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  • MIL-OSI Security: 80 Years Later: 1st Cavalry Division returns to the Philippines to Commemorate the Battle of Manila

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    MANILA, Philippines  –  

    80 years ago, on Feb. 3, 1945, the battle for the capital of the Philippines began between Allied Forces and Imperial Japan. The 1st Cavalry Division was one of three divisions under the control of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. It was here that the 1st Cavalry Division earned its nickname, “America’s First Team,” by being the first U.S. Forces to re-enter Manila after its capture in 1942.

    The battle and subsequent liberation of Manila and the Philippines, in the spring of 1945, fulfilled a promise made by Gen. MacArthur in the spring of 1942: When President Theodore D. Roosevelt ordered him to Australia, he said, “I shall return.”

    On a hot Feb. morning at Adamson University in the heart of the capital, the city government of Manila held a ceremony and wreath-laying in honor of this historic event. The ceremony honored our shared history, ongoing commitment, and continued partnership with the Philippines and the Filipino people.

    The Mayor of Manila City, Honey Lacuna Pangan, presided over the ceremony. Commemorating this historical event, several other countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, China, and Canada, were represented on-site.

    The U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay L. Carlson, participated in the ceremony and placed a wreath in honor of those Americans and Filipinos who laid down their lives for the freedom of the Filipino people and the two countries.

    Lt. Col. John Dolan, Commander of the 1st Cavalry Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment “Garryowen,” was on hand to represent the 1st Cavalry Division at the ceremony along with representatives from 5th Security Forces Assistance Brigade and I Corps, both based out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wa.

    “We’re here to honor the courage and sacrifice of so many soldiers and civilians in the liberation of Manila,” said Lt Col. Dolan, “and recognize the bond between both Americans and Filipinos share in our history and the pursuit of freedom.”

    As the number of the Greatest Generation dwindles and will soon be gone, continuing to commemorate these events ensures their efforts and history is not lost. The Liberation of Manila’s 80th anniversary honors the past generations’ sacrifices to safeguard freedom while inspiring future generations to carry the torch.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: USS O’Kane returns home after seven-month deployment to 5th and 7th Fleet

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    SAN DIEGO, Calif.  –  

    O’Kane departed San Diego with the ABECSG, July 17, 2024, and remained in U.S. 5th Fleet following the departure of ABECSG who returned to their homeport in December 2024.

    “I am incredibly proud of the exemplary work this team has invested in themselves and their equipment over the past few months,” said Cmdr. Rich Ray, commanding officer, O’Kane. “We are proud of the work we accomplished this deployment, and we are looking forward to continuing that success into the next challenge.”

    Following the departure of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-class missile destroyers USS Frank E. Petersen, Jr. (DDG 121), USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) and USS Spruance (DDG 111) from U.S. 5th Fleet, O’Kane and the USS Stockdale (DDG 106) remained in the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility to support global maritime security operations.

    O’Kane and Stockdale successfully escorted U.S. flagged and crewed merchant vessels in the Gulf of Aden. During the escort, the destroyers worked alongside other U.S. Central Command forces in successfully repelling multiple Iranian-backed Houthi attacks during transits of the Bab el-Mandeb strait. During the transit, the destroyers were attacked by one-way attack un-crewed Aerial systems, anti-ship ballistic missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles which were successfully engaged and defeated. The vessels were not damaged, and no personnel were hurt. The ships were well prepared, supported, and the well-trained Sailors successfully defended the ship.

    Throughout deployment, O’Kane successfully completed 75 flight quarters, including 84 rotary-wing landings, 26 rotary-wing refueling evolutions, and nine vertical replenishments. In addition, O’Kane conducted 24 replenishments-at-sea, and 22 mooring evolutions.

    Additionally, O’Kane visited Karachi, Pakistan to promote the diplomatic relationship between the United States and Pakistan. Following the port visit, O’Kane conducted a maritime exercise to build interoperability with the Pakistan Navy.

    ABECSG initially deployed to the Indo-Pacific region to support regional security and stability, and to reassure our allies and partners of the U.S. Navy’s unwavering commitment, highlighted by the first-ever U.S.-Italy multi-large deck event with the Italian Navy’s ITS Cavour Carrier Strike Group held in the Indo-Pacific on Aug. 9, 2024.

    The strike group was ordered to the USCENTCOM area of responsibility to bolster U.S. military force posture in the Middle East, deter regional escalation, degrade Houthi capabilities, defend U.S. forces, and again sailed alongside our Italian allies and other partners to promote security, stability and prosperity. Assigned destroyers of the ABECSG, to include O’Kane, were essential to providing a layer of defense to U.S. forces and ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels and partner nations transiting in international waterways like the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden.

    As an integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic and relevant training to ensure the readiness necessary to execute the U.S. Navy’s timeless role across the full spectrum of military operations. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with our allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jury Finds Cousins Guilty of 2021 Mayfair Mansions Murder

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

              WASHINGTON – A Superior Court jury today found Deangelo Glover, 33, and Ronnie Wallace, 48, both of Washington, D.C., guilty of murder and other charges related to the January 19, 2021, murder of Tyrone Wright, announced U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

               Wallace was found guilty of one count of first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for Wright’s murder, plus one count of assault with intent to kill while armed for shooting a second victim, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and one count of carrying a pistol without a license.

               Glover was found guilty of one count of second-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and one count of carrying a pistol without a license. Superior Court Judge Jason Park scheduled sentencing for May 2, 2025.

               According to the government’s evidence, on Tuesday January 19, 2021, in a parking lot in front of 3804 Hayes Street NE within the Mayfair Mansions Apartment complex, Ronnie Wallace shot the decedent, Tyrone Wright on belief that Mr. Wright was one of the persons responsible for his brother Marcus Wallace’s murder. In the process, a bystander was shot a single time in the leg. Within moments of Wallace’s initial shots, his cousin and co-defendant Deangelo Glover, ran out of an adjacent building and shot Mr. Wright repeatedly ending his life.

               This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrea Coronado and Matthew Covert.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three People Charged in Commercial Bribery Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Edward Joseph Chmiel, 49, Henry Lozano, 43, and Sabino Loera, 51, have been charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering arising out of a scheme to submit fraudulent invoices to a contractor providing services for a Colorado electrical utility.

    Loera and Lozano made their initial appearances in federal court on February 10. Chmiel is expected to have his initial appearance later this month.  According to the criminal information, Chmiel and Loera worked for a company providing electrical contracting services to a utility company in Colorado. Lozano owned a company providing trucking and hauling services. In August 2018, the three agreed that Lozano’s company would provide those services in exchange for kickback payments to Chmiel and Loera.  To generate the money that would pay the kickbacks, the three schemed to submit false invoices from Lozano’s company to Chmiel and Loera’s. Once Lozano was paid for those invoices, Loera would direct Lozano to issue checks to a network of 15 other people. Those people cashed the checks and then gave the cash to Chmiel and Loera.  Between August 2018 and June 2020, the false invoices generated approximately $1,495,781.51 in kickback proceeds.

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

    The investigation is being conducted by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the FBI Denver Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sonia Dave and Bryan Fields.

    Case Number: 25-cr-00024-RMR             

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Humboldt County Woman Charged With Embezzling Over $500,000 From Construction Company Employer

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury has indicted Christina Ann Mobley, also known as Kris Mobley, 58, on charges that she defrauded her former employer, a construction company located in Fortuna, Calif.  

    According to an indictment filed Feb. 5, 2025, Mobley was employed as the business manager for a Fortuna construction company.  When the company’s bookkeeper retired, Mobley took on the accounting and bookkeeping duties, including inputting entries into the company’s accounting software and assisting with bill payments, payroll taxes, employee health benefits, government contracts, and other tasks.

    The company maintained an account at a bank and had several business credit cards through the bank for its employees.  It also held a business credit card at another bank, where Mobley maintained at least two personal credit card accounts.  The indictment describes that Mobley’s scheme to defraud took on several forms.  Mobley allegedly directed checks mailed from the company’s bank account to be applied to the accounts for her personal credit cards; issued electronic payments of company funds to her personal credit cards; misused the company’s credit card for personal expenses such as cash advances at casinos and personal travel; wrote checks from the company to herself; inflated her vacation time, work hours, and bonuses in the company’s payroll system; and issued duplicate payroll checks and unearned bonus payments to herself.  Between January 2022 and November 2024, Mobley allegedly embezzled more than $500,000 from her employer.  

    The indictment charges Mobley with three counts of mail fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1341 and seven counts of wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1343.  Mobley made an initial appearance in federal district court in McKinleyville, Calif., this morning, and was released on bond with conditions set by the Court.  Mobley is next scheduled to appear on Feb. 26, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., before Senior U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer.

    United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Dan Costin made the announcement.

    An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, Mobley faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 1343, a fine of $250,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transactions, and forfeiture and restitution.  Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Barry is prosecuting this case with the assistance of Marina Ponomarchuk.  This prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.

    Christina Ann Mobley Indictment
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Possessing Heroin with Intent to Distribute

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    FRESNO, Calif. — Jose Angel Beltran-Chaidez, 69, a Mexican national residing in Bakersfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston to two years in prison for possessing with intent to distribute heroin, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

    According to court documents, in January 2022, at the direction of his brother Antonio Beltran-Chaidez, 55, also a Mexican national, Beltran delivered more than 2 pounds of heroin to Jorge Calderon-Campos, 44, a Mexican national residing in Bakersfield, for distribution. However, when Calderon-Campos was unable to sell the drug, Beltran retrieved it from Calderon-Campos and was in possession of the heroin when stopped by a CHP officer for a traffic violation.

    Calderon-Campos and Antonio Beltran-Chaidez previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced to eight years and one month in prison and three years and 10 months in prison, respectively.

    This case was the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Secret Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Kern County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, the California Highway Patrol, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, the Kern County Probation Department, and the Bakersfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar prosecuted the case.

    The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Odysight.ai Announces the Pricing of $21.5 Million Public Offering and Uplisting to the Nasdaq Capital Market

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Odysight.ai common stock to begin trading on Nasdaq Tuesday, February 11, 2025, under the symbol “ODYS”

    OMER, Israel, Feb. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Odysight.ai Inc. (Nasdaq: ODYS) (“Odysight.ai” or the “Company”), a pioneering developer of AI systems for Predictive Maintenance (PdM) and Condition-Based Monitoring (CBM), today announced the pricing of a public offering of 3,307,692 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $6.50 per share. The sole book-running manager of the offering will have a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 496,153 shares of common stock from Odysight.ai at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.

    Odysight.ai’s common stock has been approved for listing and is expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “ODYS” on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.

    The offering is expected to close on February 12, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

    The gross proceeds to Odysight.ai from the offering, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, are expected to be approximately $21.5 million. Odysight.ai intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for expanded research and development, increased sales and marketing, working capital and other general corporate purposes.

    The Benchmark Company, LLC is acting as sole book-running manager for the offering.

    A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and became effective on February 10, 2025. The proposed offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus, when available, may be obtained from The Benchmark Company, LLC, 150 East 58th St., 17th Floor, New York, NY 10155, by telephone: (212) 312-6700, or by email at prospectus@benchmarkcompany.com.

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

    About Odysight.ai 

    Odysight.ai is pioneering the Predictive Maintenance (PdM) and Condition Based Monitoring (CBM) markets with its visualization and AI platform. Providing video sensor-based solutions for critical systems in the aviation, transportation, and energy industries, Odysight.ai leverages proven visual technologies and products from the medical industry. Odysight.ai’s unique video-based sensors, embedded software, and AI algorithms are being deployed in hard-to-reach locations and harsh environments across a variety of PdM and CBM use cases. Odysight.ai’s platform allows maintenance and operations teams visibility into areas which are inaccessible under normal operation, or where the operating ambience is not suitable for continuous real-time monitoring.

    We routinely post information that may be important to investors in the Investors section of our website. For more information, please visit: https://www.odysight.ai or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 relating to future events or our future performance. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the completion of the offering, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the offering and the intended use of net proceeds from the offering. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Those statements are based on information we have when those statements are made or our management’s current expectation and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward- looking statements. Factors that may affect our results, performance, circumstances or achievements include, but are not limited to the following: (i) market acceptance of our existing and new products, including those that utilize our micro Odysight.ai technology or offer Predictive Maintenance and Condition Based Monitoring applications, (ii) lengthy product delays in key markets, (iii) an inability to secure regulatory approvals for the sale of our products, (iv) intense competition in the medical device and related industries from much larger, multinational companies, (v) product liability claims, product malfunctions and the functionality of Odysight.ai’s solutions under all environmental conditions, (vi) our limited manufacturing capabilities and reliance on third-parties for assistance, (vii) an inability to establish sales, marketing and distribution capabilities to commercialize our products, (viii) an inability to attract and retain qualified personnel, (ix) our efforts to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection covering our products, which may not be successful, (x) our reliance on a single customer that accounts for a substantial portion of our revenues, (xi) our reliance on single suppliers for certain product components, including for miniature video sensors which are suitable for our Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor technology products, (xii) the fact that we will need to raise additional capital to meet our business requirements in the future and that such capital raising may be costly, dilutive or difficult to obtain, (xiii) the impact of computer system failures, cyberattacks or deficiencies in our cybersecurity, (xiv) the fact that we conduct business in multiple foreign jurisdictions, exposing us to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, logistical, global supply chain and communications challenges, burdens and costs of compliance with foreign laws and political and economic instability in each jurisdiction and (xv) political, economic and military instability in Israel, including the impact of Israel’s war against Hamas and Hezbollah. These and other important factors discussed in Odysight.ai’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 26, 2024 and our other reports filed with the SEC could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Odysight.ai undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Miri Segal
    MS-IR LLC
    msegal@ms-ir.com

    Company Contact:
    Einav Brenner, CFO
    info@odysight.ai

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Israeli police cite children’s ‘colouring book’ for Palestinian bookshop raid

    Pacific Media Watch

    Israeli police have confiscated hundreds of books with Palestinian titles or flags without understanding their contents in a draconian raid on a Palestinian educational bookshop in occupied East Jerusalem, say eyewitnesses.

    More details have emerged on the Israeli police raid on a popular bookstore in occupied East Jerusalem.

    The owners were arrested but police reportedly dropped charges of incitement while still detaining them for “disturbing the public order”.

    The bookstore’s owners, Ahmed and Mahmoud Muna, were detained, and hundreds of titles related to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict confiscated, before police ordered the store’s closure, according to May Muna, Mahmoud’s wife, reports Al Jazeera.

    She said the soldiers picked out books with Palestinian titles or flags, “without knowing what any of them meant”.

    She said they used Google Translate on some of the Arabic titles to see what they meant before carting them away in plastic bags.

    Another police bookshop raid
    Police raided another Palestinian-owned bookstore in the Old City in East Jerusalem last week. In a statement, the police said the two owners were arrested on suspicion of “selling books containing incitement and support for terrorism”.

    As an example, the police referred to an English-language children’s colouring book titled From the River to the Sea — a reference to the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea that today includes Israel, the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

    The bookshop raids have been widely condemned as a “war on knowledge and literature”.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Do men and women agree on how easy it is for each other to find a job or a date?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Whyte, Deputy Director – Behavioural Economics, Society and Technology (BEST) Research Group. Chief-Investigator – ARC ITTC Centre for Behavioural Inisghts for Technology Adoption (BITA).), Queensland University of Technology

    The Conversation, DenPhotos/Shutterstock, Mehaniq/Shutterstock

    Typically, you don’t have to write a cover letter before attending a candlelit dinner. But there are some eerie emotional parallels between finding a job and finding a date.

    Both can require you to put yourself “out there” in uncomfortable ways, brace yourself for repeated rejection and grapple with heartache.

    On the flip side, success in either pursuit can significantly boost your confidence and sense of wellbeing – especially if it feels like a good fit.

    This raises the question: do Australians really believe they have equal access to the labour and dating markets?

    Our study, published in the journal Evolutionary Psychology, examined this question in depth, shining a light on how these beliefs are linked, and where they differ.

    Whether Australians’ perceptions of job and dating market access are completely accurate or not, they can certainly have a big impact on the choices we make and the way we behave in both our personal and professional lives.

    Finding a job versus finding a date

    We surveyed more than 1,000 online daters aged between 18 and 81. Our sample only included participants who described their sexual orientation as heterosexual and who identified as either male or female.

    Our study looked at people’s beliefs about how easy it was to find a job or find a date.
    Arthur Bargan/Shutterstock

    It’s important to understand that we were looking specifically at people’s perceptions of their access to these markets.

    That is, we looked at what men and women believed about their own (and the opposite sex’s) ability to find a job or find a date.

    We also examined what both sexes believed about women’s economic dependence on men.

    On average, we found women think it’s easier for men to find a decently paying job. Women also think they’re less economically dependent on male partners than men think women are.

    Both sexes agree it’s easier for women to find a date than men. But men think they have it much worse off on this metric than women think they do.

    Where beliefs diverge

    These perceptions begin to vary significantly with factors such as age, education, number of children and political orientation.

    There are some big differences in how women perceive women’s economic dependence and ease of dating access at different stages of life.

    Middle-aged men and women (aged 35 to 55 years) share similar perspectives on women’s economic dependence. This contrasts with younger and older women, who believe women are significantly less economically dependent on men.

    Women believe they have an easier time finding a date as they age from 18 to 35 years old. This perception then declines sharply from 40 to 75 years or older.

    These patterns align with evolutionary theories, suggesting that access to resources and shifting household dynamics at different life stages influence how men and women view the labour and dating markets.

    Shifting beliefs about access at different age levels may reflect changing household dynamics.
    aijiro/Shutterstock

    Intertwined ‘markets’

    Importantly, we found that perceptions of labour and dating market access are intrinsically linked, and they tend to reflect broader economic conditions.

    For instance, men in high-income areas think they have better job and dating opportunities, while those in areas with greater gender income disparities see women as more economically dependent.

    On the flipside, women in higher-income areas think they are less economically dependent. And those in areas with lower gender gaps in income perceive women’s dating access to be greater.

    This interplay of beliefs is also reflected in participants’ own dating preferences. Women who believe they are more economically dependent on men tend to seek a long-term male partner with greater earning potential than them.

    On the other hand, men who expect to earn more than their ideal partner think it’s easier for men to find a date.

    Beliefs about how easy it is to find a job and find a date are linked.
    Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock

    Why does this all matter?

    Economic growth is the way economists and politicians measure increases in our standard of living. It is primarily driven by consumption.

    That’s everyday Australians buying their morning coffees at work, leg hams at Christmas time or splurging on a new cabana for the beach.

    Historically, more consumers meant more consumption, which meant higher economic growth and an increased standard of living.

    Many governments have recognised and acted on this link, encouraging Australians to have more children. Back in the early 2000s, for instance, the Howard government implemented the so-called “baby bonus”.

    Then-Treasurer Peter Costello famously asked the nation to “Have one for mum, one for dad, and one for the country”.

    It worked, sort of. Australia’s birth rates increased modestly.

    Fast forward to today, and these issues are just as relevant. Dating and job market choices still have a significant impact on Australian society, both economically and socially.

    Khandis R Blake receives funding from the Australian Research Council (DE210100800 and DP220101023).

    Benno Torgler, Ho Fai Chan, Rachel Hall, and Stephen Whyte do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Do men and women agree on how easy it is for each other to find a job or a date? – https://theconversation.com/do-men-and-women-agree-on-how-easy-it-is-for-each-other-to-find-a-job-or-a-date-247235

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: As Trump abandons the old world order, NZ must find its place in a new ‘Pax Autocratica’

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Chris Ogden, Associate Professor in Global Studies, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

    Donald Trump is moving rapidly to change the contours of contemporary international affairs, with the old US-dominated world order breaking down into a multipolar one with many centres of power.

    The shift already includes the US leaving the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Accords, questioning the value of the United Nations, and radical cuts to the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

    Such a new geopolitical age also involves an assertion of raw power, with Trump using the threat of tariffs to assert global authority and negotiating positions.

    While the US is not significantly less powerful, this new era may see it wield that power in more openly self-interested and isolationist ways. As new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio put it in January, “the post-war global order is not just obsolete – it is now a weapon being used against us”.

    With global democracy in retreat, the emerging international order looks to be moving in an authoritarian direction. As it does, the position of New Zealand’s vibrant democracy will come under mounting pressure.

    But world orders have come and gone for millennia, reflecting the ebb and flow of global economic, political and military power. Looking back to previous eras, and how countries and cultures responded to shifting geopolitical realities, can help us understand what is happening more clearly.

    An evolving world order

    Previous orders have often focused on specific centres – or “poles” – of power. These include the Concert of Europe from 1814 to 1914, the bipolar world of the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union, and the unipolar world of American dominance after the end of the Cold War and since the September 11 attacks in 2001.

    Periods of single-power dominance (or hegemony) are referred to as a “pax”, from the Latin for “peace”. We have seen the Pax Romana of the Roman Empire (27 BCE to 180 AD), multiple Pax Sinicas around China (most recently the Qing Dynasty 1644 to 1912), Pax Mongolica (the Mongol Empire from 1271 to 1368) and Pax Britannica (the British Empire from 1815 to 1924).

    It is the Pax Americana of the US, from 1945 to the present, that Trump seems bent on dismantling. We now live in an international order that is visibly in flux. With autocracy on the rise and the US at its vanguard, a “Pax Autocratica” is emerging.

    This is accentuated by the rapid rise of Asia as the main sphere of economic and military growth, particularly China and India. The world’s two most populous countries had the world’s largest and third largest economies respectively in 2023, and the second and fourth highest levels of military spending.

    The simultaneous rise of multiple power centres was already challenging the Pax Americana. Now, a new international order appears to be a certainty, with Trump openly adapting to multipolarity. Several major powers now compete for global influence, rather than any one country dominating.

    China’s preference for a multipolar international order is shared by India and Russia. Without one dominant entity, it will be the political and social basis of this order, as determined by its major actors, that matters most – not who leads it.

    Pax Democratica

    The current (now waning) international order has been underpinned by specific social, political and economic values stemming from the national identity and historical experience of the US.

    According to US political expert G. John Ikenberry, former president Woodrow Wilson’s agenda for peace after the first world war sought to “reflect distinctive American ideas and ideals”.

    Woodrow imagined an order based on collective security and shared sovereignty, liberal principles of democracy and universal human rights, free trade and international law.

    As its dominance and military strength increased in the 20th century, the US also provided security to other countries. Such power enabled Washington to create open global trade markets, as well as build core global institutions like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization, United Nations and NATO.

    For Ikenberry, this Pax Americana (we might call it a Pax Democratica) rested on consent to the US’s “provision of security, wealth creation, and social advancement”. This was aided by the its more than 800 military bases in over 80 countries.

    The democratic deficit

    Trump undercuts the central tenets of this liberal world order and accelerates a slide towards authoritarianism. Like Russia, India and China, the US is also actively constraining human rights, attacking minorities and weakening its electoral system.

    This democratic retreat leaves a country such as New Zealand in a global minority. If Trump targets the region or country with economic tariffs, that precariousness might increase.

    On the other hand, previous world orders have not been truly hegemonic. Pax Britannica did not encompass the entire world. Nor did Pax Americana, which didn’t include China, India, the former Soviet bloc, much of the Islamic world and many developing countries.

    This suggests pockets of democracy can survive within a Pax Autocratica, especially in a multipolar world which is more tolerant of political independence.

    The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2023 Democracy Index ranked New Zealand, the Nordic countries, Switzerland, Iceland and Ireland highest because their citizens

    choose their political leaders in free and fair elections, enjoy civil liberties, prefer democracy over other political systems, can and do participate in politics, and have a functioning government that acts on their behalf.

    It is these countries that can be at the vanguard of democratic resilience.

    Chris Ogden is a Senior Research Fellow with The Foreign Policy Centre, London.

    – ref. As Trump abandons the old world order, NZ must find its place in a new ‘Pax Autocratica’ – https://theconversation.com/as-trump-abandons-the-old-world-order-nz-must-find-its-place-in-a-new-pax-autocratica-249358

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI China: Ancient genomic study unveils migration and integration patterns in East Asia

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    A study on ancient genomes from east China’s Shandong Province has revealed the complex migration and integration patterns of populations in East Asia spanning over 6,000 years.
    Published in the journal Nature Communications, the research provides new insights into how ancient people moved and mixed across northern coastal regions, inland areas, and islands.
    Conducted by a team of Chinese scientists led by Fu Qiaomei from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the study analyzed nuclear genomes from 85 individuals at 11 archaeological sites in Shandong, dating back 6,000 to 1,500 years.
    Collaborators included researchers from Shandong University, Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, and Jinan Archaeological Research Institute.
    The study reveals that ancestral groups from northern and southern East Asia began mixing in coastal regions at least 7,700 years ago, earlier than previously believed.
    Genetic data from the Xiaojingshan population, dating back 7,700 years, shows strong links to both southern East Asian and ancient Heilongjiang River Basin populations, updating the timeline of north-south genetic interactions in the region.
    The research also highlights two major waves of genetic influence from northern inland populations into Shandong coastal groups during the Dawenkou culture period (6,000-4,600 years ago) and the early dynastic period (3,500-1,500 years ago).
    These genetic exchanges did not always align with known cultural interactions, such as those between the Yangshao and Dawenkou cultures, suggesting complex demographic dynamics beyond cultural connections.
    In a significant breakthrough, the study traces genetic ties between the populations of Shandong and the ancient inhabitants of Miyako Island in the Ryukyu archipelago, southern Japan.
    The Nagabaka population, dating back 500 years, inherited about 75 percent of their ancestry from Shandong groups during the Longshan period (4,600-4,000 years ago), mixed with indigenous Jomon-related lineages.
    This discovery clarifies a previously unknown East Asian component in the Ryukyu triple-origin model and explains genetic differences between Ryukyu and mainland Japanese populations.
    The findings underscore Shandong’s role as a genetic bridge connecting inland, coastal, and island populations over millennia. By integrating north-south and east-west perspectives, the study demonstrates how cultural exchanges, migration, and genetic mixing shaped the diversity of modern East Asians.
    “This research fills critical gaps in our understanding of East Asia’s genetic history,” said Fu, the study’s corresponding author. “It brings us closer to answering the fundamental question: Where do modern East Asians come from?”
    The study not only updates existing theories but also provides a framework for exploring deeper interactions across Eurasia, highlighting the importance of coastal regions in ancient population movements.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tribute paid to pioneer of China’s nuclear submarines

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    People across China paid great respect to Huang Xuhua, the late chief designer of the nation’s first-generation nuclear submarines, over the past days in remembrance of the renowned engineer’s contributions to the motherland.
    Huang, who received the country’s highest honor, the Medal of the Republic, in September 2019 and the nation’s top science and technology award in January 2020, died on Thursday evening in Wuhan, Hubei province, at the age of 99. A funeral service for him was held on Monday at the city’s Wuchang funeral parlor.
    Inside a memorial hall at the Wuhan-based Nuclear Submarine Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corp, farewell flowers were arranged in the shape of a submarine and ocean waves in front of Huang’s portrait at a farewell ceremony held on Saturday and Sunday.
    Students from primary and middle schools and universities, as well as local residents and colleagues of Huang, came to the site to salute, pay their respects and say farewell to the preeminent researcher.
    Many people from outside Wuhan ordered flowers from online shops and asked them to be delivered to the farewell ceremony.
    In Huang’s hometown of Shanwei in Guangdong province, at Shanghai Jiao Tong University where the researcher studied, and at the PLA Naval Museum in Qingdao, Shandong province, ceremonies were held in remembrance of the submarine designer.
    Many people who commented below online news reports about Huang’s passing said they were grateful to the late engineer, because what he had done had safeguarded the country and its people, and had also contributed to making China a great power in the world.
    In 1958, Huang became one of China’s first researchers designated to design the nation’s own nuclear-powered submarines. Since then, his name remained classified until almost three decades later, when a magazine in Shanghai was allowed to publish a report on him, which only disclosed his surname of Huang.
    From his early 30s to his passing, Huang was closely linked to China’s nuclear submarine force. He led the research and development of the nation’s first-generation nuclear submarines — the Type 09I nuclear-powered attack submarine and the Type 09II nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. He also trained and established a group of engineers who have played central roles in building new generations of nuclear submarines.
    In addition, Huang had been director of the Nuclear Submarine Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corp and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s Spring Festival spending spree fuels global business growth

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    On a balmy afternoon on the first day of the Chinese Spring Festival, a queue of nearly 40 people, over half of them being Chinese tourists, snaked around the plain ice cream stall of “Uncle Chieng” on Orchard Road, Singapore.

    “Recently, more than half of the customers are Chinese tourists. Around the Spring Festival, I sell about 20 percent more ice cream each day compared to usual,” said Chieng Puay Chui, owner of the stall, which has become one of the must-visit spots for Chinese tourists.

    This scene is just a microcosm of the vibrant Spring Festival celebrations that have swept China and beyond, the first Lunar New Year festivities after the Spring Festival was added to UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list.

    The festival, which falls on Jan. 29 this year, with week-long nationwide celebrations around the date, has not only ignited a surge in domestic consumption but also created vast opportunities for international businesses, as Chinese consumers embrace global goods and cultures.

    A girl participates in activities to celebrate the Chinese New Year in London, Britain, on Feb. 2, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Global goods, local celebrations

    The Spring Festival, a time for family reunion and feasting, has seen a growing appetite for “foreign New Year goods” among Chinese consumers. From French wine to Chilean cherries, global delicacies have become essential elements of the Chinese New Year shopping list.

    France’s Occitanie region, renowned for its wine, has been actively promoting its produce in China through platforms like the China International Import Expo and the “From French Farms to Chinese Tables” initiative. For French wine producers, the Spring Festival is one of the best opportunities to promote their products.

    “Ahead of the Chinese New Year, we organized various events to support wine producers from the Occitanie region and importers in distributing their products so that they would be available during the Spring Festival,” said Catherine Machabert, food and wine international director of the economic development agency of the Occitanie Region.

    “For the Year of the Snake, distributors have prepared a variety of gift boxes featuring snake-themed designs to promote the wines,” said Machabert, adding that Occitanie has always maintained strong ties with China and recognizes the importance of the Chinese market.

    Meanwhile, French confectionery giant Andros has capitalized on the festive season by launching special gift packs and organizing in-store tastings. “Our sales during this Spring Festival are expected to double compared to previous years, setting a new record,” said Maxence Zeng, general manager of Andros China.

    Chilean cherries, with their vibrant red hue and symbolic association with prosperity in the Chinese culture, have also become a favorite among Chinese consumers.

    China is a very important market for fresh Chilean cherries, not only because it receives more than 90 percent of total exports, “but also because of the friendly relationship that has been built between our cherries and the people of China,” said Claudia Soler, executive director of the Chilean Cherry Committee.

    A poster of the animated feature “Ne Zha 2” is pictured at a cinema in Shenyang, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, Feb. 6, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Two-way cultural exchanges

    The Spring Festival is not just about shopping and feasting; it’s also a time for travel and cultural exploration. With extended holidays and visa-free policies, Chinese tourists have been flocking to international destinations, while foreign visitors have been arriving in China to experience the festivities firsthand.

    On the pristine beaches of Zanzibar, Tanzania, Chinese tourists Li Chenguang and his wife, Zhao Xue, marveled at the natural beauty surrounding them. “We can witness the Great Migration in the Serengeti, the azure waters of the Indian Ocean and even the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro,” Zhao exclaimed with excitement.

    Meanwhile, in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur International Airport has been bustling as Chinese tourists head to Malaysia for tropical experiences and Malaysian travelers embark on winter adventures in China. “We’re planning to visit Harbin, hike up Changbai Mountain and savor traditional northeastern dishes like Guo Bao Rou (crispy sweet and sour pork),” said Zhou Jinglang, a tour guide of a Malaysian travel agency.

    According to the National Immigration Administration, China recorded 14.37 million cross-border trips during the Spring Festival holiday season, a 6.3 percent increase from a year earlier. About 1 million of these trips were made by foreign nationals, marking a 22.9 percent year-on-year rise.

    Meanwhile, the 2025 Spring Festival holiday has marked a new milestone for China’s thriving film industry, with box office revenue soaring to an unprecedented 9.51 billion yuan (approximately 1.33 billion U.S. dollars) between Jan. 28 and Feb. 4, according to the China Film Administration.

    A staggering 187 million moviegoers flocked to cinemas throughout the holiday week, setting new all-time highs in both box office earnings and audience turnout.

    Released on Jan. 29, the first day of Chinese New Year, Chinese animated blockbuster “Ne Zha 2” has shattered multiple box office records, becoming the first film to cross 1 billion dollars in a single market and the first non-Hollywood title to join the coveted billion-dollar club.

    Customers select newly arrived Chilean cherries at a supermarket in Tianjin, north China, Dec. 26, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Vast business opportunities

    The Spring Festival consumption boom has not only showcased the resilience and vitality of China’s economy but also highlighted the potential for international collaboration. From French dairy products to Chilean cherries, foreign businesses are eager to tap into the vast Chinese market and capitalize on emerging consumer trends.

    “Occitanie has always maintained strong ties with China and recognizes the importance of the Chinese market. With its Shanghai office, the regional agency will continue to support wine, agri-food, and cosmetics companies in entering or expanding in the Chinese market,” said Machabert, the trade official of the Occitanie Region.

    Meanwhile, Herve Lanoe, chief executive officer of French dairy company Fit Group, noted that Chinese consumers are increasingly prioritizing quality and health. “Butter with a protected designation of origin is highly appreciated by our Chinese client,” he said, adding that the company will try to take advantage of this opportunity.

    Over the years, Garces Fruit, Chile’s largest cherry exporter, has been actively expanding its presence in China. “The Chinese market is fundamental for the trade of Chilean cherries,” said Hernan Garces Gazmuri, the export manager of Garces Fruit.

    “It is a clear example of win-win,” said Garces Gazmuri, who settled in China in 2017 and opened an office in 2018. “It produces a lot of employment, from the harvests, the packaging, all this positive dynamic is generated thanks to the Chinese market. This industry does not exist without China.”

    “We want to continue to explore the market, developing e-commerce and boosting our Garces Fruit brand. I think there is a lot to do,” he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Thailand cracks down on mobile, internet signal misuse

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Thai authorities are taking steps to crack down on the misuse of mobile and internet signals along the border as part of their ongoing efforts to combat transnational scam operations.

    The crackdown operation launched in Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province at the border with Cambodia on Monday aims to cut off critical communication channels exploited by scam syndicates operating in three locations across the border, said Yingyot Thepchamnong, commander of Provincial Police Region 2.

    In a statement, Yingyot said investigations revealed that scam syndicates rely heavily on Thailand’s mobile and internet infrastructure to conduct fraudulent activities targeting Thai citizens.

    These operations concealed their activities by using Thai SIM cards and internet connections, making calls and messages appear to be from within Thailand, he added.

    He noted that the Thai telecom regulator has directed mobile operators to curtail signal ranges in critical border areas and dismantle unauthorized infrastructure in order to limit scammers’ access to Thai telecommunications networks from across the border.

    Last week, Thailand’s National Security Council decided to suspend electricity, internet signals and fuel supply to five areas along the border with Myanmar, suspected to be used as bases for cyber scam operations.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese business delegation visits Kazakhstan for closer cooperation

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

    BEIJING, Feb. 10 — A delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs from the financial, energy, infrastructure and smart equipment sectors embarked on a four-day trip to Kazakhstan on Monday to promote economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, according to the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).

    The delegation, led by Ren Hongbin, chairman of the CCPIT, includes representatives from more than 30 Chinese enterprises such as CITIC Group, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Sinopec, China National Offshore Oil Corporation, and Sinochem Holdings. During the visit, they plan to sign cooperation documents and promote mutually beneficial outcomes.

    Wu Junli, deputy chief economist with PetroChina Company Limited, a subsidiary of CNPC, said that the energy cooperation between China and Kazakhstan in the oil and gas sector is highly complementary. He noted that his company has established long-term and stable partnerships with Kazakh partners and expressed high expectations for the trip.

    “We hope to engage in in-depth exchanges with logistics enterprises in Kazakhstan and other places in Central Asia through this trip,” Zhu Guangmei, deputy general manager at Beijing Tegene Robots Co., Ltd. said, adding that the company aims to promote the integration of intelligent logistics equipment with the needs of local companies, thereby improving efficiency and achieving win-win outcomes.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Union, Coalition Sue Over Elon Musk’s Unprecedented and Illegal Hack of Americans’ Private Data

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    WASHINGTON—A coalition of labor unions representing over 2 million workers filed a federal lawsuit today challenging a data heist carried out by Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency inside three federal government departments.

    Six individuals personally harmed by Musk and DOGE’s theft of their private information joined the suit filed by the AFT, the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM). Protect Democracy and Munger, Tolles & Olson are counsel to the plaintiffs.

    The suit alleges the Department of Education, the Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Treasury improperly disclosed the sensitive records of millions of Americans to DOGE staff who lack appropriate security clearances and have not been properly vetted, and granted access to some of the government’s most sensitive and closely guarded data systems, in violation of the Privacy Act. DOGE employees include a 19-year-old who has previously leaked proprietary information.

    The Privacy Act carefully regulates how agency records about individuals can be shared and disclosures of personal information beyond what the statute authorizes are illegal.

    “Steamrolling into sensitive government record systems has led to a massive data breach that threatens to upend how these critical systems are maintained and seriously compromises the safety and security of personal identifying information for Americans all across the country,” the suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, reads. “It also violates federal law.”

    Plaintiffs include veterans who receive benefit payments, current and former federal employees whose confidential employment files reside in OPM’s system, and teachers whose pathway to the classroom was reliant on student loans to pay for college tuition.

    When Americans interact with the U.S. government, they often entrust federal agencies with sensitive personal information; the suit argues that bond of trust has been broken. The Education Department alone oversees the private information of 43 million student borrowers who hold $1.6 trillion in student debt. Treasury’s system contains records relating to every American who receives (among other things) a tax refund, Social Security benefit, veterans pay, or a federal salary. OPM holds exceedingly sensitive personal information for all 2.3 million federal employees.

    Plaintiffs are asking the court to impose immediate relief that restores the protections of the Privacy Act. They seek injunctive and declaratory relief to ensure that improper disclosures to DOGE representatives stop immediately and that any data currently in DOGE’s possession be immediately deleted and destroyed.

    Enacted in the wake of Watergate, the Privacy Act sought to restore trust in government and to address an existential threat to American democracy.

    “Elon Musk and his minions are stealing Americans’ private personal and financial data in one of the biggest data hacks in U.S. history,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “I suspect no one who voted for Donald Trump thought he would allow Musk permission to invade their privacy. This is a breach of our fundamental freedoms. Right now, inside the Department of Education, the world’s richest man is rifling through 45 million people’s private student loan accounts and feeding the data into artificial intelligence.

    “The department is effectively one of America’s biggest banks—if there was a breach of this magnitude in the private sector, it would rightly be a national scandal. Social Security numbers, financial data, home addresses, and personal demographic data about student borrowers and, in many instances, their parents, spouses or other family members are being illegally vacuumed up by Musk. This lawsuit is being filed to bring an end to his heist before he does irreversible damage to millions more American lives.”

    “The federal government holds in trust vast amounts of data about American citizens, including federal employees and retirees,” said NARFE National President William “Bill” Shackelford. “Without legal guardrails in place to prevent improper use of such data, we risk disclosure to nefarious actors, and abuse by individuals within the government itself, threatening personal liberty and property. The Privacy Act provides those legal guardrails, reflecting a balance between the government’s need to utilize such data for legal purposes and its need to protect against abuse and misuse. Violating the Privacy Act infringes upon individuals’ rights that data held in trust is not misused or abused. NARFE joins this suit to ensure the administration is protecting personal data of federal employees and retirees as required by law.”

    “Government agencies are not private entities that billionaires can simply buy and rummage through,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “Congressional oversight, advocacy and voting are how we make government work for us, not reckless takeovers that put the personal data of millions of Americans into the hands of unqualified, unvetted political operatives. It is up to us—the working families of America—to stand up here and now to protect our privacy and our democracy.”

    “The richest person on the planet hacking into confidential and personal information is not only illegal, but also incredibly dangerous,” said NFFE-IAM National President Randy Erwin. “Musk and his DOGE operatives have no right to access extremely sensitive information of the American public, particularly federal workers who have been targeted and attacked since inauguration day. It is clear that these unauthorized actors intend to use this illegally acquired data to advance their political agenda and undermine the civil service.”

    ”We’re watching in real time as Trump’s cronies break the law to get access to Americans’ most sensitive and personal data,” said Kristy Parker, Counsel to the plaintiffs at Protect Democracy. “No one should be fooled into thinking they’re doing this for our benefit—to save us money or make our lives better. Their goal is to snoop on vast amounts of Americans’ data and try to use what they find to enrich themselves, reward their allies, and punish their critics.”

    The full complaint can be read here.

    Share and Follow:

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Johnson Joins Sen. Graham in Unveiling FY 2025 Budget Resolution to Secure the Border, Revitalize Our Military, Unleash American Energy Production, and Begin the Process of Restoring Fiscal Sanity

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Ron Johnson

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, in releasing the text of the Senate’s fiscal year 2025 budget resolution. 

    The FY 2025 budget resolution will be the blueprint that unlocks the pathway for a fully paid-for reconciliation bill to secure the border, bolster our military, increase American energy independence, and begin the process of fiscal sanity.

    The FY 2025 budget resolution lays the groundwork for legislation that:

    • Secures our border by providing funding to:
      • Finish the wall and upgrade technology for ground and aerial support.
      • Increase the number of detention beds so dangerous criminals aren’t released into the United States.
      • Increase the number of:
        • ICE officers to conduct mass detention and removal of criminal illegal aliens; Border Patrol agents to regain operational control of the border; Assistant U.S. attorneys to prosecute violent crime, organized crime and immigration-related offenses; and immigration judges to clear the backlog in our immigration courts.
      • Make investments in state and local law enforcement to facilitate cooperation with federal law enforcement and immigration enforcement and removal efforts.
    • Revitalizes our military by providing critical funding for the Department of Defense to strengthen the U.S. military to deter conflict and ensure our nation’s security. Priorities to plus up our national defense include: 
      • Maintaining U.S. military readiness and the ability to defend U.S. interests globally.
      • Growing the U.S. Navy and strengthening its industrial base to restore U.S. maritime dominance.
      • Building an integrated air and missile defense to counter threats to the U.S. homeland.
      • Continuing to overhaul and strengthen America’s nuclear defense posture.
    • Facilitates energy independence by unleashing American energy production through on and offshore lease sales, and stopping the Biden Administration’s natural gas tax, also known as the methane emissions fee.
    • Begins the process of restoring fiscal sanity by fully paying for the investments in our border security, national security and domestic energy production up front. Since these investments will be spent in four years, the legislation will be paid for in four years. The bill’s projected increased annual spending of $85.5 billion will be paid for by a projected $85.5 billion in reduced annual spending. 

    Why we need to Secure our Border, Revitalize our Military, Unleash American Energy Production and Begin the Process of Fiscal Sanity.

    Text of the FY 2025 Senate budget resolution is available HERE.

    View tables on the FY 2025 Senate budget resolution HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville, Schmitt Introduce Legislation To Dismantle DEI

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON – Last week, Senator Tuberville joined Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Congressman Michael Cloud (R-TX) to introduce the Dismantle DEI Act, which codifies President Trump’s executive actions terminating DEI programs and initiatives, preventing future administrations from reinstating similar Biden-era DEI policies.

    “We must wash our hands of DEI,” said Senator Tuberville. “Joe Biden and Kamala Harris nearly destroyed the fabric of our country with this woke, racist ideology. We need to focus on hiring the best and brightest, not dividing people based on skin color. Thank God President Trump is restoring merit-based hiring practices to our government. Now Congress must do our job to ensure that this poisonous ideology has no place in our government.”

    “DEI has plagued our federal government, academic institutions, and other aspects of our society for far too long, all while disregarding merit in the process. America is the greatest meritocracy the world has ever seen, and no taxpayer dollars should be wasted on funding this divisive ideology which undercuts the values our country was founded on. President Trump understands that these programs have absolutely no business in the federal government, and I am proud to introduce this critical legislation with Congressman Cloud that will save taxpayer dollars and put a stop to this DEI madness,” said Senator Schmitt.

    BACKGROUND: 

    • On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14151, “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing.” This executive action terminates diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and initiatives throughout all federal departments and agencies, while also compiling a list of those federal contractors and grantees associated with those same programs. 
    • President Trump helped reverse many of the Biden administration’s prior executive actions on DEI programs.
    • The Dismantle DEI Act helps build on the President’s agenda by:
      • Ensuring all DEI offices are terminated and prohibiting agencies from renaming or repurposing them to continue the same functions under new titles.
      • Barring federal funds from being used for DEI training, grants, or programs—including identity-based quotas and critical race theory.
      • Granting individuals the legal right to challenge any of these violations in court.
         

    MORE:

    Tuberville Supporting Elimination Of DEI, Restoration Of Lethality In Armed Forces 
    Tuberville: “We need a military that is 100% focused on protecting our country and enhancing national security.”
    ICYMI: Tuberville op-ed: “Biden is Infecting Our Military With Woke Politics While the World Implodes”
    Tuberville Questioned Army Officials on Lasting Effects of Vaccine Policy on the Military
    Tuberville, Colleagues Help Secure Provision To Protect Servicemembers From COVID Vaccine Mandate In 2023 NDAA
    Tuberville Questions Pentagon about COVID Vaccine Military Discharge
    Tuberville Demands Answers on Military’s Vaccine Mandate

    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Senators to Trump: Telling CFPB to Stop Work & Stand Down Puts Consumers & Military Families at Heightened Risk of Being Ripped Off

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC – All Americans deserve a strong consumer watchdog to look out for their financial well-being, prevent scams, and hold offenders accountable.  This is especially true for servicemembers, veterans, and their families, who are disproportionally targeted by predatory lenders and abusive mortgage, debt collection, and credit card schemes and often face greater financial risks than civilian borrowers due to the nature of their military service.

    The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) collects, investigates, and monitors consumer complaints about financial products and services. It provides relief to consumers who have been wronged by unscrupulous financial providers.  Since the agency’s inception, the CFPB has returned over $21 billion back to consumers who have fallen victim to abusive and illegal activity.

    Unfortunately, the Trump Administration’s ill-advised move to shutter the CFPB and idle 2,000 of the bureau’s employees makes consumers more susceptible to predatory lending and other abusive financial practices. Moreover, the Trump Administration’s decision to stop supervision, enforcement, and litigation eliminates key Military Lending Act (MLA) and Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) protections that prevent servicemembers from being exploited, according to a leading group of U.S Senators.  The financial and legal protections in these bipartisan laws—most notably a temporary reduction in interest rates on mortgages, credit cards, and auto loans—are critical to national defense and military readiness.  Troops should focus on their service obligations while on active duty, rather than worrying about making ends meet at home.

    After President Trump’s newly-installed acting CFPB Director Russell Vought instructed CFPB staff to suspend nearly all activities, stop supervising financial firms, and ordered employees to “stand down from performing any work task” for at least a week, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today joined with 9 of his Senate colleagues in sounding the alarm and urging the Trump Administration to reverse the order.  The Senators wrote a letter demanding the CFPB must perform its essential work supervising and investigating violations of consumer financial protection laws and taking forceful enforcement actions against scammers and payday lenders.

    “This morning, in your capacity as Acting Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), you issued a directive to employees to cease all work without your express written approval.  This includes investigations, supervision, enforcement, and litigation activities, as well as all stakeholder engagement and public communications.  This decision leaves all Americans susceptible to predatory lending and other abusive practices, but in particular, it eliminates protections that prevent servicemembers from being exploited,” the 10 Senators wrote.

    In addition to Reed, who helped write the bipartisan MLA and the law creating the Office of Servicemember Affairs at the CFPB to serve as an independent watchdog for military personnel, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Mark Warner (D-VA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Edward Markey (D-MA).

    “Nullifying the MLA and imperiling servicemembers’ rights under the SCRA will degrade military readiness, cost taxpayers money, and tarnish servicemembers’ records.  The Department of Defense (DOD) has stated that “high-cost debt can detract from mission focus, reduce productivity, and require the attention of supervisors and commanders.”  Morale suffers when servicemembers and their families are trapped in cycles of debt.  And taxpayers are on the hook when our servicemembers leave the military due to avoidable personal issues like financial insecurity.  According to DOD, each separated servicemember costs the Pentagon more than $58,000,” the Senators continued.

    “Accordingly, we request that the CFPB continue to supervise and investigate violations of the consumer financial protection laws and take forceful enforcement actions against lenders that violate the law, especially when it comes to predatory lending that harms our military readiness.  We also request that the CFPB continue to make public communications to consumers, especially to servicemembers regarding the rights that they are owed under the SCRA,” the letter concluded.

    Full text of the letter follows:

    February 10, 2025

    The Honorable Russell Vought, Director                                                                                          

    Office of Management and Budget                                        

    725 17th St. NW                                                                       

    Washington, DC 20303                                                         

    Dear Director Vought:

    This morning, in your capacity as Acting Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), you issued a directive to employees to cease all work without your express written approval.  This includes investigations, supervision, enforcement, and litigation activities, as well as all stakeholder engagement and public communications.  This decision leaves all Americans susceptible to predatory lending and other abusive practices, but in particular, it eliminates protections that prevent servicemembers from being exploited. 

    This funding, supervision, enforcement, and communications freeze will hit military families especially hard.  Without a functional CFPB, military families will be stripped of their financial protections under the bipartisan Military Lending Act (MLA) that they have earned and deserve by serving our Nation.  The CFPB is the primary agency responsible for supervising and enforcing the MLA against nonbank financial companies, including payday lenders, pawnshops, and debt collectors who have charged servicemembers interest rates as high as 600% and who have threatened to derail their careers if they do not pay up. 

    The agency’s supervision and enforcement program has delivered concrete results for the military.  The CFPB has resolved 39 cases involving harm to servicemembers and veterans, returning $363 million to victims, including six enforcement actions for violations of the MLA.  Two additional MLA cases are currently pending in court, alleging that a pawn shop and an installment lender charged sky high interest rates to military families and engaged in deceptive practices to illegally harvest fees.  With these cases frozen, no supervision, staff locked out, and additional enforcement off the table, unscrupulous lenders will exploit these circumstances to engage in additional predatory lending.  The actions that you have taken since being installed as Acting Director betray our servicemembers and empower scammers who want to rip them off.

    Further, recent CFPB research identified a long-running pattern of lenders failing to decrease servicemembers’ interest rates while on active duty as required by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).  These failures cost servicemembers thousands of dollars per year.  The CFPB’s public communications have held lenders accountable and helped servicemembers exercise their rights under Federal law.

    Nullifying the MLA and imperiling servicemembers’ rights under the SCRA will degrade military readiness, cost taxpayers money, and tarnish servicemembers’ records.  The Department of Defense (DOD) has stated that “high-cost debt can detract from mission focus, reduce productivity, and require the attention of supervisors and commanders.”  Morale suffers when servicemembers and their families are trapped in cycles of debt.  And taxpayers are on the hook when our servicemembers leave the military due to avoidable personal issues like financial insecurity.  According to DOD, each separated servicemember costs the Pentagon more than $58,000.

    Accordingly, we request that the CFPB continue to supervise and investigate violations of the consumer financial protection laws and take forceful enforcement actions against lenders that violate the law, especially when it comes to predatory lending that harms our military readiness.  We also request that the CFPB continue to make public communications to consumers, especially to servicemembers regarding the rights that they are owed under the SCRA. 

    We request your commitment no later than February 12, 2025.  Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dr. Rand Paul Introduces the Government Shutdown Prevention Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Rand Paul

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

    February 10, 2025

     Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343

     

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced the Government Shutdown Prevention Act. The bill incentivizes Congress to properly consider and debate spending legislation in the future, as it would immediately cut spending if government funding deadlines are missed.

    “My Government Shutdown Prevention Act would help ensure Congress starts hitting its deadlines, making it a more responsible steward of the American people’s resources,” said Dr. Paul.

    Instead of Congress risking government shutting down operations, Dr. Paul’s plan would keep government open but institute a six percent cut to then-current funding levels for any agency, program, and activity that Congress failed to fund. Funding would be reduced by another one percent every 90 days thereafter that an agreement is still not enacted.

    Currently, Congress does not face any consequences for failing to pass appropriations bills on time, which has helped lead to it pursuing procrastination over prudence and risking shutdowns due to impasses.

    Along with ensuring government honors its obligations and maintains its operations, Dr. Paul’s proposal would give agencies the certainty of knowing that, in a worst-case scenario, they will always be able to operate with a full year of funding at no less than 91 percent of their then-current levels. Dr. Paul’s approach is the only fiscally responsible one, as all other so-called shutdown prevention bills make unsustainable spending levels permanent for the foreseeable future.

    You can read the Government Shutdown Prevention Act HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Lankford Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Support Rural Hospitals

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    February 10, 2025

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-OK) introduced the bipartisan Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act, which would support financially vulnerable rural hospitals facing risk of closure. The legislation would update Medicare’s “Critical Access Hospital” (CAH) designation so more rural hospitals can qualify for this financial lifeline and continue to serve their communities with quality, affordable health care services. Small and rural hospitals are the backbone of their communities, and often the largest employers, contributing nearly $5 billion in direct spending on payroll, goods, and services in Illinois. Yet more than 135 rural hospitals have closed nationwide in the past dozen years, an estimated 50 percent of rural hospitals ran operating losses last year, and more than 400 hospitals are facing closure risk.

    “Rural hospitals are the backbone of the communities in Illinois and across the country, providing essential access points to health care and anchoring the local economy. Yet, many grapple with financial vulnerabilities, and patients across rural Illinois face challenges accessing the health care they need—with too few medical providers and long distances between them. Our bipartisan bill protects rural hospitals from closing and strengthens our commitment to the communities that depend on these essential health providers,” Durbin said. 

    “It is not sustainable or safe for patients in rural Oklahoma and around the nation to be forced to drive hours to get to their nearest hospital,” said Lankford. “Our bill would ensure hospitals serving low-income or rural areas can keep their doors open and continue to serve their communities. There are many areas of health care in our nation that need our attention, but while we continue to work to address them, we cannot leave out our rural communities. Oklahomans should be able to live where they want and still be able to access quality health care.” 

    Under CAH status, hospitals are paid a higher Medicare rate, as long as they have fewer than 25 inpatient beds; are located 35 miles from other hospitals; maintain patient length of stays less than 96 hours; and offer 24/7 emergency care. This elevated federal reimbursement rate is essential for more than 1,300 rural hospitals to serve their communities. 

    The Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act would support and stabilize rural hospitals by providing flexibility around the 35-mile distance requirement and enabling states to certify a hospital as a “necessary provider” in order to obtain CAH designation. This authority ended in 2006, but today’s bill would re-open this financial lifeline for certain rural hospitals that serve a low-income community, are located in a health professional shortage area, and that have operated with negative margins for multiple years. There are currently 51 Critical Access Hospitals in Illinois, and several rural hospitals would newly qualify under this legislation for increased Medicare payments and stabilization. 

    Last Congress, the Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act was supported by the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN), Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA), and National Rural Health Association (NRHA).

      

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Supporting farmers to ‘meat’ global food demand

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay today hosted a Lamb barbecue to mark National Lamb Day (15 February 2025) for farmers, industry representatives, MPs, and media at Parliament.  

    “As we celebrate National Lamb Day, parliament honours the legacy of early sector pioneers and acknowledges the hard work and resilience of our farmers, processors, and exporters — your dedication ensures that New Zealand’s red meat sector remains world leading and ready to grow,” Mr McClay says.

    “Agriculture is the backbone of New Zealand’s economy, with sheep and beef farmers alone contributing over $10 billion in exports to the economy last year. This is equal to $3,300 in income for every Kiwi household. 

    “The sector isn’t just crucial to our goal of doubling exports by value in ten years — it also supports 76,000 jobs across New Zealand and is leading the way in sustainable farming.

    The Government’s agricultural team, of Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard, Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson and Associate Minister of Agriculture Nicola Grigg, are laser focused on getting costs down and returning more value to the farm gate.

    Farmers have done it tough over the last few years with significant weather events and challenging commodity prices, but as farmer confidence rises there are real signs of green shoots ahead including: 

    • A lift in sheepmeat prices over recent months, with December lamb prices exceeding the five-year average,
    • Record high cattle prices, and
    • Rising demand from key red meat markets.

    “Looking ahead, we are focused on new growth opportunities for lamb and red meat, particularly in the Middle East. The recent trade agreements with the United Arab of Emirates (UAE) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will eliminate 99 per cent of all tariffs over time.

    “Kiwi farmers are the best in the world, and we are committed to supporting a future where New Zealand lamb continues to be celebrated and enjoyed on tables world-wide.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: F&M Bank Welcomes Peter Schork as Regional President for Toledo, Ohio & Southeast Michigan

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ARCHBOLD, Ohio, Feb. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — F&M Bank (“F&M”), an Archbold, Ohio-based bank owned by Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: FMAO) announced that Peter Schork has joined F&M as Regional President of the Toledo, Ohio, and Southeastern Michigan regions.

    Lars Eller, President and CEO of F&M stated, “As a proven community banker, Peter brings a wealth of experience to F&M. His leadership, deep market knowledge, and commitment to building strong relationships will be an invaluable resource to F&M as we continue to grow and serve our communities. We look forward to the impact he will make in driving success for our customers, employees, and stakeholders.”

    In his new role, Peter will oversee F&M’s presence in the Toledo, Ohio, and Birmingham, Michigan markets, including offices in Waterville, Swanton, Perrysburg, Sylvania, and Downtown Toledo, as well as F&M’s Loan Production Office in Troy and its Birmingham, Michigan location.

    Peter brings over 25 years of banking and financial experience to F&M. Prior to joining the Company, he served as the Ann Arbor President for Oxford Bank and co-founded the Ann Arbor State Bank serving as its President and CEO. In addition to his community bank experience, Peter was the CFO at Catalyst Commercial Real Estate, and the President of a Michigan-based title, mortgage, and real estate company. In addition to his business experience, Peter is a proud supporter of various community organizations. Currently, he serves on the Michigan Theater Board of Trustees, is a member of the Ray and Eleanor Cross Foundation and the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor and is a Board Member and Treasurer for the Homeless/Unhoused Mission. Peter holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) with a specialization in Finance from Eastern Michigan University.

    About F&M Bank:
    F&M Bank is a local independent community bank that has been serving its communities since 1897. F&M Bank provides commercial banking, retail banking and other financial services. Our locations are in Butler, Champaign, Fulton, Defiance, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Shelby, Williams, and Wood counties in Ohio. In Northeast Indiana, we have offices located in Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Jay, Steuben and Wells counties. The Michigan footprint includes Oakland County, and we have Loan Production Offices in Troy, Michigan; Muncie, Indiana; and Perrysburg and Bryan, Ohio.

    Safe harbor statement
    Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements by F&M, including management’s expectations and comments, may not be based on historical facts and are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21B of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results could vary materially depending on risks and uncertainties inherent in general and local banking conditions, competitive factors specific to markets in which F&M and its subsidiaries operate, future interest rate levels, legislative and regulatory decisions, capital market conditions, or the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impacts on our credit quality and business operations, as well as its impact on general economic and financial market conditions. F&M assumes no responsibility to update this information. For more details, please refer to F&M’s SEC filing, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Such filings can be viewed at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov or through F&M’s website www.fm.bank.

    __________________________________________

    Company Contact: Investor and Media Contact:
    Lars B. Eller
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.
    (419) 446-2501
    leller@fm.bank    		 Andrew M. Berger
    Managing Director
    SM Berger & Company, Inc.
    (216) 464-6400
    andrew@smberger.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e11179be-cf20-449e-9416-ca1e8ff1fd2f

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Helps Introduce Right to Contraception Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined her Senate colleagues to help introduce the Right to Contraception Act. This bill would reaffirm the explicit legal right to obtain and use contraceptives, and ensure health care providers have a right to give contraceptives and share information about it.
    “As anti-choice extremists continue trying to restrict women’s ability to access reproductive care, it’s clear that we must protect the right to contraception in federal law,” said Senator Rosen. “This legislation would help protect a woman’s fundamental right to make decisions about her own body and keep extreme politicians out of her doctor’s offices. I’ll continue working to protect our reproductive rights.”
    Senator Rosen has been working to restore reproductive freedoms and oppose anti-choice efforts to restrict access to care. She has previously voted to protect women’s constitutional right to access birth control. Last year, she also voted to support the passage of the Reproductive Freedom for Women Act, which was blocked by Senate Republicans. Senator Rosen joined legislation to safeguard IVF treatments in federal law and helped introduce the Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act to protect health care professionals from being prosecuted for providing reproductive care to their patients. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Reverend Warnock Issues Statement on CFBP Shutting Down Following Orders from Trump Administration

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Senator Reverend Warnock Issues Statement on CFBP Shutting Down Following Orders from Trump Administration

    Last Congress, Senator Reverend Warnock chaired the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection, which oversaw the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

    Senator Reverend Warnock successfully pushed CFPB to remove medical debt from credit scores, impact 12% of Georgians with medical debt

    In partnership with Senator Reverend Warnock, CFPB addressed 266,560 complaints from Georgians, including 20,168 from servicemembers in the state

    Senator Reverend Warnock: “Georgians I speak to every day don’t have the financial flexibility of the world’s richest man, many of them only have a few hundred dollars in their bank account. Those are the Georgians who will suffer from CFPB’s closure”

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), former chair of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection, issued the following statement on the closure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB):

    “The Trump Administration is trying to squeeze the voices of the people out of our democracy so those in power can create more wealth for people like themselves. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is their latest target.”

    “This reckless action will hurt millions of Georgians and Americans across the country. The CFPB has been an eager partner in our work to protect working-class Americans from fraud, scams, and predatory companies. Fighting on behalf of consumers from mortgages and student loans to medical debt and junk fees, CFPB has returned billions to the public.”

    “Georgians I speak to every day don’t have the financial flexibility of the world’s richest man, many of them only have a few hundred dollars in their bank account. Those are the Georgians who will suffer from the CFPB’s closure. I will remain laser-focused on doing everything I can to protect the financial security of Georgians and committed to making sure the protections secured by CFPB aren’t rolled back.”

    Last Congress, Senator Warnock worked extensively with CFPB Chair, Rohit Chopra, to return funds and protect Georgians from future financial hardship, including:

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Reverend Warnock, Colleagues Push Back on DOGE’s Interference into Departments of Education, Treasury and Access to Payments Systems for Millions of Americans 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Senator Reverend Warnock, Colleagues Push Back on DOGE’s Interference into Departments of Education, Treasury and Access to Payments Systems for Millions of Americans 

    In two separate efforts this week, Senator Reverend Warnock demanded answers into the “Department” of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employees’ data collection practices and access to federal agencies

    The letters are part of an ongoing effort by several lawmakers to push back against the efforts of the Trump Administration and its billionaire allies to gut the federal government

    The letters follow Senator Reverend Warnock’s nearly hour-long speech on the Senate floor opposing Russell Vought’s nomination to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

    ICYMI from the New York Times: Senate Democrats Demand Clarity About Musk’s Efforts at Education Dept.

    Washington, D.C. — Earlier this week, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) joined two efforts to push back against the “Department” of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) access to personal information and sensitive government data. 

    “If you want to know who Donald Trump is working for, look at who he’s surrounding himself with. The likes of Elon Musk, the billionaire, the richest man in the world who is now telling the rest of us that we need to tighten our belts. How quaint,” said Senator Reverend Warnock during his Wednesday floor speech.

    The first letter, authored by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), was sent to Acting Secretary of the Department of Education (ED), Denise Carter, launching a probe into recent reports that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has infiltrated the Department of Education and that “DOGE staffers have gained access to federal student loan data, which includes personal information for millions of borrowers.”

    “This deeply troubling report raises questions about potential exposures of Americans’ private data, the abuse of this data by the Trump Administration, and whether officials who have access to the data may have violated the law or the federal government’s procedures for handling sensitive information,” wrote the senators.

    In the second letter, addressed to Senate Banking and Finance committee Chairs, Tim Scott (R-SC) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) respectively, Senator Warnock joined 16 other Senate Democrats in calling for an immediate hearing to examine the reports that officials associated with the DOGE have gained access to systems that control millions of payments to American citizens.

    “Putting this system in the hands of unaccountable political actors raises significant economic and national security risks. Information in these systems is critical to the Department’s management of the national debt. The takeover by Mr. Musk and his associates was achieved by engineering the ouster of a key official responsible for managing the extraordinary measures the Department has been taking to avoid a default. A misstep with these payment systems could lead to a technical default with a wide range of devastating consequences, from seniors missing Social Security payments to a global financial meltdown that costs trillions of dollars and millions of jobs,” wrote the Senators.

    The letter to acting DOE Secretary Denise Carter can be viewed HERE.

    The letter to Ranking Members Scott and Crapo can be viewed HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff, Western Senators Raise Alarm on Trump’s Illegal Funding Cuts Targeting Wildfire Mitigation Efforts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Schiff, Western Senators Raise Alarm on Trump’s Illegal Funding Cuts Targeting Wildfire Mitigation Efforts

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) joined Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and 10 other Western Democratic Senators to sound the alarm over threats to the removal of hazardous fuels on U.S. public lands. The Bureau of Land Management recently issued stop work orders to small businesses and organizations across America carrying out critical hazardous fuel removal projects on high-risk federal lands. Delaying these treatments risks missing out on the right seasonal and weather conditions for safely treating hazardous fuels.

    The letter follows President Donald Trump’s illegal executive orders cutting federal funds needed to mitigate and fight wildfires, despite the devastating fires that ravaged Southern California communities last month. The Senators demanded that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Acting Agriculture Secretary Gary Washington rescind the order to stop work on essential hazardous fuels reduction efforts and any other wildland fire management and risk-reduction programs.

    “Catastrophic wildfires across the United States are an ongoing national crisis and responding to them must be a national priority. These stop work orders and funding freezes jeopardize communities that depend on a robust federal response to our wildfire crisis — and also jeopardize small businesses, often in frontier and rural communities, that are contracted to do the work on the ground to reduce hazardous fuels,” wrote the Senators.

    “As we’ve seen with the recent fires surrounding Los Angeles, wildfire does not distinguish between homes and trees. But we do have ways to mitigate the risk,” continued the Senators. “One of the most effective strategies to reduce that risk is to reduce the hazardous natural fuels that surround our communities. These fuels reduction projects save lives and property, reduce the danger to firefighters, and return our lands to a fire-adapted ecosystem that can better withstand the threat to human life, communities, infrastructure, and property.

    The hazardous fuel reduction projects are a core component of the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, to which Congress appropriated over $3 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. These investments in fuels reduction treatments for high-risk firesheds were recommended in the nonpartisan Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission Report.

    In addition to Senators Padilla, Schiff, Merkley, and Heinrich, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    Senator Padilla has long been a leader in strengthening the federal and state response to wildfires. Last week, Padilla introduced bipartisan legislation to create a national Wildfire Intelligence Center to streamline federal response and create a whole-of-government approach to combat wildfires. He also announced a package of three bipartisan bills to bolster fire resilience and proactive mitigation efforts, including the Wildfire Emergency Act, the Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act, and the Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act, the last of which is co-led by Senator Schiff. Padilla’s legislation to strengthen FEMA’s wildfire preparedness and response efforts, the FIRE Act, became law in 2022.

    Padilla previously questioned Secretary Burgum on his support for wildfire aid, securing his commitment to responding to wildfires regardless of which state they impact with all necessary resources and support possible.

    Full text of the letter can be found here and below:

    Dear Secretary Burgum and Acting Secretary Washington, 

    We are writing with great concern about reports from our constituents that the Bureau of Land Management has issued stop work orders for hazardous fuels reduction projects. We are further concerned that fuels projects overseen by the U.S. Forest Service will be next. These projects are integral to increased safety and resiliency and any delay in implementation puts those communities at greater risk. We urge you to immediately rescind these stop work orders, halt any further stop work orders or funding freezes, and instead work with the tools and funds Congress has provided to better safeguard our communities from the serious risk of catastrophic wildfire.

    These projects are part of the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, funded by the Infrastructure and Investment in Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Investing in fuels reduction treatments is a primary recommendation in the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission Report, a nonpartisan strategy document to tackle the myriad challenges associated with wildfire across the country. We also note with alarm that this report was removed from federal websites this week. 

    In 2022, the Forest Service identified high-risk firesheds across the country to be prioritized for hazardous fuels reduction work through the Wildlife Crisis Strategy and Implementation Plan. The Forest Service chose 10 high-priority landscapes with the enactment of IIJA and an additional 11 landscapes with the enactment of IRA – each of these landscapes require significant investment to reduce wildfire risk. These 21 landscapes were awarded a total of $1.73 billion to protect at-risk communities, critical infrastructure, public water sources, and adjacent Tribal lands in 10 Western states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. The Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, States, Tribes, local stakeholders, and small businesses have been working together over the last three years to implement fuels reduction on these landscapes. 

    Catastrophic wildfires across the United States are an ongoing national crisis and responding to them must be a national priority. These stop work orders and funding freezes jeopardize communities that depend on a robust federal response to our wildfire crisis – and also jeopardize small businesses, often in frontier and rural communities, that are contracted to do the work on the ground to reduce hazardous fuels.  

    In addition to endangering communities, the President’s Executive Orders freezing funding are flagrantly illegal. The Government Accountability Office, the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel (including in an opinion written by future Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, William H. Rehnquist), and the Supreme Court of the United States have all disavowed the notion of some “inherent Presidential power to impound,” as some in the Administration, as well as pending Administration nominees, have tried to argue without legal or textual basis. 

    Not only does the Constitution vest the power of the purse with Congress and provide no power to the President to impound funds, but there have been several bedrock fiscal statutes enacted to protect Congress’ constitutional power of the purse and prevent unlawful executive overreach, including the Antideficiency Act and the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (ICA). The ICA prohibits any action or inaction that precludes Federal funds from being obligated or spent, either temporarily or permanently, without following the strictly circumscribed requirements of that law, which have not been honored in this instance. 

    As we’ve seen with the recent fires surrounding Los Angeles, wildfire does not distinguish between homes and trees. But we do have ways to mitigate the risk. One of the most effective strategies to reduce that risk is to reduce the hazardous natural fuels that surround our communities. These fuels reduction projects save lives and property, reduce the danger to firefighters, and return our lands to a fire-adapted ecosystem that can better withstand the threat to human life, communities, infrastructure, and property.   

    By terminating or even pausing these projects, all of the progress made at protecting these communities is at risk. We are imploring you to rescind the order to stop work on these hazardous fuels reduction efforts, as well as any other wildland fire management programs that are working to reduce risk and safeguard communities from catastrophic wildfire. 

    We hope to work with you to combat the scourge of catastrophic wildfire. 

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Colleagues Launch Probe Into DOGE’s Access to Sensitive Student Loan Data and Interference With Education Department

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Colleagues Launch Probe Into DOGE’s Access to Sensitive Student Loan Data and Interference With Education Department

    Musk’s team may have obtained access to personal information of millions of borrowers; raises concerns about violations of the law and failure to protect sensitive information

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and 13 of their Senate colleagues in launching a probe into recent reports that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has infiltrated the Department of Education and gained access to federal student loan data, which includes millions of borrowers’ personal information.

    According to public reporting, “a handful of 19-to-24-year-old engineers linked to Musk’s companies, with unclear titles, could be bypassing regular security protocols” during DOGE’s infiltration of federal agencies. The Senators also raised concerns that the access provided to DOGE-affiliated staff by the Department may violate the Privacy Act, which generally prohibits the disclosure of such information. The University of California Student Association, which represents thousands of California students, sued the Department on Friday, voicing similar concerns regarding the sharing of private student information.

    There are over 40 million federal student loan borrowers in the United States, including approximately 4 million in California, the most of any state. The Department of Education’s student loan database contains millions of borrowers’ highly sensitive information, including Social Security numbers, marital status, and income data.

    “This deeply troubling report raises questions about potential exposures of Americans’ private data, the abuse of this data by the Trump Administration, and whether officials who have access to the data may have violated the law or the federal government’s procedures for handling sensitive information,” wrote the Senators.

    “We are especially troubled by this reporting given President Trump’s stated pledge to abolish the Department,” continued the Senators. “The millions of families who rely on [the Education Department] to help them achieve the American Dream deserve answers about reports that an unelected billionaire and his team now have access to some of their most sensitive personal information.”

    Additional reporting suggests that DOGE has “fed sensitive data from across the Education Department into artificial intelligence software to probe the agency’s programs and spending.”

    In addition to Senators Padilla, Warren, and Schumer, the letter was also signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    The 16 senators requested answers from Acting Education Secretary Denise Carter about DOGE’s access to federal student loan data and any other sensitive databases by February 13, 2025.

    Full text of the letter is available here and below:

    Dear Acting Secretary Carter:

    We write regarding recent reports that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has infiltrated the Department of Education (ED or the Department) and that “DOGE staffers have gained access to federal student loan data, which includes personal information for millions of borrowers.”

    The federal government’s student loan database contains highly sensitive information for millions of borrowers, including Social Security Numbers, marital status, and income information. Each year, 13 million students receive federal financial aid; there are over 40 million federal student loan borrowers in the United States. It is not at all clear that DOGE officials meet the strict criteria that would allow them to access this sensitive information protected by federal law—or whether DOGE officials have gained access to other sensitive ED databases as part of their efforts to “reform” the agency.

    This deeply troubling report raises questions about potential exposures of Americans’ private data, the abuse of this data by the Trump Administration, and whether officials who have access to the data may have violated the law or the federal government’s procedures for handling sensitive information. According to public reporting, “a handful of 19-to-24-year-old engineers linked to Musk’s companies, with unclear titles, could be bypassing regular security protocols” in DOGE’s takeover of federal agencies. The access provided to DOGE-affiliated staff by the Department may also violate the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552a, which, absent permission from the affected individuals, generally prohibits the disclosure of such information and requires agencies to follow rules of conduct and maintain systems with appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards.

    We are especially troubled by this reporting given President Trump’s stated pledge to abolish the Department. Efforts to abolish the Department have sparked fear and uncertainty for students, families, and teachers across the country who rely on the agency for critical financial aid, loans, grants, and other assistance. The millions of families who rely on ED to help them achieve the American Dream deserve answers about reports that an unelected billionaire and his team now have access to some of their most sensitive personal information. Accordingly, we ask that you answer the following questions by February 13, 2025:

    1. Have Mr. Musk and his team been provided access to the National Student Loan Data System or other databases with sensitive federal student loan data? If so:
      • Please list all individuals who have gained access to borrowers’ personal data. What are these individuals’ job titles and responsibilities? Are they federal government employees? What is the nature of their service (e.g., Special Government Employee, Competitive Service, Senior Executive Service)?
      • What procedures were followed in giving these individuals access? Did the individuals who were granted access to these systems have appropriate authorization and clearances?
      • What data can these individuals access?
      • Do these individuals have the ability to download or copy data or to modify programs or systems for maintaining and analyzing data?
      • Who decided to give these individuals access?
      • What was the rationale for granting these individuals access?
    2. Please describe what safeguards are in place to ensure that federal student loan data is not misused.
      • What safeguards and procedures are in place to protect borrowers’ personal data?
      • Did the Department and DOGE officials follow these safeguards and procedures?
      • What safeguards and procedures are in place to protect borrower’s data privacy within the rest of the federal student aid system and ensure that DOGE staffers do not interfere with the timely disbursement of federal aid?
    3. Have Mr. Musk and his team been provided access to any other sensitive databases managed by the Education Department? If so:
      • Please list and describe all those databases.
      • Please list all individuals who have gained access to those databases. What are these individuals’ job titles and responsibilities? Are they federal government employees? What is the nature of their service (e.g., Special Government Employee, Competitive Service, Senior Executive Service)?
      • What procedures were followed in giving these individuals access? Did the individuals who were granted access to these systems have appropriate authorization and clearances?
      • What data can these individuals access?
      • Do these individuals have the ability to download or copy data or to modify programs or systems for maintaining and analyzing data?
      • Who decided to give these individuals access?
      • What was the rationale for granting these individuals access?

    Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ricketts, Lankford Introduce Bill to Block Tax Breaks for Marijuana Businesses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)

    February 10, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and James Lankford (R-OK)introduced the No Deductions for Marijuana Businesses Act. The legislation will prevent marijuana businesses from deducting business expenses from their federal taxes. 

    “The federal government should not be subsidizing an industry that profits from addiction and undermines public safety,” Ricketts said. “This bill ensures that marijuana businesses do not receive tax breaks while they continue to violate federal law.”

    “Marijuana doesn’t make our families stronger, our streets safer, or our workplaces more productive.”said Lankford. “Businesses who sell federally illegal drugs—including marijuana businesses—shouldn’t get federal tax breaks. This bill clarifies federal tax law to make sure a federally illegal product does not have a federally legal tax deduction.”

    “The federal government should not be in the business of giving tax relief to the federally illegal, addiction-for-profit marijuana industry. This legislation would prevent deficit increases while ensuring that taxpayers don’t foot the bill for the revenue gap made by tax write-offs for people who choose to violate federal law and poison our kids,” said Dr. Kevin Sabet, President and CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM).

    Since the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, tax law has prevented businesses trafficking Schedule I or II drugs from deducting business expenses. However, if the Biden Administration’s push to reschedule marijuana is successful, marijuana businesses would be able to take business deductions. This bill preempts that loophole and ensures that marijuana businesses would not be able to deduct business expenses from their taxes. 

    Bill text can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Supporting Orkney’s farmers and food producers

    Source: Scottish Government

    Plans for new abattoir get funding boost.

    Orkney’s farmers, crofters and producers could benefit from a new local abattoir which will help them bring their produce to market, benefit the island’s economy and support high-welfare meat production.

    First Minister John Swinney visited Orkney Auction Mart, which has received a £15,000 grant as a lead partner to help build the business case for a new, fit-for-purpose processing plant.

    The funding is part of the Scottish Government’s Small Producers Pilot Fund, which this year has provided a total of £256,500 to support private kill abattoirs including in Shetland, Wishaw, Barra, Dingwall and Mull.

    By creating more localised supply chains, the Fund aims to increase the proportion of food grown and processed by small farms and small holders, and consumed within the community.

    The First Minister said:

    “The Scottish Government is committed to supporting small producers and strengthening Scotland’s food supply chain. We know that local marts and abattoirs play an important role in supporting island businesses and ensuring the best animal welfare.

     “A new facility in Orkney would bring many benefits for the people who live and work here, supporting economic growth in the area and the future sustainability of the island’s food production industry.  We will continue to work with HIE and the Orkney Islands Council as the project develops.”

    Chair of Orkney Auction Mart Alan Corrigall said:

    “We were delighted to welcome the First Minister to Orkney to explain, first hand, how vital a new abattoir is for our community. Our case has been well received and we very much welcome the Scottish Government’s support.  We’re looking forward to working in partnership with local butchers and other stakeholders, to build a strong business case for this important project.”

    Background

    Supporting Scotland’s small producers – gov.scot

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –