenda-254869

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Fresh bread returns for the first time in over two months as limited supplies reach bakeries overnight

    Source: World Food Programme

    GAZA, Palestine – A handful of bakeries in south and central Gaza, supported by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), have resumed bread production after dozens of trucks were finally able to collect cargo from the Kerem Shalom border crossing and deliver it overnight.

    These bakeries are now operational distributing bread via hot meal kitchens. However, after nearly 80 days of a total blockade of humanitarian assistance, families still face a high risk of famine and far more aid is needed across all of Gaza.

    “We are in a race against time to prevent widespread starvation,” said WFP Country Director Antoine Renard. “WFP will capitalize on every opportunity to deliver critical food supplies to Gaza’s desperate population. However, this is just a drop in the bucket of what is needed to reverse the catastrophic levels of hunger. Humanitarian agencies require immediate, unrestricted, and safe access to flood Gaza with lifesaving aid. This is the only way to avert an entirely preventable disaster.”

    Vital convoys entered Gaza this week carrying wheat flour and resources to support kitchen operations for hot meals. Other aid included baby formula, nutrition supplements for malnourished children, as well as medical supplies. But food assistance must go beyond one meal per day and more diverse food items are required to effectively push back the risk of famine. Distributing food parcels directly to families — the most effective way to prevent starvation — is still not allowed. That must change.

    Over 140,000 metric tons of food – enough to feed the entire population for two months – is pre-positioned at aid corridors and ready to be brought into Gaza at scale.

    We call on all parties to uphold this principle and facilitate swift, safe, and unimpeded aid delivery at scale to the more than two million people facing hunger across the Gaza strip.

    #                    #                       #

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Lauren Boebert Secures Wins in One Big Beautiful Bill Passage

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

    WASHINGTON, DC– Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-04) provided the following statement on her YES vote and passage of H.R. 1, President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill:

    “Voting YES on President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill is a major step towards implementing the America First mandate voters delivered to us last November. This critical legislation makes the Trump tax cuts permanent, unleashes American energy producers, invests billions in support of our farmers and ranchers by responsibly reforming SNAP benefits, strengthens Medicaid to focus on American citizens who truly need help, and delivers a final net deficit reduction of $1.5 trillion. There’s work to be done in the coming months to further codify President Trump’s agenda and executive orders, but The One Big Beautiful Bill puts us on a pathway to American greatness.”

    H.R. 1 includes the language of Congresswoman Boebert’s American Energy Act, which streamlines the permitting process for oil & gas producers and protects projects from being slowed down by malicious and frivolous lawsuits.

    Congresswoman Boebert also fought for specific policy victories in The One Big Beautiful Bill including:

    • Removing suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA). This would remove the unconstitutional excise tax currently levied on suppressors as well as remove the onerous governmental restrictions including government registry, fingerprinting, extensive wait times, and the requirement of carrying proof of tax paid while visiting a gun range.
    • Ensuring all illegal aliens including parolees are not receiving federal benefits.
    • Continuing to remove the waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicaid by preventing reimbursements for transgender surgeries.
    • Putting in work requirements for Medicaid by 2026 to ensure these dollars will be used to help our most vulnerable populations.
    • Ensuring taxpayer dollars will not fund abortion providers.
    • Phasing out Joe Biden’s Green New Scam by 2028 and putting American Energy producers back in business.
    • Incentivizing states not to expand the welfare state and instead prioritize taking care of our seniors.

    BACKGROUND:

    The One Big Beautiful Bill includes the following key highlights:

    • Delivers an economy that is pro-growth, pro-worker, pro-family, and pro-business:
      • Makes the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent, preventing the average taxpayer from seeing a 22% tax hike.
      • Delivers on President Trump’s priorities of no tax on tips, overtime pay, and car loan interest, and providing additional tax relief for seniors.
      • Supports small businesses and Made-in-America investments through immediate 100% expensing, incentives for new manufacturing facilities, R&D immediate amortization, and interest expense deductions.
    • Provides over $140 billion – the largest border security investment in history – to secure our borders and keep Americans safe:
      • Allows for the completion of 701 miles of primary wall and construction of 900 miles of river barriers.
      • Funds at least one million annual removals, 10,000 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, and detention capacity sufficient to maintain an average daily population of at least 100,000 aliens.
      • Supports the hiring and training of 3,000 new Border Patrol agents, 5,000 new Office of Field Operations customs officers, and other urgently needed personnel.
    • Restores integrity to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by requiring states to shoulder a share of the benefit costs, preventing states from manipulating SNAP eligibility and benefit calculations, and restoring SNAP work requirements for able-bodied adults without young dependents.
    • Strengthens Medicaid for Americans who truly need it, while rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse:
      • Establishes commonsense work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents and stops new money laundering gimmicks like provider taxes and State Directed Payments.
      • Strengthens program integrity measures that protect Medicaid resources for the most vulnerable.
      • Closes loopholes that let illegal immigrants enroll in Medicaid and reduces funding to states that prioritize Medicaid coverage of illegal immigrants. In total, 1.4 million illegal immigrants who are gaming the system will be kicked off Medicaid as a result of this bill.
    • Reverses Biden’s radical Green New Deal agenda:
      • Repeals Biden’s EV mandates and CAFE standards for passenger cars and light trucks.
      • Rescinding wasteful environmental slush funds.
      • Repeals and phases out Inflation Reduction Act subsidies.
    • Unleashes American energy dominance, ensuring affordable energy for families and creating jobs across the country:
      • Reinstates quarterly onshore oil and gas lease sales and mandates at least 30 lease sales in the Gulf of America over the next 15 years and six in the Cook Inlet in south-central Alaska.
      • Resumes leasing for energy production in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and coal leasing on federal lands.
      • Streamlines the permitting process for energy infrastructure.
    • Makes major reforms to streamline student loan options, support student success, and save taxpayer money.
    • Invests nearly $144 billion to modernize our military and strengthen national defense.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Pope Leo XIV’s gratitude to the Pontifical Mission Societies: “Leaven of missionary zeal within the People of God”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Thursday, 22 May 2025

    VaticanMedia

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The “world, wounded by war, violence and injustice” needs to hear the Gospel message of God’s love and to experience the reconciling power of Christ’s grace.” Therefore, today it is all the more urgent to “bring Christ to all people.” And the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) “are effectively the “primary means” of awakening missionary responsibility among all the baptized and supporting ecclesial communities in areas where the Church is young.” With these words, Pope Leo XIV expressed his personal gratitude to the network during an audience with the participants of the General Assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies at the Vatican. The General Assembly is currently meeting in Rome at the International College of San Lorenzo da Brindisi (see Fides, 21/5/2025).A total of 115 national directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies from all five continents participated in the audience, along with the General Secretaries and staff of the international secretariats in Rome, under the leadership of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for First Evangelization and the New Particular Churches). Also present were the Secretary of the Dicastery, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, and the Adjunct Secretary, Archbishop Samuele Sangalli.Pope Leo and the Pontifical Mission SocietiesThe new Bishop of Rome knows the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies from his own experience (see Fides, 10/5/2025). Also in his address today, in which he referred to his many years of missionary experience in Peru, the Successor of Peter said that the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies “is indispensable to the Church’s mission of evangelization, as I can personally attest from my own pastoral experience in the years of my ministry serving in Peru.” Pope Leo also recalled the specific tasks of the four Missionary Societies that were born from the missionary creativity and “sensus fidei” of the People of God and have become, over time, an integral part of the Missionary Dicastery: the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith, which – as the Pope recalled – “provides aid for pastoral and catechetical programmes, the building of new churches, healthcare, and educational needs in mission territories”; the Society of the Holy Childhood, which “provides support for Christian formation programmes for children, in addition to caring for their basic needs and protection”; and the Missionary Society of Saint Peter the Apostle, which “helps to cultivate missionary vocations, priestly and religious,” and the Pontifical Missionary Union, which is dedicated to “forming priests, religious men and women, and all the people of God for the Church’s missionary activity.”A worldwide network at the service of apostolic zeal”The promotion of apostolic zeal among the People of God ,” Pope Leo emphasized in his address, “remains an essential aspect of the Church’s renewal as envisioned by the Second Vatican Council, and is all the more urgent in our own day,” at a time when “as in the days after Pentecost, the Church, led by the Holy Spirit, pursues her journey through history with trust, joy and courage as she proclaims the name of Jesus and the salvation born of faith in the saving truth of the Gospel. The Pontifical Mission Societies,” Pope Leo reiterated, “are an important part of this great effort.”The Pope recalled the worldwide annual efforts of the Pontifical Mission Societies “in promoting World Mission Sunday on the second-to-last Sunday of October, which is of immense help to me in my solicitude for the Churches in areas which are under the care of the Dicastery for Evangelization.” He also asked the National Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies, in particular, “to give priority to visiting dioceses, parishes and communities, and in this way to help the faithful to recognize the fundamental importance of the missions and supporting our brothers and sisters in those areas of our world where the Church is young and growing.”The Special Bond Between the Pontifical Mission Societies and the Successor of PeterIn his address, Pope Leo also highlighted “communion” and “universality” as the two “distinctive elements of your identity as Pontifical Mission Societies,” both of which emphasize the special bond between the Pontifical Mission Societies and the Successor of Peter.“As Societies committed to sharing in the missionary mandate of the Pope and the College of Bishops,” the Pope explained, “you are called to cultivate and further promote within your members the vision of the Church as the communion of believers, enlivened by the Holy Spirit, who enables us to enter into the perfect communion and harmony of the blessed Trinity. Indeed, it is in the Trinity that all things find their unity. This dimension of our Christian life and mission is close to my heart, and is reflected in the words of Saint Augustine that I chose for my episcopal service and now for my papal ministry: In Illo uno unum. Christ is our Saviour and in him we are one, a family of God, beyond the rich variety of our languages, cultures and experiences.”Leaven of “Missionary Zeal”The experience of communion “as members of the Body of Christ,” according to the Pope, “naturally opens us to the universal dimension of the Church’s mission of evangelization, and inspires us to transcend the confines of our individual parishes, dioceses and nations, in order to share with every nation and people the surpassing richness of the knowledge of Jesus Christ.” And precisely “a renewed focus on the Church’s unity and universality corresponds precisely to the authentic charism of the Pontifical Mission Societies.” This charism,” added the Bishop of Rome, “should inspire the process of renewal of the statutes that you have initiated,” on a path aimed at “strengthening the members of the Pontifical Societies throughout the world in their vocation to be a leaven of missionary zeal within the People of God.” (GV) (Agenzia Fides, 22/5/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kelly applauds House passage of One Big Beautiful Bill Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Chairman of the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Tax, released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”

    “Today, House Republicans fulfilled a promise to deliver tax relief to the American people. This legislation will strengthen working families and small businesses in Pennsylvania and across the United States. Parents will benefit from an expanded Child Tax Credit. We have delivered President Trump’s promise of no tax on tips, overtime, auto loan interest, and tax relief for seniors. And, we are putting more money in the pockets of millions of Americans. We are building on the success of the 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act and we are making sure these pro-growth tax policies will benefit generations to come,” said Rep. Kelly.

    BACKGROUND

    The One Big Beautiful Bill Act makes permanent the successful 2017 Trump tax cuts and includes critical pro-growth policies that will cut taxes by an additional $1,300 for a family of four and deliver higher wages and incomes for millions of Americans. A recent report from the Council of Economic Advisers shows the legislation will produce up to $13,300 more in take-home pay for a typical family and up to $11,600 more in wages for American workers.

    The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Is Pro-Growth Tax Policy
    Permanent extension of the Trump tax cuts, alongside additional pro-growth policies, will fuel a resurgence in economic growth:

    • America’s real gross domestic product (GDP) to increase by an estimated 5.2 percent over the next four years and 3.5 percent in the long term.
    • 9.8 to 14.5 percent boost in investment in the next four years and a 4.9 to 7.5 percent boost in long-term investment.
    • 6.6 to 7.4 million full-time jobs saved or created in the next four years and 4.2 million saved or created in the long term.

    FACT SHEET: The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Fuels America’s Economic Growth

    The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Makes Families & Workers Thrive Again

    • Makes the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent – protecting the average taxpayer from a 22 percent tax hike.
    • Saves the average American family from a $1,700 tax hike – the equivalent of 9 weeks of groceries.
    • Delivers an additional $1,300 tax cut for the average American family.
      — Delivers up to $11,600 in higher wages per worker.
      — Delivers up to $13,300 more in take-home pay for a family with two children.
    • Delivers on President Trump’s priorities of no tax on tips, overtime pay, car loan interest, and tax relief for seniors that will put more money annually in the pockets of millions of Americans:
      — Up to $1,750 for overtime workers.
      — $1,700 for tipped workers.
      -= Up to $450 for seniors.
    • Locks in and boosts the doubled Child Tax Credit for more than 40 million families and provides additional tax relief for American families.
    • Preserves and increases the doubled guaranteed deduction for 91 percent of all taxpayers.
    • Expands 529 education savings accounts to empower American families and students to choose the education that best fits their needs, whether it is K-12 materials or obtaining a postsecondary trades credential.
    • Supports working families by expanding access to childcare and making permanent the paid leave tax credit.
    • Puts American families in control of their health care by expanding health savings accounts and cementing into law a Trump Administration policy that offers more choice and flexibility for health coverage options.
    • Starts building financial security for America’s children at birth with the creation of new savings accounts.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CLARKE ISSUES STATEMENT ON REPUBLICANS PASSING TRUMP’S BIG UGLY BILL THROUGH THE HOUSE 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke (9th District of New York)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

    May 22, 2025

    MEDIA CONTACT: 

    e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

    c: 202.913.0126

    WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) released the following statement:

    “While the American people slept, Republicans passed the largest cut to healthcare in our nation’s history. Their Big Ugly Bill is an attack on their own constituents, it is an attack on children, veterans, the disabled, and our most vulnerable, and it is an attack on the less fortunate, all in the name of serving the ultra-rich.”

    “Americans are not falling for Republican propaganda about so-called waste and fraud. This was a ruse to rip medicine out of the hands of sick children to fund tax breaks for their obscenely wealthy puppet masters, and the audacity of my colleagues across the aisle to pretend otherwise is nothing but an insult.

    “House Democrats stood in the breach and voted unanimously against this villainous scheme, but the combined efforts of a sadistic GOP and the pressure campaign of their despicable president pushed their assault over the edge. As a result, Americans nationwide are now waking up in fear for their lives and livelihoods.

    “We already knew House Republicans are utterly subservient to President Trump, but to see so many of them defy their own principles and on-the-record positions just to avoid the wrath of one man is simply shameful. At every step, they’ve aided and abetted his ruthless, careless, and inhumane agenda of harm against the American people, all while blowing out the deficit they periodically pretend to care about. Truly, it is terrifying to witness just how willing House Republicans are to partake in the planned obsolescence of Congress as a co-equal branch of government.

    “I cannot stress the devastating impacts this bill will have on hospitals and nursing homes around the country. Their lies and cruelty will cause detrimental consequences to the 14 million Americans who will now lose access to essential healthcare services, the millions of children and families who will now lose their SNAP benefits for food security, and the millions of women who now will lose access to the proper maternal healthcare they need just to survive.

    “I pray the Senate sees this ridiculous and reprehensible bill for what it is, and takes a stand to stop it.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dingell Statement on House Passage of Republican Reconciliation Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

    Dingell Statement on House Passage of Republican Reconciliation Bill

    Washington, May 22, 2025

    Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) released the following statement on the House passage of Republicans’ reconciliation bill. 

    “This is one of the most consequential bills the Congress has passed in this century. It is going to rip health care away from almost 14 million people, make the biggest cuts to food assistance in history, and raise prices across the board. People will die, children will go hungry, and working Americans will continue to struggle to make ends meet, all so Republicans can give another tax break to billionaires. It’s wrong and they know it – which is why they planned to pass it in the middle of the night. The fight isn’t over, and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to defeat this cruel, dangerous bill.”

    Democrats offered hundreds of amendments to prevent cuts to health care and food assistance, but Republicans rejected every single one.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Larsen Votes NO on the Republican Rip-Off Budget

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

    Larsen Votes NO on the Republican Rip-Off Budget

    Washington, D.C., May 22, 2025

    Today, Rep. Rick Larsen released the following statement after voting against the Republican budget. The budget passed by a final vote of 215 to 214 with every House Democrat and two House Republicans voting no.

    “The Republican Rip-Off takes health care and food assistance away from millions of people, all so that Elon Musk and his billionaire buddies can enjoy a tax break. This budget is so terrible that the GOP had to force it through in the dead of night. I, alongside House Democrats, used every tool available for 29 hours straight to stop this bill. The fight isn’t over, and I will keep working to defeat this bill as the legislative process continues.”

    Republicans Take Food and Health Care Away from Northwest Washington Families

    •  In Northwest Washington, this budget will cause 10,000 people to lose their Affordable Care Act health coverage and 19,744 people to lose their Medicaid health coverage. (Joint Economic Committee)
    • It’s estimated that this loss of Medicaid coverage in Northwest Washington will lead to 70 additional deaths per year. (Center for American Progress)
    • This budget puts 14,000 people in Northwest Washington at risk of losing food assistance, also known as SNAP benefits. (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities)

    Republicans Hand Wealthiest Americans a Tax Break

    Republicans Sneak Extremist Policies into the Budget

    • This budget effectively bans Affordable Care Act (ACA) health care plans from covering abortion, taking reproductive health care away from the nearly 1 in 7 Americans who are covered by ACA plans. (Congressional Reproductive Freedom Caucus)
    • This budget expands the cruel ban on gender affirming care to all individuals, not just minors. (Human Rights Campaign)
    • This budget accelerates the repeal of energy tax credits, which will increase energy costs, eliminate thousands of jobs and endanger transformational investments across the country. (CNBC)

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ‘The Ultimate Betrayal’: Pingree Condemns House Passage of Reconciliation Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

    Following House passage of the Republican reconciliation bill, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) released the following statement:

    With the narrow passage of this reckless bill, Republicans have brazenly chosen to sacrifice the health and economic security of working Americans to give massive handouts to billionaires and corporate interests. This legislation represents the ultimate betrayal of hardworking families across our nation.

    This week, a nonpartisan analysis from the Congressional Budget Office confirmed what we’ve known all along: This GOP tax scam robs from those with the least to line the pockets of the wealthy. Billionaires and corporations reap substantial tax breaks, while everyday Americans foot the bill. The richest 10% will see their wealth grow, while the poorest 10% will see their budgets shrink even further. If it’s signed into law, it will represent the single largest transfer of wealth in U.S. history. 

    In Maine alone, around 400,000 people—including seniors in nursing homes, children, and working families without job-based health coverage—depend on Medicaid. This bill cruelly strips coverage from an estimated 50,000 Mainers, threatens the survival of health care providers like hospitals and nursing homes, and transfers enormous financial burdens onto our already strained state budget. Additionally, SNAP benefits—which provide a modest $2-per-meal lifeline to our veterans, seniors, and children—will be drastically gutted.

    Republicans love to talk about reducing the deficit, yet this bill recklessly adds nearly $4 trillion to our national debt, jeopardizing bond markets, destabilizing our economy, and potentially triggering billions in cuts to Medicare.

    My Democratic colleagues and I fought tirelessly to expose and oppose this bill at every turn, demanding transparency and accountability. The American people deserve to understand exactly what happened today: House Republicans deliberately chose their ultra-rich donors over the well-being and financial security of everyday Americans.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Casten, Smith Demand DOJ Investigation Into Trump Crypto Dinner

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

    May 22, 2025

    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressmen Sean Casten (IL-06) and Adam Smith (WA-09) led 35 House Democrats in a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) Public Integrity Section demanding DOJ immediately launch an investigation into whether President Donald Trump’s offer for top investors in his cryptocurrency token, $TRUMP, to join him at a private dinner violates federal bribery laws or the foreign emoluments clause of the Constitution.

    “We write to request an immediate investigation into President Trump’s offer for the top investors in his $TRUMP memecoin to attend a private dinner with him on May 22, 2025,” the lawmakers wrote. “This invites foreign influence over U.S. policy decisions and raises potential corruption and emoluments clause violations. It is just the latest example of President Trump disregarding ethics norms, introducing further conflicts of interest, and using his office for self-enrichment.”

    Days before the start of his second term, President Trump launched the $TRUMP memecoin. Its price quickly peaked at $75, before crashing and causing $2 billion in investor losses. In April, President Trump announced plans to invite $TRUMP’s top 220 investors to a private dinner, resulting in a 60% surge in price as investors rushed to accumulate enough value to qualify for a seat at the dinner. 

    The Trump family and its partners have earned more than $320 million in trading fees since $TRUMP was launched in January, including at least $1.35 million following the dinner announcement. Multiple investors have explicitly stated that they hoped to purchase influence with the president. 

    In addition, a Bloomberg investigation found that the majority of the top 25 memecoin holders are likely foreign nationals. The top spot is held by Justin Sun, a Chinese crypto entrepreneur who faced an SEC lawsuit alleging fraudulent market manipulation on his blockchain platform. The Trump Administration notably paused the legal action after Sun invested $30 million in one of President Trump’s other cryptocurrency ventures, the World Liberty Project. 

    “U.S. law prohibits foreign persons from contributing to U.S. political campaigns,” the lawmakers continued. “However, the $TRUMP memecoin, including the promotion of a dinner promising exclusive access to the President, opens the door for foreign governments to buy influence with the President, all without disclosing their identities.”

    The Foreign Emoluments Clause of the United States Constitution (Article I, Section 9, Clause 8) prohibits any federal government official, including the President, from accepting any benefit from a foreign government without the consent of Congress. It is critical that the DOJ conducts a nonpartisan investigation of President Trump’s private dinner.

    In addition to Reps. Casten and Smith, the letter was signed by Reps. Nanette Barragán, Joyce Beatty, Greg Casar, Yvette Clarke, Emanuel Cleaver, Cleo Fields, Bill Foster, Maxwell Frost, John Garamendi, Robert Garcia, Sylvia Garcia, Dan Goldman, Al Green, Jim Himes, Glenn Ivey, Marcy Kaptur, Sam Liccardo, Zoe Lofgren, Stephen Lynch, April McClain Delaney, Betty McCollum, Gregory Meeks, Dave Min, Brittany Pettersen, Brad Sherman, Shri Thanedar, Rashida Tlaib, Paul Tonko, Ritchie Torres, Juan Vargas, Nydia Velázquez, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Nikema Williams.

    A copy of the letter can be found here. Text of the letter can be found below.

    Dear Acting Chief Sullivan:

    We write to request an immediate investigation into President Trump’s offer for the top investors in his $TRUMP memecoin to attend a private dinner with him on May 22, 2025. This invites foreign influence over U.S. policy decisions and raises potential corruption and emoluments clause violations. It is just the latest example of President Trump disregarding ethics norms, introducing further conflicts of interest, and using his office for self-enrichment.

    On April 23, 2025, a website connected to the Trump family, gettrumpmemes.com, announced that the top 220 investors in the $TRUMP memecoin would be invited to a gala dinner with President Trump on May 22, 2025, located at his golf course outside of Washington D.C. The top 25 buyers would get face time with the President at “an ultra-exclusive private VIP” reception before the dinner, as well as a “special” V.I.P. tour of the White House. And the top four investors would receive a limited-edition Trump-branded watch.

    President Trump promoted the event on social media as the “most EXCLUSIVE INVITATION in the world,” causing the price of the memecoin to surge more than 60 percent as investors rushed to accumulate enough coins to qualify for a dinner seat. Overall, the Trump family and its partners have earned more than $320 million in trading fees since the memecoin was launched in January, including at least $1.35 million following the dinner announcement, according to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis.

    Investors spent more than $145 million on $TRUMP tokens over the duration of this contest, with some stating explicitly that they hoped to purchase influence with President Trump. For example, GD Culture Group, a small technology company that facilitates e-commerce for other businesses and brands on TikTok, recently announced plans to purchase $300 million worth of $TRUMP coins. And in the company’s own words, its Chinese subsidiary may be subject to “[intervention] or influence” by the Chinese government. GD Culture Group’s announcement came just days after President Trump indicated that he’d “be willing” to delay the statutorily required ban on TikTok in the U.S. past its June 19, 2025, deadline. Freight Technologies, a Houston-based company that specializes in U.S.-Mexico-Canada cross-border shipping, was even more direct about why it planned to purchase $20 million worth of President Trump’s memecoin: to help the company “advocate for fair, balanced, and free trade between Mexico and U.S.,” the company’s CEO said in a statement. After the contest closed, at least 34 of the top 220 investors sold most of their memecoin holdings, further confirming that the $TRUMP memecoin is not a worthwhile investment, but rather a vehicle to buy influence with the Trump Administration.

    The $TRUMP memecoin website displays a leaderboard of the winners whose identities remain largely unknown due to the anonymity of digital wallets. However, a Bloomberg analysis found that 19 of the top 25 memecoin holders are likely foreign nationals. Notably, Justin Sun, a Chinese billionaire who has privately touted his ties to the Chinese government and founded a blockchain network often used to finance illicit activities, confirmed that he held the top spot. He owned more than $18 million worth of the memecoin on May 12, 2025, when the contest ended. Since March 2023, Sun has been facing a lawsuit from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), alleging fraudulent market manipulation on his platform. This legal action was notably paused by the Trump administration after he invested $30 million in one of President Trump’s other cryptocurrency ventures. In what appears to be a quid pro quo move, Sun then invested an additional $45 million into President Trump’s World Liberty Project, while simultaneously increasing his holdings of the $TRUMP memecoin.

    Former Republican lawmakers, President Trump’s former aides, and cryptocurrency industry leaders recognize these national security risks and the opportunity for corruption. Charles Dent, the former chairman of the House Ethics Committee, recently stated that “ foreign entities and governments obviously want to curry favor with the president. This is completely out of bounds and raises all sorts of ethical, legal and constitutional issues that must be addressed.” Additionally, Anthony Scaramucci, a former official in the Trump administration, characterized President Trump’s memecoin as representing “Idi Amin level corruption.” Furthermore, Vitalik Buterin, a co-founder of Ethereum, emphasized that politician-backed coins “are vehicles for unlimited political bribery, including from foreign nation states.”

    U.S. law prohibits foreign persons from contributing to U.S. political campaigns. However, the $TRUMP memecoin, including the promotion of a dinner promising exclusive access to the President, opens the door for foreign governments to buy influence with the President, all without disclosing their identities.

    The Public Integrity Section was established in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal and exists to ensure that the Department of Justice conducts fair and thorough investigations into corruption by government officials at all levels, without regard to those officials’ political views or allegiances.

    We therefore urge you to launch an immediate inquiry to determine whether this dinner event violates the federal bribery statute or the foreign emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution. If the Department of Justice concludes that it does, we ask that you set aside political considerations and pursue action to uphold public integrity and the rule of law.

    Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

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    MIL OSI USA News –