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  • MIL-OSI Security: Western District of Texas Adds 410 New Immigration Cases Going into June

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

    SAN ANTONIO –United States Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas announced today, that federal prosecutors in the district filed 410 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from May 30 through June 5.

    Among the new cases, Mexican national Albert Sanchez-Jaimes was charged with one count of illegal re-entry in Austin. Sanchez-Jaimes was encountered at the Burnet County Jail, where he was booked for alleged charges of boating while intoxicated and marijuana possession. Sanchez-Jaimes has lengthy immigration and criminal records that include four prior removals, a deadly conduct conviction in 2020, multiple convictions for assault on a family member, and two prior convictions for illegal re-entry.

    In Waco, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Fugitive Operations Team arrested Mexican national Daniel Edgar Perez-Cortez on June 5as the result of an investigation stemming from a Waco Crime Stoppers referral. Perez-Cortez has a prior conviction for illegal re-entry in 2024, as well as convictions for Driving While Intoxicated and possession of prohibited weapons, and a conviction for deadly conduct discharging a firearm. He’s now federally charged with illegal re-entry and, if convicted, faces up to 20 years in prison.

    Two Honduran nationals were arrested for illegal re-entry charges in Eagle Pass. U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested Ariel Antonio Lopez-Serrano on June 2. Lopez-Serrano was convicted in 2023 for human smuggling and was removed to Honduras through Houston on Feb. 28. On June 3, Jose Aparicio Diaz-Amaya was arrested by USBP agents, having been deported three times—the most recent removal being to Honduras on May 2 through Alexandria, Louisiana.

    Multiple individuals were arrested and charged with human smuggling offenses in El Paso. On May 31, U.S. citizens Cynthia Guerrero and Berenice Stevens attempted to enter the U.S. through the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry, allegedly telling the Customs and Border Protection Officer that they were returning to El Paso from a baby shower in Juarez. A criminal complaint alleges that there were seven additional people inside the vehicle, including six children. After discussion about a stack of birth certificates Guerrero provided the CBP Officer, along with a handwritten note supposedly giving Guerrero permission to transport her alleged cousin’s children into the U.S., the officer referred the vehicle to a secondary inspection. At the secondary inspection, Guerrero allegedly told CBP Officers that she was smuggling three undocumented minors into the U.S. after she had been offered $1,900 to do so. The complaint also alleges that the minors had been given seven gummies of an unknown substance to make them sleep. Three of the six minors in Guerrero’s vehicle were found to be Mexican nationals. Both Guerrero and Stevens are charged with human smuggling charges and have been previously convicted. Guerrero Two Mexican nationals were charged in a human smuggling bust after Ysleta Border Patrol Station agents responded to a location where they apprehended five illegal aliens who had just crossed into the U.S. According to a criminal complaint, several of the individuals were continuously receiving calls on their cell phones, and one individual provided consent for the agents to view, search and utilize his phone. The communications led the agents to Jose Adan Meza-Marquez, who allegedly drove a vehicle to the area where the aliens had been apprehended and confirmed he was there to pick them up. Posing as the illegal aliens, USBP agents got in Meza-Marquez’s vehicle, which allegedly transported them to a stash house being used to harbor illegal aliens. A second individual, Jose Ramiro Chavez-Leal, allegedly opened the door. The criminal complaint alleges that agents found five additional illegal aliens present at the residence and both Meza-Marquez and Chavez-Leal admitted to smuggling illegal aliens on prior occasions.

    Another human smuggling bust by Ysleta Border Patrol agents led to federal charges four Mexican nationals: Erasmo Ortiz-Arzola, Cesar Arturo Beltran-Rocha, Jesus Alberto Fernandez-Vazquez, and Kevin Alexis Morin-Lopez. During a knock and talk operation, agents allegedly observed 15 individuals in the living room area of an apartment, and an additional 14 elsewhere in the apartment. A criminal complaint indicates that subjects were questioned and determined to be illegal aliens from Guatemala, Mexico and El Salvador. During the arrests and subsequent investigation, the four defendants were identified as alleged pick-up drivers and caretakers.

    A Mexican national and convicted felon, Rosendo Dominguez-Morales, was charged with illegal re-entry and two additional counts for entering the U.S. through the National Defense Area (NDA), west of the El Paso Port of Entry. Dominguez-Morales was previously removed from the U.S. to Mexico on Aug. 20, 2024 through Brownsville, two days after he was convicted in Lyon County for assault while displaying a dangerous weapon.

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

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

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

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

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: First week of June sees more than 200 charged in SDTX cases in relation to enforcement efforts along southwest border

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

    HOUSTON – A total of 202 cases have been filed from May 30-June 5 in immigration and border security matters, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. 

    The filed cases include seven involving human smuggling. A total of 129 people are charged with illegally entering the country, while another 63 face charges of felony reentry after prior removal. Most of those individuals have prior felonies such as narcotics, violent crime, immigration crimes and more. Other relevant cases charged this week relate to other immigration crimes.

    One such person charged this week is Luis Humberto Gonzalez-Sanchez who was arrested for allegedly harboring 16 illegal aliens in his home in Mercedes. The criminal complaint alleges he harbored over 100 aliens in the last six months for whom he was paid $150 each. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

    Also facing new criminal charges are six Mexican nationals, all of whom had been previously convicted of illegal reentry into the United States and sentenced to terms ranging from 15-46 months in federal prison. However, their charges allege authorities had found them in the Rio Grande Valley after once again unlawfully returning without any permission to do so. Oscar Vicente Perez-Lopez, Juan Manuel De La Cruz-Mejia, Jose Luis Tostado-Flores, Jesus Morales-Vargas, Jose Patricio Rios-Rojas and Juan Manuel Alvarado-Gonzalez had allegedly been previously removed on varying dates between 2015-2023 and now face up to 20 years in prison, upon this conviction.

    In addition to the new cases, an illegal alien from El Salvador was sentenced for assaulting law enforcement. Authorities conducted a traffic stop in November 2024 in Rio Grande City when Oscar Adilio Sanchez-Rivera notified them of his alien status. As a Border Patrol (BP) agent attempted to place him in a vehicle, Sanchez-Rivera attempted to evade arrest, punched the agent in the face and caused an additional injury that required surgery. He will now serve 36 months in prison.

    “The defendant here managed to turn a simple removal case to a multi-year federal sentence,” said Ganjei. “Let this case be an example to others who may wish harm on police or federal agents; assaulting law enforcement will not be tolerated.”

    Also announced was the sentencing in Houston of an illegal alien for stealing a U.S. citizen’s identity. In imposing the 40-month sentence, the court noted the seriousness of the offense and that Carlos Bedolla Sanchez’s previous penalties did not do enough good or make him repentant. The investigation revealed Sanchez began using the victim’s identity in approximately March 2009 to obtain state driver’s licenses and other U.S. identification, including a passport.

    Following a two-day jury trial in Corpus Christi, a Houston trucker was convicted of transporting illegal aliens. A lawful permanent resident since 1989, Armando Balladares-Prado had pulled up to the BP checkpoint south of Falfurrias and seemed nervous. His vehicle was completely empty but had a seal and lock on it as if there was a full transport load in the back. Authorities soon found two individuals hidden underneath the bed of the sleeper compartment. Both were determined to be citizens of Guatemala illegally present in the United States. Balladares-Prado told the aliens to get under the bed and instructed them on what to say if law enforcement discovered them. He now faces a federal prison sentence and possible loss of his status in the United States.

    In Laredo, two men also learned their fate for their roles in an extensive human smuggling conspiracy and operating stash houses in Laredo and Poteet. Manuel Capetillo and Michael Diaz are attributed with smuggling over 65 aliens, including adults and children as young as six, who came from multiple countries as far south as Guatemala. Over several months, Capetillo recruited drivers, scouts and caretakers to bring aliens in from countries in Central America and transport them throughout the southern and central areas of Texas. Capetillo received an 85-month-term of imprisonment, while Diaz was ordered to serve 70 months. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the inhumane conditions in which the aliens were transported and that Capetillo and Diaz had made a business out of smuggling aliens. “You thought of these people as cattle,” he said.

    Another sentencing in McAllen saw an illegal alien heading to prison for 37 months for trafficking over $1 million in cocaine. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that Rolando Banda-Lucero did not have status to be in the country and got involved in narcotics trafficking for money.

    Also finalized this week was an adult male pretending to be a minor as he illegally entered the country. On Feb. 2, Elger Fabricio Cotto-Navarro claimed to be an unaccompanied minor so he could be housed in a special facility. The investigation revealed Cotto-Navarro was actually an adult posing as a minor. He was sentenced and now expected to face removal proceedings. 

    These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Homeland Security Investigations, ICE – Enforcement and Removal Operations, BP, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.

    The 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 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 and Project Safe Neighborhood.

    Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.  

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than nine million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes. 

    An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Franklin County Jail Deputy Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights Violation

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A former Franklin County sheriff’s deputy pleaded guilty in federal court in Columbus, Ohio, today to depriving an inmate of his civil rights. Matthew Carey, 28, of Grove City, admitted to depriving an individual of their right to be free from a deputy’s deliberate indifference to a substantial risk of serious harm, while acting under color of law.

    According to court documents, in March 2022, Carey intentionally disclosed a pretrial detainee’s pending charge of rape of a minor to Gmier McCall, another pretrial detainee. Carey knew that disclosing the victim’s charges created a substantial risk that he would be assaulted by others in the jail, and in fact inmates did assault the victim.

    Carey faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. McCall previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to deprive the victim of his civil rights and also faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at future hearings.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Norris for the Southern District of Ohio, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola of the FBI Cincinnati Field Office announced the plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley. Assistant United States Attorney Peter K. Glenn-Applegate for the Southern District of Ohio and Trial Attorney Cameron A. Bell of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: BlackRock® Canada Announces Changes to the iShares Jantzi Social Index ETF

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, June 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) (NYSE: BLK), is announcing that iShares Jantzi Social Index ETF (the “iShares ETF”) is expected to experience higher than normal portfolio turnover as a result of upcoming changes to the evaluation process used to determine the composition of the Morningstar Jantzi Social Index (the “Index”). The iShares ETF seeks to replicate the performance of the Index, net of expenses. The composition of the Index will change as part of its regularly scheduled rebalance on June 20, 2025 (the “Rebalance”). As a result of the Rebalance, the iShares ETF may experience higher than normal transaction costs and is also expected to realize net capital gains. However, the iShares ETF’s total net capital gains income for the year will not be known until its tax year ends on December 15, 2025. The iShares ETF will follow its normal process for determining and distributing capital gains in December 2025.

    Morningstar, Inc. (“Morningstar”), the index provider of the Index, announced that effective June 20, 2025: (1) the name of the Index will change to Morningstar Jantzi Social Index; (2) the Index will be reviewed semi-annually in June and December instead of annually in March; (3) the new parent benchmark for the Index will be the Morningstar Canada Large-Mid Index; and (4) certain other changes will be made by Morningstar to the ESG exclusions and constituent selection criteria for the Index.

    For more information about the iShares ETF, please visit www.blackrock.com/ca.

    About BlackRock

    BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate.

    About iShares

    iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 1500+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and US$4.3 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.

    iShares® ETFs are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited.

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.

    The ETF is not in any way sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Morningstar. Morningstar does not accept any liability whatsoever to any person arising out of the use of the ETF or the underlying data. “Morningstar” is a trademark and is used under license.

    Contact for Media:
    Sydney Punchard
    Email: Sydney.Punchard@blackrock.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Demands That Trump Administration Restore Funding For Youth Mental Health Grants

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

    New York Was Awarded Over $18 Million Through The Now-Terminated Programs From FY2022-FY2024

    U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is demanding that the Trump administration restore funding to two grant programs that support school-based mental health services, the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant (MHSP) and the School-Based Mental Health Services Grant (SBMH). MHSP and SBMH were designed to create a workforce development pipeline for school counselors, psychologists, and social workers to address the shortage of school-based mental health professionals in New York and across the country. Thanks to the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the programs were slated to provide a combined $1 billion through Fiscal Year 2026, $18.2 million of which was already allocated to schools in New York State.

    “Protecting the mental health of our kids should not be a partisan issue,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am appalled by the Trump administration’s decision to terminate MHSP and SBMH funding, particularly as the shortage of mental health professionals and school counselors persists nationwide. Thousands of students are set to benefit from the mental health care they’re receiving because of these programs, and I am committed to fighting for the restoration of this vital funding.”

    Senator Gillibrand’s most recent letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon follows a similar letter that she sent with Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) in May. In that letter, the senators discussed the impact of the MHSP and SBMH programs nationwide and asked for the Department of Education’s rationale for terminating this funding. The senators received an unsatisfactory response to this outreach last month.

    The full text of Senator Gillibrand’s most recent letter can be found here or below:

    Dear Secretary McMahon,

    I write to you with grave concern over the administration’s reports of terminations of youth mental health grant funding to school districts in New York. The Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant (MHSP) and School-Based Mental Health Services Grant (SBMH) programs have benefitted not only New York but countless states across the country in urban and rural settings alike. I wrote to you about these terminations on May 9, 2025, and received an unsatisfactory response from your office on May 30, 2025. Both MHSP and SBMH programs play a vital role in addressing the shortage of school-based mental health professionals. Furthermore, they do not undermine standards for fairness, merit, and excellence in education as asserted in your response sent on May 30, 2025. 

    Your response to my earlier letter indicated that both the MHSP and SBMH programs would end at the end of the grants’ current budget periods. This outcome would harm both the students and mental health professionals who benefit from these programs. The demand for behavioral health, mental health, and substance abuse disorder services is projected to increase in the coming years. By 2037, it is estimated that there will be a shortage of 113,830 psychologists, 50,440 psychiatrists, and 39,710 school counselors. The MHSP and SBMH programs directly address this shortage, and discontinuing these programs will negatively impact current and future students.  

    These funding streams were intended to create a workforce development pipeline for school counselors, psychologists, and social workers. Thousands of students have benefited from the mental health care they received because of these programs. There are also hundreds of future mental health professionals in New York alone who benefit from these programs. However, with current grants set to expire soon, successful programs, like those in Lyons Central School District and the Seneca Falls Central School District, that have built mental health professional pipelines for students in high-need school districts could see their momentum stopped in its tracks. Hundreds of future mental health professionals, who are sorely needed across New York, stand to lose the support of innovative programs that serve my constituents and their families.

    I am concerned that the Department is disrupting grant funding that truly represents how the government can address the direct needs of our taxpayers and their families. These programs work, and New York students deserve their continued benefits.

    I request your response to the following questions by no later than June 4, 2025:

    1.         Will the Department commit to answering the nine questions from my original letter sent May 9, 2025, most of which were unaddressed in your response dated on May 30, 2025? 

    2.         How did each MHSP and SBMH grant that received a non-continuation notice violate Federal civil rights law?

    3.         What are the Department’s plans to recompete its mental health program funds in the next grant cycle, including the grant application and selection criteria for the upcoming cycle?

    4.         How will the Department address service disruptions for New York students after the expiration of this funding?

    5.         Explain how the Department plans to address mental health workforce shortages stemming from the disruption of this funding.
    6.         Have New York mental health and education stakeholders been engaged? Please provide a detailed explanation of your engagement processes with stakeholders.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tillis Introduces Legislation to Replenish Disaster Relief Fund As North Carolina Prepares For Hurricane Season

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – With hurricane season officially underway, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) has introduced legislation to replenish the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) to ensure FEMA has the financial resources it needs to respond to natural disasters in the months ahead.

    Tillis’ legislation would provide $25 billion for the DRF, which would fulfill President Trump’s historic DRF funding request for Congress. Since last year, North Carolina has received roughly $4.45 billion from the DRF to respond and recover from Helene. 

    “With Western North Carolina still recovering from Helene and an above-normal hurricane season expected this year, we have to ensure that FEMA has the constant flow of resources it needs to help states respond to natural disasters,” said Senator Tillis. “Congress shouldn’t wait until the last minute, and I’m proud to lead the effort to replenish the DRF and ensure that President Trump’s request is fulfilled so FEMA can focus on its critical mission of helping states and local communities respond to emergencies.” 

    Read the bill HERE.

    Background: 

    Senator Tillis has been pushing for federal assistance for Western North Carolina since the moment Helene made landfall. 

    On October 1, 2024, Senator Tillis led a bipartisan letter to Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) on the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and the urgent need to pass an appropriations package to support the millions of Americans affected by the storm.   

    On October 16, 2024, Senator Tillis led a bipartisan group of senators in urging the White House to rapidly submit a government funding request to Congress that will fully cover costs associated with clean-up and recovery following Hurricanes Helene and Milton so that affected communities could begin to heal. The Senators called for Congress to return to Washington from the October in-state work period to approve federal disaster relief legislation.

    On October 23, 2024, The Hill published an op-ed by Senator Tillis addressed to members of Congress to step up and be proactive with long-term disaster recovery assistance.  

    On October 29, 2024, Senator Tillis and his colleagues announced plans to introduce legislation that would replenish the Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program with families and small businesses across WNC unable to get loans approved until then. The Senators outlined their plan to seek passage of the legislation when Congress returned to session.

    On November 14, 2024, Senator Tillis attempted to pass legislation to replenish the SBA Disaster Loan Program through a unanimous consent request on the Senate floor, but was blocked by another Senator.

    On November 15, 2024, Senator Tillis led a bipartisan letter to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) immediately send a supplemental appropriation request to Congress to support the communities we represent, which were devastated after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The OMB sent the request to Congress a few days later.

    On November 18, 2024, Senator Tillis introduced the standalone RELIEF Act to provide Hurricane relief to small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene.   

    On November 20, 2024, Senator Tillis called on Congress to quickly pass Hurricane Helene relief during his testimony to the Senate Appropriations Committee. 

    On November 21, 2024, Senator Tillis met with Governor Cooper, Governor-Elect Stein, members of the North Carolina Congressional Delegation and the North Carolina General Assembly, and local leaders from Western North Carolina to discuss efforts to provide federal assistance to North Carolinians affected by the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. 

    On December 5, 2024, Senator Tillis joined Fox News’ Your World with Neil Cavuto where he discussed the urgent need for Congress to provide federal assistance to North Carolinians affected by the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.  

    On December 10, 2024, Senator Tillis hosted N.C. Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, N.C. House of Representatives Speaker-elect Destin Hall, State Senators Bill Rabon and Ralph Hise, and State Representative Dudley Greene to discuss efforts to provide immediate assistance to North Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene’s devastation.  

    On December 18, 2024, Senator Tillis committed to filibustering any continuing resolution that did not include disaster aid for Western North Carolina. 

    On December 21, 2024, Senator Tillis voted to pass a bipartisan government funding bill that included more than $100 billion in disaster relief for states and communities hit by natural disasters, including North Carolina during Hurricane Helene. 

    On January 7, 2025 Senator Tillis announced $1.65 billion in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds to help rebuild communities devastated by Hurricane Helene.  

    On January 24, 2025, Senator Tillis released a statement thanking President Trump for his visit to Western North Carolina to survey the devastation left behind by Helene. 

    On January 31, 2025, Senator Tillis introduced the Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act of 2025, legislation that excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, any qualified catastrophe mitigation payment made under a state-based catastrophe loss mitigation program. 

    On March 11, 2025, Senator Tillis reintroduced the Disaster Assistance Simplification Act, bipartisan legislation to simplify the application process for federal disaster recovery assistance.  

    On April 1, 2025, Senator Tillis sent a letter urging U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to work with Congress to quickly distribute the more than $23 billion Congress passed in December to assist farmers, ranchers and rural Americans in responding to devastating natural disasters in 2023 and 2024.

    On April 3, 2025, Senator Tillis (R-NC) introduced the FEMA Independence Act, bipartisan legislation to restore the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an independent cabinet-level agency and improve efficiency in federal emergency response efforts.  

    On April 24, 2025, Senator Tillis introduced the Helene Recovery Small Business Act and the Loans in Our Neighborhoods (LIONs) Act of 2025, legislation that would provide much-needed relief to small businesses as they work to recover from the devastation of Helene.

    On June 4, 2025, Senator Tillis announced he helped secure approximately $1.45 billion in federal funding for disaster-impacted communities, including those in Western North Carolina affected by Helene.

    In addition to Senator Tillis’ legislative efforts the Senator has met with local leaders, residents, and elected officials across Western North Carolina including in: Asheville, Black Mountain, Boone, Burnsville, Canton, Clyde, Fairview, Flat Rock, Hendersonville, Hot Springs, Marshall, Morganton, Spruce Pine, Swannanoa, Waynesville and Wilkesboro.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER STATEMENT ON USDOT SECRETARY DUFFY HEEDING HIS CALLS TO MEET WITH FLIGHT 3407 FAMILIES AHEAD OF FAA SENATE HEARING

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer

    Trump’s FAA Nominee, The CEO Of Republic Airways, Has Previously Fought To Roll Back Basic Air Safety Standards – Including Rule That Pilots Must Have 1,500 Hours Of Flight Training – That Flight 3407 Families Have Fought For

    Senate Hearing For Trump’s FAA Nominee Will Be Next Week, And After Weeks Of Schumer Pressuring USDOT To Meet With Flight 3407 Families, The Transportation Secretary Has Now Agreed

    New York, N.Y. – Today, after calling on USDOT Secretary Duffy to meet with 3407 families amid growing concerns for aviation safety and the upcoming hearing of Trump’s controversial FAA Nominee, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer released the following statement on news of Secretary Duffy heading his calls to meet with the families of Flight 3407:

    Senator Schumer said, “The families of Flight 3407 have been my guiding light for more than 16 years and their unwavering dedication has unequivocally changed the course of aviation history in America for the better. Now, at this critical moment when so many Americans are worried about air travel, the safety reforms they fought for, like the 1,500 hour rule, are more critical than ever. I appreciate Secretary Duffy heeding my calls to meet with the Flight 3407 families. I remain seriously concerned about Bedford’s nomination to serve as FAA administrator, whose attempts undercut and circumvent basic air safety standards, including the 1500-hour rule the families and I have fought for years. Secretary Duffy must commit clearly and unequivocally to the protection of the 1,500 hour rule and other air safety reforms the Flight 3407 helped create, the safety of our skies depends on it.”

    “We are pleased to learn that Secretary Duffy has agreed to meet with the Families of Flight 3407 very soon regarding the pending confirmation of a new FAA Administrator,” said Scott Maurer, who lost his 30-year-old daughter Lorin in the crash. “Now is the time to strengthen the aviation system and not weaken it. Our families group intends to deliver that message when we meet with the Secretary, and we thank Senator Schumer for his advocacy and help facilitating this meeting.”

    Schumer has been a long-time, relentless advocate for air safety standards following the tragic crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407. In February 2009, the tragic crash of Flight 3407 near Buffalo, New York claimed 50 lives and alerted the nation to the shortfalls in our aviation safety system, particularly at the regional airline level. In the wake of the tragedy, Schumer worked with the families who lost loved ones in the crash, to pass the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010. This landmark aviation safety legislation addressed many of the factors contributing to the increasing safety gap between regional and mainline carriers by requiring the FAA to develop regulations to improve safety, including enhanced entry-level pilot training and qualification standards, pilot fatigue rules, airline pilot training and safety management programs, and the creation of an electronic Pilot Record Database.

    Notably, the legislation included a mandate that first officers – also known as co-pilots – hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, which requires that the pilot log 1,500 flight hours, and the advocacy of the families has led to many other laws including regulations to combat pilot fatigue, the establishment of the electronic Pilot Records Database, and more.

    Schumer’s previous letter to Secretary Duffy can be found HERE 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Budd, Nehls Applaud President Trump’s Push to Legalize Supersonic Flight

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina)

    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Representative Troy Nehls (R-Texas-22), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today celebrated the news that President Trump issued a transformative executive order to repeal the prohibition on overland supersonic flight, establish an interim noise-based certification standard, and repeal other regulations that hinder supersonic flight.

    The executive order follows Senator Budd and Representative Nehls’ introduction of the Supersonic Aviation Modernization (SAM) Act, which would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator to issue regulations to legalize civil supersonic flight in the United States. President Trump’s executive order directly aligns with the goals of this legislation.

    “President Trump’s swift leadership to unleash supersonic flight will boost America’s ability to compete with China in the race for next-generation aircraft and revolutionize commercial air travel. For too long, outdated restrictions on civil supersonic flight have stifled innovation. I am grateful that President Trump has leaned in to legalize this vital technology in the United States and promote international engagement for international operations. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Washington, like my friend Rep. Nehls, to advance policies that unleash cutting-edge technologies like supersonic aviation,” said Senator Budd.

    “President Donald J. Trump’s executive order promoting supersonic aviation in the United States is a crucial step in ensuring we remain competitive in the aviation industry against our foreign adversaries. Congress must pass the Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act, which I introduced alongside Senator Ted Budd, to codify President Trump’s actions immediately so we can ensure that out-of-touch FAA policies don’t hinder the Golden Age of American air travel,” said Representative Nehls.

    BACKGROUND:

    For the past fifty-two years, the United States has had a speed limit in the sky. 14 CFR § 91.817, enacted in 1973, dictates that no person may operate a civil aircraft in the United States at a true flight Mach number greater than 1. This rule prohibits non-military related supersonic flight over the United States, setting an artificial speed limit in the national airspace.

    American companies, like Boom Supersonic, have developed quiet supersonic technologies and have already demonstrated that their aircraft can operate above Mach 1 without a sonic boom reaching the ground.

    This is due to a well-known phenomenon called Mach cutoff, in which a sonic boom refracts in the atmosphere and never reaches the ground.

    Despite these innovations, FAA regulations continue to restrict supersonic operations.

    President Trump’s executive order will permit operators to fly aircraft at supersonic speeds within the National Airspace System if no sonic boom reaches the ground, the intended outcome of the SAM Act.

    The SAM Act was cosponsored by Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.). Representative Sharice Davids (D-Kan.-3) joined Representative Nehls in introducing the bill in the House.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Army Corps of Engineers Announces Nearly $24 Million for Garrison Dam Spillway Approach

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)

    BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Army of Engineers (USACE) announced a contract of $23,816,251 for dredging and the placement of riprap protection in support of the spillway at Garrison Dam near Riverdale. This work advances the Garrison Dam Spillway Approach Rehabilitation Project and is expected to be completed by April 28, 2028.

    Built in 1953, the Garrison Dam is the second-most upstream project of six which were built on the mainstem of the upper Missouri River and has the largest reservoir storage capacity of all USACE projects in the nation. When combined with dams on the river’s tributaries, the projects reduce the risk of downstream flooding along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. This mainstem system of dams is managed to balance hydropower generation, water supply, water quality, irrigation, fish and wildlife conservation, navigation, and recreation benefits. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Joint donor statement condemning attacks against civilians and humanitarian workers in Sudan by 30 donors

    Source: Government of Canada News

    June 6, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

    Joint donor statement condemning attacks against civilians and humanitarian workers in Sudan by the European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

    “We condemn in the strongest terms the attack on a humanitarian convoy of 15 trucks from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Al Koma, North Darfur, on the night of 2 June, which resulted in the death of five members of the convoy and injuring several others. Four of the 15 trucks in the convoy were destroyed in the attack and five more sustained partial damage. These trucks were carrying about 100 metric tons of essential nutrition, health, education, and WASH supplies, intended to support children and families in El Fasher town.

    “The deliberate targeting of humanitarian personnel is a violation of international law. Civilians and humanitarian workers must not be targeted by parties to the armed conflict. We urge all parties to allow civilians to safely exit areas with ongoing hostilities, and to guarantee immediate, unconditional, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to deliver assistance to those in urgent need throughout Sudan.

    “We repeat our call to the Sudanese Armed Forces, the Rapid Support Forces and their militias to immediately cease hostilities and uphold their obligations towards international humanitarian law, which includes the obligation to protect civilians and civilian objects – as also reiterated in the UN Security Council resolution 2730 (2024). Once again, we stress the civilian character of humanitarian agencies, the neutral and impartial nature of their life-saving operations, and the “need for them to operate across all of Sudan, regardless of area of control.

    “This attack represents yet another deadly and unacceptable attack on civilians and humanitarian workers since the beginning of this armed conflict two years ago, in blatant disregard of international humanitarian law. We remind the parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and their assets.

    “Last April, the international community strongly condemned the attacks on Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps which resulted in the killing of hundreds of civilians and at least 12 aid workers. Just last week, a hospital was targeted in El Obeid, North Kordofan. On several occasions, UN and NGOs offices throughout the country have been directly hit, including WFP’s office in El Fasher only last week. These are just some of the many attacks over the past two years targeting civilians, aid workers and facilities, hospitals, and critical civilian infrastructure, which constitute direct violations of international humanitarian law.

    “We deplore all loss of civilian life resulting from acts of war throughout this conflict. The continuous attacks on humanitarian aid workers cannot be normalised. These serious and continued violations of international humanitarian law committed by the warring parties are unacceptable and must cease immediately.

    “We support the UN Secretary General’s call for an immediate and independent investigation into this attack and accountability of the perpetrators.

    “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and colleagues of those killed and those who have been injured while working to deliver humanitarian assistance under extremely dangerous conditions.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Higgins Reintroduces Legislation to Drug Test Congress

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) reintroduced H.Con.Res. 35, the Exposing Congressional Drug Abuse Act, which requires members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate to participate in random drug screenings.

    “Elected officials in Washington, D.C. should be subject to the same kind of random drug screenings that every blue-collar, working-class American endures,” said Congressman Higgins. “As representatives of our constituencies across the country, we must live by the same rules. This legislation is about maintaining accountability and service to We, the People.”

    The legislation requires members of Congress to be subject to a random drug test once per term. If a member tests positive for an illegal substance, they would be reported to the Committee on Ethics, where subsequent action would be taken. This screening will cost the American taxpayers nothing, as Members of Congress would be required to reimburse all costs of the program.

    Read the legislation here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF CONGRESSMAN STEVE COHEN TO THE HOUSE PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

    Know Your Immigration Rights

    If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.

    Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

    Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

    Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

    The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.

    Learn more here: KNOW YOUR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS  – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Disaster Relief to Florida Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Hurricane Milton

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Florida who sustained economic losses caused by Hurricane Milton occurring Oct. 9-10, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the primary counties of DeSoto, Hardee, Manatee, Sarasota, Seminole and Volusia as well as the adjacent counties of Brevard, Charlotte, Flagler, Glades, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Marion, Orange, Polk and Putnam.

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

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small 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.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”  

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    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 deadline to return economic injury applications is Jan. 22, 2026.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Minnesota Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Excessive Rain and Flooding

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Minnesota of the July 7 deadline to apply for low  interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by excessive rain and  flooding occurring on May 26–July 31, 2024.  

    The disaster declaration covers the Minnesota counties of Beltrami, Clearwater, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, and Red Lake.  

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

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small 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.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”  

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.62% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    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 deadline to return economic injury applications is July 7, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Files Statement of Interest in Oregon Elections Case Concerning States’ Obligations Under the National Voter Registration Act

    Source: US State of California

    Note: View statement of interest here.

    The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a Statement of Interest in Judicial Watch v. Reed, No. 6:24-cv-1783 (D. Ore.) regarding the requirements under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) for states to maintain and make available for public inspection records concerning list maintenance to ensure the accuracy of the official list of eligible voters.

    The lawsuit filed by Judicial Watch alleges that the State of Oregon failed to comply with the state’s obligations under the NVRA to conduct a list maintenance program and to make the records concerning list maintenance publicly available.  Advancing President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order to preserve and protect the integrity of American elections, the Attorney General of the United States, through the Civil Rights Division, enforces NVRA mandates.

    “Accurate voter registration rolls are critical to ensure that elections in Oregon are conducted fairly, accurately, and without fraud,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “States have specific obligations under the list maintenance provisions of the NVRA, and the Department of Justice will vigorously enforce those requirements.”

    More information about voting and elections is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting. Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Files Statement of Interest in Oregon Elections Case Concerning States’ Obligations Under the National Voter Registration Act

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Note: View statement of interest here.

    The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a Statement of Interest in Judicial Watch v. Reed, No. 6:24-cv-1783 (D. Ore.) regarding the requirements under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) for states to maintain and make available for public inspection records concerning list maintenance to ensure the accuracy of the official list of eligible voters.

    The lawsuit filed by Judicial Watch alleges that the State of Oregon failed to comply with the state’s obligations under the NVRA to conduct a list maintenance program and to make the records concerning list maintenance publicly available.  Advancing President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order to preserve and protect the integrity of American elections, the Attorney General of the United States, through the Civil Rights Division, enforces NVRA mandates.

    “Accurate voter registration rolls are critical to ensure that elections in Oregon are conducted fairly, accurately, and without fraud,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “States have specific obligations under the list maintenance provisions of the NVRA, and the Department of Justice will vigorously enforce those requirements.”

    More information about voting and elections is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting. Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mrvan Discussion with Commerce Secretary During Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank J. Mrvan (IN)

    Washington, DC – Yesterday, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan discussed the recent Nippon agreement and tariff policy with Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick during a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science hearing.  

    As Vice Chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus, Congressman Mrvan pressed Secretary Lutnick about how the Administration is going to protect United Steelworker jobs in light of the recent agreement with Nippon, and that he wants to “make sure that the Administration hears the voices very loudly and clearly from my district that we want assurances, not based on market conditions, that this investment promised will protect steelworkers jobs and tradesmen, who provide the maintenance on those blast furnaces.”  

    Congressman Mrvan also questioned Secretary Lutnick regarding the Administration’s tariff policy and how bad actors may attempt to reshore manufacturing in order to evade U.S. trade laws, and stressed that the domestic steel industry and members of organized labor depend on the full enforcement of U.S. trade laws to thrive in our global economy. 

    Congressman Mrvan’s full questions with Secretary Lutnick are available here and here. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President Ramaphosa to attend G7 Leaders’ Summit in Canada

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to travel to Canada, Kenanaskis from 14-17 June to attend and participate in the G7 Leaders’ Summit.

    The theme and purpose of the G7 Leaders discussion is “to explore leadership and collaboration in driving a comprehensive approach to energy security with a focus on technology and innovation, diversification and strengthening critical mineral supply chains and infrastructure and investment”.

    “The President will use his participation at the summit to engage fellow world leaders towards finding solutions for energy security and related issues linked to South Africa’s G20 Presidency. 

    “This will provide the President with an opportunity to strengthen G7-G20 cooperation,” Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said during a media briefing on Thursday. 

    Response To Oral Questions in the National Council Of Provinces

    President Cyril Ramaphosa will then, on Thursday, 19 June 2025, respond to questions for Oral Reply by members of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Parliament, in Cape Town.

    The Presidential Spokesperson said President Ramaphosa’s engagement with the NCOP is a mechanism for Parliament to hold the executive branch of government accountable and to ensure transparency and strengthen constitutional democracy.

    30 Years Anniversary of Constitutional Court

    On Friday, 20 June 2025, the Judiciary will host a celebration to mark the 30th anniversary of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of South Africa. 

    Magwenya said President Ramaphosa is deeply honoured to attend and participate in this occasion and will deliver the keynote address. 

    “This celebration will reflect on the Court’s pivotal role in shaping our constitutional democracy, safeguarding human rights and upholding the rule of law. 

    “The Constitutional Court of South Africa remains the apex court on constitutional matters, ensuring the proper interpretation, protection, and enforcement of our Constitution,” he said. 

    World Council of Churches Summit in Johannesburg 

    President Ramaphosa will on Friday, 20 June 2025, present South Africa’s reflections on the role of religion and church in addressing domestic and global issues at the World Council of Churches (WCC) Summit in Johannesburg. 

    The World Council of Churches consists of 352 member churches with over 600 million Christians from 120 countries in the world.

    The council works with non-governmental organisations, interreligious leaders and others to seek justice, peace, reconciliation and unity in the world.

    “The WCC played a very significant role in campaigning against apartheid in the international community. Its program on combating racism provided an international platform to work against the evils of racism and apartheid in South Africa. 

    “The WCC efforts to put the issues of South Africa at that time on the international stage were very successful and led to the withdrawal of the Dutch Reformed Church from the WCC, they are now full members of the WCC again,” Magwenya said. 

    SACU Summit 

    At the invitation of Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, in her capacity as the Chairperson for SACU, President Ramaphosa will attend the 9th Summit of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Heads of State and Government scheduled for 27 June 2025, in Windhoek, Namibia.

    The Summit will receive an update from SACU Council of Ministers on the implementation of the SACU Strategic Plan 2022-2027 and the progress made on the process of the re-imagined SACU as adopted by the SACU Heads of State and Government. 

    The summit will also provide an opportunity for the leaders to engage on geopolitical developments affecting the region.

    South Africa will also assume the SACU Chairship from July 2025.

    4th International Conference on the Financing for Development 

    President Ramaphosa will lead South Africa’s participating delegation to the 4th International Conference on the Financing for Development Summit that is taking place in Seville on 30 June 2025. 

    This is at the invitation of the President of Spain Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón and United Nations Secretary – General António Guterres.

    This conference aims to address new and emerging issues in financing for development, including the need to fully implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reform the international financial architecture.

    “South Africa’s participation at the Summit aligns with its G20 Presidency objectives of solidarity, equality and sustainability in complementing and supporting the summits’ goals of reshaping the global financial system in support of the Sustainable Development Goals,” the Presidential Spokesperson said. 

    On the margins of the 4th Financing for Development Summit, South Africa will convene a side event under the theme: “Forging a common agenda to achieve debt sustainability in developing economies”.

    “South Africa seeks to advance through cooperation, collaboration and partnership sustainable solutions to tackle high structural deficits and liquidity challenges and extend debt relief to developing economies which disproportionately affect countries in Africa.  

    “This event will bring together leading voices from various debt-related initiatives to identify synergies and areas of convergence. It will seek consensus and highlight solutions that enjoy broad support,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Condolences following the passing of former President of Zambia 

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Friday, June 6, 2025

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his condolences following the passing of former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

    “On behalf of the government and people of South Africa, President Ramaphosa offers his condolences to President Lungu’s family and to the nation and government of the Republic of Zambia led by His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema,” said the Presidency in a statement on Friday.

    President Lungu passed away on Thursday, 5 June 2025, in a Pretoria hospital where he had been receiving treatment for a number of weeks.

    “As regional compatriots, South Africans are standing by the people of Zambia in this difficult moment. We have had the duty and privilege in recent weeks to care for a leader from our region whom we embraced as a brother and friend.

    “We therefore share the grief and loss experienced at this time by the Lungu family, as well as the Zambian nation. May his soul rest in peace,” said President Ramaphosa.

    President Lungu passed away at the age of 68. – SAnews.gov.za 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: G20: SA champions shift in global financial inclusion

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    South Africa is championing a critical shift in global financial inclusion: moving beyond mere access to financial institutions but ensuring meaningful usage of these services.

    This according to National Treasury’s Director of Financial Inclusion, Nontobeko Lubisi, who was speaking during a G20 outreach programme with institutions of higher learning.

    The outreach programme shed light on South Africa’s presidency of the Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) which it took the mantle of when the country became G20 President last December.

    “For our presidential priority for 2025, for the GPFI…we wanted to explore how we can move people from access to usage of financial products and services.

    “We chose this particular presidential priority because we felt that it aligned very closely with the G20 theme of solidarity, equality and sustainability. It also then basically demonstrates the Minister of Finance’s commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in the financial services ecosystem globally,” Lubisi said.

    She highlighted that although progress has been made to improve access to financial services, “we still have about 1.5 billion people globally that still lack bank accounts”.

    “So, this then highlights the need for ongoing efforts to expand both excess and enhance the usage of financial services particularly in [the] global South countries where substantial gaps exist.

    “We felt that this deliverable is crucial and it advances financial inclusion and aligns with the GPFI mandate of addressing the needs of both G20 and non-G20 countries. This particular presidential priority builds on the work that was started by Brazil in 2024, which actually focussed on…access through digital public infrastructure,” she said.

    Lubisi explained what the focus and role of the GPFI is and how this impact countries.

    “The GPFI efforts include helping countries to put into practise the G20 principles of innovative financial inclusion, strengthening data for measuring financial inclusion, as well as developing methodologies for countries that actually wish to set targets for financial inclusion.

    “So…the work of the GPFI is executed via the Financial Inclusion Action Plan, which was then developed and currently we are on the second year of implementing that action plan as the presidency and it will then end next year with the US. 

    “However, what you see [in] how we’re working in the GPFI is that when a country is the president of the GPFI, you are then given an opportunity to come up with a financial inclusion related priority that you would basically prefer to elevate to during your presidential term,” Lubisi said.

    For Africa, by Africans
    Also speaking during the outreach programme, National Treasury Chief Director and G20 Lead, Marlon Geswint, emphasised government’s position that the impact of the South African Presidency of the G20 goes well beyond the country’s borders.

    “South Africa is the only African country who is a member of the G20. The African Union [AU] was admitted to the G20 during the Indian presidency in 2023…but South Africa is the only African country.

    “So therefore, we found it very important to ensure that our Presidency is not only a South African Presidency, but it’s an African Presidency. So that we can showcase the issues that are pertinent to Africa, and then we help find solutions to issues that Africa is grappling with.

    “It is a very important feature of our Presidency, and it runs through the finance track and the Sherpa track. We are not just taking an inward-looking approach to say, this is all about South Africa, but…we have a responsibility to the continent because we are not operating in a vacuum and it’s important that we also advance the African cause,” Geswint said. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Government launches community-driven campaign to keep cities clean

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Deputy President Paul Mashatile has unveiled a national Clean Cities and Towns Campaign, marking a comprehensive approach to urban cleanliness and community engagement.

    Speaking at the launch on Friday in Soweto, Johannesburg, the Deputy President said the campaign goes beyond mere cleaning but addresses broader service delivery issues and creates opportunities for community employment. 

    “However, the idea is not really to employ people, it’s a voluntary programme. People must clean where they live. There may be instances where the city may employ people here and there, but we want to create a culture of cleaning where people don’t have to be paid to clean where they live.”

    By encouraging citizens to take pride in their local environments, Deputy President Mashatile said the initiative seeks to create a cultural shift towards urban maintenance.

    The Deputy President explained that the initiative aims to transform urban environments by involving citizens directly in maintaining their communities. 

    The initiative, launched at the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown, follows the commitments made by the Deputy President at the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) Lekgotla earlier this year to tackle both environmental and socio-economic challenges.

    “The approach we are taking is that government must not alone clean for people, but government must clean with the people. We must work with them in the various communities,” he explained. 

    The initiative forms part of a larger service delivery effort by the government aligned with the District Development Model (DDM), of which the Deputy President is a champion.

    The country’s second-in-command announced that the campaign will be rolled out to other cities across South Africa. 

    “Once we have launched, the Mayor will drive the programme in other cities as we move to other provinces.” 

    He emphasised voluntary community participation, integration of cleanliness education in schools, collaboration between national, provincial, and local governments, and regular monitoring of progress in different cities. 

    “We must also teach people right from school. We must teach the young people about cleanliness so that they can look forward to cleaning the environment, to having clean cities as well,” he added.

    Meanwhile, the Deputy President acknowledged the service delivery problems in Kliptown, including challenges of electricity and title deeds.

    However, he mentioned that the Ministers and Deputy Ministers have committed to addressing these issues.
    In addition, he said the campaign aims to ensure that historical sites are properly guarded and used for community benefit.

    The Deputy President also emphasised the importance of fixing infrastructure to create a conducive environment for conferences and community activities.

    He also confirmed that the City of Johannesburg was ready to host the Group of 20 (G20) Leaders’ Summit, scheduled for November 2025 at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, with various programmes in place to address any shortcomings.

    The Deputy President concluded the launch at the Kliptown Youth Program (KYP), a community-based educational organisation that provides holistic support and opportunities to the people of Kliptown and surrounding communities.

    “About close to 2 000 young people are benefiting here in various skills, including computer skills. They also feed them. On Fridays, they open their feeding scheme to the community. It’s a very beautiful centre, and they’ve got our support.” 

    The Deputy President believes the launch represents a significant step towards improving urban living conditions and fostering community responsibility.

    “We are very happy to have been here today to launch this programme. It’s going to continue, and there’s going to be a monitoring process.” – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: SIU secures freezing order in Transnet property contracts 

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Special Tribunal has granted the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) an order to freeze assets – including luxury vehicles and property – worth some R20.3 million as part of an investigation into three alleged irregular Transnet property valuation contracts.

    The contracts have a value of some R89 million.

    “The order interdicts MM Real Estate (Pty) Ltd, Humphrey Tshepo Moyo, Neo Shown Matlala and any other party from selling, disposing, leasing, transferring, encumbering (including by granting rights of retention), transferring, donating, or dealing in any manner whatsoever to the frozen properties, pending the finalisation of civil proceedings,” the SIU said in a statement.

    The corruption busting unit explained that its investigation has “uncovered significant irregularities in the awarding of three contracts for property valuation services to Transnet”.

    “Transnet had referred various suspicious contracts involving Transnet Property to the SIU for further investigation. The contracts, awarded in 2019, 2021, and 2022, have a combined value of R89 million.

    “Working closely with Transnet, the SIU’s investigation revealed serious flaws in the procurement processes, raising concerns about compliance with supply chain management regulations and the possibility of undue influence in the awarding of these contracts.

    “Additionally, the SIU and Transnet reasonably believe that Transnet may not have received full and fair value for the payments made under the disputed contracts,” the unit said.

    Any evidence of criminal activity will be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority for further processing.

    “The SIU is empowered to institute a civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during investigations caused by corruption, fraud, or maladministration,” the SIU concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: SA, Finland launch youth mediators programme

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    An initiative aimed at empowering a new generation of peacebuilders has been launched by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola.

    The Minister launched the South African segment of the South Africa–Finland Youth Peace Mediators Mentoring Programme on Friday. 

    This innovative initiative, jointly implemented by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, aims to empower a new generation of peacebuilders in their efforts to promote global conflict resolution and achieve sustainable peace.  

    The one-year capacity-building initiative will establish a dynamic network of young peace mediators, providing them with practical tools to contribute effectively to peace negotiations, mediation, conflict resolution, and post-conflict reconstruction.

    The programme directly supports the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250, the African Union Agenda 2063, particularly its youth-focused governance, peace, and security pillars, and the inclusion of youth in formal peace processes worldwide.  

    Lamola stressed the importance of launching the programme during South Africa’s Youth Month, which honours the legacy of young activists in the fight against apartheid, particularly the heroes of the 1976 Soweto Uprising.

    “We know too well that ethnic hatred poisons communities, that religious intolerance fractures societies, and that ideological fanaticism suffocates debate. 

    “When violence rises, freedoms crumble and the very light of democracy flickers under the storm of conflict. This is not some distant tragedy; it is the lived reality of women and children in Eastern DRC [Democratic Republic of Congo], Sudan, Gaza, and other places across our wounded world,” the Minister said.  

    By building bridges across continents, Lamola believes the world reaffirms that young people are not merely beneficiaries of peace, “but are essential agents of its creation.”

    The department announced that 15 “exceptional” young peacebuilders were selected through a joint initiative by DIRCO’s Diplomatic Academy and Finland’s Centre for Peace Mediation. 

    These individuals will participate in various programmes, which include in-person workshops held in South Africa and Finland, study visits to the United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU) headquarters, and online sessions led by experts on specific themes related to peace mediation.

    The participants come from conflict-affected and post-conflict societies, as well as nations that are leaders in global peacebuilding efforts. 

    This diverse group includes representatives from South Africa, Finland, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Qatar, South Sudan, Turkey, and Ukraine.

    Strengthening international partnerships 

    Aligned with the South Africa-Finland Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the programme will advance a strategic peace mediation partnership between the two countries. 

    The department said it will also foster networking and knowledge-sharing among young peace mediators and provide mentorship by seasoned international peace practitioners.  

    The Minister underscored South Africa’s role in shaping inclusive, youth-driven solutions to global challenges, ensuring that the voices of the next generation define the future of peace. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ministry of Transport to engage Road Accident Fund board

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Friday, June 6, 2025

    The Ministry of Transport will convene a physical meeting with the full Board of the Road Accident Fund next week to discuss the precautionary suspension of Road Accident Fund (RAF) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Collins Letsoalo.

    According to media reports, the board suspended Letsaolo for not attending a Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) last month.

    However, this decision was later rescinded by the board, and he was instead suspended for insubordination.

    READ | RAF CEO placed on special leave

    “The meeting will evaluate the prospects of the current board to restore good governance and effective administration at the entity so that it fulfils its primary purpose of compensating road accident victims timeously,” the Department of Transport said on Friday.

    The department will consider appropriate interventions post this meeting to ensure the stability of the entity, good governance and the fulfilment of its mandate.

    “To ensure the speedy and equitable access to the Road Accident Benefit Scheme by thousands of road accident victims, the department intends to finalise the Road Accident Benefit Scheme Bill. The Bill will introduce a no-fault system to make it easier for road accident victims to access the benefits without costly legal bills.

    “The Bill will also introduce standardised benefits and compensation to facilitate more equitable sharing of the benefits amongst claimants,” the department said.

    The meeting will be held on Tuesday, 10 June 2025. –SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Breaking barriers for youth in public service careers

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    By Dr Izimangaliso Malatjie

    The public service is often perceived as cumbersome and complex. In response, government has introduced targeted programmes to better prepare young people for careers in the public sector and the broader world of work.

    As the country marks National Youth Month, two key initiatives—the Breaking Barriers to Entry into the Public Service (BB2E) programme and the Cadet Programme—are empowering graduates with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to thrive in public service roles. 

    Offered by the National School of Government, the five-day BB2E course and the 18-month Cadet Programme are designed for graduates with post-school qualifications, as well as interns in public sector departments and statutory bodies.

    Addressing graduate unemployment

    Graduate unemployment, particularly among those with post-school qualifications, continues to rise at an alarming rate. As one of the country’s largest employers, the public service has responded by creating opportunities for unemployed graduates through the Public Service Graduate Internship Programme, along with the BB2E and Cadet initiatives. 

    These programmes aim to equip graduates with practical skills and an understanding of how the public sector operates. They cover essential areas such as administration, communication, and job-readiness, providing a critical steppingstone toward meaningful employment. 

    This is a vital investment in youth development and capacity-building for the future of public service.

    About the BB2E Course

    The BB2E course introduces young participants to the structure and functioning of government. Key focus areas include: delivering quality public services; administration and management of public funds; performing basic administrative and communication functions; understanding policies guiding recruitment into public service; crafting effective CVs and interview preparation. 

    The orientation programme is underpinned by values and principles found in Chapter 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, (1996). It is aimed at orientating participants to the public service, how the public service is organised and the way the public service functions.

    About the Cadet Programme

    The 18-month Cadet Programme, a complementary initiative to BB2E, goes deeper by exploring the broader public sector landscape and touching on social entrepreneurship. It consists of four key modules: 1) The Constitution and the Administration of the Public Sector 2) Ethics in the Public Service 3) Writing for Government and 4) Personal Mastery. 

    The Personal Mastery module is particularly well-received by young people as it equips them with essential employability skills relevant in both public and private sectors, including: self-management; emotional intelligence; job search techniques; critical problem-solving; entrepreneurship and job creation.

    Shaping the public servant of the future

    These programmes aim to shape a new generation of public servants—cadres with a unique and progressive mindset. The ideal public servant is: 
    •    Innovative: Able to turn policy into effective action.
    •    Inspirational: Motivated and capable of motivating others.
    •    Exemplary: Committed to high standards at every level of work.
    •    Resourceful: Sees opportunity in challenges, not excuses.
    •    Impact-driven: Focused on tangible outcomes that meet public expectations.
    •    Collaborative: Values partnerships, teamwork, and stakeholder engagement.
    •    Accountable: Takes ownership of service delivery outcomes.

    Recent successes

    In the 2024/25 financial year a total of 1465 young people undergone training on the BB2E programme. While 4145 were trained on Personal Mastery and 1668 of these young people were part of the Youth empowerment and development programme within the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE). 

    In the current financial year, a total of 570 young participants from the National Rural Youth Service Corps (NARYSEC), an empowerment programme under the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, completed the Personal Mastery course.

    Feedback from both participants and departmental officials has been overwhelmingly positive and have requested that more young people undergo training on this programme.

    As the NSG, we strongly encourage departments and government entities at all levels to enroll their interns and young professionals in the Cadet Programme. Together, we can build a more capable, ethical, and responsive public service through empowering one young person at a time.

    Enrolment

    For enquiries and enrolment relevant officials in departments should contact The National School of Government call centre on 0861008326, via email on contactcentre@thensg.gov.za or visit the website on www.thensg.gov.za.

    *Dr Izimangaliso Malatjie is the Chief Director for Cadet and Foundation Management at the National School of Government.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: We can do more to protect our children 

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    By Neo Semono 

    Murder, rape and mysterious disappearances are among the horrifying crimes committed against South Africa’s children.

    Over the years the nation has heard in horror, and watched in disbelief as news, always too inhumane to comprehend, unfolds about those we ought to be protecting the most. 

    Citizens have heard in horror of the now lifeless bodies of victims that have been found lying in pieces of veld, among bushes and in ditches and seen in blow-by-blow detail, the violence that was perpetuated on often-lifeless bodies, more times than not found lying in pieces of veld, among bushes and in ditches. 

    Communities and the police rush around frantically forming search parties for the missing, while agile keyboard warriors also do their bit by spreading the word on missing children and adults alike, on the various social media platforms.

    When children go missing, as was the case with six-year-old Joshlin Smith in 2024, law enforcement and communities go looking them. When children are mistreated and abused, the answer is to work together to rescue the child.

    Some will blame government for the onslaught of violence against children, but, government cannot solve the issue on its own. The onslaught of violence against children requires at its foremost a community approach, and a change in thinking around children. 

    Children are no lesser human beings than adults. In fact, our Constitution states that every child (any person under the age of 18) has the right to basic nutrition, shelter, basic health care services and social services as well as to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation. 

    The Children’s Act gives effect to certain rights of children as contained in the Constitution while also setting out principles relating to the care and protection of children while the Child Justice Act also exists to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book.

    The Basic Education Laws Amendment Act seeks to improve safety at schools. The legislation is in place to protect the lives of the nation’s children. And yes, while some will say that the existence of the legislation does not necessarily mean that they are effectively being implemented; when implemented properly laws do work.

    The judgement and sentencing of the trio involved in little Joshlin’s case is a victory in fighting back against the mistreatment of children, albeit the nation still being in the dark about what befell the Western Cape child.

    The recent news that a staff member at Laerskool Dalmondeor in Johannesburg was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a Grade 2 learner and the case whereby a Durban mother who beat and strangled her three-year-old daughter Fadillah Chantel Kok to death, must lead us to re-evaluate the type of people we are and the society we live in.

    The wellbeing of the nation’s children is important to government with Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe highlighting the worrying statistics of 26 852 cases of child abuse and neglect having been reported in the 2024/25 financial year.

    Sexual abuse was reported to be at 9859 cases across the provinces with deliberate neglect being the second most prevalent at 9485 cases among others. 

    These incidents and others in the past have many of us questioning in rage, our moral compass no matter one’s colour or religion.
    Children ought to be running around barefoot and getting up to mischief across parks and recreational facilities in communities. However, this is not the case for parents and guardians who fear for their safety while playing.

    According to the 2024 Mid-year population estimates released by Statistics South Africa, 27.5% of the population is aged younger than 15 years (16.8 million).

    The rate of abuse and shocking cases of violence should jolt us into action to do more to protect the nation’s children at all times of the year and not only on days when the country marks Child Protection Week or Child Protection Month in May.

    We should revisit the notion that your child is my child more than ever and not turn a blind eye when we see or hear of something untoward. 

    When we fail to protect children, we fail our country in the long term. If we are to raise generations of forward-thinking, responsible citizens that will take the country forward, it is in our best interest to do the best we can to shape the citizenry of tomorrow.
    And because the protection and care of children is a full-time job, government continues to provide the child support, disability and foster care grants as well as the school nutrition programme which provides meals to millions of children.

    Government is also paying attention to the boy child through the facilitation of dialogues and engagement to foster an environment of positive masculinity where boys are encouraged to express their feelings. Children living with disabilities have also not been left out as they are among the most vulnerable people.

    The enactment of legislation and the provision of funds through grants and government programmes are not the sole solution to protecting South Africa’s children.

    The protection of children involves taking proactive steps which include taking the time to truly listen to what children have to say and ensuring that we believe them when they say they have been violated by a family member, teacher, preacher or whoever they may cross paths with.

    Additionally, the inherent principle of ubuntu, also stresses that we help those around us. The wealth of a nation is not only measured in rands and cents, but also the priceless assets that are its children. Surely, we can ALL do better to protect them. –SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy, Collins Call for Immediate Implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    WASHINGTON  – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) today demanded the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) immediately implement the Social Security Fairness Act. The Social Security Fairness Act, which fully repeals the two unfair Social Security provisions Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), was signed into law on January 5, 2025, after Cassidy successfully secured a vote on the U.S. Senate floor.  
    “The Social Security Fairness Act restores full railroad retirement annuities or earned Social Security benefits for railroad retirees, their spouses, and survivors who are receiving public pensions from work not covered by Social Security,” wrote the senators.
    “We call for the immediate implementation of this legislation to provide prompt relief to railroad retirees and spouses impacted by WEP and GPO,” continued the senators.
    Cassidy played a pivotal role in getting the Social Security Fairness Act signed into law on January 5, 2025. Cassidy successfully demanded a vote on the Social Security Fairness Act. In July and again in December, Cassidy spoke on the U.S. Senate floor urging Congress to repeal WEP and GPO as part of his “Big Idea” to save, strengthen, and secure America’s retirement system. In June, Cassidy entered a statement into the record urging the repeal of WEP and GPO ahead of the U.S. Senate Finance Subcommittee field hearing on Social Security. 
    Cassidy is a long-time cosponsor of the Social Security Fairness Act in the Senate, having been an original cosponsor since he became a Member of Congress in 2009. He led the introduction of the legislation in the 117th and 116th Congresses.
    Cassidy led a bipartisan working group to preserve and protect Social Security. He released the inaugural Bill on the Hill video where he asked Capitol Hill visitors from across the country their thoughts on the looming benefit cuts to Social Security and presented his “Big Idea.”
    Cassidy has discussed the “Big Idea” at a public forum with AARP on the future of Social Security, outlined his Social Security plan in a fireside chat with the Bipartisan Policy Committee, and authored op-eds in the Washington Examiner in July, the Wall Street Journal in March, and State Affairs and Washington Post in May.
    As of June 4, 2025, the U.S. Social Security Administration has processed nearly 91% of payments, but retired railroad workers have not yet received the benefits granted to them by the Social Security Fairness Act.
    Read the full letter here or below. 
    Dear Chairman Chorlé,
    We write to you concerning the implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act (Public Law No: 118-273). This legislation passed Congress on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis on December 21st, 2024 and was signed into law on January 5th, 2025.1 The Social Security Fairness Act restores full railroad retirement annuities or earned Social Security benefits for railroad retirees, their spouses, and survivors who are receiving public pensions from work not covered by Social Security.
    The repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) means that individuals who were previously affected by these reductions will retroactively have their full tier-I railroad retirement benefit amounts restored for months after December 2023, the effective date of the repeal, and for future monthly benefit payments. The Railroad Retirement Board’s (RRB) website currently states, in part:
    The calculation and issuance of any retroactive payments, in addition to the processing of new railroad retirement annuity applications, will be delayed by the RRB’s need to significantly reprogram its computer systems to implement the SSFA. We anticipate that most individuals will begin receiving their new monthly annuity amount in July 2025 (for their June 2025 annuity). If an individual is due retroactive benefits as a result of the Act, they will receive a one-time retroactive payment, deposited into the bank account RRB has on file, by the end of July 2025.2
    We call for the immediate implementation of this legislation to provide prompt relief to railroad retirees, their spouses, and survivors impacted by WEP and GPO. In the interim, we request monthly updates and briefings regarding the status of the Railroad Retirement Board’s progress towards implementing the Social Security Fairness Act.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Introduces Bill to Address Federal Waste

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), James Lankford (R-OK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced the Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets (SAMOSA) Act to save taxpayer dollars by improving how federal agencies purchase and manage software. The bill would require federal agencies to conduct independent, comprehensive assessments of their software licensing purchases and develop plans to save costs. These assessments will provide Congress, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the General Services Administration (GSA) with critical insights to strengthen oversight of software contracts, streamline operations, and reduce wasteful spending.
    “President Trump wants to cut waste and spend taxpayer dollars wisely,” said Dr. Cassidy. “By consolidating their inventory, this bill forces federal agencies to spend as if taxpayers were spending their own money.”
    “The federal government’s ancient computers and outdated, noncompetitive bidding process for software contracts cost taxpayers hundreds of millions every year,” said Senator Ernst. “Through the SAMOSA Act, we can bring Washington out of the Stone Age and into the 21st century to save Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars. Let’s pass this bipartisan bill to force federal agencies to take commonsense steps when purchasing software.”
    The SAMOSA Act is supported by the Federal Affairs for the Computer & Communications Industry Association, the Alliance for Digital Innovation, and the Coalition for Fair Software Licensing Executive Director.
    “A comprehensive overview of federal software licensing will increase agency coordination and help realize new ways to advance projects, which directly benefit U.S. taxpayers,” said Brian McMillan, Vice President, Federal Affairs for the Computer & Communications Industry Association. “We encourage policymakers to recognize the far-reaching positive impacts of this bill.”
    “The government needs to know what it’s buying as agencies move rapidly to modern, secure cloud-based solutions,” said Ross Nodurft, Executive Director of Alliance for Digital Innovation. “We support providing agencies with the knowledge they need to make the most informed technology decision possible to support their missions.”
    “We are thrilled to see lawmakers coming together to support the SAMOSA Act and address the government waste resulting from restrictive software licensing practices,” said Ryan Triplette, Coalition for Fair Software Licensing Executive Director. “The coalition applauds Senators Peters, Cassidy, and Ernst for leading on this important issue and working to drive significant cost savings and improvements in federal software management. We look forward to working with lawmakers in both chambers to put this bill on the President’s desk as soon as possible.”
    Background
    Federal agencies spend billions of dollars on software purchases and license updates every year. Agencies’ lack of visibility of what they have already purchased, combined with the way vendors sell software, often leads to duplicative purchases and limits agencies’ ability to conduct their own oversight of these purchases. The SAMOSA Act would help agencies get fairer, more cost-effective deals on their software purchases and achieve important technology modernization goals.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Warm weather expected for Comrades 2025 ultramarathon

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The thousands of runners participating in the Comrades 2025 ultramarathon this weekend can expect predominantly mild to warm and windy conditions, with partly cloudy to cloudy skies.

    On Sunday, 8 June, the 98th edition of the Comrades Marathon will take place between Pietermaritzburg and Durban with as many as 22 677 runners.

    The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has cautioned runners about a cool change in the weather later in the day.

    “… A coastal low and cold front are expected to move northwards up the KwaZulu-Natal coast, introducing colder, more moist conditions to the coast and adjacent interior. 

    “Moreover, there will be a risk of showers or thunderstorms developing over the Drakensberg, spreading to the coast in the evening,” SAWS said on Friday.

    A particularly intense cut-off low system, associated with severe and extreme winter weather, is expected to affect South Africa in the coming days.

    The weather service indicated that this system will begin affecting the Western and Northern Cape early on Saturday morning, 7 June 2025.

    “By Monday, 9 June 2025 and Tuesday, 10 June 2025, this extensive and severe winter weather system will have shifted further east over South Africa, affecting the central and eastern provinces.

    “A significant and dramatic drop in daytime temperatures can be expected over all provinces, with the possible exception of Limpopo. Consequently, farmers of small stock are strongly advised to implement appropriate measures to prevent stock losses due to exposure to bitter cold and wind,” the SAWS said on Thursday.

    The weather service has warned of snowfall over almost every province, with the exception of Limpopo.

    Some of these snowfalls will be disruptive, affecting traffic flow over mountain passes, for example, the N3 highway at Van Reenen’s pass on Monday, 9 June 2025 and Tuesday, 10 June 2025.

    “Given the intensity of the COL system, there is a low probability that Gauteng and the highveld region of Mpumalanga may experience light snowfalls Monday night, 9 June 2025, extending into Tuesday, 10 June 2025. However, at this stage there is significant uncertainty amongst the various numeric weather prediction models in this regard.

    “Heavy rainfall leading to localised flooding and infrastructure damage will be experienced over parts of the Eastern Cape coast and adjacent interior on Sunday, shifting to southern KwaZulu-Natal on Monday,” SAWS said.

    As of Sunday, many provinces will experience bitterly cold daytime conditions, with maximum temperatures unlikely to exceed +10 C. These conditions will be exacerbated by strong, gusty winds.

    Strong, damaging surface winds can be expected over large parts of the interior provinces from Sunday, leading to an elevated risk of wildfires, especially over the central and eastern interior, ahead of the cold change. 

    These extreme conditions are expected to persist over some of the eastern provinces until Wednesday.

    “Strong to near-gale force coastal winds and very rough seas from Friday along the south-west coast, spreading to the south and east coasts during Saturday, and lasting until at least Tuesday along the east coast,” SAWS said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Democratic Republic of Congo Implements the Enhanced General Data Dissemination System (e-GDDS)

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 6, 2025

    With the successful launch of the new data portal—the National Summary Data Page (NSDP) — the Democratic Republic of Congo has implemented a key recommendation of the IMF’s Enhanced General Data Dissemination System (e-GDDS) to publish essential macroeconomic and financial data. The e-GDDS is the first tier of the IMF Data Standards Initiative that promotes transparency as a global public good and encourages countries to voluntarily publish timely data that is essential for monitoring and analyzing economic performance.

    The launch of the NSDP is a testament to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s commitment to data transparency. It serves as a one-stop portal for disseminating various macroeconomic data compiled by multiple statistical agencies. The published data includes statistics on national accounts, prices, government operations, debt, the monetary and financial sector, and the external sector.

    The launch of the NSDP was supported by an IMF technical assistance mission, financed by the Government of Japan through the Japan Administered Account for Selected Fund Activities, and conducted in collaboration with the African Development Bank from June 2 to 6, 2025. The mission was hosted by the Ministry of Finance – Comité de Pilotage et d’Orientation de la Réforme de Finances,” in close collaboration with the Banque Centrale du Congo and the Institut National de la Statistique.

    With this reform, the Democratic Republic of Congo will join 76 countries worldwide and 34 countries in Africa that are using the e-GDDS to disseminate standardized data.  

    Mr. Bert Kroese, Chief Statistician and Data Officer, and Director of the IMF’s Statistics Department, welcomed this as a major milestone in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s statistical development. “I am positive that the Democratic Republic of Congo will gain substantial advantages from deploying the e-GDDS as a framework to enhance its statistical system.” Mr. Kroese stated.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Boris Balabanov

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/06/pr-25185-democratic-republic-of-congo-dem-repub-of-congo-implements-the-e-gdds

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –